Customer Reviews

Olympus Digital Voice Recorder (VN 6200PC)

5 star:		(96)
4 star:		(67)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

Olympus has just introduced its new Olympus VN-6200PC Digital Voice Recorder. The VN-6200PC is identical to the nearly 1 year old Olympus VN-5200PC Digital Voice Recorder in function and features, but now has twice the memory, 1 GB, for the same suggested list price as the VN-5200PC. The Olympus VN-6200PC, VN-5200PC and VN-3200PC Digital Voice Recorders all operate exactly the same and are boxed with the same "Instructions" sheet for all 3. The VN-5200PC I own is great. The VN-6200PC is even better!

If you need a quality, low-cost, monaural digital voice recorder that easily records and transfers Windows Media Audio (WMA) files fast via a USB 2.0 connection to your PC without any extra software, the Olympus VN-6200PC is a great choice. It outperforms the popular Olympus VN-4100PC Digital Voice Recorder in nearly every way...more storage, longer recording time, longer battery life, more folders and files, greater frequency response, greater output level. Over 444 hours in LP record mode, and you still get almost 71 hours in HQ mode...that's 200-13,000 Hz range, good enough to hum or strum your spur of the moment musical inspirations if you are into songwriting. It also has variable voice activation and a dynamic display of audio recording level. About the only feature the VN-4100PC has which the VN-6200PC doesn't is timer recording and playback if you really need it.

It does take a couple of readings of the instructions and a little practice to familiarize yourself with operating the VN-6200PC, but once you get the hang of it, it's really easy and intuitive to use. There are 5 folders, each able to hold up to 200 files. Every time you start and stop a recording, a new file is automatically created. The files and folders are easily transferred to your PC via the USB connection. Just plug in to your PC, and your VN-6200PC automatically looks just like any disc drive or storage device on your PC with a Windows directory displaying the files and folders. Just "select all" and move or copy the files to a disc drive to save the files in one operation. Playing the files just involves clicking on the audio file icons, and Windows Media Player pops up and goes to work. You can easily play all of the files in a folder in sequence with just one click on a Windows playing option that automatically creates a playlist of all the files. The files can easily be renamed both on the disc drive and on the VN-6200PC. They can be any name you choose. They don't have to have any specific format. Any file of any type with any name (text files, PDF files, etc.) can also be copied to and stored on the VN-6200PC. However, for an audio file to play on the VN-6200PC, it must be a WMA file and it must be copied or moved into one of the five specific audio folders on the VN-6200PC.

The Olympus VN-6200PC has no editing features. You can easily place and remove index markers to quickly return to specific file locations in playback mode, but any file editing must be done on the computer. While Windows Media Player allows you to select and sequence the files via a playlist, you will need to purchase separate software if you wish to edit or combine the files or convert them to other audio file formats such as MP3 or WAV.

One annoying feature of the VN-6200PC is that the earphone jack is monaural and, without an adapter, not compatible with the stereo headphones everybody has for their iPods or their old Walkman players. That's just plain stupid on the part of Olympus. Even my old mono GE microcassette recorder has a stereo earphone jack. A 1/8" stereo jack to 1/8" mono plug adapter can be bought at Radio Shack for $2.99 to solve the problem, a cost and inconvenience that should not be necessary. Another gripe is that the USB cable provided by Olympus with the VN-6200PC is only 6 inches long. This is okay for a laptop computer, but a USB extension cable may be necessary for your desktop computer. Target sells the 6 ft. Belkin USB Extension Cable (A-A) for $7.99. A type-A plug to 5-pin mini-plug USB cable can also be used.

In short, the Olympus VN-6200PC is for notes, meetings, lectures, dictation, emailing audio messages, and even songwriting. Its features are basic, price is modest, and the value is good. If you are into live music and MP3, news interviews, need stereo and fancy features, then go for the higher-priced Olympus digital recorders.

NOTE: Free, full-feature (not a "demo" copy), open-source software downloads to edit and convert audio files are available. SUPER© from erightsoft works on Windows platforms and will convert just about any audio file format to any other audio format. Audacity from Sourceforge is a full-featured audio file editor that works on Windows and Mac. Audacity is not licensed to directly import and convert WMA files, so it makes use of 3rd party software for WMA conversion. With Audacity 1.2, SUPER© or iTunes can be used to first convert WMA files to a format Audacity can accept, such as WAV. Audacity 1.3, a beta-test version, makes use of a free, separately downloaded ffmpeg import/export library to seamlessly import, export, and convert WMA files. (Currently, for use on the Mac, the ffmpeg library source code must first be converted to binary code... a job for "Mac-techies" only!)

For those who complain there is no software to organize the audio files, you are wrong. Windows and the VN-6200PC already provide you with firmware and software tools to do so. Managing and organizing your audio files is easy. First, if you toggle the VN-6200PC Disp/Menu button, you can choose to display the file recording date, the time it was recorded, and/or the duration time of the recording as you page through the audio files. Since you've got the recording dates and times, you can identify your recordings. Second, when you use your computer and the USB interface to view the audio file folders with Windows, you can display a detailed column listing of all the audio files showing the date and time the audio files were recorded by clicking on "View" in the Toolbar and then selecting "Details". (Also click on "Choose Details" and add "Date Created" and any other preferences to the list of file details displayed.) You can even choose to arrange the audio files in the detail list in order of the "Date Created". Besides being able to rename the audio files, if you "right-click" on any audio file and select "Properties" followed by "Summary", you can fill in text for "Title" and "Comments" fields to provide more info about the audio file.

I haven't tried all of the VN-6200PC's capabilities in differing circumstances yet, but below are a few preliminary comments.
Pros:
- Lots of memory: 1 GB of built-in memory gives about 70 hours of HQ recording and up to 400 hours of lower-quality recording.
- Playback sound quality (at least in HQ mode) is pretty good for a voice recorder.
- When connected to a PC, it shows up and functions pretty much like a flash memory card (you can even use it as one).
Cons:
- Looks and feels rather kind of cheaply made- i.e., it has a light-weight, "cheap plastic" look about it. The Sony voice recorders looks sleeker and feel better in your hand.
- There are no adjustable options for naming files; e.g., you cannot automatically name files with the date/time of the recording. All sound files are automatically named by sequential numbers, and when you transfer them to your computer you would have to manually re-name them with the file date if you want that. (The files do have standard modification dates, though, since you can set the date and time on the recorder.)
- There is no sound file management software either included or available on the Olympus Web site. All files are in .wma format, so if you want to make them into .mp3's or anything else, you'll need converter software from an external source. The same is true if you want to do batch-renaming or any type of sound or file editing.
- Mono only: no stereo recording/playback.
Bottom line: Works pretty well if you want to do straightforward recording of occasional lectures, meetings, dictation notes, etc. However, if you're doing complicated tasks, like a series of interviews with different people, it might get difficult to keep track of the files and manage them. Also, if you want to do any editing of the files or anything beyond simply playing them back on your computer, you'll need to either pay for a separate sound editing program or be comfortable finding and using a freeware one.

I got this recorder to record tutoring sessions which I do with local high school students. After installing the batteries and setting the date and time, I did a quick test recording. I set the recorder on a table in Record mode. My position at the board was about 12' away, with an angle to the mike of about 45d. The distance to the student area was 5-7', with the mike angle from 45d to a full 90d. Tests from all of these areas provided a clear Playback.

I then plugged the USB cable into the recorder and the computer (Windows XP Home, USB 1.1). After automatically installing standard drivers, Explorer showed the device as just another drive - like a flash drive. Using Explorer, I copied the test WMA file onto my hard drive, then opened Windows Media Player and played it back - perfect, with excellent volume and clarity. To finish, I just right-clicked the recorder drive in Explorer and clicked on "Eject", unplugged the recorder from the USB port, and that was that.

All this using only the factory-default settings. I'll play with those later.

The only problems:

1. The batteries were plastic-encased. Until you realize this and remove the plastic, they won't work well.
2. I agree with others that labelling what is essentially the on-off button as "Hold" is idiotic.
3. I also agree the USB cable is really short - too short. This isn't a problem for me but may be for you.
4. The recorder controls are difficult to read and in a low-lit room, you'd better have them memorized.
5. As others have noted, the format is WMA, which is fine if you have Windows Media Player. If you need WAV format, I "beethink" you can find a good free converter program for Windows.

Added note - WMA files are small and fast - I can attest to that. If you need to convert to WAV, you may find the conversion time very slow, and the new file very big. Consider downloading a WMA-compatible player. The last I checked (Sep '09) Windows Media Player V11 is free (25MB download), and if still so, download and install it. I think the first time you go through a WMA->WAV conversion, the long Windows Media Player download will look a lot more attractive.

All the above aside, this little thing works perfectly for what I intended it to do. For my use, great product.

There are several digital recorders on the market in the price range of this Olympus. I chose this model for several reasons (see below) and have not been disappointed. The size, weight, screen, buttons and rocker switches are all well placed and, combined with their ample size, makes them easy to operate. The menu system is easy to navigate and is intuitive. In fact, it is so easy to use I only used the instruction manual to figure out how to play tracks in fast forward. The most important feature to me is the plug and play ability of the device (I tried it on Windows XP and Vista). Without installing ANY additional software, the device shows up in Windows Explorer as a new drive that contains your recordings in .wma format. This makes playing, burning and format conversion very simple. No buggy software to install and update. Easy to use between home and work. In a nut shell...

The Pros,
* Well laid out
* Really easy to use
* No extra software on Windows machines
* Records in a file format that needs no conversion to store and play on your PC
* It comes with a nice slip case
* Connects to the PC with a standard mini-USB
* The recording in the highest quality (71 hours) is very good

The Cons,
- The wrist band is an ACCESSORY. I can't believe that cost cutting measure!
- The USB cable supplied is less than 8 inches long
- The recording quality in the longest mode is pretty poor (but you get 444 hours)
- The sound is hard to hear with the built in speaker when recorded in the longest play mode

For my meeting recording needs, this player hits the mark.

Just purchased this recorder today. Literally went from Staples to history class, unwrapping it along the way. Didn't have to read the manual at all, just sat in my chair, in the middle of the class, turned in on (of course, put the batteries first) and hit the record button. I recorded an hour and a half lecture and went home and transferred it to my computer in about 2 minutes.

This is a really handy device and for the price, I think it serves it's purpose very well. As other reviewers have mentioned, however, it does have a slightly light-weight, almost flimsy, feel, but overall I think it seems well-built and would probably tolerate being dropped a couple times.

Today is my first time using it, and, I'd say within about 10 minutes I'd figured out everything that can be done with it. Which, in one way, may seem to suggest that it has limited functions, but, I feel that it's more important that an item like this be fool-proof, and super easy to use. This Olympus is fool-proof.

It does everything I want it to do without additional accesories. I get a very clear recording of any conversation by simply putting the recorder in my shirt pocket -- no external microphone needed. You can also get a clear recording of both sides of a telephone conversation by sitting it next to your speaker phone. You might want to give this a try before spending money on the accesories.
Overall, I would rate this a high quality recorder with a very intuitive user interface.Note that the included batteries are individually wrapped in thin clear plastic which must be removed before they will work. I almost threw mine away before I noticed this.

I use the VN-6200PC to record college classes. With the sensitivity set on HI, it catches most of both the lecturer speaking and my classmates' questions. The loudnesses vary, of course; but the quality is high enough to easily understand everything. (The classes are small, though -- not big lecture halls.)

The recording time, something like seventy hours in highest quality, is a whole lot. I've also dictated some things, with sensitivity on LO, and those sound great, too. There are enough different folders to put recordings in -- five -- and navigating with the controls is easy enough. The batteries last a good long time, too; and the battery-strength bars more than adequately indicate how much juice you've got left.

My only real complaints are that the files are stored in .WMA format, which I can't put directly on my iPod; so that I end up plugging my headphones into the unit, which ouputs in monaural, and without an adapter comes out only on the left side.

But the mini-USB port is key; having a stand-alone recorder that can't share files with a computer is silly.

For $45.80, this was a great deal. (It would have been a lot more expensive at Staples.)

We bought this for a research project where we are collecting interviews. While the recorder was easy to use and has great sound and pick up quality *on the recorder* the files we transferred to computer had a significantly more distorted quality. Also our tem leader has a mac, and the files would not transfer, which was a nightmare. We now have to have someone transfer the files on a pc, then burn them to disc then give them to the project leader and transfer them to a mac. We did not have this problem with our other voice recorders. if you have a PC, this product is great. If you have a mac, look elsewhere.

This is a terrificly engineered product. Unfortunately whoever was in charge of the business aspect of this product screwed up royally by doing a deal with Microsoft whereby it records sound to WMA format.

This is a proprietary Microsoft format and if you want to do ANYTHING with your sound files, besides listen to them at regular speed in Windows Media Player, tough luck. You'll have to convert them to MP3 or something first, which takes about 1 HOUR for a sound file that is a few hours long.

Why would they save sound files to WMA? My only guess is $$. It's a shame, this would be a really terrific product, however now every time I use it I have to run my computer for hours to convert the file into a usable format.

The Olympus digital was well reviewed, so I ordered it. I have an odd use for it. The neighbor who is constantly complaining about one thing or another complained to the city that my dog was barking 'non-stop' when I wasn't there. She hardly barks at all when I'm there, but how could I prove she wasn't barking when I wasn't there?

The answer, a digital recorder. The advantage of the digital recorder is that it will just record and record as long as the batteries are powered up. This means I can get 24 hours of recording, or more. Just what I need.

(I coupled this with a 'talking' clock that announces the hours so I can tell when my dog is barking (which it turns out is hardly ever)).

The recorder is very, very sensitive, and picked up not only my dog running around the backyard, but also the radio I play for her in the garage to keep her company when I am not there. This is hard to believe, since I had set the recorder up inside the house, near a slightly opened window.

The only downside to the recorder is that the operation is not intuitive. I was listening to the recording (50% faster mode which means 24 hours is done is something like 18 hours, still a very long time. The recorder does have a 'fast-forward' speed that would allow a person to speed through the 24 hours in 10 minutes or so. But you have to read the instructions! I copied the manual (one sheet, front and back) and tacked it to the wall so I'd have easy access to it.

Still, it does the job well, and solved my problem. I proved to the city animal control officer that my dog was not 'barking constantly'. Now the neighbor will have to come up with something else to complain about.

Update: For some reason, the recorder is not recording for 24 hours straight. Instead, it just shuts itself off after seven hours or so. That's probably good enough for most applications, but a serious flaw for my needs. I've called support, and they have identified the same problem. They say there is no reason the machine shuts off, as long as there is enough battery power and storage space. But they have duplicated the problem and are working on it.

Further update: I've solved the problem. In order to get a very long recording, one must erase all other files on the recorder (easy to do, but you MUST follow the instructions, it's not intuitive at all). Put a fresh set of batteries (2 AA batteries). I did that and got 37 hours of my dog not barking. However, it records jet aircraft 8,000 feet high, the train a mile away, loud motorcycles on the main road 3/4 of a mile away, etc.

I'm really happy with the recorder. I now give it five starts after figuring it out by trial and error. Buy it!

Subsequent update: I've been happily using this recorder for months now. Olympus has made a winner here! I can occasionally hit the wrong button (they are on the small size), but it's impossible to erase files by accident.

I bought rechargeable batteries and have been using them in the recorder (bought on Amazon, naturally). They work great! They even last longer than fresh alkalines.