Customer Reviews

RCA RP5130 512MB USB 140 Hour MP3 Recording Digital Voice Recorder

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This is the first digital recorder I've owned, but I would say this one works great. It's easy to use and as small as a cell phone, so it's easy to carry. I like the lock function to keep it from recording/deleting when in a pocket or purse. There's plenty of time available on it. The sound quality is good for what you're paying. I use it mostly to record my voice lessons and performances, and I've been pleased with the results. The best part is the ability to transfer the files directly to my computer, which can be converted into .wav files and played on an MP3 player. The software comes pre-installed on the recorder and is very easy to use. I definitely recommend this recorder.

Pros
-Good battery life.
-Fits in my cell phone holster.
-Easy to get files on and off of it.

Cons
-When you turn it off it loses that your settings like the speed you were playing at. So I ride to work and use it to listen to notes or podcasts at fast speed. I turned it off and don't use it again till the next day that I do the same thing and I have to re-set it to fast speed again.
-When you turn it off and come back it looks like you are on the track you left off on, but when you press play it returns to the first one in the folder.

It does not have an intuitive interface, but once you get the hang of it, it works well. Small, cheap and perfect for inobtrusive recording. Picks up voice from some distance. Play back sound was a little scratchy with the unit, but when downloaded to computer and used in a slide program, the sound was very clear.

This product does exactly what it says it does.It is able to record sounds at very far distances and play back is really clear.I think it is very convenient that there are different folders to keep recordings organized.I like that there is also a music folder but it is a little annoying that we aren't able to title each song(they are classified by order in which you downloaded them onto the voice recorder so unless you memorize song order, you won't know what you're listening to).I think the keys are a little sensitive(ie when I press the volume keys lightly, the impact is enough to change the track bc the track selector keys on the side and adjacent to the volume keys get stimulated somehow).Overall, this voice recorder is worth the money.

**Update
They need to make this recorder less flimsy.I was working out with it since it can also store mp3 files, but afterwards, it stopped working.I was on the eliptical for 30 minutes and did not drop it or anything like that.I had it in my hands the whole time.They need to make a shake-proof version of this!

I have used earlier models of this recorder (e.g., RP5022) in research for a few years, and have been looking anxiously for mp3 recording capability, so I was very concerned when I read reviews that this model still required file conversions (from .wav). I just purchased several, however, and am pleased to report that the RCA RP5130 does actually record in mp3 - no conversion or file management software needed, just drag-and-drop onto your computer's desktop. So now an easy, convenient recorder has equally easy, convenient file management - and what a great price. (Why did other reviews disagree? I think the confusion may have arisen because earlier models look physically very similar, and they in fact did not record in mp3, so someone may have chosen the wrong product to review.)

El desempeño de la RCA RP5130 es bastante aceptable (cumple a cabalidad con los objetivos para los que fue diseñada). El tiempo de uso de la batería dependerá del uso que el usuario le de, aunque generalmente proporciona una autonomía confiable de 6 horas de grabación continua con cada par de baterías nuevas (2 AAA). Su uso es bastante sencillo (al menos en las opciones básicas) porque la tarea se complicará un poco más si quieres usar las funciones avanzadas como editar audio y otras cosas por ese estilo. Le he dado 4 puntos sobre 5 porque no tiene compatibilidad completa con Mac. Si bien puedes conectar la grabadora al Macbook para sacar de allí lo que has grabado, luego te darás cuenta que después de ésta acción deberás formatear la RCA RP5130 para que vuelva a trabajar al 100% de su capacidad (si no la formateas desde ella misma [pulsando los botones de erase-rec-erase] no podrás escuchar (reproducir) en su altavoz el material que en ella has grabado).


----


The performance of the RCA RP5130 is quite acceptable (it fulfills with the objectives for which it was designed). The time of use of the battery will depend on the user, although, generally provides a reliable autonomy of 6 hours of continuous recording with each pair of new batteries (2 AAA). Its use is quite simple (at least in the basic options) because the task will be a little more complicated if you want to use the functions like editing audio and other things by that style. I have given 4 points on 5 because it does not have complete compatibility with Mac. Although you can connect the recorder to the Macbook to remove from there what you have recorded, soon you will realize that after this one action you must format the RCA RP5130 so that returns itself to work to the 100% of his capacity (if you do not format this device [pulsing the buttons erase-rec-erase] you will not be able to listen to (or reproduce) in its loudspeaker the material that you have recorded previously on it).

This recorder is great, it suits my needs perfectly. I use it to practice stories I tell, and make scratch recordings of music.
The speaker is a little tinny, but it's so easy to plug in headphones, or drag them onto your computer, that it's really not an issue.
The user interface could be a liitle better, this sort of thing with a minimum number of buttons and limited display usually suffers in the interface department, but it's not horrible - especially for the price.

Excellent voice recorder. Files are easily transferred to audacity. Great sound quality and long battery life. Excellent product.

The RCA 5130-A voice recorder is relatively inexpensive and the use of MP3 files makes it useable with both Mac* (10.4 and 10.5) and Windows computers. On the computer it's a basic drag and drop file interface.

However, this unit has tiny text on its LCD and the menu interface is not at all intuitive. The "erase" button is adjacent to the "menu" button and though you have to hold it for 3 seconds to delete a file, it's a little unnerving to see the two controls so close in proximity. I would have preferred the "erase" button to be a set/select button instead and have the delete feature as a menu option.

The unit is very light. Good for travel but it's also easy to knock over when upright and a piece of paper can slide it around on a smooth flat surface.
The feel is cheap and plasticky and durability is questionable.

It works but I'm not likely to recommend this to anyone who isn't on a tight budget.


* Despite many attempts, I could not get MP3 music files from my Mac to play on this unit. (Yes, these were unprotected MP3 files, not protected AAC.) No big deal as I use an iPod for music and was just curious how this player sounds.

I was skeptical when buying a digital recorder. You read a lot of varied reviews and I wasn't 100% sure if this would do what I wanted. Out of the box, this item was so easy to understand. If you are somewhat computer literate you will get it. The only thing I needed to read instructions for was how to turn the beeping off. I think its great out of the box and it looks a lot nicer than is shown on Amazon. Secondly, I was thrilled about PC connectivity. I hooked it up and it played MP3 right through my Itunes. I was very, very happy about this. People who said it slowed down their computers obviously have an old computer. This didn't slow me down at all. I have no complaints about this item. It does exactly what I wanted. It records well when stuffed under a shirt or inside a jacket. I've done a few tests and am 100% satisfied with it.