220 of 222 people found the following review helpful:
An excellent value
The Olympus VN-4100PC is an excellent value. It's perfect for tasks such as recording a lecture or meeting, making verbal to-do lists, practicing a speech or presentation, and so on. Some reviewers criticize it because it's not very good at recording music, and the play-back is monaural, and they're right. It's not really designed for professional-style, stereo...
338 of 349 people found the following review helpful:
if upgrading, be careful
I've owned previous versions of these Olympus voice recorders, for example, the VN-240PC. I wanted the latest model so I could get more recording capacity. Two problems with the VN-4100PC:
1. It lacks a pocket clip. Previous versions had this. The pocket clip prevents the voice recorder from sliding around in one's pocket and preventing that...
This review is from: Olympus VN-4100PC Digital Voice Recorder (Electronics)
The Olympus VN-4100PC is an excellent value. It's perfect for tasks such as recording a lecture or meeting, making verbal to-do lists, practicing a speech or presentation, and so on. Some reviewers criticize it because it's not very good at recording music, and the play-back is monaural, and they're right. It's not really designed for professional-style, stereo recording. As is the case with all machines, you have to live within its design limits.
The VN-4100PC has some very nice features that make it an excellent value. It is shirt-picket small and very light weight. The controls are simple and intuitive enough that you can operate it out of the package, without even reading the instructions. (However, the instructions tell you how to perform important setup functions, so you should read them.) In short, it's a nice, small, light personal audio recorder.
The built-in microphone is actually pretty good, but if you leave the recorder in your pocket while you're recording, you'll get quite a bit of ambient noise. The same can happen if you prop it on a book. There are two ways to work around this limitation, which is inherent to all similar recorders. Either put the machine on something soft on the desk, such as a coat, or buy an external microphone. The external microphone is probably the best way to go; you'll get far superior electronics, and it's easy to clip or place the mic so you can avoid the ambient noise.
This certainly isn't a high-end, professional-grade recorder. It wasn't designed to be one. Rather, it's a convenient, low-cost personal recorder that does exactly what it's supposed to do. It's an excellent value for the money. I'm very happy I bought it, and I'd do it again.
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Added June 9, 2009:
When I bought my recorder in December, 2007, it cost about $50. That's why I called it an excellent value; the feature set at that price was unmatched by any competitive recorder. However, now it's up to $175. Wow! There's no way on earth I'd pay that much for it! For $175, it should be gold plated!
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This review is from: Olympus VN-4100PC Digital Voice Recorder (Electronics)
I've owned previous versions of these Olympus voice recorders, for example, the VN-240PC. I wanted the latest model so I could get more recording capacity. Two problems with the VN-4100PC:
1. It lacks a pocket clip. Previous versions had this. The pocket clip prevents the voice recorder from sliding around in one's pocket and preventing that sliding-around noise from getting picked up by the recorder when you move around, walking around giving a presentation, etc. Not to mention the recorder falling out of your shirt pocket when you bend over, or if it's in your jacket pocket and you pick up your jacket, etc.
2. The index button is now toward the bottom of the recorder. In previous versions, it was toward the top. Since this button will be used as frequently or more frequently than the Stop, Play, or Record buttons, it should be toward the top for easier access. Also, if I'm giving a presentation and moving around a room, I'd like to be able to press the index button easily without having to take the recorder out of my pocket or carrying it in my hand. Since the index button is now deeper in my pocket, it makes clicking the index button more difficult.
3. This new model still only allows 10 index marks per recording. This is not enough. If I'm using XHQ mode, I can record over 11 HOURS for one recording, more if I use lower-quality recording modes. Index marks are very helpful for reviewing a recording and going back to particular important points in the recording rather than having to listen to the whole recording or having to search around in the recording for these important points. With only 10 index marks per recording, that's very limiting.
4. The Digital Wave Player software comes with the voice recorder. The software allows you to review a recording once you've downloaded it to your computer. This software is still missing some functionality. For example, a faster-playback mode, double the normal playback speed so you can review the recording more quickly. Since the recorder itself can do this, it would be nice if the playback software could do the same thing to make reviewing easier, especially since you're allowed only 10 index marks per recording :-) .
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This review is from: Olympus VN-4100PC Digital Voice Recorder (Electronics)
This unit does a poor job of transferring files to a PC. It is a bit slow transferring files. Takes about a full minute or two to transfer a 10 minute recording. Unlike many other similar USB devices, this one does not allow you to access it as a removable USB drive. You can install the drivers but there is no way to access the unit to copy the files directly from the unit. You have to install and use the slow and clunky software. As a stand alone unit it works fine and for that I would have given it a higher rating. However, this unit is specifically marketed as a PC unit and for use with a PC it is a poor choice due to the clunky and slow method to transfer files from the unit. It also is not Mac compatible at all. For the price I'd give it 4 stars if it was not for use with a PC. If you plan to use it with a PC it is a 1 to 2 star unit.
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This review is from: Olympus VN-4100PC Digital Voice Recorder (Electronics)
First of all, the hardware itself is brilliant. The sound quality (in extra-high quality mode) is quite nice, the user interface is well-thought-out, and it is a pleasure to use.
However, the problems occur when you try to connect this thing to your computer (if you don't need to do this, buy the non-"PC" version and save yourself the money). First of all, there is absolutely no Linux support. Of course, this is not surprising, but it would have been nice (and saved me some headaches).
So, I tried to connect this thing to a Windows XP-Pro box. First, I installed the drivers and then plugged it in ... nothing. So, I uninstall the drivers and re-install. Plug in the recorder again, and instant blue-screen-of-death (BSOD). I install the latest update from the internet, and it *finally* worked, and worked well... Until the next time that I try to use it. I plug it into a different USB port, and Windows wants to re-install the driver, which leads to an eventual BSOD again. After a reboot, I plug it into a DIFFERENT USB port, and instant BSOD. So, this thing only works on ONE USB port on my computer without crashing it. I know a *LOT* about technology (I design digital hardware for a living), my computer is virus and mal-ware free, and the XP install is relatively fresh (less than a year old, and I use Linux most of the time). Clearly, their drivers are very fragile.
You might get lucky, it might work well for you. Then again, it might not. You pays your money, and you takes your chances. If you buy one, good luck. My computer-illiterate mother-in-law actually carries this, and I transfer the files to CD for her (yes, I have done this, despite what the FAQ on the Olympus web site says). If I were going to get one for myself, I would look strongly at the Panasonic models and hope that the drivers were better.
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This review is from: Olympus VN-4100PC Digital Voice Recorder (Electronics)
I use this recorder for classes and I am happy that I made the purchase. Being able to now convert all the sound files to my computer and then to CD helps out immensly and I can now even sell the lectures that others have missed. This works out for the people who would rather write their own notes vs. copying someone else's often incomplete notes.
The LP quality on the recorder is the worst I have ever recorded under and I learned the lesson quickly (this quality was sufficient on the previous version of this recorder). It seemed that no matter how close the professor was to the device, the sound quality was like he was a million miles away with a paper megaphone in the pouring rain.
Basically, no matter how much time you lose (only with LP do you get the 1134hrs of recording time), dont scrimp on the recording quality or you will only regret your decision later.
On XHQ, the quality is so great that it is no less than amazing. Anything with an 8ft (about 12ft at the maximum) radius of the device is picked up with crystal clear clarity. The only downside for me are people who want to make continuous noise or talk too much. (I cannot tell you how many times I have had to talk to someone about clicking their pen or refusing to shut up).
Other than the clip that used to come with this device not being there anymore, the only other problem that I have come across is the type of plastic used. See, the device doesnt need much of an incline to slide and even something as mild as the incline of a desk will be enough to make the device slide. My suggestion, take something like a yellow kitchen glove, cut it into strips, and then glue one of the strips to the bottom of the device.
All in all, this purchase wont be regretted if you make it.
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This review is from: Olympus VN-4100PC Digital Voice Recorder (Electronics)
One of my daughter's professors encouraged students to record lectures due to difficulty of the class material. We therefore needed a recorder asap. Settled on this concept (digital with pc link) and ultimately chose this brand/model over a competitors. I felt compelled to write a review because of the low rating this shows, even though most were for the sale, not the item.
We ultimately chose this item because of one feature: the ability to speed up or slow down playback speed while you are listening!
I hope the next lecture my daughter will use the voice activated recording setting to see how much smaller the resulting file becomes.
The recorder has an area on top to put a thin strap through, we had one at home that worked fine. Found a cellphone case into which it fits perfectly, to help protect it in my daughter's purse!
The digital software worked fine (Win XP), had to let windows install the software though, after connecting the recorder to the computer, the cd's self-install didn't result in recognizing the recorder. Just a minor setback though, as file transfer was easy.
So far so good, recorded clearly and can hear loudly enough during playback. If you register the product online at Olympus, they extend the warranty for another month (I belive the warranty was longer than the competitor's also...)
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This review is from: Olympus VN-4100PC Digital Voice Recorder (Electronics)
One thing to be aware of that I didn't see in the other reviews is that the headphone(s) output is monaural, so if you are listening on headphones you'll only hear it in one ear. I'm a guitarist and I'll use this to easily record ideas. On the extra high quality (EHQ) setting the sound is OK but I would of liked a little less recording hiss. I did a test recording comparing the built-in mic and a plug-in Sony stereo mic and could not tell a difference. Of course it doesn't record in stereo.
Good luck
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This review is from: Olympus VN-4100PC Digital Voice Recorder (Electronics)
Olympus VN-4100-PC 256MB PC Digital Voice Recorder I've used several different brands and models of digital voice recorders and for the money this one can not be beat. The mic is very sensitive and the play back is top quality. Some bemoan the fact that it doesn't record music very well...hello...it's a VOICE recorder. I have no problem with the software that came with the unit either. It's fast and easy to transfer audio files to my pc running Vista Premium. As for those that received a standard VN-4100 instead of a VN-4100 PC...I almost ordered the wrong one too. You have to pay close attention to what you're ordering. The photos of the 4100 and 4100PC are identical. I suspect that no one was sent the wrong product...the wrong product was ordered...it happens. THIS IS A GREAT DIGITAL VOICE RECORDER...LOVE IT
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This review is from: Olympus VN-4100PC Digital Voice Recorder (Electronics)
Although the VN-4100pc is a top quality product, I can only give bad marks for Olympus' honesty in advertising this product and for their unresponsive support department.
I want to make everyone aware of the fact that Olympus is deceiving the buyer by advertising a non-existent extra high quality XHQ mode. Yes, there's an XHQ mode on the VN-4100pc's menu, but in reality, it's just a repeat of the HQ mode. Testing the properties of identical recordings made in both the XHQ and HQ modes after they were transferred to my PC, verifies that the memory size, bitrate, sampling rate and resolution are identical. Even Olympus contradicts itself by stating in its' technical specifications that the frequency response in each of these two modes is 300 to 7200 hz. Yet, even though all these properties are identical, Olympus makes the false claim that the XHQ mode is an extra high quality mode.
Two weeks have now past since I first emailed Olympus' support department asking for an explanation regarding my findings and asking for their explanation as to what makes the XHQ mode extra high quality . To date, they have not responded. I emailed support two subsequent times since and they still have not responded
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This review is from: Olympus VN-4100PC Digital Voice Recorder (Electronics)
The purpose of this review is to let readers know about how the "fast forward" and "rewind" functions work on this unit (I found that sufficient detail was lacking in the product descriptions and even the instructions that came with the product).
The large ring you see on the front of the product allows you to initiate fast forward / skip forward and rewind / skip back. Pressing the right side of the ring starts fast forward (FF). As you press and hold FF, nothing happens for 1 second, then the unit beeps twice quickly and silently begins advancing through the currently playing recording. Holding down one second beyond the two beeps advances about 15 seconds, two seconds beyond the two beeps 45 seconds, three seconds beyond the two beeps, 90 seconds. Each additional second beyond the third second advances about 50 seconds through the recording. So if you pressed for 9 seconds past the two beeps (for a total of 10 seconds), you would advance 6.5 minutes.
Instead of skipping forward, this unit also has the ability to playback at 150% speed, but that doesn't get you very far if you really want to advance ahead.
Another fact not described in the literature is whether the unit picks up in the middle of a "track". The news is good here: if you stop in the middle of a track, and "power off" (actually called "hold" from some strange reason), then "power on", you will start at the point you left off (not at the beginning of the track).
This unit and associated PC software allow for only the movement of files from the recorder into the PC (not from the PC into the recorder). So although the FF function would allow it, the unit is NOT good for someone who wants to listen to podcasts (and skip commercials). To get that function, choose another model that allows MP3 play.
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