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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Product Description:
Record over 144 hours of uninterrupted audio on the Olympus VN-4100-PC 256MB PC Digital Voice Recorder and then transfer the audio files to your PC with speed and ease with the included USB PC Link. With one simple cable connection, files can be transferred to a computer for easy organization, playback, and emailing to friends and coworkers. The easy-to-use thumb pad allows for quick and convenient navigation of functions like file management, choosing recording modes, and more while the included timer recoding and voice activation modes provide added versatility. Depending on the quality of the desired recording, the VN-4100PC is able to record in four recording modes to meet your specific needs: XHQ for extra high quality, HQ for high-quality, and SP and LP modes for extended recording. Just above the easy-to-use thumb pad, users will find a large LCD screen for easy, quick viewing of file locations, recording status, and battery life. The thumb pad also allows you to control the slow and fast playback modes, allowing you to listen to audio playback at 25-percent slower or 50-percent faster than real time. The unit's storage capacity is divided into four folders, and each folder can store up to 100 files. Easy file management functions allow you to erase single files, multiple files, as well as transfer files between folders. An on-board voice activation feature extends recording time by recording only when the microphone senses sound while the easy-to-use index marks let you specify a particular point in a recording or playback for easy reference. Use the timer recording option to set a start and end time for a particular recording. Measuring 4.0 x 1.5 x 0.8 inches, the VN-4100PC weighs only 2.2 ounces.
What's in the Box
VN-4100PC digital voice recorder, Digital Wave Player software, USB cable, two AAA alkaline batteries, and instruction manual.
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