Compact, high-quality digital voice recorder with 256 MB internal flash memory
Records up to 68 hours of WMA audio; built-in music player stores up to 66 WMA or MP3 files
USB Direct design plugs directly into PC USB port; 4 recording modes (HQ, LP, SP, and HQ Stereo)
5 separate file folders with 199 files each; voice activation mode enables hands-free recording
Runs for roughly 15 hours on 1 AAA battery; 1.5 x 3.73 x 0.43 inches (W x H x D); 1-year warranty
Rating: - great but not long-lasting
This is a phenomenal speech and song (for rough sketches) recorder w/o all the ambient and hand-movement noise problems, etc. that so many have. However, it did not take all that long to start going on the fritz (I think I came close to losing 3 full folders of sketches!) and also to suddenly start sucking batteries dry in under an 1/2- 1 hour's usage (having always given me amazing battery life before).
At this expense I would expect 4-6 years of life not 1 or so. I'm having trouble finding a different (and more durable) one that lives up to it's high standards and will work with Vista (this is fine with Vista, I guess, since it's simple; ironically, a lot of newer ones are not). Most of the good ones seem to be geared toward usage with a tripod which defeats my peripatetic purposes.
You won't be able to cut in halfway through a track for editing or any of that fancy stuff.
My other beef is that it should have more storage space. I had hoped to keep a couple of MP3 albums on it too, but I need all the space for recording.
Rating: - Very bad product - avoid at all costs
Before considering to purchase this recorder, please do a search for the model number on google: OLYMPUS WS-300M. You will find that many many people have "memory error" malfunctions the moment they change the battery for the first time. From this point on the product no longer works (ever). The manual says that this error message indicates that the unit needs to be returned to OLYMPUS as it is an internal memory error.
It is very light and compact, but the battery disconnects from the main unit when you use the USB port meaning that you may need to reset the date and time.
Maybe you can return it when it malfunctions, but you know what a hassle it is to deal with returning anything purchased on the internet.
This product is not worth the hassle. Mine worked for abou 20 minutes and never again. I spent USD80 and it was money out the window. I am sure Panasonic or Sony make less nice looking but more reliable products.
Good Luck !!!
Rating: - Finicky
I bought one of these last year and loved it for the first several months. The sound quality was great. It was easy to put recordings on my computer, and it was Mac compatible. But every time I've used it in the last two months, it's shut off a few minutes into an interview. I've replaced the battery, cleared the contents, everything. But the problem keeps happening, so I'll have to replace it with another model. As a journalist, I can't afford for my digital recorder to be this finicky
Rating: - Good buy, lots of fun
I love this little dvr. I use it as an audio diary, so I am always alone and in a quiet place while recording. I don't know how it would be for use in a classroom or meeting, don't know the strength it has to pick up a speaker from afar. For how I use it, it is great. I tried the music feature also with no problems. I liked that the file format is WMA as I have trouble converting my files and never could find an answer as to how to do it. When your folder is full just plug it into your computer and burn a cd. Couldn't be easier. If I would list one complaint it would be that it doesn't let you know when your folder IS full, and I have all ready lost entries. Also, because of its small size, the screen is very hard for me to see, but I do have eye problems, so that may not hold true for everyone else. All in all I love this little dvr and I'm very happy I bought it. (Got it at Radio Shack, cheaper than on Amazon, which is unusual)
Olympus WS-300M 256 MB Digital Voice Recorder and Music Player Reviews
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