Compared to answering services and voice mail systems, answering machines are more flexible at handling and storing messages for multiple users. They are also much cheaper.
Answering machines record incoming messages when the user is not around to take calls. They can also record announcements from the user informing the callers to leave their messages after the beep. They have playback, rewind, skip, and delete functions, enabling the user to listen to the recorded calls , save important messages, and delete the less relevant ones.
Types Of Answering Machines
Kinds of Answering Machines include the following:
Double-tape Analog Answering Machines use of two tapes--one for recording the user's outgoing message and another one for recording the callers' incoming messages.
They operate faster than the single-tape analog models.
Digital Answering Machines do not use cassette tapes. They record the user's announcement and the callers' incoming messages digitally.
They usually have a digital memory of 10 to 25 minutes only.
They can delete a message without affecting the other recorded messages on the machine. Important messages can be stored, while the less relevant ones can be erased.
They produce high-quality sounds, eliminating background hisses and other noises.
They can run on batteries when AC power is not available.
They are ideal for bedrooms, studios, and corporate offices.
Models that combine with analog technology allows a digital recording for the user's announcement and a tape recording for the incoming messages, or vice versa.
They are not as popular as the other types of answering machines, but they are still used in some offices and businesses.
Most models do not allow answering a call from one line if the other line is recording a message.
They have poor capabilities and features compared to the analog and digital models.
Choosing Answering Machines (Buying Tips)
Remote access: Choose an answering machine that allows you to pick up messages from your cell phone or other telephones by simply entering a password. This is the ideal machine to get if you travel frequently and rarely have time to play back the messages from your answering machine. Remote activation: Look for an answering machine that allows you to activate it through your cell phone or other telephones in case you forgot to turn it on.
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