GUIDE TO DIGITAL VOICE RECORDERS

Olympus WAS-331M Digital Voice Recorder and WMA Music Player

Manufacturer : Olympus
In Stock : 84

List Price:	$229.99
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Features

Robust and versatile digital voice recorder/MP3 player with USB PC link
555 hours available recording time; 2 GB internal memory
Store and listen to up to 500 songs for entertainment on the go
Speedy USB 2.0 connectivity
21-hour battery life

Product Description

Stay organized and on the move with this high-class storage device and powerful music player. Record meetings or notes and even store large documents to bring from one computer to another. The easy USB input lets you plug the WS-331M right into the computer for fast results. Up to 500 songs can be stored and played in impressive stereo sound with track & artist name clearly displayed on the LCD. You'll never be hindered from recording audio, notes, lectures and more with an amazing 555 hours of available recording time. Nothing is faster than plugging right into the USB port on a computer to download or upload files with the WS-331M's cool USB Direct design. The unique USB Direct design means you can connect it right to the USB port on your computer and download or transfer audio, music, photos and more. Play recordings in Fast and Slow Playback mode - 50 percent faster or 50 percent slower than real time Recording Format - WMA (Windows Media Audio) Recording Media - Built-in 2 GB flash memory Recording Time - Stereo XQ Mode 35 hours 30 minutes, Stereo HQ Mode 71 hours, Stereo SP Mode 142 hours 5 minutes, HQ Mode 142 hours 5 minutes, SP Mode 279 hours 35 minutes, LP Mode 555 hours 45 minutes Input Level - -70dbv PC Interface - USB direct, 2.0 Full Speed Voice Activation - Switchable On & Off Practical Maximum - Output 70 mW Speaker - Built-in 18 mm round dynamic speaker Microphone & Earphone Jack Power Supply - One AAA battery Battery Life - Up to 21 hours OS Supported - Microsoft Windows 2000, XP & Vista Dimensions - Length 3.73 x Width 1.52 x Depth 0.43 inch (excluding protrusions) Weight - 1.66 ounces (47 grams) including battery

Amazon.com Product Description

Stay organized and on the move with the Olympus WAS-331M Digital Voice Recorder and WMA Music Player, a high-quality digital voice recorder and powerful music player. Record meetings or notes and even store large documents to bring from one computer to another. For added convenience, the device features a speedy USB connection for easy file transfers with a PC. The its speedy USB 2.0 connection, just plug the WAS-331M into an open USB port and start transferring files. Up to 500 songs can be stored and played in impressive stereo sound with track and artist name clearly displayed on the WAS-331M's easy to read LCD screen.

The WAS-331M has the ability to play recordings in fast and slow playback modes, up to 50-percent faster or 50-percent slower than real time. The unit records files in the WMA (Windows Media Audio) format, and its 2 GB of flash memory is able to capture audio recordings in the following modes: stereo XQ mode (35 hours 30 minutes), stereo HQ mode (71 hours), stereo SP mode (142 hours 5 minutes), HQ mode (142 hours 5 minutes), SP mode (279 hours 35 minutes), and LP mode (555 hours 45 minutes). Other great features include voice activated recording, and a built-in 18 mm round dynamic speaker. The device runs on one AAA battery and offers up to 21 hours of continuous battery life. Compatible with Microsoft Windows 2000 and later operating systems (including Vista), the WAS-331M measures 3.73 x 1.52 x 0.43 inches and weighs just 1.66 ounces.

What's in the Box
WS-331M digital voice recorder, USB cable, stereo earphones, one AAA alkaline battery, and instruction manual.

Customer Reviews

Average Rating of 4.50 out of 33 reviews

Rating :
Great recorder! - Howard H. Shattner, May 17, 2008

I have been using this recorder for the past few weeks and I love it. I highly recommend it. I've only had one issue with it since a purchased it several weeks ago. When using the Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA)at the factory setting, the beginning of every recorded segment after a pause is clipped off. It's possible that this can be corrected by adjusting the VCVA level but I haven't tried that yet. Also, according to the owner's manual, when using VCVA, recording automatically stops after one second when the sound volume is lower than the preset threshold sound level. I would like to be able to adjust this setting to two or three seconds, which would result in a more natural sounding playback, but that's not possible.

Rating :
Mac/iTunes compatibility? - R. Esq, May 16, 2008

Does anyone know how this product can be used with Mac/iTunes? I purchased the recorder and like the USB feature, but don't see how to convert the files this recorder creates without third-party software, which I will not use. Has anyone been able to add the files the Olympus creates to iTunes so that recordings can be stored/burned, etc. as MP3 or other iTunes compatible file? Many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

Rating :
The best! - Lise Beals, May 14, 2008

I've heard good and bad about these little recorders. But, after seeing the advertised long record time, I just had to give one a shot. Man, am I glad I did! These recorders are AWESOME! One battery will usually last about 3 hours approx. But just pop in a new one and it's ready to go again. It really will record hours and hours and hours and hours! I've taken it out on investigations and been able to have it record upwards of 20 hours is the highest, best mode, stopping only to load a fresh battery.

The little recorder was so good, they are now the new "gold standard" for my group. We have now bought several of them...all with the same great results. And they are small and light enough to really take anywhere. I keep one in the car, one in my equipment bag, and one in my purse. And, it doesn't require a lot of power via the USB. So I can plug it into my laptop running off only battery power with no problem! That's true ease of use!

Rating :
Great Little Digital Voice Recorder - G. Choy, May 13, 2008

Just got the digital recorder a couple of weeks ago and haven't had any complaints about it yet. Compact, light-weight and so portable that it easily fits into your shirt pocket or pants. Really like the fact that you can download files by simply plugging it into any computer USB port without any other software. The playback sound is a little low, but no a major problem. Also like the amount of memory in this little gadget.

Rating :
Olympus WS-331M - R. Legg, May 05, 2008

The Olympus WS-331M is everything I hoped it would be. It records perfectly, and holds hours upon hours of data. I use it to record notes for documents I write at work (I am a Technical Writer), and this enables me to get accurate information from the SME's and not have to go back to refresh information.

I also have dozens of MP3's on here, and use it as I work to listen to the music I like to listen to.

The audio quality is simply excellent. It records in 16 bit stereo, and the sound is clear and crisp, and when listening to music, it has the SRS WOW-XT package to give the music a more full sound.

If I had to pick one complaint, it would be the MP3's can only be a maximum of 256kbs, and cannot take any at 320kbs. But that is okay, as I really cannot hear that at much at all.

I highly recommend this product to anyone looking for this kind of device.

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