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Slim, attractive, and highly functional, the Olympus WS-100 digital voice recorder packs 64 MB of internal flash memory into its lightweight housing, letting you record up to 27 hours of audio in WMA format. It's ideal for recording notes or long lectures, interviewing sources for an upcoming article, or capturing spur-of-the-moment song ideas before they disappear into the recesses of your memory. As an added bonus, the recorder also serves as an all-purpose USB mass storage device, meaning it can store documents and images along with audio. Simply plug it into a digital camera through its USB interface and you can transfer several dozen images (depending on their size) to the flash memory, freeing up space in your camera's memory card. Then, when you return home, you can plug the recorder into a PC and switch the images to your hard drive. All this in a tiny body that measures 1.57 inches wide by 3.7 inches tall--roughly the size of a pack of gum. File organization is straightforward and intuitive. The WS-100 boasts five separate folders capable of holding 199 files each, so you can organize nearly 1,000 files by subject, theme, or other categories. Users also have the choice of three recording modes: HQ, which minimizes background noise and is great for capturing people with low speaking voices (it offers 4 hours and 20 minutes of recording time); SP mode, which still sounds good but isn't quite as crisp (ensures 8 hours and 40 minutes of time); and LP mode, which is designed to maximize recording (27 hours and 20 minutes). And thanks to the voice activation option, users don't need to press a single button to start recording. The WS-100 will instead record as soon as the built-in microphone picks up sound. Perhaps the most convenient feature, however, is the built-in USB connector. To transfer information to or from the WS-100 from a PC or Mac, all you need to do is remove one end of the recorder's body, which reveals a male USB plug. This USB Direct design eliminates the need for a USB cable (the male plug connects directly to your computer), making the device even more portable. Once connected, it's easy to download images, documents, and other files. Every bit as important are the playback functions, which include fast (50 percent) and slow (25 percent) playback. And should you need to identify and quickly retrieve important sound bites, all you need to do is insert an index mark and refer to it later. Additional features include adjustable microphone sensitivity, which lets you adjust the recording level to meet your needs; an easy-to-read LCD display; the ability to erase single or entire files; and a pair of stereo earphones. The WS-100 runs for approximately 13 hours on a single AAA battery and weighs a mere 1.9 ounces. It's also backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor. What's in the Box
WS-100 digital voice recorder, stereo earphones, neck strap, USB cable, one AAA battery, user's manual.
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 Excellent for my needs |
| Review Date: December 1, 2005 |
| Reviewer: DRC, |
I'm part of an Irish/Celtic musical duo, and so many times I've wished I had a recorder to capture those spur of the moment and fleeting "inspirations" when we come up with some good musical ideas that we can't remember at the next rehearsal session. "Let's see....what was that cool guitar part you did last week....?" "I don't know....can't remember." So I bought the WS 100 to record our sessions and it does an excellent job. We usually sit about 6' apart, facing each other, and with the WS 100 placed between us on the LO mic setting, it clearly captures every nuance, note and vocal. Best of all, after the session, I can plug it into my USB hub, download the files to my computer and burn a CD for my partner to take with him for practice or to listen to in the car. No, it's not CD quality, but for the purpose intended, we don't need it. We can go into a recording studio for that. But the audio quality is surprisingly good when played through my computer's Altec-Lansing speaker system (the WS 100's internal speaker is pretty lame). I've run a few of the live musical tracks through Gold Wave editing software, adding effects and EQ, and come up with some surprisingly good sounding material.
I say the internal speaker is lame, but actually, it's ok if you adjust the volume and place the speaker against your ear. Obviously, music played back on the small internal speaker won't have the bass and treble spectrum it'd have when played back through a better speaker, but it's still respectable when the speaker is right against your ear. If you're simply listening to the spoken voice, it's very clear. The included ear buds work pretty well, but I don't particularly like sticking things in my ears. When I want to listen to something closely using just the WS 100, I use a set of Sony headphones.
I've gotten to the point where I take it with me when I leave the house. Often I'll be in a store looking at various products that I'd like to check out online, and with the WS 100, I can verbally record the product information for reference instead of walking around the store looking for something to write on.
The tiny size, quality, versatility, direct USB, features, and price make this a real winner for me. |
Outstanding
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| Review Date: January 14, 2006 |
| Reviewer: Nubster, |
My design requirements were stringent, but voice quality requirements were not, since this will mostly be used for making quick "to do" notes.
Features I needed:
* Compact design - able to fit into a small purse, which holds just a little more than a wallet. Must be able to fit into a pocket also.
* Good, simple layout of buttons, with easy to discern "record" and "stop" buttons. If needed to make a note while driving at night, wanted to be able to record without looking and without having to take concentration off the road.
* Ability to upload files to PC, if desired at some point in the future.
After reading tons of reviews of many brands and models, I decided on the WS-100, but checked it out first at a local store. The dimensions were just right - not too bulky, but no microscopic buttons.
Other reviews have noted the attached USB port and ability to upload WMA files, which is a plus. No need for separate cables (although an extension is included), nor for USB docking stations or extra software.
I took this home and was amazed at the quality of the voice recording. The speaker was fine for shopping list type of notes. Setting the microphone sensitivity to "Lo" (dictation mode) cut out a lot of background and hand noise that was picked up in the higher sensitivity setting. The extent of sound tests was spoken words at the kitchen table. Even so, playback quality was excellent with the supplied earbud headphones - far beyond what I would have considered acceptable.
The menus were easy to learn and the instructions were easy to follow. Within a few minutes it became very simple to turn the unit on / off and make recordings without looking. The recorder beeps to confirm that it is on, that recording has begun and that it has stopped. The beeps are even different pitches. Red and green lights flash at the top of the unit for further confirmation that you have started / stopped recording.
This was the only model I found in the stores that ran on only one AAA battery, which is supposed to last 13 hours. Recording time at highest quality is about 4 1/2 hours. It is nice to know that the capacity is there to record meetings.
My requirements were met and then some. I will be able to carry the WS-100 everywhere and use it on the road, if necessary, without thinking about it.
Well done, Olympus. |
Journalists Like It :)
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| Review Date: May 13, 2006 |
| Reviewer: J. McAndrew, USA |
As a broadcast journalist in Wisconsin, I find that this is a wonderful tool...far better sound and convenience than cassette tape. The days of cassette recording for reporters is over and the digital age has arrived! The WS-100 is so convenient, and contrary to what some reviews have said, the speaker is OK. I think one just has to watch to see that the play back volume is not too highly adjusted.
This unit is great for press conferences, for news specials and can save a lot of tape. The News Director and I share the unit and there is plenty of recording space to go around.
Bravo for the WS-100 !!!!
Jeff McAndrew, WHBL News |
Great digital recorder
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| Review Date: April 10, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Warren Payne, Seattle, WA USA |
| This is exactly what I needed: great sound quality, easy to use, lots of memory and easy to transfer files to a Mac. The bullt-in USB is brilliant design. The battery life seems to be very good. |
Great little recorder!
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| Review Date: June 18, 2007 |
| Reviewer: Ceiridwyn, Tucson, AZ |
After being diagnosed with breast cancer, one of my girlfriends who had been down this road told me to get a recorder to tape all my doctor visits. You know how it is - you can never remember exactly what was said, even if you try to take notes. My doctor was so impressed, she told me she would recommend a recorder to all her patients.
Anyway, this device is so easy to use! It plugs straight into the PC and I can save all my files to Media Player. the 27 hour capability is a plus. And get this - the battery is included! |
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