Olympus VN240

We bought the Olympus 'digital voice recorder' (vn-240 pc) approximately 2 months ago when Jeff was unwell and unable to come to a meeting which we had been looking forward to for some time. Occasionally some of our frineds who record some of the meetings and it is often useful to have a recording to refer back to to complete notes, clarify particular points, and draw quotes, as well as letting someone who missed the meeting hear what was said.
...this little niffty machine, the Olympus VN-240 PC. ... And what we found was fantastic.

THE MACHINE ITSELF:

It is very compact, only a few centimetres long (not quite as long as the average computer mouse), at its widest point (in the centre) it is little over 2 centimetres wide, and it is approximately 1.5 centimetres deep.

The casing is in dark grey, with a silvery grey panel in the centre. The back ... more

We bought the Olympus 'digital voice recorder' (vn-240 pc) approximately 2 months ago when Jeff was unwell and unable to come to a meeting which we had been looking forward to for some time. Occasionally some of our frineds who record some of the meetings and it is often useful to have a recording to refer back to to complete notes, clarify particular points, and draw quotes, as well as letting someone who missed the meeting hear what was said.

When we went out to look round the shops we had three criteria in mind:
1. A recorder that could record for at least 1 and 1/2 hrs.
2. A recorder that we didnt have to change over tapes in as this would mean missing part of what was said and would be distarcting too.
3. A recorder that was realitively speaking, inexpensive.

At first glance there wasnt a huge selection in the usual computer stores, and other shiops like Argos, and those that we could find were expensive and either used tapes or couldnt record for as long as we wanted. Then we found this little niffty machine, the Olympus VN-240 PC. ... And what we found was fantastic.

THE MACHINE ITSELF:

It is very compact, only a few centimetres long (not quite as long as the average computer mouse), at its widest point (in the centre) it is little over 2 centimetres wide, and it is approximately 1.5 centimetres deep.

The casing is in dark grey, with a silvery grey panel in the centre. The back of the casing is contoured to shape a hand when it is being held, and the control buttons on the front are comfotably positioned.

There is a 2 centimetre square screen, which gives a clear display.

On the left hand side there is a 'hold' switch which is used for turning on and off the machine and also for pausing recording.

Above that is a silver clip, so you can clip it on to your clothes, a bag, or anything else that should take your fancy!

On the top is the in built microphone, and also sockets for plugging in an external microphone, and also an earphone socket so that if you should so choose you can listen back to your recordings without disturbing anyone else!

On the right hand side of the casing is the volume dial which controls the volume at which you record at and a socket to conect the cable which comes with the machine directly to your computer. This enables you to not only listen back to it as you would a normal ditaction machine, but you can also download directly onto your computer, or even record directly on to your computer.

FUNCTIONS: Apart from those already mentioned...

It can record in High quality or low quality, although there is little difference in the two.

It can record either on short play or long play, long play actually doubles the recording time you have available.

It can record into different files, or several recordings into the one file.

It can record either continuously or just when someone speaks, which is great for taking notes in long (boring) meetings!

It records the date and time each recording was made as well as its length.

It displays the remaining recording time.

SUMMARY:

All round this is a great, nifty, wee machine. Ideal in size and quality, and although it costs £60 to begin with it is well worth the spend in relation to other products of a similar nature!

Five stars!
LH

P>S> Just looking at this site, looks like we got ripped off paying £60 pounds when you can buy it for £49! Never mind, still worth the buy! 

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