Olympus WS-100 64 MB Digital Voice Recorder with USB InterfaceOlympus WS-100 64 MB Digital Voice Recorder with USB Interface
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- Compact, high-quality digital voice recorder with 64 MB internal flash memory
- Records up to 27 hours of WMA audio; also stores non-voice files such as documents and images
- USB Direct design plugs directly into PC or Mac's USB port; 3 recording modes (HQ, SP, and LP)
- 5 separate file folders with 199 files each; voice activation mode enables hands-free recording
- Runs for roughly 13 hours on 1 AAA battery; 1.57 x 3.7 x 0.59 inches (W x H x D); 1-year warranty
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.
- Office Product: 0 pages
- Publisher: Olympus
- Label: Olympus
- Studio: Olympus
- Sales Rank in Electronics: #24194
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118 of 121 people found the following review helpful:  Excellent for my needs, By This review is from: Olympus WS-100 64 MB Digital Voice Recorder with USB Interface (Office Product) 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...Read more 75 of 75 people found the following review helpful: Outstanding, This review is from: Olympus WS-100 64 MB Digital Voice Recorder with USB Interface (Office Product) 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...Read more 85 of 90 people found the following review helpful:  Grr...Trouble with WMA format on the Mac..., By miditrax (USA) - See all my reviews This review is from: Olympus WS-100 64 MB Digital Voice Recorder with USB Interface (Office Product) I paid a bit more than I wanted at Fry's for this, but I was looking for a dedicated portable recorder for voice and music. The WS-100 certainly fits the bill in the portability department; hand-held, it can easily pick up conversation (and noise) in a room. You can listen via the tinny speaker or monitor using the included earbud headphones but there is really no control of input volume. Think of it as a high-tech cassette recorder. I was able to record and download audio files into my iMac G5 using the USB port. The trouble began when I tried to edit these WMA files in Quicktime. QT7 Pro will play but does not allow editing the Windows Media format. GarageBand refused to deal with them, and when I tried to import them into iDVD I got a message that my original recordings were "Copy-protected" media. On going to the Windows Media Player website I learned that I would have to purchase an "upgrade" that would allow my Mac to edit WMA files. I was suspicious since it...Read more |
