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Two new Olympus Digital Voice Recorders – The VN Series
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In August of this year (2008), Olympus announced the launch of two new Olympus digital voice recorders – the VN-5000 and VN-5200 PCboth of these voice recorders carry twice the storage capacity of previous models. The VN-5200 PC is the industry’s most affordable Windows Media Audio (WMA) digital voice recorder at $59.99; and the VN-5000 can record an impressive 300 hours of audio. This is accomplished with 512MB of internal memory onboard and offer the following features:
VN-5000
- 300 hours of recording time
- Enhanced HQ & SP sound quality
- 39 hours of battery life.
VN-5200 PC
- 221 hours of recording time
- USB 2.0 high-speed connectivity to your PC
- USB Mass Storage Class Device
- HQ, SP, & LP WMA monaural recording
- 30 hours of battery life
The shape and size of the bodies are surprisingly natural for their size, and can easily slide into a front pocket and some lapel pockets. The LCD screens are large enough to read with ease. As usual, Olympus smartly provides the user with multiple recording options.
Like the WS-series, these devices are great for capturing lectures, interviews, random thoughts or a child’s first words.
Andy Flagg, an Olympus Sales and Marketing guy, provides some marketing technobabble on the new line in their latest press release:
“The last VN-Series recorders doubled the recording time of their predecessors and we’ve increased it substantially again. Whether you use them to record your favorite candidate’s speech or a class lecture, the VN-5000 and VN-5200PC deliver superior sound quality and great ease of use with double the capacity of earlier models, so you can capture more of what you need.”
Olympus VN-Series Recording Modes
The modes are as follows: HQ mode or the SP and LP modes for extended recording. As is typical of Olympus, the default recording format is WMA, although not always typical in the VN series. In fact, the VN-5200 PC using WMA for recording and playback, actually makes it the first WMA-based digital audio recorder in the VN-Series.
The VN-Series also features the Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) function, extending recording time by recording only when the microphone senses sound at the preset level. This function is a significant time-saver, reducing the need to fast-forward past pauses in conversation.
Sharing Digital Voice Recorder Audio
The VN-5200 PC uses a PC Link, which enables users to transfer audio files to pretty much any PC/MAC using an included USB cable. No software download is needed. The device is simply treated as a mass storage device. What’s cool is this enables users to connect to other computers quickly, and once downloaded, files can be archived or emailed to friends, family, Boing Boing, etc.
Options for Playing Back Files on your Digital Voice Recorder
This is the one feature I wish my WS-Series Digital Voice Recorder had. The “Index Mark” setting allows you to pinpoint specific pieces of the audio per file to simplify future searches. The VN-5200 PC holds up to 16 Index Marks per file, while the VN-5000 can hold 10 per file. After you have captured a recording, the slow playback option allows recordings to be played at 25 percent slower than real time, which makes it easy to type along if you are transcribing a lecture or meeting notes. The is also a fast playback option, which is 50 percent faster than real time, so you can skip ahead to essential segments.
Stylish & Functional Design
Because you can slip them into your pocket easily, the VN-Series digital audio devices could be an ideal travel buddy. Both digital voice recorders have large, easy-to-read LCD screens (as mentioned earlier) that display file information, recording time and events.
File Management
The VN-Series digital audio devices deliver an easy-to-use interface that enables users to accurately organize digital files with unparalleled organization for meetings, dates and reminders. The VN-5000 has four folders (each holds 100 files) and the VN-5200 PC has five folders (each holds 200 files). The VN-5200 PC also includes multi-language support in English, French and Spanish.
Lasting Power, Lasting Value
The VN-Series digital devices allow for extended continuous operation (39 hours for the VN-5000 and 30 hours for the VN-5200 PC) made possible by the long battery life of two AAA batteries. The new devices also feature a one-year warranty.
Availability
The VN-5000 will be available in September 2008.
The VN-5200 PC will be available in November 2008.
U.S. Pricing
VN-5000 Digital Voice Recorder Estimated Street Price: $39.99 (U.S.)
VN-5200 PC Digital Voice Recorder Estimated Street Price: $59.99 (U.S.)
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[...] Is the price of such a device making you nervous? You can find brand new and slightly used Olympus DS-4000 digital voice recorders for sale in our eBay store. Check out our Olympus VN-5000 review. [...]
[...] New: Olympus upped the ante again. Check out our review of the Olympus VN 5200 PC [...]