Product Description

Olympus VN-4100-PC 256MB PC digital voice recorder features 4 recording modes (XHQ, HQ, SP, LP), thumb-pad navigation, and easy file managment with index marks. Other key features include up to 144 hours recording time of uninterrupted audio in LP mode, timer recording, alarm playback, and comes standard equipped with an LCD screen. The VN-4100-PC digital voice recorder also allows users to transfer audio files quickly and easily to a computer with the included PC link. Operates on 2 AAA batteries (included) for up to 25 hours of recording/play.

Product Details

• Color: Silver
• Brand: Olympus
• Model: VN-4100-PC
• Released on: 2007-05-15
• Platform: Windows
• Dimensions: .80" h x 1.50" w x 4.00" l, .50 pounds

Features

• Robust and versatile digital voice recorder with USB PC link
• Up to 144 hours recording time; 256 MB internal flash memory
• Organize and store recordings in four separate folders
• Specify particular point in recording or playback with index marks for easy reference
• 25-hour battery life

Amazon.com Product Description
Record over 144 hours of uninterrupted audio on the Olympus VN-4100-PC 256MB PC Digital Voice Recorder and then transfer the audio files to your PC with speed and ease with the included USB PC Link. With one simple cable connection, files can be transferred to a computer for easy organization, playback, and emailing to friends and coworkers. The easy-to-use thumb pad allows for quick and convenient navigation of functions like file management, choosing recording modes, and more while the included timer recoding and voice activation modes provide added versatility. Depending on the quality of the desired recording, the VN-4100PC is able to record in four recording modes to meet your specific needs: XHQ for extra high quality, HQ for high-quality, and SP and LP modes for extended recording. Just above the easy-to-use thumb pad, users will find a large LCD screen for easy, quick viewing of file locations, recording status, and battery life. The thumb pad also allows you to control the slow and fast playback modes, allowing you to listen to audio playback at 25-percent slower or 50-percent faster than real time. The unit's storage capacity is divided into four folders, and each folder can store up to 100 files. Easy file management functions allow you to erase single files, multiple files, as well as transfer files between folders. An on-board voice activation feature extends recording time by recording only when the microphone senses sound while the easy-to-use index marks let you specify a particular point in a recording or playback for easy reference. Use the timer recording option to set a start and end time for a particular recording. Measuring 4.0 x 1.5 x 0.8 inches, the VN-4100PC weighs only 2.2 ounces.

What's in the Box
VN-4100PC digital voice recorder, Digital Wave Player software, USB cable, two AAA alkaline batteries, and instruction manual.

Customer Reviews

An excellent value
The Olympus VN-4100PC is an excellent value. It's perfect for tasks such as recording a lecture or meeting, making verbal to-do lists, practicing a speech or presentation, and so on. Some reviewers criticize it because it's not very good at recording music, and the play-back is monaural, and they're right. It's not really designed for professional-style, stereo recording. As is the case with all machines, you have to live within its design limits.

The VN-4100PC has some very nice features that make it an excellent value. It is shirt-picket small and very light weight. The controls are simple and intuitive enough that you can operate it out of the package, without even reading the instructions. (However, the instructions tell you how to perform important setup functions, so you should read them.) In short, it's a nice, small, light personal audio recorder.

The built-in microphone is actually pretty good, but if you leave the recorder in your pocket while you're recording, you'll get quite a bit of ambient noise. The same can happen if you prop it on a book. There are two ways to work around this limitation, which is inherent to all similar recorders. Either put the machine on something soft on the desk, such as a coat, or buy an external microphone. The external microphone is probably the best way to go; you'll get far superior electronics, and it's easy to clip or place the mic so you can avoid the ambient noise.

This certainly isn't a high-end, professional-grade recorder. It wasn't designed to be one. Rather, it's a convenient, low-cost personal recorder that does exactly what it's supposed to do. It's an excellent value for the money. I'm very happy I bought it, and I'd do it again.

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Added June 9, 2009:

When I bought my recorder in December, 2007, it cost about $50. That's why I called it an excellent value; the feature set at that price was unmatched by any competitive recorder. However, now it's up to $175. Wow! There's no way on earth I'd pay that much for it! For $175, it should be gold plated!

if upgrading, be careful
I've owned previous versions of these Olympus voice recorders, for example, the VN-240PC. I wanted the latest model so I could get more recording capacity. Two problems with the VN-4100PC:

1. It lacks a pocket clip. Previous versions had this. The pocket clip prevents the voice recorder from sliding around in one's pocket and preventing that sliding-around noise from getting picked up by the recorder when you move around, walking around giving a presentation, etc. Not to mention the recorder falling out of your shirt pocket when you bend over, or if it's in your jacket pocket and you pick up your jacket, etc.

2. The index button is now toward the bottom of the recorder. In previous versions, it was toward the top. Since this button will be used as frequently or more frequently than the Stop, Play, or Record buttons, it should be toward the top for easier access. Also, if I'm giving a presentation and moving around a room, I'd like to be able to press the index button easily without having to take the recorder out of my pocket or carrying it in my hand. Since the index button is now deeper in my pocket, it makes clicking the index button more difficult.

3. This new model still only allows 10 index marks per recording. This is not enough. If I'm using XHQ mode, I can record over 11 HOURS for one recording, more if I use lower-quality recording modes. Index marks are very helpful for reviewing a recording and going back to particular important points in the recording rather than having to listen to the whole recording or having to search around in the recording for these important points. With only 10 index marks per recording, that's very limiting.

4. The Digital Wave Player software comes with the voice recorder. The software allows you to review a recording once you've downloaded it to your computer. This software is still missing some functionality. For example, a faster-playback mode, double the normal playback speed so you can review the recording more quickly. Since the recorder itself can do this, it would be nice if the playback software could do the same thing to make reviewing easier, especially since you're allowed only 10 index marks per recording :-) .

Not PC friendly... Slow... Clunky software... Not Mac compatible...
This unit does a poor job of transferring files to a PC. It is a bit slow transferring files. Takes about a full minute or two to transfer a 10 minute recording. Unlike many other similar USB devices, this one does not allow you to access it as a removable USB drive. You can install the drivers but there is no way to access the unit to copy the files directly from the unit. You have to install and use the slow and clunky software. As a stand alone unit it works fine and for that I would have given it a higher rating. However, this unit is specifically marketed as a PC unit and for use with a PC it is a poor choice due to the clunky and slow method to transfer files from the unit. It also is not Mac compatible at all. For the price I'd give it 4 stars if it was not for use with a PC. If you plan to use it with a PC it is a 1 to 2 star unit.