Olympus VN-4100PC Digital Voice Recorder | 
| Brand: Olympus
List Price: $79.95
Buy New: $39.95
You Save: $40.00 (50%)
New (33) Refurbished (4) from $32.50
Rating:  133 reviews
Color: Silver
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries: 2
Batteries Included: Yes
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 4 x 1.5 x 0.8
Warranty: 1 Year
MPN: VN-4100-PC
Model: VN-4100-PC
UPC: 050332400474
EAN: 0050332400474
ASIN: B000OVPB9K
Release Date: May 15, 2007
Availability: Usually ships in 2-3 business days
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| 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 |
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Product Description
Record uninterrupted audio on the VN-4100PC then transfer files to your PC with speed and ease by way of the direct PC Link. With one simple cable connection, files can be transferred to a computer and be organized, listened to and even emailed to friends and family. The compact design makes it functional and portable with up to 144 hours 20 minutes recording time, 8660 uninterrupted minutes in LP mode. Connect easily to almost any PC to edit, email, and archive your files. Manage audio files between three separate folders and use another for scheduling reminders that can be automatically played back. Program the VN-4100PC to begin and end recording audio at specific times. The Large LCD for easy, quick viewing of file locations, recording status and battery life. Slow and Fast Playback modes let you listen to audio 25 percent slower or 50 percent faster than real time. Voice activation extends recording time by recording only when the microphone senses sound. Input Level - -70dbv 23x25 mm LCD Voice Activation Output - 120 mW Speaker - 28mm diameter dynamic internal speaker Microphone Jack 3.5 mm mini-jack, impedance 2 ohms Earphone Jack 3.5 mm mini-jack, impedance 8 ohms Power Supply 3.5 mm mini-jack, impedance 8 ohms Batteries - Two AAA batteries Battery Life - Up to 25 hours System Requirements - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, XP Professional, Home Edition, CPU Intel Pentium 166MHz or faster, 32MB RAM, Sound Board Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 or 100% compatible card, Video Card & Display 800x600 pixels, 256 colors, 2x CD-ROM Removable Drive, At least 1 free USB port, Audio Output Speaker or earphone output Dimensions - 4.0 x 1.54 x 0.77 inch (101.6 x 39.1 x 19.6 mm) excluding protrusions Weight - 2.22 ounces (68.0 grams) including battery
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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 128 more reviews...
 if upgrading, be careful July 21, 2007
M. Ikemoto (Silicon Valley, CA)
210 out of 218 found this review helpful
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... September 13, 2007
T. Smith (California)
93 out of 105 found this review helpful
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.
 An excellent value December 21, 2007
L. F. Smith (E. Wenatchee, WA)
76 out of 78 found this review helpful
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.
False advertising of VN-4100pc June 9, 2007
Donald F. Manella
25 out of 28 found this review helpful
Although the VN-4100pc is a top quality product, I can only give bad marks for Olympus' honesty in advertising this product and for their unresponsive support department.
I want to make everyone aware of the fact that Olympus is deceiving the buyer by advertising a non-existent extra high quality XHQ mode. Yes, there's an XHQ mode on the VN-4100pc's menu, but in reality, it's just a repeat of the HQ mode. Testing the properties of identical recordings made in both the XHQ and HQ modes after they were transferred to my PC, verifies that the memory size, bitrate, sampling rate and resolution are identical. Even Olympus contradicts itself by stating in its' technical specifications that the frequency response in each of these two modes is 300 to 7200 hz. Yet, even though all these properties are identical, Olympus makes the false claim that the XHQ mode is an extra high quality mode.
Two weeks have now past since I first emailed Olympus' support department asking for an explanation regarding my findings and asking for their explanation as to what makes the XHQ mode extra high quality . To date, they have not responded. I emailed support two subsequent times since and they still have not responded
Decent but... July 28, 2007
Mark W. Moore (Houston)
24 out of 26 found this review helpful
One thing to be aware of that I didn't see in the other reviews is that the headphone(s) output is monaural, so if you are listening on headphones you'll only hear it in one ear. I'm a guitarist and I'll use this to easily record ideas. On the extra high quality (EHQ) setting the sound is OK but I would of liked a little less recording hiss. I did a test recording comparing the built-in mic and a plug-in Sony stereo mic and could not tell a difference. Of course it doesn't record in stereo.
Good luck
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