Olympus WS-300M 256 MB Digital Voice Recorder and Music Player

List Price: $135.02 Discount Price: $126.95

Features:

• Compact, high-quality digital voice recorder with 256 MB internal flash memory
• Records up to 68 hours of WMA audio; built-in music player stores up to 66 WMA or MP3 files
• USB Direct design plugs directly into PC USB port; 4 recording modes (HQ, LP, SP, and HQ Stereo)
• 5 separate file folders with 199 files each; voice activation mode enables hands-free recording
• Runs for roughly 15 hours on 1 AAA battery; 1.5 x 3.73 x 0.43 inches (W x H x D); 1-year warranty

Customer Reviews:

5 Star with a mic [Posted on 2008-04-02]
I'm a hypnotherapist and make recordings for my clients. They have to be very good sound quality. I always used cassette's, but who has those anymore, so I needed a digital recorder. I looked at recorders $300.00 and up but too costly and too complicated, unless you're a audio tech.

I have an older model that was OK but NOT so good for making CD's. Sound was not good. When I read the reviews on this model, I wanted to know why the difference and what made this so much better. I called the Olympus help line and asked. They were very helpful and said the sound is better because this model records in Windows format. They also told me that by doing about 6 steps I could make my older model sound better, changing formats and on and on with the computer. Too much trouble for me.

I payed about $80.00 for the model WS-300 and it's GREAT, but you do need a plug in mic with a mono to stereo adapter, or stereo mic. No cords, it plugs right into the usb on my computer and the sound quality is fantastic. I highly recommend it. Great little recorder

Exceeded my expectations [Posted on 2008-04-25]
I purchased this a little over a year ago for about $90 total. I was surprised with the small size of the recorder when I first opened the package and thought, "Oh well, might as well get used to the digital age." I have just concluded my 15th interview with the recorder for newspaper articles. The clarity of the voice recording is excellent. I was truly surprised to see how well this works. After an interview, I immediately transfer the recording to my PC (have recently switched to an iMac and haven't figured out if it will work the same or not--so far doesn't look like it). I then transcribe notes either from the PC or using earphones with the recorder. I am not an expert on things digital and still don't know all the intricacies of this machine, but I highly recommend it for sit down interviews. One interview I did walk around with it in my shirt pocket and it worked just fine.

Doesn't work at a distance [Posted on 2008-05-01]
I had high expectations for the Olympus WS-300m but I find it does not record well beyond a distance of a couple of feet. It's great for dictation and the tiny size is much appreciated, however, when voice activation is turn on and set to the highest level of sensitivity it shuts down and misses nearly everything when placed a few feet from the source. As a test, in case my voice is too soft, I turned on the radio and adjusted the volume so I could hear it easily at a distance of 15-20 feet. The Olympus WS-300m goes into Standby mode when it is only 2 feet away from the radio. I put in a new battery and the result was identical. I also made sure I had the microphone set to "conf" and not to "dict" for dictation. I studied the manual carefully. I compliment them on the clarity and comprehensive nature of the manuel. But nothing worked to enable me to record with voice activation at a distance. Either I have a lemon or I have failed to comprehend the instuctions or this is the most overrated digital recorder sold on Amazon.

handy for all computers, bad dication [Posted on 2008-06-15]
I've had better sound out of other recorders, BUT I was searching for anything Mac compatible. Actually quite challenging.

This is easy to use and I like that I don't have to install software with every computer I use. I plugged it directly into my Mac and my friend with a PC strolls on over to download it to hers really fast before our next class. Easy.

Dictation is awful. I read some reviews on this sight and the guy who used it to speak into on that setting was entirely correct. It sounds like The Matrix is about to take over. I seriously can't listen to it because of the warped sound. Dictation is not an option on this item. If you want dictation, I also bought an Olympus DS-330, (darn forgotten Ebay bid), and that's a-whole-lot more professional. I may use it for dictation, but the lecture recording is not as good as the Olympus WS-300M.

If you don't have to mess around with the market's incompetent attempt to accommodate a Mac, I would recommend the Olympus VN-3100PC. It has 71 hours of pure lecture joy recording capacity. That was the first one I bought. Oops. PC only. I think it has better sound than the WS-300M and it's not as light.

Oh - this is not made out of material like an iPod nano or something - it's a light plastic. As such, you can really hear the pushing of buttons and shuffling around regardless of careful handling.

So, this recorder was stolen, the first one was for PC and the third one I got off of eBay where they failed to mention that there was no software so I can't get lectures onto my computer unless I pirate something or wander around campus searching for someone with the disk because Olympus does not have very friendly customer service, (i.e. they may be non-existent or possibly alien). Beware of second hand deals.

Having gone through all of that, I think I'm just going to get a iPod with a microphone. There's plenty of memory and I don't have to worry about it not hooking up to my computer. Plus, if it ends up sub-par I at least have an iPod. For Mac people, we just don't have very many options.

I hope that helps and you don't have to stare at reviews for hours at a time thinking, "Oh my God, I'm getting closer to death every hour I sit here."

Caboose.

Good buy, lots of fun [Posted on 2008-07-06]
I love this little dvr. I use it as an audio diary, so I am always alone and in a quiet place while recording. I don't know how it would be for use in a classroom or meeting, don't know the strength it has to pick up a speaker from afar. For how I use it, it is great. I tried the music feature also with no problems. I liked that the file format is WMA as I have trouble converting my files and never could find an answer as to how to do it. When your folder is full just plug it into your computer and burn a cd. Couldn't be easier. If I would list one complaint it would be that it doesn't let you know when your folder IS full, and I have all ready lost entries. Also, because of its small size, the screen is very hard for me to see, but I do have eye problems, so that may not hold true for everyone else. All in all I love this little dvr and I'm very happy I bought it. (Got it at Radio Shack, cheaper than on Amazon, which is unusual)

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