Olympus WS-310M 512 MB Digital Voice Recorder and Music Player

List Price: $180.00 Discount Price: Too low to display

Features:

• Compact, high-quality digital voice recorder with 512 MB internal flash memory
• Records up to 138 hours of WMA audio; built-in music player stores up to 130 WMA or MP3 files
• USB Direct design plugs directly into PC or Mac's 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:

Great recorder, just read the book [Posted on 2007-05-05]
I am an auctioneer and purchased the WS-310M and ME-15 Mic to record the entire auction, from beginning to end. After reading the book, familiarizing myself with the product, it worked flawlessly the first time I used it. During my break, I pushed "Rec" again which pauses the recording, and after the break pushed "Rec" again. The recording continued without making a separate file. It did a fantastic job of not only recording myself, but you could hear people asking questions, etc. from the back of the yard. Copying the files to my laptop was quick and painless. I strongly recommend this product.

Was 'Quite pleased', Now 'Somewhat pleased' [Posted on 2007-05-13]
I think everything about this recorder is great . . . with one exception, the bulge in the back from the battery. I just hate it. The recorder is, well could be, remarkably thin, but that battery makes it me crazy. With all the battery types available today, why would Olympus choose the AAA size. I guess I'm being too picky about something so insignificant, but it just bothers me. There are many good qualities about this product. I especially like its USB connection. Regarding the size, I find it more than adequate for voice recording. I seem to have loads of space. I suppose if I was using it for music I would want more space. But for my needs, I am quite satisfied with this product.

Update 19 Apr 08 ... Now I am fed-up with that battery design solution. I came to find out that the cover does not stay on very well, in fact so not very well that it popped off, I cannot find it and now I am stuck with an exposed battery that enjoys popping out as much as the cover did. I tried giving it two stars, but I cannot edit the stars. Arg.

Nice little thing [Posted on 2007-05-21]
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2Y1834DH3WAZM I was a first a little hesitant about buying thus recorder since it recorded in WMA format. I personally don't like that format since I work with audio a lot (I like wav or mp3). But I couldn't find anything else that would record a long period of time that wasn't VERY expensive. So I just went with this. It worked great for what I have used it for:

College classes
Kidnapping a friend and taking him to his birthday party
A political conversation among friends.
Self-dictation
Band concert (tweeked in audio program and came out nicely)

It has two microphone sensitivities ( Dictation [low] and Conference[high]).
I have normally use it on the HQ stereo setting and I have been quite pleased with the stereo recording. For the more technological people - I have imported the files into a audio editing program and the wave images do appear in stereo. It also has a microphone jack that I have yet to try, but I know that Olympus sells a lapel microphone for it, but I am also going to try on of mine as well.

Durability: 4/5 - held up well unless I dropped it, then the USB cover came off
Ease of Use: 4/5 - Menu screens are fairly easy to navigate and the USM is "plug & play" it acts as an external hard drive.
Battery Life: 4/5
Sound Quality: 4/5
Portability: 5/5 Very lite.

Overall: 4/5

Also I didn't use the music player side of it...that's what my iPod is for.

LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!!! [Posted on 2007-07-31]
This little gizmo is absolutely great! It does all the things I wanted it to & more. I use it for recording choral rehearsals, then downloading to my computer, & sending off files to other members of the chorus through email, or burning CDs. GREAT TOOL!!!!

Do your research [Posted on 2008-01-16]
Look at your other options. The 331-M is less expensive and has more memory. It is a newer version.

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