Olympus VN-120PC Digital Voice Recorder

Olympus Updated: 2007-09-07

The Olympus VN-120PC digital voice recorder weighs just 2.4 ounces (with batteries) and fits snugly in the palm of your hand, yet offers more than enough features to easily handle most recording needs. Among its most valuable are a trio of scalable recording modes, 16 MB built-in flash memory, and an easy-to-navigate jog dial and file storage system. The recorder even overcomes its relatively slight storage capacity--it offers a maximum of 120 minutes of recording time in long-play mode--through its USB interface, which lets you quickly free up space on the recorder by transferring files directly to your PC's hard drive. The combined functions make this an ideal recorder for industrious students, business professionals, and casual users who want to record memos, song ideas, shopping lists, and other notes.

The VN-120PC's three recording modes include HQ, which offers the best quality and 43 minutes of recording time; SP, which is slightly less crisp but provides 65 minutes of recording time; and LP, which offers the maximum 120 minutes of storage. The recordings, meanwhile, are shuffled into three separate folders for organizing by date or subject. Each folder holds up to 100 messages for a total of 300 stored messages. In addition, it's possible to delete one message at a time or an entire folder for a more efficient cleanup.

Another nice feature is the comprehensive LCD display, which lets you monitor the remaining recording time, the time and date, the play mode, microphone sensitivity (high/low), and battery status. And busy users will doubtless appreciate the voice activation mode, which enables hands-free recording--a must when also taking notes.

Other extras include a built-in condenser microphone, a 3.5 mm microphone jack for connecting a higher-quality external mic (not included), a 3.5 mm headphone jack for private listening, a customizable alarm, and a fast playback mode that works 30 percent faster than real time. The VN-120PC, which uses the ADPCM recording format, measures 1.54 by 3.9 by 0.85 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

Product Features

* 120 minutes of recording time
* Three sound quality settings (HQ/SP/LP)
* Three folders for organizing and storing notes
* Up to 100 messages per folder
* LCD shows remaining record time, date and time, and battery status

Technical Details

* Recording format: ADPCM
* Recording media: Built-in 16 MB flash memory
* Recording time: HQ: 43 minutes; SP: 65 minutes; LP: 120 minutes
* Alarms: Up to 20 customizable
* Card format: N/A
* Input level: N/A
* PC interface: USB
* Display: LCD
* Folders/messages: 3 folders, 100 messages per folder
* Sampling frequency: HQ: 16 kHz; SP: 10.6 kHz; LP: 5.75 kHz
* Frequency response: HP: 300 to 7,200 Hz; SP: 300 to 4,700 Hz; LP: 300 to 2,600 Hz
* Voice activation: Yes
* Practical maximum output: 120 mW
* Write protection: No
* Speaker: 28 mm diameter internal speaker
* External microphone jack: 3.5 mm
* Earphone jack: 3.5 mm
* Power supply: 2 AAA batteries (included)
* External power supply: No
* Battery life: Approximately 25 hours
* PC system requirements: Windows 98, 98 SE, Me, 2000 Pro, XP Pro, or XP Home; Pentium 166 MHz or faster CPU; 32 MB RAM; Creative Labs SoundBlaster 16 or 100-percent compatible sound card; video card; CD-ROM drive; USB port
* Item width: 1.54 inches
* Item height: 3.9 inches
* Item depth: 0.85 inches
* Item weight: 2.4 ounces (including batteries)
* Warranty: 1 year parts and labor
* What's in the Box: Digital voice recorder, two AAA batteries, USB cable, software CD, pocket clip, user's manual