OM SYSTEMOlympus VN-960PC 128 MB Digital Voice Recorder with PC Link

For many reasons, this is one of the best models ever made. Unfortunately, Olympus in their wisdom has decided to discontinue this case design and the only way to get it is second hand or thru resellers. As this model is becoming more scarce to get, I notice the prices climbing. First, the case includes a pocket clip. This means, the recorder can be carried in a top shirt pocket for very quick access. This has tremendous advantages for people that want a fast way to dictate thoughts or lists. I know that smart phones have voice recording capabilities, but in no way is fumbling with a smart phone and hunting for the voice recording app anywhere close to the efficiency of this clip-included case.It has good, basic functionality and ability to transfer files to a PC. The features are not overly busy, with stuff never to be used. I can get down thoughts on the fly, I can capture things I have to do while I'm driving, I can voice journal, I can voice summarize jobs. Later I use Dragon voice dictation software to transfer and transcribe whatever voice files I want into a document on the PC.The more current versions of this model lack a clip on the case. This should be brought back *at least as an option.* The case could easily be designed with a way to add an optional clip, if desired.

I really like this recorder if I could stop misplacing it and if I could attach it to my PC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I've read about the software and driver issues. YES I've done all the steps. Now for the instructions:There is a NOTE in the instructions. I'm quoting directing from the instruction manual. "USB support is NOT available under the following environments, even for PCs equipped with a USB port: Windows 98/2000/xp professional, Home Edition upgraded from Windows 95"I'd give it 5 stars if it were advertised with it's lack of compatibility.That says it all.

After reading nealry all the reviews here and searching the net for more information behind this little DVR I found it to be easy to use and a joy to connect to my PC and Laptop PC. No problems unlike the other horror stories I read here.Pro's: Lite weight and small enough to carry, Buttons are all simple to use and the instructions were really easy to read and use the device in a matter of minutes! Comes with a sweet feature, a VCVA (Variable Control Voice Actuator) Meaning it'll record and pause itself in low audio surroundings and restart again to record when audio is present again, flawless recording.Con's: I purchased this device for aid with video to sync up vid and audio like when doing reports in a convention to capture the audio better, it works like a charm but I'm so into high quality I thought the audio would come in at 44.1kHz CD quality rather the HQ is 22kHz but that's really it for cons, and the 22 doesn't even really bother me at all.If you use a headset to hear playback it will come in as mono but when transfered into the computer it's Stereo so that's a plus ;)I use Audacity to help clean up the audio for any hissing that the recorder gives. It's good for what you'll need it for, if you're into playing music and using this for your recorder you have to be Nuckin FUTS! Get a stereo cassette recorder instead ya goofballs :) then transfer it into the computer. AH-Doi!!!

this deal is not useable because no software provided to download to computer. this was not made clear when i made the purchase, or i would not have made same.Bruce E. Myers

I purchased this in the hope that I would be able to record verbal messages to myself, creative thoughts and ideas, etc. It does an adequate job of that. I had also hoped I could use it as a simple player, to download affirmations and such to listen to throughout the day. This it won't do, and it was not clear to me from the information here and on the Olympus site that it would not function this way. First, even though it records wav files, it does not let you handle them well at all. To transfer recordings to your computer, you have to install special software (included), but you cannot transfer wav files back to the recorder (according to the software guide). If you want a recorder/player to function easily like that, you should go for the more expensive ones that allow you to use them as a USB flash drive (like the Creative Zen series). I did not install the software, as it offered nothing other than the simple transfer of a recording to my computer. I can record directly to the PC with much higher quality, so why bother? Noise recorded in a high quality format is still noise. It makes more sense to simply repeat anything I record on the Olympus and record it directly to the PC.Second, the sound quality is not great. Given that wav files are what are used on CDs, one would expect more than what this device delivers. It is noisy on either of the mic settings, and I would have to describe the sound quality as medium. Don't expect high fidelity. This is a voice recorder for recording quick notes and not much else. Even analog tape would be better for most things. I may be fussier than most about this, having some professional background in audio, so the sound quality may be okay for most people. People have gotten used to lower standards in just about everything.Finally, playback was very disappointing to me. It has only the simplest playback features. It plays, pauses, fast forwards, and reverses, period. You cannot repeat either a single recording or portion of one, and you cannot create any kind of list to specify only certain files to play. It plays (manually) one recording at a time and that is it. You cannot set markers to fast forward or reverse to (like chapters on a DVD), and searching through a recording of any length is a major pain. In fact, this recorder is defined more by what it cannot do than what it can do. It is well built physically, although it is definitely designed for small hands, and can be a bit uncomfortable to use if your hands aren't small.If all you want is to record medium quality voice, this will work fine. Don't expect it to record music or anything like that - you will be disappointed. Think of it as the audio version of a $20 digital camera. Cheap, quick, grabs the image, but no frills at all. Don't expect much and you won't be disappointed.I am usually very happy with Olympus gear, but this is definitely below their usual standard. Unless your needs are very spartan and smple, I would recommend looking at more capable devices.