How can we use our PC as a voice recorder?

very-small-form-factor voice recorder that can xfer voice notes to the PC

• I am looking for a very-small-form-factor voice recorder that can xfer the voice notes to my PC. I currently use the VT-90 and VT-300 by VXI corp. http://www.recordersplus.com/html_doc/voiceit/vt300/vt300_home.html It works great, and it tiny, and super fast to start a recording, but doesn't xfer. I use it in the car, and while walking around. I always have it in my pocket. Is there a voice recorder that is tiny like the VT series, but lets you beam the voice notes to a Palm, or has a card (e.g. compact flash) that you can take in/out and put in a card reader, or a USB xfer. I know that VXI's VT-3200 does it, but it is way too big. There is no way anyone is going to be carrying around that in their pocket. I know that some of the newer Palm PDAs have a voice recorder feature, but they tend to require to many taps on the screen the take a note. Not the simplicity of a big record button on the unit itself. Several cell phones have reasonable fast-to-get-to record buttons, but they have no way to transfer the note over to your computer. I know that gamin will be releasing a Palm with a Record button on it, but that will be over $500. We were looking for something closer to $150. Does any product ring a bell? Thanks much

• Answer:

  I have found some great products with characteristics that match your request: 1. As small, or smaller than the VXI product you listed 2. Have USB transfer 3. Around $150 The Kiiro Muze products would be my top picks to meet your needs based upon their size and Amazon UK reviews. The T100 model might be of particular interest to you, with it's ability to use both USB and SmartMedia to transfer files. Unfortunately, I cannot find the T100 model in stock. The two Pogo Products listed below are pretty remarkable, with built-in FM tuners, the ability to encode MP3 files on the fly, voice recording, and the ability to use the USB port to transfer files and recharge their batteries. These are about the same size as what you are currently using. Personally, I would choose these since they seem small enough to me and pack in added features. (The Pogo RipFlash PRO-2 offers multiple playback speeds and extended voice recording times of over 100 hours). The Kiiro Muze and Pogo products have a loyal following. I can't claim the same for the others. The others listed are all basically USB "Pen Drive" MP3 players with voice recording. They all have slightly different form factors and differ in whether they have a rechargable battery or use disposable batteries. Once nice thing about "pen drive" models is that they have a built-in USB connector, eliminating the need to carry a USB cable. 128MB is listed as 2-8 hours of recording time depending on file format and quality. You can find similar devices with lower capacities on eBay, as well. $109 Kiiro Muze CA128S 128MB 2.68" x 1.8" x .52" http://www.mp34less.com/CA-128S(128MB).html http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3028181468&category=11024 http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00006GNO2/ http://shop.store.yahoo.com/shoptronics/muz12mp3jukw.html $140 Kiiro Muze T100 128MB 2.68" x 1.8" x .52" http://www.mp34less.com/CA-T100(128MB).html $150 Pogo RipFlash TRIO 128MB 2.32" x 3.30" x 0.37" http://www.pogoproducts.com/ripflash_trio.html $200 Pogo RipFlash PRO-2 256MB 2.2" x 3.5" x 0.35" http://www.pogoproducts.com/ripflash_pro2.html $75 Muzic Aera 4-in-1 128MB MP3 Player 4" x 1.28" x .32" http://www.odmo.com/M4-in-1.htm $99 Star Combo P505 128MB 3.56" x 1.12" x 1" http://www.audioexchange.com/magstar12por.html $150 I-Bead 128MB 3.4" x 1" x .64" http://www.mp3playerstore.com/buy_it_now__/ibead.htm Search Strategy: Find small MP3 players with voice recording functions and USB file transfer. Search Terms: MP3 voice recorder USB drive ://www.google.com/search?q=MP3+voice+recorder+USB+drive I hope that this information is useful and easy to understand. If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to post a clarification request prior to rating the answer.