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Olympus WS-321M Digital Voice Recorder and WMA Music Player | 
 enlarge | Brand: Olympus
Category: CE
List Price: $149.99
Buy Refurbished: $62.50
New (22)
Avg. Customer Rating:  23 reviews
Format: Cd
Platform: Windows
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Batteries Included: Yes
Operating System: Windows
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.3
Dimensions (in): 6.3 x 2.3 x 9
MPN: WS-321M
Model: WS-321M
UPC: 050332400672
EAN: 0050332400672
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Professional-grade digital voice recorder | | • | Record up to 277 hours of digital audio or store up to 250 MP3 and WMA music files | | • | 1 GB of internal flash memory | | • | Can be used as a USB mass storage device | | • | Convenient USB 2.0 direct design for fast data transfer |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
With 1GB memory, the WS-321M provides flexibility for voice recording, data storage and high quality audio. The slim, stylish and pocket sized recorder will supply you with over 277 hours recording, it can be plugged directly into a PC USB port - without a USB cable - for quick and convenient downloading of files. 6 recording qualities for voice files - STXQ/STHQ/STSP/HQ/SP/LP Large, highly visible backlit LCD screen and tactile buttons SRS WOW and Tru Bass Simple menu-driven interface with five folders for file management (200 files per folder) Variable speed playback Lightweight & pocketsize
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| Customer Reviews: Read 18 more reviews...
 If the battery runs out during a recording, you're screwed! July 18, 2008
34 out of 40 found this review helpful
I would think twice if you are considering this particular model. I actually placed an order for it, but did my research a little late. Now I am returning this to amazon and buying in its place the Olympus DS-40 ($140, which is $40 more than the 321).
When deciding on which model to buy, I suggest that you check out the Olympus website to compare specs, and to also look closely at the FAQs.
I took a look at the Olympus.com description of the WS-321M (http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/cpg_support_faqs.asp?id=1309). The following is under the FAQ:
"While recording a file, the battery ran out. Now I can't play or find the file. Why?
If the battery runs out during the recording of a file, the currently recorded file will be lost because the file header will be unable to close. It is crucial to change the battery once the battery indicator shows only one hash mark of power remaining. Removing the battery while the recorder is in use may also corrupt a file."
This particular model uses only one AAA battery, so it will not last that long. I am purchasing a digital voice recorder because I am collecting oral histories for my thesis project. I am conducting interviews that will last up to a few hours long. In other words, I cannot afford to lose any material because I can only collect interviews once. If you do not save under a file header during the course of an interview, you can lose the data because of the battery running out. I do not know when the 'low battery indicator' comes on (i.e., how much time you have left), but what if I happen to miss seeing the indicator in the course of a long interview? Moreover, I plan to record using the highest setting in audio quality, so the battery life will not last as long as reported.
The simple solution of course is to just press save every so often during an interview. However, this model will only allow you to save five files (I think) at a time. So what if you are collecting multiple interviews throughout the day? Then you have to either conserve your saves, or offload the file to your computer after every interview.
Don't get me wrong: every olympus digital voice recorder I've looked at has this problem. (I haven't researched other brands.)
However, this particular model (like most others) does not have the option of purchasing a separate A/C adapter. Yikes. So basically, we're looking at having to be super sure about the battery life during your recording. For some folks, this is not a problem. But for me, where each recording is absolutely crucial for my work and where the interview could last hours and where I do not wish to interrupt the interview to change batteries, etc, I cannot afford to have this potential problem.
The other way to avoid this is to just put in a fresh battery every time I'm about to do an interview.
Well, I just decided that I don't want to have to worry about all this, and I have just ordered the higher-end Olympus DS-40. Although the DS-40 does not have a full GB (instead, it has 512 MB), it has several other features, including the use of two AAA batteries and, importantly, the AC adapter option, which I bought separately on amazon for about $20 or so. The DS-40 is $140 right now. To me, not having to worry about losing data is worth the extra money, given that I'll be using this recorder for tens of interviews over the next few years. Yes, this means that I'll be seeking an outlet and plugging in my DS-40 for every interview - but the two AAA's will be my backup and NOT my main and only source of power. This is a crucial factor for me.
Again, this may not be a concern for some folks, but for those who, like me, may be collecting lengthy interviews throughout the day, this is an important detail to consider.
 Olympus WS-321 Just what I was looking for April 25, 2008
15 out of 15 found this review helpful
I ordered the Olympus WS-321 for two reasons: one as a Mac owner I wanted a voice recorder that would easily interface with my Mac. The Olympus WS-321 does that just fine and I can also download the files to my PC. Reason 2: it's size. I use it to record my singing at our chorus rehearsals - the Olympus WS-321 slips into my back pocket; don't need audio tapes. I then email the MP3 file to my section leader for her to review after I've reviewed it myself. I've used the Olympus WS-321 for about a month now. It's doing just what I purchased it for.
Olympus Voice Recorder WS 321 M December 1, 2007
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
I love this little recorder. I have had it about 4 weeks now, and it has been great. I was surprised at how good the built in microphone is and how well it picks up voices from recording a dictation to recording a lecture in a big hall. As expected, the built in speaker is not all that great, but once you plug in the ear phones, the sound is great.
It has a lot of good features, but you can read about them in the specs.
I would buy it again.
AN Excellent Product May 3, 2008
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
I investigate potential insurance fraud and use the Olympus WS-321M to record interviews of claimants and witnesses. This is an excellent product - it does a great job of capturing voices while minimizing background noises. Transfer onto the computer and eventually onto a CD could not be easier.
Great product September 9, 2008
8 out of 8 found this review helpful
I've used it to record a conference, and it performed wonderfully. Connected to a Mac laptop, it appeared as a thumb drive and I was able to copy the sound files to my computer. Using Quicktime Pro and Flip4Mac, the sound files played perfectly. The unit's size is amazing.
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