RCA VR5220 512 MB Digital Voice Recorder (Black)

I bought this voice recorder because I needed an inexpensive solution to a lot of classes that I was going to have to take lots of notes on. I was looking for a digital recorder, and it had to be a recorder that I could plug into my computer for quick file transferring. As long as that was true, I didn't mind how big the memory capacity of the recorder was, since I could always fill it up and empty it at the end of each week.· Price: the recorder is pretty affordable compared to some of the other products out there with far more bells and whistles than I need, so I felt it was great.· Interface: The digital display is clear though swapping between folders is a little more time consuming than I would like, navigating through the brief menu is easy enough.· Connectivity: This recorder has a built-in USB port which attracted me to it immediately. I didn't want to be carrying any cables around with me, so I was pleased by this. The port is great and sturdy. It hides away cleanly under a plastic cover so you won't worry about dust. When the USB port is out, it locks firmly so there is no fear of it being pushed back into the recorder when you are inserting it into the computer's USB port. Good job on that. An important thing to mention is that thanks to the USB port, you can transfer files directly to your computer. There are voice recorders out in the market which are "digital" in the sense that they do not require blank media such as minicassettes to record the audio; they store the audio in internal memory, but in order for you to archive that audio, you need to do it through playback in real time. You need to actually sit down and press play and sit through hours and hours of audio while it's recorded into your computer. This recorder produces audio files which can be quickly copied into neatly organized folders in your computer. One very important thing to remember is that the recorder must be turned ON before you plug it into a USB port.· Files: The lower sound quality settings produce files in .VOC format, while the High Quality setting produces sound files in the .WAV format. This is important and I will talk more about it later.· Memory capacity: This recorder doesn't have an enormous amount of memory capacity, but it was enough for me. It has 512MB of built-in memory. It cannot be increased or upgraded using additional memory cards, but you don't need to. It can record a little over 17 hours on high quality, more if you choose lower quality settings. So, although you're stuck with 512MB, it's plenty.· Compatibility: Now, if you're using a PC, you're golden. This is totally compatible for PCs, it comes with some nifty software for managing your audio recordings. Both the .VOC and .WAV files work fine in Windows. If you're using a Mac, this is where you might have a little trouble. I use a Mac and at first I went with all the reviewers that said the recorder worked fine with their Macs. The .VOC formats don't work on Mac OS, but the .WAV format works fine, so I was happy about that. However, when I plugged it into my Mac, it just didn't work. I was disheartened, but I didn't return it because I could always use my wife's PC laptop and then transfer the files to my Mac. It would be a painful and bothersome process, but one I could live with.The problem, though, was not the recorder. I was running Mac OS 10.4 (Tiger), and apparently it doesn't work with Tiger. I plugged the recorder after updating to Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) and the recorder just popped up on my desktop.So YES, this recorder WORKS on Macs just like other reviewers have said, but they failed to mention what system they were running their Macs on!· Sound Quality: The recorder works very well on High Quality. I always keep it on that because it produces the .WAV format files that I require on my Mac anyway. As I said, .VOC files don't work on Mac OS.

This sound recorder suits my purposes perfectly. I needed something that could record voice to digital memory for storage on a computer, and this device accomplishes just that. Recording is easy, and sound quality is excellent for a device so compact and light. (At 10.8 centimeters in length, it easily fits in your hand.) Useful features include a simple 3-folder storage system, the ability to edit tracks (by appending or inserting new recorded material), and a lock switch, so that power isn't wasted by accidental turn-on (although it will automatically power down after a few minutes idle). Furthermore, USB transfer to the computer is simple, and the device comes with its own software to make it even easier.The pop-out USB "plug" is sturdy, and stores itself well inside the device when not in use. Two "AAA" baterries are required to operate the device. Two ports on the side allow you to connect headphones and even another microphone (so you can leave the recorder on the table while moving a smaller microphone where you need it).A few cons: The menu navigation isn't exactly elegant or intuitive, and can take some time (not forever) to learn. Also, make sure there is enough room in whatever USB port you want to use for connection; one of my computer's USB ports is in a recessed area and the body of the recorder doesn't fit far enough in to allow the USB plug to go in all the way. This is probably not a common problem.

Happy with the vendor, since it arrived in reasonable time, and in working order. We have several recorders, and this model is allright, but deleting files is a multi-task, sucking up a good extra bit of time. Sound quality is fine. Easy to pause while recording, and has voice-activated, which works well, as long as you make a noise before resuming when it pauses as you do.Have to say, Olympus recorder with camera continues to be our favorite, and simplest to use. We'll probably do business with this merchant again.

I compared features on much more expensive sound recorders and this one, by far, had the best bang for the buck. It is also very easy to download recordings to a computer since, with its pop out USB connection, it works exactly like a USB flash drive. The pop out USB also eliminates the need for a cable to keep track of which is a major plus. If you record in the highest quality setting it records in WAV format which is compatible with just about any program and you get over 17 hours of recording in that setting.I use this to record sermons as I preach them so I bought a clip on mic to plug into it and it works great. Any sound recorder is sensitive to being handled and moved around while recording so I could not keep this in my shirt pocket while preaching because it recorded all the rustling around in my pocket and the external clip on mic was the perfect remedy.As for sound quality, it is clear but lacking in almost any bass and that is whether I record with an external mic or without one. I use sound editing software and add a little bass to the recordings but it is a little difficult and touchy sometimes. If they could significantly improve the sound quality I would give this five stars in a heartbeat.