Hello sherpaj'
Thank you for your question.
I'll be frank with you and say that I just have not been satisified
with MP3 audio quality and consequently have not followed the
development of this genre of product. Call me an audio snob, perhaps.
But when I searched to learn about potential products that would
satisfy your desires, I was amazed. A simple search for [ "mp3 player"
+"voice recorder" ] produced 28,000 hits!!!
Let's start here with a product that looks almost ideal for you:
http://www.pogoproducts.com/ripflash.html
PoGo Products RipFlash- 128MB MP3 Player and MP3 Recorder
"The RipFlash Recordable MP3 Player is not only a great MP3 Player at
a terrific price, but it also eliminates the need for using a computer
to make MP3 files with its unique direct MP3 encoder (recorder).
RipFlash is great for the music lover, but also doubles as high
quality and affordable voice recorder for the business exec and
student. With its internal microphone and high quality speaker, you
can easily make those quick voice memos, or set it on the conference
table and record hours of high quality live recording...
Features:
-First of its kind MP3 Player and MP3 RECORDER
-128MB Two Hour Near CD Quality (MP3) Play/Record Time.(2HR MP3
Record Time)
-Over 15 HR Voice Quality MP3 Record Time.
-Attractive Form Factor with Metal and Soft Rubberized Grip Area.
-Size: 2.32 x 3.46 x 0.67 in. (WxHxD)
-Internal Mic and Speaker (MP3 VOICE REC)
-Line-In MP3 Recording (from any analog audio source)
-Smart Media Card Memory Expansion Slot
This device sells at this site for $149.99 and seems to garner
excellent reviews! And seems to meet all of your requirements and
desires for an MP3 player / recorder.
Let's take a look and see what else might be available:
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,108608,00.asp
New MP3 Player Ready to Rival IPod
Odyssey 1000 offers deluxe features, including voice recognition, USB
2.0 connectivity, 20GB of storage--and a lower price tag.
Just announced last month at CES and due to ship this week, this
device also has voice recogniton for control of its functions.
"In addition to playing MP3 and WMA audio files, the Odyssey also has
an FM tuner, a digital voice recorder with built-in microphone, and
the technology to act as an add-on hard drive to your PC.
Just Say It
Chief among the Odyssey's capabilities is its VoiceNav technology,
says Wendy Ravenel, director of product management and communications
at E.Digital. By using the included Music Explorer software to
transfer albums from your PC to the unit you can then verbally request
music by artist or track title.
Best of all, the Odyssey doesn't require voice training: It works out
of the box, she says. "
This device retails for $349
http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/337/
MobileMag.com
Here we find no less than 27 announcements of MP3 devices and
accessories including:
Seagrand Ravemetal MP3 Recorder
http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/337/C1426/
Seagrand Co, Ltd will debut an ultra-thin, business-card-sized audio
player, the "RAVEMETAL CardRec" on Jan. 31.
With a compact size of 9.8mm x 77mm x 54mm, and a weight of 55g, it is
compact enough to be put into a business card holder.
The model plays MP3, WMA and ADP format audio file data. It contains a
built-in monaural microphone so as to be used as an IC recorder.
Through a USB connection, it connects to Windows PCs. Moreover, its
line-input capability can accommodate the encoding of audio from other
equipment.
The price is open, but the manufacturer expects the 128MB model to be
priced slightly less than $199 USD, the 192 MB model at about $230
USD, and the 256MB at about $289 USD.
First International Digital Unveils the irock! 730i MP3i
http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/337/C1419/
First International Digital Inc. has introduced the irock! 730i
digital audio player. Honored for innovative design and engineering by
the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) with a CES 2003 Innovation
Award, the irock! 730i MP3 player blends audio, picturesimages, lyrics
and text to provide users with the ultimate digital audio experience.
Further enhancing the functionality of the player, the 730i can
capture up to 35 hours of voice recording using a built in microphone.
Various equalization and repeat modes provide the customization that
consumers desire. Powered by one AAA battery, the 730i offers 8 hours
of continuous music playback.
The irock! 730i will be available in early March at RadioShack,
CompUSA, Buy.com, www.myirock.com and other retailers
Innogears Vintion MSC DM-H128 Player
http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/337/C1349/
The Vintion MSC DM-H128 is the world’s smallest all in one 128MB MP3
and W A Player, Real-Time Voice Recorder, and Portable Data Storage
Device; all this packed into the size of a pack of gum. It also
features a backlit LCD display which presents song information in
numerous languages, ID3 Tags for instant recognition of track titles,
a multi-category equalizer, as well as a handy timer. By removing the
bottom portion of the MSC DM-H128 player, a full-size USB plug is
revealed, which connects directly to any USB port on any computer;
this does away with any unnecessary cables that are required on other,
less advanced, MP3 players.
Ok, it has no speaker or removable media as you desire, but its the
size of a pack of gum!! Had to be mentioned.
Ok, I'll try to focus ;-)
SpeechTechnology.com showcases an Olympus unit:
http://www.speechtechnology.com/prodpage.cfm?URLID=421
Designed with the business user in mind, the Olympus DM-1 is a digital
voice recorder with great features for when you work and an MP3 player
with great features for when you don't.
Easy to use and even easier to carry, the DM-1 lets you download or
listen to over one hour of MP3 or WMA (Windows Media Audio) music
files using the included 64MB SmartMediaTM card and features a
built-in WOWTM sound system (the first MP3 player in the world to do
so) so you can enjoy them in high-quality, clear three-dimensional
sound.
When business calls, you can record up to 22 hours of dictation using
the 64MB card and quickly download your speech files to a PC using the
included USB cable. During recording, you have the option to record
either in SP mode for text-to-speech applications or LP mode for when
you require longer amounts of time, and a convenient LCD display keeps
you informed of important information such as recording time
remaining, the date and time, and battery status.
This is on sale here for $199.95. Which jogs me to mention that once
you have found the model for you, you can check prices at sites such
as www.pricescan.com and www.pricegrabber.com . As a matter fo fact,
here is the range listed at PriceScan for MP 3 players including
Player / Recorders:
http://www.pricescan.com/electronics/scripts/Q03020105.asp
I started to become overwhelmed with the choices and won't even
mention the devices I read about introduced at CES that will hit the
markets this summer. So, I looked over at TechTV.com for their
recommendations and was pleased to see they had selected the Olympus
DM-1 as best of breed:
http://www.techtv.com/callforhelp/products/jump/0,24331,3412346,00.html
The $250 price tag of the DM-1 says it all. Boasting excellent audio
recording capabilities, a 64MB removable SmartMedia card, an excellent
ergonomic design, and 10.5 hours of recording time in the best audio
mode, the DM-1 is the choice for journalists, audio geeks, and
business people. The built-in sound system produces rich bass, clear
three-dimensional sound and a 5-setting equalizer. The DM-1 is also an
MP3/WMA player and includes a USB cable and Mac and Windows file
organizing software.
I modified my original search and added the word "review" and found
that ZDNET was also favorable for this device:
http://www.zdnet.com/supercenter/stories/overview/0,12069,525028,00.html
It appears to be an excellent choice.
In the realm of Hard Disk MP3 Voice recorders, I felt that they were,
perhaps, getting too feature rich including digital cameras as well an
perhaps taking away from the "note taking" voice recorder functions
you required.
Here are a few links to those devices:
http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,104753,00.asp
Samsung Adds Hard Drive to MP3 Player
Latest digital music devices feature a 10GB hard drive and a built-in
digital camera
http://www.mambox.com/
Mambo-X P350 the first multi-functional jukebox recorder This ultra
compact 20GB jukebox recorder weights only 9.8oz for the size of 5.6"
x 3.1" x 1". Using 20GB hard disk, it is capable of storing up to 9000
songs, 700 hours recordings or 24,000 photos. This 20GB MP3/WMA
jukebox recorder is a multi-format digital audio jukebox, a MP3
recorder, a digital voice recorder, a digital album and a 20GB
portable USB hard drive.
http://www.dealtime.com/xPN-Archos_Jukebox_Recorder_20GB_MP3_-Digital_Audio_Players/FD-89/PD-20249581/GSID-23c0f1821149b2a2f5d680b1/product-overview.html#fulldesc
The ARCHOS Jukebox Recorder 20 is the first portable MP3 recorder with
a 20GB hard drive that is also compatible with USB 2.0. It provides
the awesome capability of recording directly from any audio source -
real-time on-the-fly recording of up to 300 hours (500 audio CDs -
5000 songs) of top-quality music in MP3 format. You can record direct
from a stereo CD player radio or microphone via the stereo line-in
jack without needing to use a computer. It is also a voice recorder
with a built-in microphone. You can record from any analog or digital
sources at bit-rates up to 160 Kbps and can port your recordings back
to the PC without any specialized software. This exciting Jukebox
Recorder/Player is the first palm-sized real-time MP3 encoder plus an
MP3 Player and 20 GB hard drive that connects to the computer through
an ultra-fast USB 2.0 interface
As you can see, there are many choices available. I hope I have been
able to help you narrow those choices by presenting some of the newest
and best reviewed MP3 / Voice Recorder products for you to consider.
If a link above should fail to work or anything require further
explanation, please do post a Request for Clarification and I will be
pleased to assist further.
Regards,
-=clouseau=- |
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