 "Do your research" | 2008-01-16 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3HFUGJU5W52ZS |
| Look at your other options. The 331-M is less expensive and has more memory. It is a newer version. |
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 "LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!!!!" | 2007-07-31 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1XIQA1OIU4B0U |
| This little gizmo is absolutely great! It does all the things I wanted it to & more. I use it for recording choral rehearsals, then downloading to my computer, & sending off files to other members of the chorus through email, or burning CDs. GREAT TOOL!!!! |
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| "Powerful little thing" | 2007-05-21 |
| - Reviewed By matt_sawyers |
I was a first a little hesitant about buying thus recorder since it recorded in WMA format. I personally don't like that format since I work with audio a lot (I like wav or mp3). But I couldn't find anything else that would record a long period of time that wasn't VERY expensive. So I just went with this. It worked great for what I have used it for:
College classes
Kidnapping a friend and taking him to his birthday party
A political conversation among friends.
Self-dictation
Band concert (tweeked in audio program and came out nicely)
It has two microphone sensitivities ( Dictation [low] and Conference[high]).
I have normally use it on the HQ stereo setting and I have been quite pleased with the stereo recording. For the more technological people - I have imported the files into a audio editing program and the wave images do appear in stereo. It also has a microphone jack that I have yet to try, but I know that Olympus sells a lapel microphone for it, but I am also going to try on of mine as well.
Durability: 4/5 - held up well unless I dropped it, then the USB cover came off
Ease of Use: 4/5 - Menu screens are fairly easy to navigate and the USM is "plug & play" it acts as an external hard drive.
Battery Life: 4/5
Sound Quality: 4/5
Portability: 5/5 Very lite.
Overall: 4/5
Also I didn't use the music player side of it...that's what my iPod is for. |
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| "Nice little thing" | 2007-05-21 |
| - Reviewed By matt_sawyers |
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2Y1834DH3WAZM I was a first a little hesitant about buying thus recorder since it recorded in WMA format. I personally don't like that format since I work with audio a lot (I like wav or mp3). But I couldn't find anything else that would record a long period of time that wasn't VERY expensive. So I just went with this. It worked great for what I have used it for:
College classes
Kidnapping a friend and taking him to his birthday party
A political conversation among friends.
Self-dictation
Band concert (tweeked in audio program and came out nicely)
It has two microphone sensitivities ( Dictation [low] and Conference[high]).
I have normally use it on the HQ stereo setting and I have been quite pleased with the stereo recording. For the more technological people - I have imported the files into a audio editing program and the wave images do appear in stereo. It also has a microphone jack that I have yet to try, but I know that Olympus sells a lapel microphone for it, but I am also going to try on of mine as well.
Durability: 4/5 - held up well unless I dropped it, then the USB cover came off
Ease of Use: 4/5 - Menu screens are fairly easy to navigate and the USM is "plug & play" it acts as an external hard drive.
Battery Life: 4/5
Sound Quality: 4/5
Portability: 5/5 Very lite.
Overall: 4/5
Also I didn't use the music player side of it...that's what my iPod is for. |
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 "Quite pleased" | 2007-05-13 |
| - Reviewed By zeldasmith |
| I think everything about this recorder is great . . . with one exception, the bulge in the back from the battery. I just hate it. The recorder is, well could be, remarkably thin, but that battery makes it me crazy. With all the battery types available today, why would Olympus choose the AAA size. I guess I'm being too picky about something so insignificant, but it just bothers me. There are many good qualities about this product. I especially like its USB connection. Regarding the size, I find it more than adequate for voice recording. I seem to have loads of space. I suppose if I was using it for music I would want more space. But for my needs, I am quite satisfied with this product. |
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| "Great recorder, just read the book" | 2007-05-05 |
| - Reviewed By bakethesnake |
| I am an auctioneer and purchased the WS-310M and ME-15 Mic to record the entire auction, from beginning to end. After reading the book, familiarizing myself with the product, it worked flawlessly the first time I used it. During my break, I pushed "Rec" again which pauses the recording, and after the break pushed "Rec" again. The recording continued without making a separate file. It did a fantastic job of not only recording myself, but you could hear people asking questions, etc. from the back of the yard. Copying the files to my laptop was quick and painless. I strongly recommend this product. |
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| "Great little device!" | 2007-04-30 |
| - Reviewed By paul_bennett |
This unit has superb sound quality (for a pocket recorder using the built-in mic) on its highest setting, and it's more than adequate for normal note-taking even on its lowest setting. It only offers stereo recording on its highest quality setting, which might be an issue for some people, but not for me.
I love the tiny size (my previous device was almost the size of a brick by comparison), in fact I'd say it was almost too tiny for its own good: I've had to go digging around in my camera bag for it more than once. I guess this is my problem more than a design flaw, though -- I'll figure out the best place and way to stash it and all will be good.
Having a USB plug right there on the device itself is great, and it even comes with a short USB extension, just in case your computer's ports are too crowded to plug it straight in.
The built-in speaker is a bit wimpy, but I tend to use earbuds to review, and a PC to edit, so it's far from the end of the world.
The closest thing I have to a complaint is that the controls can be a bit fiddly until you get used to them, and likewise the menu layout. Again, this is probably more to do with what I'm used to than any kind of actual product flaw, so no points off. |
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| "Fine Recorder -- with few negatives" | 2007-04-19 |
| - Reviewed By brucewheaton |
| The Olympus WS-310m is a winner! I used to own the Olympus DM-10 (and my son has the DM-20). Both are solid performers, well-built. But sadly I lost my DM-10 a year ago and decided to replace it with the WS-310m, and I am not disappointed. The 310m electronics is essentially the same functionally as the DM-10, but physically smaller. The unit connects via USB (not sure if it's usb2) in a clever manner, as the USB plug is built into it, no cord needed! The much larger memory is appreciated as well, giving plenty of extra room for MP3 playing. I used an add-on stereo peanut microphone before with my DM-10 which worked fine, but the 310m has the stereo microphones built right in, and they do a great job! Also you can use the memory as an external flash drive! OK, whats to complain: the 310m is plastic and the DM-10 was metal with a solid feel. I'm sure a 4' drop on concrete would do damage to the 310m body. There is an opening for a lanyard (use one for sure -- though Olympus did not provide this 15 cent cord!) Single AAA battery recording life could be better (I often use a rechargeable). Other real complaint: the cover for the battery is a thin removable piece of plastic, and can slide off without much effort...I circumvented that potential problem with a small piece of clear Scotch tape to hold the battery cover on for sure! |
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| "Students beware" | 2006-09-06 |
| - Reviewed By marionette77 |
Even though there are some GREAT features on this device, one of the main drawbacks is the microphone. It is located on the right and left sides of the recorder but there are holes for the microphone on the FRONT AND BACK. The recorder is far too thin to stand on end unless it's a perfectly level surface that doesn't move at all. Unless you want to sit there holding the recorder in your hand straight up (which is what I've been doing and don't mind), do NOT get this recorder. Laying it down on your desk or notebook puts the microphone holes in direct contact with your notebook or desk surface. Any sound you make on the desk will be picked up. Also, since it is laying down, half of the microphone is essentially covered, you will have a harder time recording the lecture. Another thing very much worth mentioning is the record time. The product description states that it can record up to 68 hours on LP. On this speed, you will not pick up anything unless you are speaking into the recorder with it mere inches from your face. I leave the recorder on its highest quality setting (HQ Stereo) at all times but I only get just under 9 hours of recording time.
With all that said, if you do hold the recorder up on end, it does record well and it is very easy to move files off the recorder and onto your computer. Despite its microphone difficulties I have decided to keep the recorder and I do use it to record all of my classes. I'm very pleased with it.
I cannot comment on its music playing abilities since I have not used it as a player. |
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| "Good device, but eats batteries" | 2006-08-31 |
| - Reviewed By jbische |
I have two of these devices, one for each teenager. They record well, although holding it while recording introduces extra noise. They function like any other USB thumbdrive and MP3 player as well, no problems there.
The big problem is that they use up batteries quick. One WS-310 uses a AAA battery every 6 hours, and I'm putting new Duracells in - rechargeables would run for less than half of that.
Really nice, but make sure you have lots of AAA cells, and carry extras with you. |
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