Olympus Upgrades Voice Recorders

By Joseph Palenchar -- TWICE, 7/7/2010

Center Valley, Pa. - Olympus is adding new features to two series of digital voice recorders shipping in September at expected street prices ranging from $39.99 to $149.

The $149 8GB WS-710M digital voice recorder doubles as a headphone MP3 player and features MicroSD slot, FM tuner, and recording in MP3, WMA and PCM formats.

To select models in the three-SKU WS series, the company is adding such features as MicroSD slots, multiformat recording, scene select modes, FM radio, larger LCD screen and noise cancellation. The WS models are the $79.99 2GB WS-600ES, $99.99 4GB WS-700M and $149 8GB WS-710M.

All three feature a 3- percent larger LCD screen, larger fonts and scene select modes, or presets that users choose based on environmental conditions. The WS-700M and WS-710M combine scene modes with noise cancellation to optimize recordings.

All three record in MP3 and WMA format, and the WS-700M and WS-710M adds PCM recording.

The WS-700M and WS-710M add MicroSD slots that support 16GB cards, and the WS-710M adds an FM tuner and recording of FM programming. The 710M also adds Olympus Sonority software to manage audio files, provide advanced editing functions, and host such web services as RSS feeds and podcast channels.

The WS-700M and WS-710M also serve as headphone MP3 players with a designated music folder.

All WS models feature dial thumb pad to play or stop recordings, adjust volume, fast-forward and rewind at the touch of one button. Erase/index and menu buttons are positioned below the thumb dial for quick access.

Like their predecessors, the new WS models feature a retractable USB port that slides out to transfers files to a computer.

All three operate on a single rechargeable AAA alkaline battery that recharges when the recorders are plugged into a computer's USB port.

The WS-700M and WS-710M also come with a USB extension cable and headphones.

In the new VN series of two 2GB recorders, the company is doubling the internal memory of the $39.99 VN-7000, which records in WMA format, and adding an MP3 recording option to WMA recording in the $59.99 VN-8100PC. The latter also adds scene select modes.

The VN-7000 offers 39-hour battery life, while the step up features a 51-hour battery, larger screen with selectable font sizes, larger speakers, and included USB cable to connect to a PC or Mac. Both ship with carrying case and two rechargeable AAA alkaline batteries.