Coby CXR190-2G Digital Voice Recorder with Integrated Speakers

• 2 GB integrated flash memory provides up to 270 hours of recording time
• microSD card slot allows for extended recording time (card not included)
• Voice-activated recording system
• 4 recording-quality modes
• Integrated omni-directional microphone

I took a chance on this audio recorder for a college project requiring recorded audio. I wanted a quality recorder but didn't want to pay well around $100 for it so I found this recorder.

Pros:

Good Audio Quality: picks up background noise which may or may not be good for your situation, just a think to know about this recorder

Compact Size

Button Lock Feature: you can turn on a switch which will make all buttons unusable so your don't accidentally delete your files when carrying the recorder around. For me, I really love this feature, since deleting files done with about three button presses, if the device turns on accidentally that could be a problem without this feature.

Comes with headphones, built in microphone and external speaker for playback! (Watch out some you have to buy a microphone separate or offer no playback of audio at all.)

USB connector

Cons:

Digital Audio Files: saves audio as a WAV not MP3, no alternatives are available. Platform problems, Lag time is extreme.

No physical On/Off switch. You turn it on by pressing >, which I don't mind but in order to turn it off, you have to click mode once, then >, and then it waits 60 seconds to turn off. It's a pain and I'd rather just turn it off myself.

Runs on 2 AAA batteries... it connects to the computer but it does it through a connecting cord, I would have preferred an internal lithium battery I could charge because it seems like it is going to take a lot of batteries. That could go either way though, lithium batteries hard hard to replace so having it run on batteries could make it last longer in the long run. It's more of a personal preference for me.

Major Problem: The recorder's software lags my Mac to the point almost nothing will work. It does not recognize my Windows PC at all after about 10 minutes of waiting. When I have 1, 1 minute file on the device it took around 5-10 minutes on a Mac with an i5 processor and 4GB RAM. I work with 3D graphics programs and large photoshop files and this system almost lags it more than those do. That is a major problem that makes using the digital audio very difficult mainly because the files take forever to load! You need extreme patience with this device for to get the digital files to open & save on your computer but it can be done.

Tips for dealing with the digital file problem:

(1) Make sure the usb connector is actually attached completely, one time the part attached to the unit wasn't connected all the way, the side that connects to the unit falls out easily so place it somewhere it won't move.

(2) Use a Mac over a PC, I still haven't been able to get it to work with a PC. If your only option is a PC... make sure you have plenty of time to get the files because it might take a very long time for it to realize it has been installed on the computer.

(3) If using a Mac, when the device shows up on the screen, I had to click it, then it takes forever to load, click into the folder, wait again, then finally drag the file to my desktop. Make sure you click into the next part if it is done loading because each section took awhile to load for me.

(4) When opening on a Mac, open with Quick Time instead of iTunes. It crashed iTunes for me and you might lose what you are working on. I finally was able to get it working with iTunes but it was a pain and Quick Time opens the WAV file with no almost no wait time.

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This is small and compsct, but it works perfectly well. The onky downside is that it does not come with batteries you need to purchase AAA size batteries separately. Other than that, it works perfectly well for the price.

The only complaint I have is that the software supplied with it DOES NOT work I get a meessage aying that the file waveOut.ocx is missing or invalid. I have tried contacing the manufacturer tech support, but never got a reply. I wouldn't buy this again.

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Coby CXR190-2G Digital Voice Recorder with Integrated Speakersdisplays as mass storage device when connected to computer (even in Linux). It records as WAV internally (no software convertor required). Mic is very hot and omnidirectional, thus picks up a lot of ambient noise but after 30 seconds of Noise Reduction in Audacity, voice recordings sound great. Slow transfer due to USB 1.1 port out of device & no input level control, but as WAV recorder with 2 Gigs of built-in memory and a micro SD slot ( most Oly-Son recorders in this price range only record mp3 and offer no way to transfer to PC) its a hands-down bargain for 30$. Safe quality packaging and quick delivery from seller too.

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I need a recorder to record both normal conversation and for phone work.

In both cases the recorder has worked out just fine. In the home environment the recorder can pickup conversation in 12x20 room and everyone in the room is clear and easy to hear.

As far as phone, I used to record conversations with service representatives so I can have a recording of actually what they said in the conversations. I did not want to have to second guess about what was said. Also it replaced having to take notes while trying to hold a conversation.

For the phone work I use a Telephone Phone Line Recorder Adapter RJ11>3.5mm Audio which I also purchase at Amazon.

Some people complained about battery life, on a newly purchased set of Ni-MH, I can get 6-7 hour, however on old set of batteries, only 5-6 hour. So I really do not have a problem because I only need about 6 hours and they is still have a charge showing in the window.

One thing I do not like and others have said it is the flimsy battery cover, wish it was made of stronger material.

The real question is how long will it last. That will only tell with time and usage.

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I was very pleased with the voice recorder I ordered. It was everything the ad claimed it to be. From the description all the way to the ease of operation. I would recommend this recorder to anyone who is looking for such a device, you need not spend x amount of money when you could purchase this brand and get pretty much the same quality merchandise..