Philips LFH0884/27 8GB Digital Voice Tracer with Built-In Zoom Microphone Voice Recorder

I have a few recorders and I like the LFH0884 (or LFH882 which I also have) over the Olympus DS-40 because of the following reasons:

What's better on the Philips LFH0884:

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a) The Voice Activated recording (pauses when there is no sound) will not cut off like the Olympus does. It will also connect the audible parts better and not leave you the feeling that you missed the first 1/2 second of every segments.

b) The quality of the recording and the sound is better on the Philips (frequency range on the Philips goes higher so more "HiFi quality than the Olympus").

c) Buttons are better positioned. With the Olympus, they feel like there are everywhere and it's hard to hold it and not press a button. Philips is easier to hold.

d) Comes with an external mic, and a zoom mic and headset.

e) Can do Mp3, radio (but don't use it for that purpose)

f) Recording range is also what you would expect (some recorder don't have the "range" because they are less sensitive) so no problem with the "range" with this one (I would not expect to record sounds I can't hear but it seems to record all that I can hear unlike some other recorders). The Olympus can also get a good recording, but does not have that "Zoom" capability isolating what you point to and not sounds around that you don't care about (option can be turned on or off if I remember correctly).

What's better on the Olympus:

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a) Heavier build.

b) You can plug in an external power supply so that you don't drain the batteries when you are the recorder sitting in V.A. mode waiting to record for days. That said, the Philips can easily do a full day (and more) on the 2 AAA in Voice Activated waiting mode.

c) Menu is easier to navigate on the Olympus.

Overall, if I had to pick on, I would just get the Philips LFH0844 or LFH0882 because of the button placement, the quality of the recorded sound and the better Voice Activated recordings which works better on this model (it's useless if it cuts off low sounds and makes a choppy recording).

At first I really liked the recorder. It worked well for my class lectures. Then it stopped working. I was no longer able to return to the seller and support from Philips is in Austria. Told from seller to work with manufacturer and manufacturer says mail it to Austria and they will see what they can do. It will cost a lot to ship it to Austria which of course I have to pay for. Seller says buy a new one. Now why would I buy the same product that I know is garbage from a seller not will to help?

Buy Philips LFH0884/27 8GB Digital Voice Tracer with Built-In Zoom Microphone Voice Recorder Now

This device is superior to the Olympus product I previously purchased and is affordably priced, yet its recording capability lacks the tonal quality I am seeking.

Read Best Reviews of Philips LFH0884/27 8GB Digital Voice Tracer with Built-In Zoom Microphone Voice Recorder Here

For those who use their voice recorder many. many times each day and have already owned a Philips recorder. Difficult to figure out, counterintuitive (or wrong) button labelling, poorly written manual that doesn't even explain the different screen indicators, absolutely non-existent online support (they send you to "Philips Dictation Solutions, which doesn't have this model), hostile phone support. There is no explanation to be had of what's on the screen. There is no designated power button, even though one is desperately needed, especially to get you out of the bizarre alleyways you can find yourself in. Instead they have an absolutely pointless "hold" slider and an "index button" that toggles between folders, or possibly indexes (they use different words at different times for the same thing). The indexes (or folders) are unnecessary anyway, as you can't label them. But they help make everything more confusing, which is Philips's idea of a good time.

There is also an amazing lack of basic, actually useful features. You cannot fast forward within a given recording. If you are foolish enough to simply tape a 90 minute lecture without hitting the index button every minute (like if you were not there, or trying to pay attention), you have to play through the first 89 minutes at normal speed just to hear what was said in the last minute. So it is not even as practical as a 20-year-old micro cassette deck.

Oh, and the speaker is horrible, too. To get any advantage of Philips's supposedly fine recording, you have to play it back on the headphones.

There is one positive- it's easy to transfer recordings to your computer, and no drivers are necessary.

Buy this if you like figuring out how to work your technological doo-dads as a hobby, or want to punish an employee by making it his job to get it working.

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I'm learnin ! I don't have 14 more words for you at this writing!! Bug-off you darn pest ! Aloha