I don't know. I'm using minidisc at the moment, which works well aside from
the need to re-record. I'll probably buy the Sountainer, which is designed
for recording interviews, when it is available but it has been delayed
repeatedly since May 2001 (the original release date). As I said, I haven't
used any of the Ripflash recorders. Maybe they would work reasonably well.

I do think this type of recorder has a lot of potential. If someone would
couple the greater reliability of solid state memory recorders with fast
upload and the recording features of the best consumer minidisc recorders
we'd be all set.

BTW: Here's another interesting device. Unfortunately it is only available
in Japan with a Kanji display. Hopefully Olympus will start selling a
version in European and North American markets soon.
http://www.olympus.co.jp/LineUp/VTREK/DS10/ds10E.html

----- Original Message -----
From: "D Munday" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, October 27, 2002 11:53 AM
Subject: Re: 2U4U DMR-300 WMA Player


Thanks Alan

I thought it might be a bit too good to be true! It sounds to me that
minidisc recorders are likely to be the best value in the
quality/hastle/cost equation for a while to come. Perhaps we can hope for
reasonably priced, totally digital recorders in 2 or 3 years?

Best wishes

Dan

>>> [log in to unmask] 10/27/02 01:13 AM >>>
2u4u DRM WMA is the same product as the Pogo Products Ripflash DX. Pogo
sells a number of small player / recorders. Others record in the MP3 format.
I haven't used one but you will need to use the internal microphone or use
an external microphone with a preamplifier (generally expensive) connected
to the line-in jack. There is a new Ripflash recorder appearing in a week or
so called the Trio that will apparently support recording without the need
to buy an expensive preamplifier. Details are somewhat sketchy at the
moment. How one sets and adjusts the level may be another issue. Although
you get the rapid upload these recorders appear to lack some of the more
sophisticated recording features (e.g. level meter and manual gain control)
of similarly priced minidisc recorders.

See http://www.pogoproducts.com/ for more info.
Also see http://www.soundprofessionals.com/

Here's a much more sophisticated MP3 recorder. Also at least twice the cost
and it won't ship until Q1 2003 at the earliest.
http://www.dialog4.com/products/sountainer/supp_snt1.html



----- Original Message -----
From: "D Munday" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, October 26, 2002 11:34 AM
Subject: 2U4U DMR-300 WMA Player


I stumbled accross the 2u4u DRM WMA player reviewed on the internet
today. Although it is called a "player" presumably because it is
marketed as an entertainment machine, it has a linein port, compatible
with any audio device including microphone and also an internal
microphone for recording. It will record in WMA format which (I believe)
can then be loaded digitally onto a PC via a USB connection. If I am
correct in this, it means that it should enable recording directly onto
the machine and then miss out the real time recording onto PC step - as
from minidisc - which always seems to be the most frustrating bit of the
process!

My questions are.

1) Has anyone used this product and is it suitable for recording
interviews with an external mic?
2) Does the WMA have to then be converted to MP3 for use with
transcribers such as CTANKS (which we use in my department)?

I would be very interested in any experiences, info or similar products.

Thanks

Dan Munday
Centre for Primary Health Care Studies
University of Warwick