Selecting a Digitial Voice Recorder

[AnthonyM83]

Thanks for the replies so far. Still waiting for more comments from the California people. For previous classes, I've read up a lot on expectation of privacy...but it was all from a LE/government point of view. I work for a private company and would be acting as a private person. I'm assuming there are separate laws on this...

And yes, HIPAA is a pain. I don't even have the full text of it (I'm sure it's online). I'll try to ask a HIPAA official and see if I can save/print an email respons, again CYA purposes.

As for use of force incidents at work, they are way too common to require us writing reports...I'm hesitant to say it happens everyday, but definitely every few days there are minor incidents and at least every few weeks a legitimate situation where PD is called. It's a common problem in a lot of EMS systems.

[BJJVad]

Thanks for the replies so far. Still waiting for more comments from the California people. For previous classes, I've read up a lot on expectation of privacy...but it was all from a LE/government point of view. I work for a private company and would be acting as a private person. I'm assuming there are separate laws on this...

And yes, HIPAA is a pain. I don't even have the full text of it (I'm sure it's online). I'll try to ask a HIPAA official and see if I can save/print an email respons, again CYA purposes.

As for use of force incidents at work, they are way too common to require us writing reports...I'm hesitant to say it happens everyday, but definitely every few days there are minor incidents and at least every few weeks a legitimate situation where PD is called. It's a common problem in a lot of EMS systems.

Your agency should know some of the case laws behind issues with recorders and HIPAA. I would consult with them for your best course of action.

[7mmMag]

MyVoice 9065SU Digital Voice Recorder

Features



Design:
slim, sleek & fashionable design

Recording time:
65hr 10min (LP Mode)
29hr 50min (SP Mode)
21hr 45min (HQ Mode)

Recordable Files:
Records up to 396 files of messages
99 messages per folder
Arrangeable into 4 folders

Easy to Use Functions

Key-lock Function

Downloadable to PC Computers via USB.

Time Stamp
records the time & date when recordings were made

Display Time & Date
displays current time & date

Schedule Play & Recording
capable of playing &/or recording at a time scheduled by user

Alarm
capable of sounding the alarm at a time scheduled by user

Records Telephone Conversation
capable of recording telephone conversation with simple connection - spy equipment for security surveillance

Recordable To & From External Devices
capable of recording from external devices such as audio player & computer

LCD Display
highly visible display of all operating status

LED Indicator
easily distinguish Play and Record Mode

7 Color Backlight

Recovery of Deleted Files
Recovery Support for Recorded Files

Auto Power Save Function

Repeat play function

Section repeat play function

Rapid message search function

Beep sound set function

Display remained recording time function

Playback Speed Control

Mike sensitivity
choice of HI / LOW


Included DC5V USB Power Supply Port
connect DC5V power adapter to this port for long recording

VOX/VOR
automatically switch off if there is no sound input while in Recording mode and starts recording again when there is sound input

Perfect Gift Item
the affordable price, unique shape and design makes it an ideal gift

All Accessories Included:
- 2 AAA Batteries
- cable
- external microphone
- earphone
- telephone adapter
- PC software
- USB cable
- USB Power Supply Port - DC4.5-6V

[Hockey9019]

Check here right now..



http://www.woot.com/



SanDisk 1GB MP3/WMA Player with FM Tuner and Voice Recorder
$25.99+ $5 shipping



Not 100% sure...just something

[Mantisz]

In PA any unwarranted, non consensual recording, or attempt to record somebody's voice is an arrestable offense. Be very careful and check your local codes.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

Forget legality. Lets talk what is good. I just recently went to tech school for bugs/wires, etc.... I handled and used Sony, Panasonic and Olympus stuff.

For $100, you can get it all. The best thing we used was the Olympus WSM-310. On the best setting, you get 17 hours. It records in STEREO! Yes, it has 2 stereo mics! Also has a earphone jack and external mic jack if you want. It is very small, like a pack of bubba-licious bubble gum. And the best two features:

1) NO SOFTWARE NEEDED! It reocrds in Windows wav so you can download it or play it with any Windows computer without ANY software! Plug and play!

2) No cords to download! The bottom of the recorder slides off and it is a USB port, just like a thumb drive. You can plug it inot any USB port direct, with no cords!

I rarely say a specific brand or model to my friends. But wow! No comparison to anything else!

Joey, I think you sold me. As soon as July 1 rolls around and the new money hits, I'm going to pick one of these up.

[Super Six 5]

Joey, I think you sold me. As soon as July 1 rolls around and the new money hits, I'm going to pick one of these up.

Check Amazon. He sold me too, I picked a brand new one up and got it the next day(with regular shipping). I work tonight so I'll get to test it out.

[Scruit]

AS far as the legalities go... As long as you are not comitting a *crime*, then you just have to weigh the benefits of having the tape versus the risks of admitting the recording.


Recording may cost you your job... But If a 15yo girl accuses you of sexual assault, then you risk much more than your job.

Like the people who fret about getting sued if they shoot someone in self defense. Better to be sued than dead.

[GoDirectly2Jail]

AS far as the legalities go... As long as you are not comitting a *crime*, then you just have to weigh the benefits of having the tape versus the risks of admitting the recording.


Recording may cost you your job... But If a 15yo girl accuses you of sexual assault, then you risk much more than your job.

Like the people who fret about getting sued if they shoot someone in self defense. Better to be sued than dead.

Virginia is a one-party consent state, so I'm good to go, but I was thinking more for investigational or interview purposes more than my-butt-in-a-sling purposes. :p

[Strijder]

Olympus makes very nice equipment. I use an Olympus WS-100, $59 from NewEgg. USB compatible, and records in WMA so it's instantly playable on my PC.

You can switch between high and low sensitivity modes, which is great for reducing background noise. Low sensitivity still records close conversation with good quality, while filtering out some of the traffic noise.

You can also use an exterior mic if you so desire, but the built-in one seems to work perfectly fine for me, even through a shirt pocket.

[7mmMag]

my-butt-in-a-sling purposes. :p

Butt-in-a-sling purposes are just as important as investigative. My recordings have saved my rear end a few times, and just having things recorded is peace of mind to me. I have yet to use a recording in an actual criminal court case. The defense usually hears (or sees if there is video) the contact, and pleads out.

[TXCharlie]

Yep, and the beauty of all this is, if you use rechargable batteries, then recording every day's entire shift costs almost nothing and is completely hassle-free - If the **** hits the fan, it's already on so you don't have to fumble with it or loose any audio.

The only time it takes is the five minutes to download the file to the PC every night and swap out the batteries, and do a backup of all the files onto a CD every so often, so you won't loose the files if your computer bites the dust.

If someone files a lawsuit on you because you supposedly said or did something you shouldn't have back on January 17th, 2007 then all you have to do is go grab a copy of the file from Jan 17th, and the whole day is there to prove it didn't happen the way they said it happened (or at least to inject doubt into a jury's mind).

Of course, it may also be some incentive to not get carried away with office gossip, jokes and wise-cracks, knowing that those may be embarassing if played in a courtroom :D