> ..Another issue with a voice recorder is that
> [the recorders] use proprietary compressed file
> formats for recording...
I found that Olympus uses Microsoft's WMA format in a few of its voice
recorders. The WMA format is compressed, but in highest quality
mode, WMA has a pretty broad frequency response. There are WMA to WAV
converters available, and a few WMA editors.
Here's one example: the Olympus DS-30, on sale for $100 at Radio
Shack. The 256 MB of onboard memory can hold 4 hours of WMA files
recorded at highest quality setting, 8 hours at one step below highest
quality. The DS-30 has a pair of removable mics, earphone jack, and a
speaker capable of 250 mW output.
Read more about the DS-30 here
http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/product.asp?product=1276&fl=4
I don't mean to say that the DS-30 is to be recommended for music and
nature sound recording. It looks to be a possible option if you
absolutely, positively cannot spend more than $100, and don't want to
deal with a used minidisc machine.
--oryoki
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