Voice recording - recomendations for class

[zekeman]

I'm looking to buy a unit to record class lectures & study group sessions. The only thing I'll use this thing to record is voice - no shows, external CD's ... etc (for the time being).

I've narrowed my choices down to the 999 and 799, but I've got a few questions I can't seem to figure out. I've looked at the manual on the iRiver site, but it doesn't answer the questions either...

1. How long can I record via line in or internal mic before the unit stops recording? i.e. can I record for 10 hours straight (as long as there is space) or does it stop after a pre-determined time?

2. What format are line in / internal mic recordings recorded at? MP3, Wav, proprietary ... etc?

3. Once these recordings have been made, can I DL them to my PC with no issues - regardless of the firmware?

4. Using the Internal Mic with the 999 for long recordings - do you hear the HD spin up and down? Is the 999 more sensitive to being dropped than the 799 because it has a HD?

Many, many thanx in advance.

Z.

[hummingbee]

I use the iFP 799 routinely for classroom recording, and it does the job wonderfully. There is no hard drive (it's flash memory) so no moving parts to make noise.

To try and answer your questions:

1. I have not thus far come across any such barrier. It records til it runs out of space as far as i know.

2. recordings are recorded in proprietary format (.rec) and when you transfer them to PC, it lets you change it to mp3 in a zap regardless of file sizes. I think it's pretty much an mp3 file, all it does is re-name it to *.mp3.

3. yes.

4. cant answer this one.. dont have a 999. But i have tried recording with a H320, and the HD spin up/down sounds were just too bothersome. I'd avoid a HD player if you are going to use it as a pocket/take-anywhere recorder, simply so you dont have to worry about data corruption or droppage issues.

just my 2c

bye!