Features:
- 2-speed microcassette recorder with line-in telephone jack; includes phone cord
- Records all conversations on single or multiple-line telephone systems
- Perfect for recording phone interviews
- Voice-activated start and stop
- Built-in condenser microphone; also includes microphone and earphone jacks
Description:
Reporters and other professionals who regularly record telephone interviews know what a pain it is to rig up a phone recording device. Many people attach special equipment to their regular tape recorders, a less-than-ideal solution that leaves a tangle of cords around your desk. If you're having these sorts of problems, it may be time to step up to something like Bell Sonecor's Microcassette Tele-Recorder. Like most recorders, this device has a microphone jack and headphone jack, but what sets it apart is the telephone handset jack. You use the included telephone cord to connect the recorder to the handset (or headset) jack on your telephone's base unit, and then connect the handset to the recorder. This is a great boon to those with multiline telephones, because most recording equipment can interface with only one of the lines. The Tele-Recorder records whichever line is in use at the time. The unit runs on a pair of AA batteries and also accepts 3-volt DC power although an AC adapter (which is not included). There are two selectable recording speeds that let you either get double the amount of time from your tapes or achieve better recording quality. A switch on the side lets you choose whether you want to record calls or play recordings back through the telephone. The unit includes voice-activated recording circuitry that can cut down on the amount of tape used and conserve battery power, but like all voice-activated technology, it tends to slightly clip off the first word that triggers it. The only thing we really didn't like about this device was the switch used to fast-forward and rewind tapes. It's important to be able to quickly rewind a few seconds of tape while transcribing, but this switch is stiff and locks into place too easily. Simple fast-forward and rewind cue buttons that don't lock down would be preferable. But, if you can live with that, then the Tele-Recorder provides one of the easiest and most convenient ways to add a recorder to your telephone. --T. Byrl Baker Pros:
- Has no problem recording all of the lines of a multiline phone
- Has all the input and output features you'd find in a normal minirecorder, plus a handset jack
Cons:
- Larger than many minirecorders we've tested
- Doesn't come with an AC adapter
- Fast-forward/rewind switch is stiff, making it difficult to cue just a few seconds of tape
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