Olympus 8GB Digital Stereo Voice Recorder, Micro SD Card Slot, AAA Battery
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Olympus 8GB Digital Stereo Voice Recorder, Micro SD Card Slot, Direct USB Connector, AAA Battery

SKU: IOMWS853

This item is no longer available.

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Q&A

Questions & Answers

Shopper : Need a comfortable head set?
Magdalena W : How do you rewind a few minutes back?
Edward L : Does it have voice activation?Michael B : Hi Edward L. ! I just checked mine and it does have a type of voice activation. Here’s how it works. You turn the Off/Hold-On button on to start a recording, and then when you need to you flip the switch to OFF/HOLD and the recoding stops again Until the recorder hears noice or a voice, and then it will resume recording. To stop the recording at an end point you push the STOP button on the left front of the recorder. The one thing is, I just had to try mine to see if it had this feature, and a surprising thing happened the AC where I’m sitting is on and the recorder only stayed on hold for a second or two before starting back up when on hold. So, it looks like it is sensitive to most any noice. Now I am sitting rather close to our wall until AC making it a bit loud, so I guess it doesn’t come as a total surprise! Thanks for asking so I learned something new myself. I am rather new to Auto and Video production if you can call it that. I run a website Advanced Complete Photography. Sincerely, @Tony B.

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2020-10-14T20:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Fast, efficient, convenient, good product

Fast start up, efficient controls, easy to use while on the go or at home. Comparable to some other recorders I've used in the past, but the built in USB terminal makes it easier to transfer files to my computer for conversion to text.

Christopher

2020-08-28T20:00:00

Rated 2 out of 5

No backlight and inconvenient timestamp info!

I need a backlight and was under the impression the WS-853 had one. I love my VS-7200 so much that I wanted to stick with Olympus so I bought this one. I was EXTREMELY disappointed when I found there was no backlight, as this is the ONLY reason I'm trying to find a replacement! On top of that, timestamps aren't displayed continuously while playing a file and there isn't even an option to change it to do so, as there is in the VS-7200. I record security log entries, at night, so a backlight is VERY helpful and displaying the timestamp's much more convenient to transcribe to my log; I have to press 5 buttons, digging through menus, for EACH file to get timestamps, my VS-7200 displays it without need to press any! Backlights should be standard, preferably that can be customized for duration and disabled to preserve battery, and at least an option to change what's displayed while playing, i.e. progress bar or timestamp.

Robert

2020-06-04T08:24:19

Rated 5 out of 5

recorder

great device!! use it for meetings and taking minutes!

PROCUREMENT S.

2019-11-25T19:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Would definitely recommend this.

Small, compact, easy to use. Perfect for meetings and note taking.

John

2019-09-10T20:00:00

Rated 4 out of 5

Good Recorder.

Wish it had a back light, Other than that I like it fine.

MarkII

2018-10-26T10:13:53

Rated 4 out of 5

Reliable and quick to start

This recorder serves it purpose well and was easy to use. The operator, though, suggested that the instruction manual should have been easier to read in terms of font size readability.

Melanie T.

2018-04-09T20:00:00

Rated 2 out of 5

Disappointed...no light?

I've had 3 WS 822 and 823. I lost two and misplaced the other one. So while I'm waiting to find th 822 I bought a WS-853 It never occurred to me that Olympus would make a recorder without a backlight!!! And the 823 even had an FM radio which was so useful And, it ran on one AAA battery. I would never had bought this 853, even though it is less expensive. Bring back the 823 !!!

Siena

2017-09-13T20:00:00

Rated 2 out of 5

Disappointed

I bought this to replace my worn out WS-822 which worked really well. It is dissappointing to see that Olympus no longer makes a compact single AAA battery recorder at the $120 price point of the WS-822 with the same features. This unit is bigger (too big for my application) and has no display backlight. To get anything comparable to the WS-822 you have to spend at least $199 now. I spoke with customer service to confirm prior to posting this. Pros: Good sound quality Good battery life Good build quality Cons: Too big No display backlight No date & time file numbering system

Ryan

2017-04-04T20:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

love

i like it

Isacc

2017-03-17T18:25:03

Rated 3 out of 5

retired professional photographer

The WS-853 is everything that was claimed, but it is not what I really needed for my work because it is for voice recording as a note taker and I really wanted a recorder for high quality music and sound recording. I will keep the WS-853 but will continual to search for a hi-fi portable recorder.

JAMES M.

2017-03-16T20:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

love

i like it

Isacc

2017-02-08T10:08:38

Rated 5 out of 5

Does not seem to pick up background noise

Nice recorder.

ELECTRICAL E.

Olympus WS-853 Specifications

  • Microphone sensitivity

    Hi/Lo/Auto

  • Voice activated recording

    VCVA/Voice Sync.

  • Internal microphone frequency range

    70-17,000Hz

  • Stereo/Mono (Built-in microphone)

    Stereo

  • Recording format

    MP3

  • 44.1kHz/128kbps

    Approx. 130hr.

  • 44.1kHz/64kbps (mono)

    Approx. 260hr.

  • 11.025kHz/8kbps (mono)

    Approx. 2080hr.

  • Internal memory

    8GB

  • External memory

    microSD (Max.32GB)

  • PC connectivity

    USB Direct

  • Playback speed control

    2.0X - 0.5X

  • Forward skip

    (File skip, 10sec, 30sec, 1min, 5min, 10min)

  • Reverse skip

    File skip, 1sec to 3sec, 5sec, 10sec, 30sec, 1min, 5min)

  • Recording & playback scene select

    Only recording

  • Index mark

    Max .99

  • Power requirements

    AAA alkaline battery x2, or AAA Ni-MH rechargeable battery x2

  • Battery life - Recording

    Approx. 110hr.

  • Speaker /Maximum output

    Built-in 20mm round dynamic speaker/ 250mW

  • Microphone jack

    3.5mm (impedance 2k)

  • Earphone jack

    3.5mm (impedance 8 or more)

  • Dimensions (HxWxD)

    111.5 x 39 x 18mm

  • Weight (including batteries)

    77g

  • UPC Code

    050332189775

About Olympus WS-853

FEATURED REVIEWS

recorder

By PROCUREMENT S.

great device!! use it for meetings and taking minutes!

love

By Isacc

i like it

Olympus WS-853 audio recorder features True-Stereo Mic and two new intuitive modes for effortless, high-quality recordings in small offices, large lecture halls and beyond.

The WS-853 combines enhanced recording capabilities with the new True-Stereo Mic, which positions two directional microphones at a 90-degree layout to capture a realistic stereo feeling that can spatially discern the position of the speaker in meetings and conferences. The new Intelligent Auto Mode function makes it easier than ever to capture clear recordings by automatically adapting the microphone's sensitivity according to the recording environment and the volume of the speaker.

Like other WS Series models, the WS-853 features Voice Balancer which enhances quieter voices and ensures that louder voices stay below a given level, providing playback where everyone can be heard clearly. Additional noise-cancellation technology reduces unwanted background noise such as air-conditioner or projector fan noise to let the most important elements of the recording come through. A built-in stand on the back of the slim, ultra-portable recorders props them up for easy display viewing, menu access, and noise reduction of unwanted sound pick-up on the surface.

New Simple Mode is designed with the beginner in mind and presents the most important functions of the device in large font on the LED screen display and limits menu functions to the popular actions. Adding to its ease of use are recording scenes that adjust the device to the optimal recording settings. Telephone Recording and Duplication are new scenes that can be used in combination with optional accessories to easily record or duplicate telephone conversations and dub cassette tapes.

The Piano Black WS-853 offers 8GB of internal memory with 2080 recording hours in MP3 recording format. The WS-853 recorder provides an impressive 110 hours of battery life and connect directly to the computer with a built-in USB for the seamless

Olympus WS-853 Features

  • SUPERB STEREO QUALITY WITH THE TRUE STEREO MIC: The two directional microphones positioned at a 90½ layout enable an authentic stereo experience. Regardless of where the person speaking is located you clearly capture the recording scene
  • INTELLIGENT AUTO MODE AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTS MICROPHONE SENSITIVITY: The Intelligent Auto Mode automatically adjusts the microphone sensitivity according to the volume of the sound source, this provides an even level of volume for the listener.
  • SIMPLE MODE, PERFECT FOR BEGINNERS: The Simple Mode supports beginners by having the recorder display only the necessary information in large font. It also limits the functions in the menu tothose which are frequently used.
  • DIRECT PC CONNECTION FOR CONVENIENT RECORDING DATA STORAGE: Save data easily and conveniently with the built-in USB connector. The WS-853 can also be charged via USB.
  • THE BUILT-IN STAND PREVENTS SURFACE VIBRATION: The built-in stand on the back of the body is carefully designed to reduce surface noise.
  • VOICE BALANCER IMPROVES AUDIO PLAYBACK QUALITY: When recordings contain multiple speakers, the Voice Balancer makes softer voices louder and ensures that louder voices stay below a given level, providingplayback where everyone can be heard clearly. This comes in handy when recordingsound sources from multiple positions, such as in a meeting.
  • LONG BATTERY LIFE YOU CAN RELY ON: Users can rely on the recorder for over 2,000 hours of recording time and for over 100 hours of battery life.
  • MULTIPLE SCENE SELECT OPTIONS: Choose from one of seven recording scenes and your recorder will adjust to the optimal recording settings. Telephone Recording and Duplication Mode can be usedin combination with optional accessories.
  • FILE SEARCHING IS EASY WITH THE CALENDAR FUNCTION: Find what you're looking for. Fast. Saved audio files are automatically organized by date and displayed in the calendar.
  • NOISE CANCELLATION FOR CLEAR PLAYBACK QUALITY: The noise-cancellation function powerfully reduces unwanted ambient noise such as air-conditioner noise or projector fan noise enabling clear playback quality.
  • DRAGON NATURALLYSPEAKING RATING "6 DRAGON": The WS-853 was awarded 6 Dragons, for the highest recognition rating when using Dragon NaturallySpeaking software from Nuance Communications, Inc. Dragon automatically turns your talk into text and can make virtually any computer taskeasier and faster.

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Key Features

  • INTELLIGENT AUTO MODE AUTOMATICALLY ADJUSTS MICROPHONE SENSITIVITY
  • DIRECT PC CONNECTION FOR CONVENIENT RECORDING DATA STORAGE
  • FILE SEARCHING IS EASY WITH THE CALENDAR FUNCTION
  • SUPERB STEREO QUALITY WITH THE TRUE STEREO MIC
  • VOICE BALANCER IMPROVES AUDIO PLAYBACK QUALITY
  • NOISE CANCELLATION FOR CLEAR PLAYBACK QUALITY

What's in the box:

  • 2 x AAA batteries

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