Re: [IRCA] HD mp3 recorders for recording DX

["W. Curt Deegan" <WWWR@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I've had the Gmini for quite some time, it is likely no longer 
available in new production.  I've not looked into similar devices 
since I got it.  The device Bill mentioned in his original post 
appears to be similar and current.

Curt
-------
W. Curt Deegan
Boca Raton, (southeast) Florida


At 11:27 AM 12/26/2006, you wrote:
>Hi Curt,
>
>I went to the Archos site but couldn't find anything that looked like
>Gmini-220. What should I be looking for?
>
>Chris
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "W. Curt Deegan" <WWWR@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>To: "Mailing list for the International Radio Club of America"
><irca@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Sent: Monday, December 25, 2006 2:25 PM
>Subject: Re: [IRCA] HD mp3 recorders for recording DX
>
>
> > Bill,
> >
> > I made the mistake of first buying an inexpensive RCA Digital Voice
> > Recorder.  This sounded like what I wanted but instead had all the
> > problems you mention and then some.  It had mic-in but this wouldn't
> > work with line-out without considerable effort -- addition of an
> > external level control to compensate for the differences worked only
> > poorly.  The file format was proprietary and converting to MP3
> > required a special program not provided by the vendor.   This never
> > proved to be of any use for recording from a receiver, though it's
> > probably fine for what it was intended, as a personal dictation device.
> >
> > Since that false start I have been using an Archos Gmini-220 20GB USB
> > Hard Disk for some time.  There are now newer, bigger, and less
> > expensive versions of this.  As a portable MP3 player in the image of
> > an iPod, this may be overkill unless you have other uses for it.  It
> > records direct to MP3 rather than WAV or other format and has line-in
> > for connection to a receiver, these are the most important
> > things.  It appears as a hard disk to Windows making manipulation of
> > the files on it simple and accessible by any program.  There are
> > provisions for using memory cards as well as the USB connection,
> > providing a number of ways to integrate with a PC.  Control is via a
> > small LCD screen and a group of three buttons and a four-way rocker
> > switch.  This also allows entry of file names for recording, albeit
> > through a rather cumbersome cursor controlled character keying
> > function.  My only complaint is that because it is designed to be
> > small and portable, the buttons are a bit difficult for my fat
> > fingers to poke at, but that would be true of most portable devices
> > these days.
> >
> > Here's one review I found with Google, there are probably others:
> > http://www.mobilemag.com/content/100/335/C2564/
> > The Archos on-line store is here:
> > http://www.shoparchos.com/searchresults.aspx?search_id=4&culture=en-US
> >
> > There are similar devices by other vendors that would likely work
> > just as well.  The product you reference looks like it is along the
> > same lines as the Gmini-220.
> >
> > Curt
> > -------
> > W. Curt Deegan
> > Boca Raton, (southeast) Florida
> >
> >
> > At 07:48 AM 12/25/2006, you wrote:
> >>Has anyone had any experience using HD mp3 recorders for recording
> >>DX?  It appears to be a good way to go, but I would like to solicit
> >>other's comments before I take the plunge give the potential high
> >>cost of these devices.
> >>
> >>Here is an example
> >>http://www.cowonglobal.com/product/product_X5_spec.php
> >>
> >>This is not an endorsement of this particular product because I have
> >>no idea of its utility for a DXer. Maybe there are better, but
> >>similar products on the market
> >>
> >>One of things I am looking for is compatibility with a computer's OS.
> >>In other words, can you use a computer to directly manipulate the
> >>files on the device using the computer's file manager so you don't
> >>have to use a proprietary software program for the device? I ran into
> >>this issue with an IRiver flash drive device.
> >>
> >>Other things like battery usage, capacity, and portability are
> >>important too.  An analog line in is an absolute must as well.
> >>
> >>Bill Harms
> >>Elkridge, Maryland


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