Telephone Recorder

[FredRichards]

I'm looking for an inexpensive device, that is like an answering machine. My issue with most answering machines is that the newer ones have digital recording at a real low bitrate, and if a person calls on a digital cellphone the quality of the voice is nasty.

I don't know if anyone still makes a machine with a cassette, or if there is a digital unit with a higher quality sample rate.

What I'm trying to do is use a POTS line where listeners will call to leave comments. The comments then need to be extracted off the device for air, (hence the need for quality reproduction).

 

[callfm]

Try a voicemail to email service

We use a company in Miami called DSLi.com and the voicemail comes to an email address. That automatically delivers a decent quality audio file in WAV format right to your computer ready for editing (or deleting). That would be an easy solution if you have a provider like that which offers such a feature.

 

[dtube1]

If you have a newer PBX/TDMA or IP-based phone system, or your voice-mail is handled externally, chances are you can get a network module that will permit e-mail'd voice-mail. As callfm mentioned, that should provide decent fidelity and make editing a breeze. FWIW, we have a lot of folks at my place who handle all their voice-mail this way; its very convenient and easy to access.
-D

 

[Chuck]

If you have a computer handy, you might try EZ Voice. http://www.ezvoice.ezsofttek.com/ It will save the messages as WAV files, which sound about as good as can be expected for POTS. At least, they are easy to edit!

The program is easy to use, offers remote control, voice mail and multiple line functions. If you like, it will even send an email to tell you that you have a message. The basic version is under $30. They also offer a couple of more exotic versions, including one for under $50 that allows you to record all phone calls for future reference. That could be really handy in a newsroom.

 

[LowPayDJ]

If you just need audio files of messages left in a voicemail to edit and broadcast later, a $20 Magicjack should do the trick.

 

[Dndsh237]

If you have a computer handy, you might try EZ Voice. http://www.ezvoice.ezsofttek.com/ It will save the messages as WAV files, which sound about as good as can be expected for POTS. At least, they are easy to edit!

The program is easy to use, offers remote control, voice mail and multiple line functions. If you like, it will even send an email to tell you that you have a message. The basic version is under $30. They also offer a couple of more exotic versions, including one for under $50 that allows you to record all phone calls for future reference. That could be really handy in a newsroom.

Keep in mind to use this product, you must have a modem with voice capability.

 

[Chuck]

Keep in mind to use this product, you must have a modem with voice capability.

True, but it seems that most do. At least, it works fine with the modem built into the computer on my desk. It is nothing special. The last I looked in a computer store, modems are pretty cheap if yours won't work. There is a free trial on the software, so you can find out if your modem works with it with no risk other than the ten minutes it takes to download and try it.

I just mentioned this software because I had the same problem of crappy sounding digital answering machines. Some of them are very hard to understand. This sounds way better.

Although they don't mention it, I've found if you have some kind or remote desktop capability, you can even access the files from another computer. Since learning that this works quite well, getting my phone messages via the web has become my favorite way to retrieve them. It sure beats the way they sound over my cell phone.

 

[jesseg]

USB Voice Modems, on Google Shopping
http://www.google.com/products?hl=e...a=X&oi=product_result_group&resnum=1&ct=title
looks about $20 to get one.

 

[FredRichards]

Thanks for all the ideas. I like the idea of the provider that takes the calls and then e-mails the WAV to me. That seems like the simplest. I'll check around and see who has these services locally.

Right now I have an Asterisk phone system running on a Dell tower, and the line is actually a SIP from Free World Dialup. The line side has been stable, the hardware and maintenance on my end has been a p.i.t.a.

 

[Dndsh237]

Keep in mind to use this product, you must have a modem with voice capability.

True, but it seems that most do. At least, it works fine with the modem built into the computer on my desk. It is nothing special. The last I looked in a computer store, modems are pretty cheap if yours won't work. There is a free trial on the software, so you can find out if your modem works with it with no risk other than the ten minutes it takes to download and try it.

The new Dell I bought about three years ago, didn't have a voice compatible modem. It just came with a standard modem.

 

[Chuck]

Keep in mind to use this product, you must have a modem with voice capability.

True, but it seems that most do. At least, it works fine with the modem built into the computer on my desk. It is nothing special. The last I looked in a computer store, modems are pretty cheap if yours won't work. There is a free trial on the software, so you can find out if your modem works with it with no risk other than the ten minutes it takes to download and try it.

The new Dell I bought about three years ago, didn't have a voice compatible modem. It just came with a standard modem.

I'm sorry your Dell doesn't work on voice. I haven't had the same problem with any of my computers. As has been pointed out you can get a voice modem for about $20, plus $30 for the answering machine software. That's $50 for a system that works well. Most of the POS stand-alone versions sold at Walmart are about the same price. This works a lot better and has many more features, but YMMV. I have no interest one way or the other if anyone uses it, but I found it to be a handy solution to a problem I had. I was just making a suggestion to help the person who asked the question. You can try it for free, and if it doesn't work for you then you have only lost a little time.

 

[Dndsh237]

Keep in mind to use this product, you must have a modem with voice capability.

True, but it seems that most do. At least, it works fine with the modem built into the computer on my desk. It is nothing special. The last I looked in a computer store, modems are pretty cheap if yours won't work. There is a free trial on the software, so you can find out if your modem works with it with no risk other than the ten minutes it takes to download and try it.

The new Dell I bought about three years ago, didn't have a voice compatible modem. It just came with a standard modem.

I'm sorry your Dell doesn't work on voice. I haven't had the same problem with any of my computers. As has been pointed out you can get a voice modem for about $20, plus $30 for the answering machine software. That's $50 for a system that works well. Most of the POS stand-alone versions sold at Walmart are about the same price. This works a lot better and has many more features, but YMMV. I have no interest one way or the other if anyone uses it, but I found it to be a handy solution to a problem I had. I was just making a suggestion to help the person who asked the question. You can try it for free, and if it doesn't work for you then you have only lost a little time.

Chuck,

Personally I have no need for this product.

My advice was directed at the original poster as well. I'm not looking to discredit your suggestion, just trying to make sure the OP, or anyone else who might be interested, knows that a voice capable modem is required for this software. 8)

 

[Countrykev]

Get Radio Voodoo.

After a set number of rings, the call is forwarded to them. You can then access a website that has all the audio in downloadable form, sortable by where they called from and what they want. If they requested a song, it will say something like "REQUEST - GWEN STEFANI"

I believe it can be a complete barter option. It's pretty awesome.