******
- Verified Buyer
Hello; I like the unit in general but there are a few shortcomings such as (1) the info on the website and booklet / instructions - Do Not tell you if the device is plugged into the USB cable; phone calls can Not be recorded ! (2) No specifics on the type of microphone you need to be compatible for using the record function - DB gain, tpe like dynamic, etc. (3) to shut off the damn beeping if the batteries in the device are weak / must be replaced (4) the steps to program the unit vs. which buttons do not always work right ??In general the unit does well with recordings and the telco connections are straightforward and its size is easy to hide. The Call Assistant software is plain jane & simple but you get a lot of file errors and so far I have found no way to recover calls that have a file error. I have caller ID w/ name & most of the numbers that show up on caller ID Do Not show up with the phone number, so knowing which call you are listening to or want to find it is very difficult.Your software needs a column that always lists the phone number and in the next column; you can make a note to ID what call is it for easier listening, etc.I like the device otherwise and the software, so I am not downing it but changes need to be made considering less expensive recorders/software and PC based systems have a better call ID & documentation. At $ 300.00 plus the software, this is expecting too much; its all about reasonable easy of use / functionality. Thank you.PRO: This recorder is extremely easy to set up, essentially the same as a telephone answering machine. Although documentation indicates that software is bundled on an included CD, the software actually must be downloaded from their site. Installation of the downloaded software is quick and easy, and operation is highly intuitive. The recording process for both outgoing and incoming calls is entirely transparent. A detailed log is maintained, and individual recordings can be labeled to simplify subsequently identifying a particular recording. Although the unit supposedly ships with a 2gb SD card, mine arrived with an 8gb SD card, which provides more than ample storage. Recordings that you wish to retain long-term can easily be transferred from the SD card to your PC using the included USB cable and the XtR software.CON: The only negative aspect that I have found is the relatively low audio quality. The audio is adequate and understandable, but noticeably tinny and hollow sounding, apparently the result of a very low sample rate. This provides greater recording time but reduced fidelity which, given the price of high capacity SD cards these days, is a questionable trade-off. I haven't tried using the built-in speaker for playback, though its size suggests extremely low fidelity. Instead, I have used the XtR software and Bluetooth headsets to playback on my PC. The result is very serviceable. Nonetheless, XtR needs to improve audio fidelity. With improved fidelity, this becomes a five-star product.As a single mother of two daughters and foster children this device allows me to stay one step ahead of their sneakiness and two steps ahead of the boys/men that want to prey on them. You can hear both sides of the conversation very clearly and the phone numbers are saved even when your child has shut down on you but they will talk to their friends you know what their problem is and can use it to your advantage to bring your children back in to you and learn areas where you may need change or have a serious talk with them. One may feel it's not right to listen in on your children but the predators and pedophiles aren't playing in this day and age! Neither are your own slick as snot children that think they can do what they want and prey on or bully other folks children. No cell phones for children that aren't old enough for modern technology in this home (the house phone is their phone) and when it is time I'm going to parental lock that thing up too! I would assume it's good for businesses and cheating spouses as well. Connect it to one phone on the same line and it records both ends of the conversation all incoming and outgoing calls discreetly there's also a place to connect earphones to listen! Love it!!!!This is the second one I am getting. Both of us work out of the house and have two different land lines and need this device to go over important con-calls which contain project info that;s hard to take notes of while various people speaking. Nevertheless, why the three stars: the second one just arrived. It was lacking the following items: no SD card, no batteries and no CD. I wrote to the seller via amazon, let;s see what happens. If they fix this, I will up it to five stars because this is a great product. I do have one issue, some have reported a buzz in the recording, it happens to me also. I will call their support line. Maybe it has to do with my land line splitter? I use a two dedicated land line splitter on one wall jack. No buzz while speaking on any of the two phone devices, just from when the recorder records the calls and I play them back using its software. I ll report back. Finally, I expected bad call player software, on the contrary. This is great software. Very easy to use, it has all options needed.
