 Olympus VN5200PCThese recorders were selected after a field trial in Papua New Guinea. They were found to be robust and easy to use, with large controls and a clear display. We use the built-in mono microphone. In the highest quality recording mode, they can store 32 hours of audio, in WMA format (512Mb). The recorder is 10cm long.Recordings are stored in folders A-E, which can be selected using the FOLDER botton. Each folder can hold up to 200 recordings. Data can be transferred to computer using the supplied mini-USB cable. No special software is required in order to transfer files. The recorder uses 2 AAA batteries. FoldersThe recorders have five folders, which will be used as follows:A: miscellaneous recordings (e.g. for practice and demonstration) B: texts collected for language X C: texts collected for language Y D: texts collected for language Z E: oral annotations for texts on other recorders; no annotations for texts in folders B-D will appear here With this arrangement, three people working on three languages can share the same recorder (and the same logbook), and keep the primary texts separate (folders B-D). The oral annotations (folder E) are already complicated by the fact that a second recorder must be used. Recording IdentifiersEach recorder is engraved with a unique identifier, consisting of a letter (denoting the institution), and a two-digit number, e.g. P12.The oral annotations and transcriptions must refer to existing recordings. Recordings are identified using four pieces of information: institution, recorder, folder, and file, e.g. P12-A07. All four fields are required.
ControlsThe recorder controls are shown below. Note the HOLD switch (3), which serves as the on/off switch and which prevents any buttons being pushed by mistake (and draining the battery). The PLAY button (6) can be pressed repeatedly to change playback speed (normal/fast/slow); we will only use normal speed. The ERASE button (18) will almost never be used!
Erasing Files or Clearing the RecorderFiles should not be erased from the recorder, given the risk of deleting the wrong file. If a speaker wants to restart a narrative, stop the recording and start with a new file. If the recorder ever gets completely filled, make sure that it is backed up on the portable hard drive before clearing it. Engrave an extra digit on the back of the recorder (so that recorder P12 becomes P112, and later P212).Further InstructionsA detailed instruction booklet comes with the recorder, and is also available for download (here). Note that the time needs to be reset if batteries are replaced.OwnershipThe recorders have been donated to the project by Olympus. Each participating institution will be responsible for a set of recorders. These will be tagged as assets of the institution, and checked out like a library book. The person who signs out a recorder is responsible for taking good care of it, and replacing it if it is lost or damaged. |
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