Panasonic RQ-L31 Portable Cassette Recorder with Slide Microphone

Product Description

The Panasonic RQ-L31 records and plays standard cassette tapes. It's excellent for recording notes, school classes and lectures. Auto Stop at end of tape side Jacks for adding optional external microphone, earphone, and optional AC adapter Integrated speaker Size - 4-33/64 High x 3-17/32 Wide x 1-15/32 Deep Weighs under 6 ounces without battery

Amazon.com Product Description

The Panasonic RQ-L31 Portable Cassette Player with Slide Microphone is a compact, handheld microcassette recorder. You'll be able to achieve up to 25 hours of recording with just two AA batteries. This recorder features a valuable voice activation system that helps conserve tape space -- recording begins as soon as sound is detected and stops when there is a lull in conversation so you'll never waste valuable tape. The built-in front speaker makes for easy listening so you can review recordings without headphones.

There are two selectable recording speeds -- the faster speed makes clearer recordings for reproduction, while the slower speed is perfect for voice memos and audio note taking. The slower speed triples the recording time of the microcassette, which is great for those meetings or lectures that never seem to end on time. The slide microphone is designed with improved sensitivity for even clearer recordings.

Customer Reviews:

Great little recorder.......2006-02-25

I got my recorder about 3-4 months ago. So far, so good. I have used it for voice recording with good results. I also like the fact it has jacks for ac adapter, external microphone and earphones. It takes standard cassette tapes. To me that is a plus.

I do handle it with reasonable care. It is plastic, so take care of it and you will probably get good service.

Great Recorder!.......2005-11-12

Great recorder! The playback sound (voice) is amazingly good at 3x recording speed. It's much, much better than my Sony microcassette, even when the Sony is on the normal (best) recording speed. Like another reviewer mentioned, one drawback of 3x is you can't play it in your car deck (but who has those these days?!). But you can record 12 hours on one 120 minute tape at 3x speed! 6 hours a side. That can be good and bad; good for the capacity, bad to find specific spots, eg. the beginnings of things you tape. So, I think 60 or 90 min tapes might work better. I've also heard the longer the tape the greater likelihood of jamming... and, the tape quality itself is lower because the tape has to be manufactured thinner to fit the longer length/s in the cassette shell.

This player isn't much bigger than my Sony microcassette player. Side by side they look about the same size. At first I thought mine was defective; the tapes didn't seem to fit in properly. Load the tape in the door/lid and close it with a little more force than you think is needed (because it seems like it doesn't close properly and you might break it). Or you can seat the tape then close the lid... this method seems less 'harsh' or damaging to me.

I think this model offers the best value vs. the more expensive RQ-L51. The players themselves are identical feature, performance wise. The only difference is in accessories; the L51 includes an AC adapter and ni-cad batteries (which should not work as well or long as NMHs). Neither model includes a strap (unless I threw it away by mistake), which would have been nice; there is a place to put one on one of the corners.

Overall, I think this is a great little recorder for the money and recommend it. Note: having used this for 2 weeks at college, the 120 min tapes hold about 5 hours per side at 3x speed; not 6 hours as I mentioned above. Not sure why.

cassette reviewer.......2005-04-20

I bought the RQ-L31 from Circuit City(in their store)for a total of about $38.00; with no AC adapter or batteries. This recorder has a sensative microphone(built-in)that will pick up birds singing from a neighbors yard! The mic has two positions(up or normal); and it's difficult to tell the difference between the two settings on recordings. The voice activation record has two settings, one is for quiet, distant sounds, the other is for close-up sounds. I have used the RQ-L31 for voice and music recording. It's better at voice recording! It will record music, but a speaker that it not even "2"; just can't reproduce music that well. Also, volume output seems to be lower than most hand-held recorders; although it is totally clear, even turned all the way up. The design puts the speaker in the cassette door. Where you insert the tape(the door)is where the speaker is. I would have to say, that the recorder is not worth the $34.95 that it sells for. It does allow you to use an external mic, and it is shuts off at tape end very quietly. I have a GE mini cassette recorder that has much louder sound than the RQ-L31 by Panasonic. The GE only cost $19.99 at Walmart. It has voice activated recording too; but instead of normal or 3X normal recording length, the GE 3-5364A model has louder volume on playback, and variable speed playback control. If turned up past 75% volume, it gets distorted. The GE also tends to pick up the tape motor sound more. So, the Panasonic RQ-L31 is better at less tape noise recordings. RQ-L31 uses standard size cassette tapes, and has an LED battery level indicator(3 red lights). It is light weight and feature packed, but buy it with the understanding that it is primarily designed for voice/lecture recordings. Circuit City carries the RQ-L31 in their stores. Tape door is awkard to load tapes in, but you can get hang of it.

VG for what it is. But they don't make em like they used to........2005-02-06

It's kind of inappropriate that so many people complain that recorders _intended_ for speech (e.g. lectures, interviews, notes, etc.) are bad for recording music. Kind of goes without saying. If you want to record music, if you want stereo sound, if require audio quality, then don't buy _any_ cassette recorder in this price range. (The bare minimum for these needs is possibly the Panasonic RQ-A220.)

There's also lots of confusion about the term "mini." The term mini is about the player size, not the tape's. This recorder, like all "mini" recorders, takes normal sized tapes. If you want the really small tapes then you want what they call "micro."

I purchased the RQ-31 to replace an older GE model I was using for notes and interviews. One thing stood out immediately - the microphone was far more powerful. If you speak directly into the machine it will cause some distortion. This is good, actually, because it allows you to record people speaking without pushing the machine in their face. Combined with the voice activation feature this will allow you to easily record your thoughts and conversations without wasting tape. I thought this would be especially handy to record while driving - just leave it in the passenger's seat and it will record only when you speak.

The most basic model on the market at this time is the Sony TCM-150 which is at least ten bucks less. Here's some of what you get by paying more: Voice activation, external microphone jack, extended record, and a tape counter. For most people these features are necessary which makes 150 model a poor choice. The Sony's TCM-200DV, however, offers all of that for about five bucks less than this Panasonic - except it doesn't have the counter which I thought I needed. The next model up, the Panasonic RQ-L51, is identical to the L31 except it comes with an AC adapter and rechargeable batteries. I'm not so sure that the extra cost is worth it, but some might find the adapter necessary.

The recorder feels cheap for some reason. It's too light and there's too much plastic. (The Sony's TCM-200DV has the same weight.) Perhaps the manufacturers are putting all their effort into MP3 and digital recorders. In any case, use it for what it is. If you need an inexpensive recorder for interviews or lectures the Sony 220 or this Panasonic will likely do the job. If you require something a little more tough with better audio you'll definitely need to spend more - or pick up an older machine from the days when they made these things to last.

average.......2004-05-12

This recorder uses regular cassettes, not mini cassettes. I bought it so I could tape solos and learn them on the sax but the built-in microphone doesn't record music too well. It's probably better-suited for taping lectures, meetings, voice, etc.

Average customer rating:
SIEMENS 5830 ADSL BUSINESS GW ( 120-5830-001 )

Manufacturer: Efficient Networks
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Networking & Online Communication | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics | Broadband Access | Telephony | Wired Networks | Wireless
Product Features:

4PORT ENET W/ FW NAT VPN GENERIC

ASIN: B0002VO7IS

Product Description

Feature-rich, yet cost-effective, these IADs enable service providers to offer voice, data and managed services to their subscribers over a single broadband circuit. Such an offering can help service providers develop important new revenue streams from small- and medium-sized businesses.

Average customer rating:
SmartDisk External FireWire 7200 RPM 40 GB Hard Drive

Manufacturer: SmartDisk Corporation
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

FireWire | External Hard Drives | Hard Drives | Drives & Storage | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
Product Features:

40 GB storage capacity

7,200 RPM

FireWire interface

9 millisecond seek time

Compatible with Windows and Macintosh operating systems

ASIN: B00006B724

Product Description

SmartDisk VST FireWire Thin Drives with titanium styling are ideal for anyone who requires a high performance, lightweight and durable hard drive storage solution. The drives are perfect for transporting large files such as multimedia presentations between computers, archiving important files, creating backups of your laptop's hard disk, updating or installing software on multiple computers or simply sharing files between home and office.SmartDisk VST FireWire Thin Drives with titanium styling are the smallest, most lightweight FireWire (IEEE - 1394) hard drives available. So portable, reliable, and convenient, these drives make any file transfer task a snap! Unlike other portable FireWire drives, these are bootable, fully hot pluggable drives, with true Plug and Play ease of use, requiring no device ID's or termination. And they are powered by the FireWire Bus, so no AC Adapter is needed!

Average customer rating:
RIM BlackBerry 7780 - BlackBerry Handheld Software RAM: 2 MB - ROM: 16 MB ( 240 x 240 ) - GSM 850/1800/1900 - Cingular

Manufacturer: AT&T
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

All Handhelds & PDAs | Handhelds & PDAs | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
ASIN: B0006TVYQE

Product Description

The RIM BlackBerry 7780 offers seamless email, phone and SMS integration with a new larger, easy-to-see full-color display, intuitive interface and backlit QWERTY keyboard. Tri-band GSM support gives you extensive coverage in North America, Europe and Asia.

Product Description

Amazing movies await you? Dive into digital entertainment with Sony's DVP-NC615 DVD player. This 5-disc changer allows you to enjoy CD-R/CD-RW, DVD-R/DVD+RW, DVD-RW (Video Mode), and MP3 playback! Witness Sony features at work. Its Precision Drive 2 system, Dynamic Tilt Compensation, Digital Video Enhancer, TV Virtual Surround, and Digital Cinema Sound maximize what you see and hear. Utilize Multi Disc Resume (6-disc), SmoothScan mode and SmoothSlow mode, Instant Replay, Component Video Ouput, Dolby Digital/dts output, MegaStorage Changer Control, CD/DVD Text display and much more. The supplied multi-brand remote control will make it easy to manage your entertainment experience. Take the plunge - allow Sony to entertain you with the DVP-NC615.

Customer Reviews:

You can't handle the truth.......2005-08-01

My DVD no longer works.... Why? I thought it was the discs. I purchased brand new discs opened the package and placed directly in the unit without touching anything elese... Nothing happened. I have always loved SONY brand name. I just finished reading what others have written, I am having a hard time handling the truth... Unforetunately, I have to concur with others that this unit is NOT something to purchase. I hope that its current status of 'Unavailable' is because the people at SONY read these reviews as well....

The one up side............2005-03-04

The one good thing about this product is this. When the motor that spins the discs burned out, I was able to buy the identical product with a different problem off of ebay for $20 and replace the motor. So many people have a problem with this product that you can easily pick up an extra one for spare parts.....sad.
I tried to just buy the motor, but Sony has some deal with the manufacturer so they won't sell this $2 motor to anyone but them.

TERRIBLE player, terrible customer service from Sony........2004-01-18

I got the NC615 (not from Amazon) in July 2002 primarily to check for DVD-R playability and quality control (I'm a video producer and burn DVDs for clients). I had a total of about 3 hours use on the player in the first 8 months I owned it. Then I bought Sopranos DVD sets and started using it more regularly.

It was then I noticed it would stall, freeze, and then cut off periodically. At first it was so infrequent that I tried to attribute it to disc abnormalities and let it go.

Dealing with defective products is such an incredible hassle . . . expensive shipping, multiple calls and many, MANY minutes on tech support hold lines, pulling out entertainment centers and dealing with a mass of wires and dust in a small spaces, etc. Also, since the measly 90 day labor warranty (by far much more important than parts) had long passed, I knew I'd likely be footing 90% of any repair bill at that point anyway, so I succumbed to the denial that the player was at fault.

I could only delude myself a few months longer as the problem got worse and worse, the player eventually freezing and shutting off 5-10 times during any viewing session longer than 20 minutes. Of course by this time, the parts warranty had also conveniently expired.

But since I've dropped over $20,000 on professional Sony video equipment in recent years, I thought Sony customer service just MIGHT want to keep me happy, so I phoned them. I was wrong. I was met with absolute indifference, abruptness, and a refusal to consider the individual circumstances which made it a travesty of fairness for me to have to pay for the repair of this product, which cost well over $200 at the time I purchased it.

To make matters even comically worse, my sister was given the same player for Christmas of 2002, and hers started to exhibit similar problems late in 2003, also conveniently well after the labor warranty had expired and just as the parts warranty was expiring.

Two out of two identical products with the same defects in one family is hard to attribute to sheer bad luck. This was very likely a lemon product, an inherently defective player with an abnormally short useful life that Sony is refusing to stand behind, even for a loyal customer that's given them many thousands of dollars in business. Because of this unforgivable customer service breach, I will never buy another Sony consumer electronics product and will certainly try to avoid purchase of as many of their pro products as possible.

I advise others to STEAR CLEAR of this player and all those in direct succession to it, which is likely to be anything with a model number like NC6##.

It's true.......2003-10-02

I've always recommended and purchased Sony brand. I didn't buy mine at Amazon.com, but I'm here 10 months later to buy a replacement. It stopped reading DVDs yesterday. I removed the cover expecting to find the sensor needed cleaning. What I found was that the disc motor isn't spinning it up to speed any more. Reading the other reviews, it's clear this isn't an isolated incident.

Not a good product.......2003-09-25

I ordered this DVD player before reading the reviews here, and that was a mistake. It plays normally about 50% of the time, and the other 50% it looks like it has a tracking error, even though there's no such thing on DVD's. My experience with Sony trying to get this fixed has been laughable, as they always say it's the DVD's, which always play fine on my PlayStation2. Support is terrible, so I'd recommend against buying this unless you like a nice looking paperweight.

Product Description

Startech.com's SV441HDI revolutionizes remote server management by combining its industry-leading third generation Server Remote Control technology with a proven Enterprise class digital KVM switch. The SV441HDI empowers you to securely manage up to 4 computers remotely from almost anywhere using your LAN or the Internet. Unlike software solutions that require installation and work through your server's operating system, the SV841HDI gives you BIOS level control and full interaction with your system's boot process. Control does not come at the expense of security: SSH tunneling, SSL encryption, RADIUS authentication, and a configurable firewall are all included to ensure that your network stays secure. With both USB and PS/2 support, this switch easily handles a mixed platform environment to provide a central point of administration for all your servers. For added flexibility you can attach your existing KVM switches to the SV441HDI to remotely control up to 64 computers, and its standardized 1U rack-mountable metal chassis allows easy installation in your rack or cabinet. Server Remote Control is about more than just servers. Using the Serial Remote Interface Module (RPORT) you can interact with virtually any device that uses a RS-232 serial terminal interface like routers, switches, environmental controls, alarm systems, and more. You can also use StarTech.com's 8 outlet Remote Power Module (PCM815SHNA) to power computers and equipment on an off using an interactive menu. The SV441HDI is the perfect solution for any organization that demands secure, flexible local and remote administration of its critical systems.

Product Description

The MultiMediaCard is designed to provide flexible storage for today's digital devices. The card weighs less than two grams and is the size of a postage stamp. The small size of the MultiMediaCard allows digital device product manufacturers the ability to continuously design small, portable devices. The MultiMediaCard has been designed into products that include digital music players, digital camcorders, cellular phones and global positioning systems (GPS).

Product Description

HP enhances the mobile experience, enabling increased productivity. Make the most of your workday - easily stay connected to your office while you're on the go. Ideal for the mobile professional, the HP Compaq nc6140 is a feature rich thin and light notebook with an integrated HP Broadband wireless solution. This notebook provides mobile professionals reliable computing power and the ability to wirelessly connect at broadband speeds to the Internet, e-mail and corporate networks where traditional wireless technologies typically are not available.

Product Description

Give new life to your notebook. Add gigabytes of additional storage with a SimpleTech notebook hard drive upgrade. Easy to install. Included software mirrors your existing data to your new drive. Save hours of time.This hard drive is designed for DELL 8000.For a complete compatibility list please refer to the original manufacturer's web site.

Average customer rating:

great switch

SD Memory Cards

TRENDnet TE100-S16E 16-port 10/100 Mbps NWay Fast-Ethernet Compact Switch

Manufacturer: TRENDnet
ProductGroup: CE
Binding: Electronics

Switches | Wired Networks | Networking & Online Communication | Computer Add-Ons | Computers & Add-Ons | Categories | Electronics
Switches | Wired | Networking | Computing | Products |
Accessories:

D-Link DFE-530TX+ 10/100 Fast Ethernet Desktop Adapter

16-PORT 10/100MBPS 19" Switch

3ft Gray Cat5e UTP Patch Cableno Boots

3ft Red Cat5e UTP Patch Cable No Boots

7ft Cat5e RJ45 Patch Cable Redno Boots

Product Features:

NWay Auto-Sensing Ports

Half & Full Duplex Operation For Each Port

802.3 flow control for full duplex connection & back pressure flow control for half-duplex connection

Auto-learning of network configuration

Built-in 8K entries per device for Filtering Address Table

ASIN: B00006JQQO

Product Description

TRENDnet's TE100-S16E high performance auto-sensing NWay switch is designed specifically to boost your network performance by eliminating network congestions and unnecessary network traffics. Each of the 16 ports of the switch not only provides dedicated bandwidth, but also negotiates between 10Mbps and 100Mbps network speeds. With it's compact size, the TE100-S16E can be installed anywhere in the network and is the ideal solution for today's bandwidth-hungry network.

Customer Reviews:

great switch.......2007-07-22

Does what is expected: It's a switch, it works, it doesn't cause problems. Installed in attic, serving some 8 devices.

SD Memory Cards.......2007-02-08

I ordered two 2.o gb memory cards. The price was good, the delivery was excellent and the products worked as I expected it to. Another great order from Amazon. Thanks.

Electronics:

Electronics

Electronics