Home > Consumer Reviews > RCA RP5012 16MB Digital Voice Recorder

Saw one of these being used at one of those ponderous all-day tech training sessions. Instead of scribbling notes, the guy using it was able to sit back and listen and comprehend, and worry about notes later. He let us play with it, and the sound quality was coherent, which was all we needed. This is not a hi-fi device. The other reviewer complained about a buzziness... we didn't hear any. We've bought our own since then, and love it. More solidly built than comparably priced Sony's. Recording can be switched between dictation and conference. Maybe the other reviewer didn't read the instructions and play with the settings options? And the externally attachable microphone will improve recording sound quality even more. Plus you can playback via the headphone jack, or even pipe the audio into your computer so that you can save the audio. Does what it says, and does it well. I've since bought two as gifts.

I don't have any experience with any other digital voice recorders but this one seems to have a lot of background noise in the recordings that are internal. In a quiet environment, there is a swishing, wash machine noise in all recording. Same recordings made with my trusty but bulky Sony Microcassette-Corder, M-527V are quiet by comparison. The noise is slightly less in the HQ mode and also when using the external mike, but it is still extremely noticeable.

I have only played with it for about 2 hours but already the battery icon reads one half. I don't know how much longer they will last but I expected much more. The batteries are fresh Duracell alkaline which were NOT included with the recorder.

The controls are hard to distinguish without looking to see what button is being pressed. They all feel the same. The search seems quite slow and erratic. It appears that when the buttons are pushed for forward or reverse search, which by the way are quite small, the counter is supposed to go slowly at first, then speed up. It seems to go slow for a long period of time, speed up and slow down repeatedly. The instructions on this feature are lacking. There is no way to jump ahead in a file and takes a long time to advance if you are looking for a sound byte in, say a 20 minute recording.

I am looking for a better unit to exchange this one for, or at least other reviews of this item to see if maybe I just got a dud.

My recommendation, spend more money and get a better recorder.

Organize yourself with this Digital recorder. No more stopping to take notes. Has 4 folders. Example. Use folder #3 for phone numbers, accessing is very quick. Use folder #1 for to do list. #2 for project, #4 personal. This main function of this unit is voice recording and organizing your schedule. Sound Quality is great.Your more on top of things due to ease of use and speed. Date and time stamped for reference. Real time clock. No memory loss during battery change. Runs on power or battery. External mic.ear phone. LED indicator during recording. Auto Scan message mode. If you want to be on top of things, discard the electronic organizer ( input to slow) Best bang for your dollar.

The device works well connected to a police-scanning
radio, it will record the all-night transmissions
of which i play back over breakfast in the morning!
Works perfect! I monitor police, fire & medical
radio-traffic.
Just make sure your scanning-radio has the
required 'jacks' to patch-up to this device.
I also you a power-cube for the power too
instead of batteries. I have used mine for
a couple of years now and it works perfectly
today with no gliches at all. I bought mine
used. Excellant product and EZ to use.
I hooked-up a larger speaker on the device
to hear it across the kitchen/diningroom.
Use the device in the DICTATION MODE WITH
THE AVR Turned-ON to activate the
auto-recording. It will stop recording
after a radio transmission is done.
Very useful indeed. Entertaining.

This unit carries the best price and longest recording capability on he market. Features and operation are excellent, BUT, the sound quality is not acceptable. Tried HQ and SQ - no joy.

I do stand-up and need to record both bits and performances.
There was nothing funny about this unit and it went back to [the store]. Depending on your needs, this still might be the best deal out there, but it wasn't for me.