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Does anyone know of a relatively simple device that can record telephone conversations, when required, and then storing the conversation as an MP3 on a PC.

You know, sometimes when dealing with an ISP's help desk I would love to be able to record some of those conversations, the naff advice (and downright lies) I am given and use that in a constructive complaint.

Any help would be appreciated.


UK Bob

I think some answering machines may have ability to record active phone calls but may give a clue they are actively recording such as some background noise, not sure. But accessing that audio data for converting to mp3 or onto computer I don't know. If the device has an earphone output or similar, then it could potentially be hooked up to the computer for recording.
Some of the mobile phone devices may have options.
Also, if you use computer based phone-calling, there might be option there. Such as via Skype. If you have option to use headphones with skype then there might be option to record somehow. Again, just thinking out aloud without knowing. lol

Cheers LOTR

I was bouncing around similar ideas myself but I wanted a all-in-one solution.

You see, I'm not really after an answering machine, I have no use for it, plus (since I have retired) I've just closed my mobile phone account.

That said, maybe there is a small, hand-held device, similar to an MP3 player, that can record and save mp3 files, that would be an ideal solution.

I going to check various electronic sites to see if such a device exist and exist at the right price.

Later.


UK Bob

The cheapest solution would be a dictaphone and having your phone on speakers.

E.g. Top 10 Bestselling Digital Dictaphone Reviews

Edit: Regarding Skype it is possible, but as I recall there are no free, nor cheap solutions.

Cheers Sleepless

I just got to make sure that there microphone available, for the suggested models, that can be attached to a normal home phone.


UK Bob

BTW if you pursue that Skype idea and find anything good, either free or relatively cheap, I would be very interested in an update as I wouldn't mind having that option at work at times.

There are few things as annoying as arguing with customers about an already agreed on price for either service or parts.

Actually i would be interested in any finding including regular phone voice recording.

There is a microphone that attaches to a telephone handset via a suction cup. It plugs into an analog device (tape recorder or analog-to-digital input device attached to computer).

There are also low-priced pocket digital recorders available.


In Calif. it is illegal to record a conversation unless all parties agree to be recorded. Some states in the US allow recording when only one person agrees.

I think it is also the same over here in Australia.
Unauthorised recordings are not applicable in court over here AFAIK.

However in UkBob's case, where he is simply trying to get evidence to show to the same company to embarrass the company due to their lies, it is probably not a bad idea.

Blackhorse 70V

LOTR has got it in one, simply put I am fed up with getting different advice from different help-desk personnel, within the same organisation, and getting nowhere fast.

And don't you get fed up when you call a company the person your speaking to, or obtaining advice from, says this call may be recorded for training purposes.

OK, you may not get that in the US but you do get it all the time here in the UK, and the thing that worries me is suppose you get into a dispute with the organisation about the advice you were given. You, the recipient, has no way of getting a copy of that recording, to help your case, or even knowing whether the recording was ever made.

Plus, I believe there should be some simple way to document my important telephone conversations by utilising my PC, I can document my letters, faxes, pictures, etc. but currently not my voice communications - seems odd.


UK Bob

We get that over here, the message usually says however, please say if you do not wish the discussion to be recorded. But yes, if you do not specify, you simply do not know if they recorded it or not.

In the early days, because both microphones and speakers are magnetic based, if one is too close to the other it can cause a hum or interference. These days of course there's many more technologies. The phone line could pass through a recording device before it reaches the actual handset (if a handset is used.) Digital signals make a difference.