Need Tech Help

[Think About It....]

What is the best way to tape phone conversations?

Is digital the way to go?

Please name specific devices.

Need to be dummy (me) proof, easy to use.

[doc101]

What is the best way to tape phone conversations?

Is digital the way to go?

Please name specific devices.

Need to be dummy (me) proof, easy to use.

[bewildered]

Simplest way is to hold a small, digital recorder against the ear piece - If it is cell phone, put it on speaker and then do the same (You can get one at BestBuy/Circuit City/Radio Shack/any electronic store

(there are devices you can buy for phones that will directly record - but they are an overkill ... I once recorded a voice mail she left me on a small hand held recorder and it played well in court)

[Mr. M]

Maklitel

We used this service during a particularly troubling summer (I think it was 2005).  It costs money, but it is pretty much worry free.

Then, you can download the files to your PC.  One of many options.

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[another_guyD]

Olympus makes some of the better recorders.
Recorders at
Go digital, it's easier to organize.

Need time stamp.

Price range of desired olympus recorders $100 - $300.

http://www.andybrain.com/archive/digital-voice-recorder-review.htm

[ForeverDad]

I don't know about the latest Olympus models, but the ones I've used (the USB versions) were not "Plug'n'Play".  I had to install a driver first on the computer and that program would download the files from the unit to the computer.  Quite awkward, but it worked okay.

Just be sure that whatever model you get has download capability.  It's pointless to get a cheaper model that only records and plays back.  It must have some way to archive the recordings.

Also, the older models use WAV files and the program shows you the date/time stamp of the recording but when the date/time stamp of the file itself is viewed on the computer, it has the download date/time.  So apparently somewhere inside the WAV file is the recording date/time stamp, not viewable or accessible except from inside the Olympus program.  I feel that is a problem with their proprietary format.

[AKnightInTheMaking]

One thing I found to be difficult with holding the recording device close to the speaker on a cell phone is that you get the electronic/static pulses from the transmissions interfering with the recording.

I got around it by using a bluetooth headset on my ear and holding the recorder between my ear and bluetooth device.  Was easy to do because it looked like I was simply talking on a cellphone too and masked what I was doing to those around me as I sometimes had to record things at work.

-Knight

[StreetSmart]

Dear D:


Itis illegal to tape phone conversations, even if you are part of that conversation, if the other party(s) are unaware that they are being taped...

You can be held for violation of privacy/civil rights charges...


Jus' thought ya should know...



Street

[Oy-vey!]

Street - actually it depends on the state in which you reside.  Some states are ONE party - meaning that only one person has to know about the records.  Some states are TWO party (like what you described).

Mostly it means whether or not you can use the evidence in court.  Doesn't really stop you from recording.    Custody evaluators can listen to tapes even if you cannot present it as evidence in court.

[StreetSmart]

It still leaves you open to lawsuit potential...and if I were a crazy BPD...I'd sue...

Come to think on it, I sue anyway...BPD or not,... crazy or not...

[Oy-vey!]

Yep - those with BPD will sue over anything and nothing.  That goes without saying.  But, if you live in a one party state, then taping is fine.  and a judge will not prevent you (non) from using it as evidence if needed. 

[bewildered]

Itis illegal to tape phone conversations, even if you are part of that conversation, if the other party(s) are unaware that they are being taped...

In Alabama (like some other states, you need the consent of only one party (strange, I know - so, if I tape, I "give" consent for the taping and it's OK) (where this can get hairy is if the phone call is made via the internet (voice over IP) then someone, somewhere will get together with some techie/someone and file a claim that "This call may have ended in Alabama but the packets went through state A or B where it is illegal to record and since the final recorded conversation included parts that transited through this state, you are liable/whatever and so sue you" (Never mind that such approaches may never work - but I can imagine someone filing some preposterous claim and simply harass the other party) (I can imagine someone thinking up a defense for even cell phone calls ...)

(In my own case, I simply made a recording of a voice mail SHE left FOR ME - As soon as she heard I was going to play the tape, she yelled to the Judge "IS THAT NOT ILLEGAL?" The Judge said "Nope" ... It was a slam dunk.

[Oy-vey!]

Yep - voice mail is exempt from the recording of conversations laws.  My experience has been that voice mail is completely allowed as evidence.  Has something to do with the fact that the person leaving the voice mail is completely aware that they are being taped and therefore giving up any claims to not being aware of the taping.  Or something like that (I'm not an attorney).

[nowwhat]

Do they still make the old type style message machines?  I won't mind having one...vm is too good at stopping when the phone is picked up.

My non would transfer messages from his cell to a pocket recorder.  He said that worked well.  And, since she knew she was being recorded it could be accepted as evidence.

[another_guyD]

I record my messages and conversations with ex on the cell phone.
I know most newer Motorolas and Ericsons have recording options.
I am in Alabama also.

[sonnyboy]

1) Radioshack Wireless phone recording controller (This connects the phone, the recorder and the headset)
2) headset for cell phone
3) cell phone
4) digital voice recorder (I use the Olympus WS 300M)

[Mr. M]

Also, if I was using a device... when she would call, I would bolt up the steps, activate the recorder (right next to the master bedroom phone) and pick up both handsets at the same time.  When I would call her, I would dial the number, then pick up the MB phone.

Then I would just walk out the door and close it until the conversation(s) were over.  With no one in the bedroom, there was no risk of interference from noise (tv, kids, adult, etc.).

[Gratefully Brian]

It still leaves you open to lawsuit potential...and if I were a crazy BPD...I'd sue...

Come to think on it, I sue anyway...BPD or not,... crazy or not...

Street is right.

I'd be very careful here...

[LAPDR]

Doc,

You didn't mention if this was your call you want to record or all phone calls on a certain phone.

If you want yours from regular phone or cell this might be a good one for you and it's a great pocket recorder when face to face.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2917724&Sku=M450-4018

If you want to hot wire a phone all the time you might look into the Radio Shack devices out there, the above recorder won't work with it since it has a built in microphone.

http://www.radioshack.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2032094&cp=2032052.2032075.2032077&allCount=11&fbc=1&f=PAD%2FProduct+Type%2FRecorder+controls&fbn=Type%2FRecorder+controls

My thoughts on this is record as you want but keep it a secret and tell nobody, she will paint you black and no telling what could happen in court. The bottom line is you know the truth.

[happygirl]

Itis illegal to tape phone conversations, even if you are part of that conversation, if the other party(s) are unaware that they are being taped...

That is not the case, each state is different.  Our state allows it and during a court case about other support issues the judge lectured her on it.  We have gone to court to get clearance to tape the child and the mother as that is more problematic and less clear in our state (we got permission).

1) Radioshack Wireless phone recording controller (This connects the phone, the recorder and the headset)

That is the device that we have used on the land line and it makes beautiful recordings and cost about 25.00.  We learned the hard way going into court about using the handheld recordings against the phone that were not clear.

We had her on tape calling me a "Loose, sloppy, floppy peice of a$$, a c***" and we couldn't use it because it just wasn't clear enough.  Always go with the best and most clear recording as it won't hold up in court.

A lot of people here get all upset about whether or not to record.  If you check the legalities with your attorney, then by all means do it.  Remember, these tapes do not have to be used in court.  We have used them with the attorneys, counselors, mediators, and others to explain and show the injustice and the difficulty of what it is that we are facing. 

HG

[funefarm4]

Doc,

You didn't ask for this advice--but I'm throwing it in for free after getting MAJORLY burned.  Be careful to check the laws of your state(and her state) before taping.

Wishing you luck!