NOTE: This is older manual, for software shipped with recorders prior to March 30, 2010
Follow this link for TC-02F and TC-04F recorders with software V2.42.     
TeleCorder Manual (TC-02F & TC-04F, with HDD & USB V2.42) — PDF  

 
4.  Managing and Playing the Recordings
 
4.1  Managing and Playing Recordings with a PC
        The TeleCorder does not require a PC for setup, recording or playing back recorded conversations. However, you may find it more convenient to operate it from a PC. With a PC you will also be able to convert recordings to standard wave files and archive them to storage on your PC. Playing selected recordings from a PC will not inhibit recording or simultaneous playback of recordings from the TeleCorder using its built-in HandyPlayer.
        The PC does not have to be ON or connected to the TeleCorder for it to function. Connecting the TeleCorder USB cable to your PC and/or turning the PC power on or off will not stop the recorder from functioning. You can also disconnect the TeleCorder USB cable from a PC and connect it to a different PC without interrupting the TeleCorder operation.

4.1.1    Connection:
        Connect the TeleCorder to the USB port in your PC using the provided USB cable. The PC used for managing/playing must be equipped with an available USB port, sound card as well as speakers, and use Windows® operating system Win-98/XP/Vista-32.

4.1.2    Using the Utility Software:
        You must install the supplied utility TeleCorder Manager/Player software from the provided disk to your computer prior to being able to manage the recorder from the PC or playing recordings through PC control (see manual page 6, Section 2.5, Installing Software and Connecting to a PC). The first time that you connect your PC to your TeleCorder, you may be asked to install the USB device driver. This driver should have been copied to your PC during install. If not, use the CD supplied with your TeleCorder to install the required USB driver following the instructions displayed on your computer.
        After installing the software, place a short cut icon on the desktop for easy access (if it was not automatically installed during install). Click the software icon or the short cut created during the install and the recordings will be listed in the main window (as shown in the following screen image). The listed information includes the ITEM or sequential recording number, the PORT that was the source of the recording, CALLER ID NUMBER or DIALED NUMBER (if available when the recording was made), DATE and TIME the recording started, and the DURATION of each recording in minutes and seconds. All records are listed in the reverse order so that the most recent recording is indexed as item number 1.
        You can drag the slider bar on the right side of the display window to view the un-displayed part of the list. On the lower part of the form, there are buttons for Refresh, Re-Order, Find, Files, Info & Settings, Security (Lock/Unlock), and Exit.

  The buttons provide the following functions:

4.1.3     Refresh:    Refresh the list to display the latest recordings in the
                                TeleCorder at any time.

4.1.4     Re-Order:  User can select one of the following ordering rules to re-order the list.
1. Recorded – provides a list based on the time recordings ended.
2. Start Time – provides a list based on the time recordings started.
3. Record Duration – provides a list based on the length of recordings.
4. Channel Number – provides a list based on the channel number.
5. Unanswered List – provides a list of calls on phone lines that were not
                                            answered. (Unanswered Listing is not supported with
                                 TC-02F & TC-04F)
 
                  

4.1.5     Find:  You can search the records using a specific port/channel number, caller number, dialed number, and/or within a date range that you input.
        In the dialogue box, you can enter search conditions such as date range, digits from a phone number such as 010, 6256 etc. The searched results will display on the screen after you select “Start Search”.
       You may also enter only a start and stop date range and all of the recorded items during the date range will be displayed.
       The recorded items after a search can be played or used for further searching and for making Wave files in a batch job. Refer to the File Copy for more details.

 4.1.6     Files:    This button provides the following functions for the
                          displayed files.

4.1.7      Conversion of recordings to WAVE files and saving to PC  
          Wave Files are a widely used and supported multimedia File Format for the PC and other computer systems. Since the TeleCorder uses a unique format for saving the recordings in digital form, digitally converting them is a better way to exchange information with other systems that do not have TeleCorder software. You can use your PC to send audio recordings via e-mails or make backup CDs without worrying that others may not be able to play them.
          There is an option to save individual recordings when they are selected for playback (select the button with red dot “n” from playback menu). Use the Browse button to select the folder on your PC hard drive where you wish to save the copies of the recordings.

These buttons provide the following functions:
l        All --- Copy all of the records listed in the form, including both the ones displayed and the ones not displayed. This button would be used to copy all recordings retrieved by a search.
l        Last Month --- The software will search again from all of the records in the TeleCorder within the 1^st and 31^st of last month, then perform a batch job to generate the wave files. This function is specially designed for users to make monthly backups.
l        Last Week --- The software will search again from all of the records in the TeleCorder within the last week, and then it will do a batch job to generate the wave files.
l        Help --- Produces a window with more detailed information about converting to wave files.. ..
l        Use exclusive fast mode if possible --- Use this button to speed up the file conversion.
l        File Range --- Use this button to select a range of files that will be converted to wave files from the list of calls. For example, files numbered between 1 and 100. Select RangeGo button to see details on file conversion and save process prior to selecting OK to start the process.
        All the generated files will be placed in the file folder you select in the window left of Browse button. After the files have been converted and saved to your PC the list of calls on the TeleCorder Recording List will show only those files and needs to be refreshed to show all calls.
         Each file refers to a unique record. The name of each file contains date and time of the call, caller or dialed number such as File P2 10-26-04 09=11=10 DIAL TO 18609280377.WAV (recording made on TeleCorder Port 2 on October 26th, 2004 at 09:11:10, call was outgoing and dialed to 1-860-928-0377). The files are suffixed with “.Wav”. You can change the file names as required, but you should not change the suffix unless there are special requirements.
     Volume Balance Setting (DAVA): Digital Automatic Volume Adjustment capabilities. This is done in software, not hardware. If the volume levels of the 2 sides of a conversation are different, or if the line quality is not well adjusted, the Digital Automatic Volume Adjustment (DAVA)) function will amplify the lower or far side to more closely match the level of the stronger or near side of a recorded conversation during playback. Since background noise will also be amplified together with the sound, there will be a compromise to permit weak voices to be played at higher levels without raising background noise levels to objectionable levels. There are 2 possible settings:
           USE DAVA (auto volume adjustment) for Volume Balance:   This setting is normally used to enable DAVA when converting single files or batches of files to wave files. It provides a medium amount of boost for weak audio.
           Deeper DAVA Mode (may have more noise): This setting provides a higher level of boost to weak audio but may also increase weak background noise levels.
 
4.1.8      Print and Save the List of Records:      The displayed list on the screen can be printed or saved
into a “.txt” file. No matter how the call list is re-ordered, the searched and sorted list can be printed.
 
4.1.9      Delete Recordings:  The recorded calls can be selectively or entirely deleted. To avoid unauthorized deletion, the password must be entered before deleting recordings. If no password has been set, you will need the master password that was supplied with your TeleCorder. Options are to delete the most recent recording, all recordings, or a selected range of recordings. Unanswered is not supported with TC-02F & TC-04F recorders.
     From Delete Item(s) box click on Select Range button and follow screen messages to select which recordings you wish to delete from the recorder’s hard drive. After selecting which recordings to delete, you will be provided with an option to “Confirm: Files are deleted as desired?”. Follow on screen instructions to recover the recordings as needed. If file recovery is selected, recovery will take place when TeleCorder software is closed and re-opened. Recordings made after selecting recovery and re-opening the software will be permanently lost.
 
4.1.10     Hardware:   From the Info & Settings button you can access all of the recorder’s hardware and information settings:
 

4.1.11     Hardware Information:     From this sub-button you will gain information about the TeleCorder including version number, capacity, media’s usage, recorded call items, deleted call items, etc.
 
4.1.12     Date/Time Setting:    From this sub-button you can read and set the real time clock in the recorder.
 
4.1.13     Set Channels to VAR Mode Instead of Voltage Sensing Mode used for Recording from Phone Lines:  Each channel (Port) in the recorder can be set to start and stop recording using either audio activation (VAR) or voltage sensing. Channels showing a check mark in the boxes labeled Port 1, Port 2, Port 3, or Port 4, are set for VAR recording. Channels with no checkmark indicate they are set for phone line recording. For any channel you want to start/stop recording using the phone line voltage sensing mode, click on the box for that channel to remove the check mark, then click the Write Hardware button to confirm any changes.
 
4.1.14     VAR Voltage Threshold:  Set the threshold level to match the audio level on your audio source.
L0: Extra Sensitive, suitable for weak audio sources with low background noise level: (for example, with weak earphone or line-out recording). 
L1: High Sensitivity, suitable for normal line level audio sources with low background noise levels: (normal phone handset earpiece audio or weak speaker of radio). 
L2: Mid Sensitivity, suitable for higher than normal audio levels and/or higher background noise levels: (for recording from a noisy phone line when voltage sensing cannot be used due to non-standard voltages or with normal speaker audio from a radio). 
L3: Low Sensitivity, suitable for very high audio levels, and high background noise levels. Recording may stop if audio levels are too weak: (phone recording with non-standard and very noisy DC voltages, or extra loud radio audio).
        After making changes, click the button labeled Write Hardware to confirm any changes. You may be asked to quit the program and try again. You may also need to unplug and re-connect the TeleCorder power or USB cable to successfully change the TeleCorder operating parameters.  
 
4.1.15     VAR Turn Off Delay:    If any channels have VAR selected for recording start/stop, also select one of the four turn off delay options (VAR Turn Off Delay): 4, 12, 32 or 100 seconds. This setting will help to prevent recordings from ending during quiet periods. Click the Write Hardware button to confirm any changes.
 
4.1.16     VAR Time Out:    If any channels have VAR selected for start/stop, set the timeout to one of the four choices: 20, 40, 60 or 80 minutes. This setting will limit the maximum length of a recording for easier management of long conversations or for when recording from broadcast radio where pauses may not be long enough to separate individual recordings using VAR for start/stop. If a recording reaches the maximum length of time that you select for VAR Time Out, that recording will end, and a new recording on that channel will begin. Click the Write Hardware button to confirm any changes.
 
4.1.17     Save VAR and Outgoing Calls Less than 8s or Outgoing Calls with Less than 3 DTMF Codes:  Click on this option to place a check mark in its box if you want to save recordings that are less than 8 seconds long. If this box is not checked, VAR recordings shorter than 8 seconds, and outgoing telephone calls (using voltage sensing for start/stop) with less than 3 DTMF digits, will not be saved.
         This setting is normally used if external noise causes frequent and unwanted false audio activated recordings, or if telephone line testing produces short off-hook conditions that are not associated with actual phone line usage. It is normal to record all activity on the monitored circuits. Use care when setting to delete short recordings.
                                                                                         
4.1.18     Recording Quality:     From this sub-button you can read or set the quality of recordings.
                         Mode 0 --- Large file, Good audio.
                                             8bit linear PCM mode, 28.80 MB/hour
                         Mode 1 --- Tiny file, Poor audio.
                                             2bit ADPCM mode, 7.20 MB/hour
                         Mode 2 --- Small file, Good audio.
                                             3bit ADPCM mode. Default mode set from factory,
                                             10.84 MB/hour
                         Mode 3 --- Large file, Best audio.
                                             8bit nonlinear PCM mode, 28.80 MB/hour

4.1.19     Limitation for List Displaying:      From this sub-button, you can select the number of recordings that will be listed on the PC to speed up the list refresh process. The default setting is 2,000. This setting will cause your PC to display the most recent 2,000 recordings after a refresh. You can select a different number, such as 10,000, 32,768 or 65,536. This selection is saved in software, not as a hardware setting and will reset to 2,000 if the software is closed and reopened.
 
4.1.20     Caller ID Detection Settings:   From this sub-button you can set (turn
                                                                   on/off) the caller ID detection features.
                Pre-Ring DTMF Detection:  If the local caller ID mode is DTMF and sent before the ring, you must turn this feature on. Otherwise, if erroneous caller numbers are sometimes received, you should turn this feature off.
                Pre-Ring FSK Detection:  If the local caller ID mode is FSK and sent before the ring, you must turn this feature on. Otherwise, if erroneous caller numbers are sometimes received, you should turn this feature off.
               Forced FSK Between Rings:    If your caller ID signaling is FSK and sent between the rings, you must turn this feature on. This is the normal setting for North America.
 
4.1.21     About TeleCorder PC Software:   From this sub-button, you can view information about the software supplied with the TC-02F and TC-04F recorders.
 
4.1.22     Quit:   From this sub-button, you can Quit or Exit the Hardware Info & Settings window.

4.1.23     Lock/Unlock:    This button provides access to security settings
                                          for the recorder.
                           Lock:     After the recorder is locked, it will ask the
                                          user to input a password each time a  user
                                          tries to access the recorder. A password
                                          must be entered to use this function.
                      Unlock:       To unlock the recorder so that a password is
                                          not needed, the password must be entered.
 
4.1.24     Modify Password:   The recorder comes with a factory-set password, which is in the machine code that is set by its hardware and cannot be changed. This password is written on a sheet that comes with the recorder and will be an effective password forever (keep this password in a secure place). The TeleCorder also allows you to set a second password that can be easier to remember. Use the Modify Password button to set a second password of 6-8 characters. You must enter the factory-set password prior to being given the opportunity to add a second password. After the second password has been set, it will have the same effect as the first password. The new password is also stored in the hardware of the recorder so that it will work even if the recorder is connected to, and used with, another PC. Use Unlock to disable the second password.
 
4.1.25      Built-in Keypad & USB Passwords:    The built-in keypad uses a 4 digit password that is stored in the recorder hardware. Although this password can be modified using the keypad, this button provides a second way to set the keypad password. Set it to “0000” and you will no longer be asked for a password. 
     The built-in keypad password can also be set or changed via USB connection from a PC. Open the TeleCorder SW and select the SECURITY button at the bottom of the screen. You will have option buttons for LOCK, UNLOCK, MODIFY PASSWORD (PC) and HANDY PASSWORD. To lock the unit from HANDY PLAYER (display and keypad) access only, select the HANDY PASSWORD button and enter the supplied Master Password when prompted. You will then be prompted to select a 1 to 4 digit numeric password (0001 to 9999). The unit is now locked and will require the Handy Password when accessed via the HANDY PLAYER. Power the unit off and on to lock your settings to memory.
     If the HANDY PLAYER password is forgotten, the only way to reset it is via the USB and TeleCorder  SW using the second Modified password or the Master Password.
     Locking the unit from access via the USB only:    Open the TeleCorder SW and select the SECURITY button at the bottom of the screen. You will have option buttons for LOCK, UNLOCK, MODIFY PASSWORD (PC) and HANDY PASSWORD. To lock the unit from USB access only using the supplied MASTER PASSWORD, select the LOCK button and enter the supplied Master Password when prompted. The unit is now locked and will require the Master Password when the SW is opened.
     If you want to select a password of your own to use, select the MODIFY PASSWORD button and enter the supplied Master Password. When prompted, enter a 6-8 character alpha-numeric password you want, select OK and exit the SW. Power the unit off and on to lock your settings to memory.
     If you want to remove password protection via USB, select the UNLOCK button and enter either the supplied Master Password or the second Modified password that you created.
     With the unit locked via the USB connection, users can still have access to play a call via the HANDY PLAYER (display and keypad) at the unit. Settings can also be changed from the HANDY PLAYER, such as time & date, input type, language etc. They cannot however delete calls from the HDD. Remember, whenever settings are modified, the TC needs to be powered off and back on to lock them into memory and start using the new settings!
 
4.1.26      Play Recordings from List:     To play a recording using your computers media player and speakers, select a file using your PC mouse and click on it. Large files may take a few seconds prior to opening. When playing recordings, buttons in the lower part of the screen will be swapped to a new set of buttons that are used to control various playback functions, as shown in the following image. If it is a long recording, the playback function buttons will not show until the recording has been completely transferred from TeleCorder to the PC.
 
                 
                                 The functions of these buttons are:
 
       aVa1 & aVa2: The aVa buttons or “digital audio volume adjustments” are used to equalize unbalanced audio. While it will attempt to balance a call when there is difference in audio levels, it may not be able to bring extremely weak audio up enough to balance it. These volume adjustments only work in playback. Click the aVa1 button and the recorded audio will be processed and played from the beginning with a medium level of Automatic Volume Adjustment. Click the aVa2 button and the recorded audio will be processed and played from the beginning with a higher level of Automatic Volume Adjustment. You may also drag the horizontal slider bar to move the playback start point.
 
      Record ● : The record button is used to convert the current highlighted call or call you are playing to a wave file and save it to your PC. These .wav files can be burned to a CD and played in most players. The recordings will be saved by default with a file name containing port number, date and time of the call, and caller ID or dialed numbers. There will be an option to rename the file when converting to a wave file. 
 
      Fast Reverse << : Skips backward to replay a portion of a call.

                       Pause II : Used to temporarily stop a recording with the ability to resume
                       listening where stopped.
 
                     Fast Forward >> : Skips forward to find a location in a call.
 
     Stop ■ : Stops the recording and returns to the beginning of the call.  
 
     Go to next:  When a check is placed in the Go to next box, after a call has finished playing it will automatically go to the next call and start playing it (useful when playing radio files with receive and transmit audio in separate files).
 
       Same port:  When a check is placed in the Same port box, and you also select Go to next, it will play only calls on the same port as the selected recording (useful when playing radio files when all conversations are on the same port/channel).
 
      Select Stop ■: to end playback or to play another recording.
 
     The software does not have to be open on a PC for the recorder to function as a recorder. The PC software is only used for setup via USB, and via USB to playback recorded conversations, search the recordings, and, copy the recordings from the hard drive inside of the recorder to a PC. 

4.2    Playing Recordings Using the Built-in Keypad


         

           Numbers on the keypad buttons are for entering a password and other playback functions.
          The keypad buttons are also used for setting up most TeleCorder operating parameters, selecting recordings to play, controlling playback, turning display backlight On/Off, adjusting internal speaker volume (two levels), and displaying the help menu.
          You can listen to the recordings by using either the small speaker that is built into your TeleCorder, or, by connecting an external speaker or headset to the 3.5mm monaural mini-jack that is located on the left side of the recorder near its built-in speaker. Browsing and playback using the built-in keypad is limited to the most recent 2000 recordings.         

4.2.1  Description of the displayed symbols
 Top line shows the index number, port/channel, date, time, and length of recording in seconds.
                                         0002 P2  07-15  13:14  0086
 
Middle line shows the current selection including any caller ID or touchtone digits.
                   18005551212      (# indicates outgoing call)
 
                   ▌8609280377        ( ▌indicates an incoming call)
 
4.2.2  Operational Procedures
 
 
Step 1: Make sure the TeleCorder recorder is powered on.
 
Step 2: The start-up message should be displayed on the LCD.
 
Step 3:  If no function keys are depressed for 10 seconds, the LCD will display the date/time message.

                                                                        

         If function keys 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 are pressed once, the player will show the list of recordings for browsing or ask for a password prior to showing the list of recordings. Pressing these keys a second time provides a second function – see quick start listing on previous page. If the 0 key is pressed on the HandyPlayer when playing a recording, it will reduce the playback volume. If the 0 is pressed when not playing a recording, it will go into a set-up mode to change the date/time/recording mode and password for the recorder. If the 1 key is pressed, it will turn on the LCD backlight, key 3 will show a help menu.
       Pressing the 5 key twice will enter a search mode. Use function keys to enter date (MM-DD), time (HH-MM), and Port (P00 for all ports, P01 for only Port 1, etc). Press enter key () to search and display the number of found calls. Press the enter key again to start playing the oldest of the found calls, depress again to skip to newer recordings, or wait for it to end and the next recording will play. Depress the 5 key to pause. Use 2, 4, 6, and 8 keys to jump forward or back when a recording is being played. Pressing the enter or reset key will also turn the LCD backlight OFF, press 1 key to turn it back ON.

Password Check
 

 
Setting Password

Setting Date, Time, and recording mode (0, 1, 2=default, or 3)



Setting Language (E=English, C=Chinese)

Information displayed while browsing

Information displayed while playing

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