Linear PCM recorder "Linear PCM Recorder LS-20M" review that can also take full HD movie recording and also supports uncompressed digital recording

Where I was looking for a recorder to use for transcription etc. during interview "OLYMPUS Linear PCM Recorder LS-20M(Tax included 21,100 yen)], but the reputation of sound quality is good and it is a multi-person conversation and lecture, it came to the idea that "If you have a movie you know who is talking about" I decided to purchase it and check the usability.

◆ Exterior photo review

Package in which rock guitarist-like person was drawn.


In addition to the recorder body, the contents are 2GB SD card, battery, charging adapter, USB cable, instruction manual etc ..


The size of the main body is 135 × width 63 × thickness 18.1 mm, it is about this size if it is with an adult male's hand.


Compared with iPhone 4S, it is a little longer up and down.


Weighs about 154 grams including batteries and cards.


The microphone part looks something like this.


The operation buttons on the front are as follows.


The back side.


There is a hole for mounting on a speaker or tripod with a diameter of 16 mm (output 270 mW) used for playing recorded data.


Batteries can be installed at the bottom of the main unit.


On the right side is a microphone terminal, an earphone terminal, a power / hold switch, and a terminal for attaching a receiver when using an optional remote control.


Equipped with a 1/4-inch 5-megapixel CMOS sensor on the top, it is equipped with a full HD camera with electronic vibration reduction function capable of shooting at 1920 x 1080 (30 fps).


There is a switch for movie recording and voice recording and an SDHC card slot on the left side.


SD card can be inserted like this.


The lower part of the main unit is as follows.


When you open the cover there is a Mini USB terminal and an HDMI micro terminal (type D).


Charging is possible by connecting with an adapter as follows.



You can see that the battery mark is displayed and charging is in progress.


The startup screen looks something like this.


Press "REC" button to start recording / recording


Press "STOP" to stop recording.


Whether to include only audio or video can be switched with the switch on the left side.


The corresponding recording method is linear PCM (Pulse Code Modulation) format (WAV), MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3). Maximum continuous recording time is about 55 minutes in linear PCM format (96 kHz / 24 bit), and about 16 hours in MP3 format (256 kbps).

◆ Firmware Update

Go to the firmware distribution site and click the "I agree" at the bottom and download the file


"ExplzhExtracted files downloaded with software such as "


Connect the recorder and the PC with the included USB cable


Move "firmware" folder to SD card in recorder


Afterwards if you do remove the recorder OK


Connect to the power supply, select "AC adapter" connection and push "OK"


Press the "STOP" button


Since it becomes the update screen, select "Start" and push "OK"


The update will proceed automatically and the recorder will turn off


After that you can use it for soup if you turn on the power


If the version is "1.10" OK


◆ I actually used it

When shooting or recording, hold the recorder so that it is level with the ground like this, turn the camera to the subject and use it. If you want to shoot from high angle, you can also shoot with the upside down.


You can see how you shot the train passing through the home in the movie below. Please note that image quality and sound quality are slightly degraded when uploading to YouTube, so they are not exactly the same as the original data you shot.

I tried shooting the explosion of the passing train with "Linear PCM Recorder LS-20M" - YouTube


Please check the movie that shot the train passing through the opposite home side below.

I tried taking a train passing by "Linear PCM Recorder LS-20M" from a place slightly away - YouTube


That's why people who want to simultaneously shoot not only high-quality sound recordings but also images are essential products.

Further comparison of sound quality etc. is scheduled to be carried out with another recorder at a later date so please look forward to it.