Universal Controller Voice Recorder

This commonly available universal remote control box is something that will never look out of place in the office that has TV monitors or at home in any room that has a Television, DVD Player or even a stand alone HiFi Stereo. One with a concealed spy voice recorder makes for an excellent audio surveillance tool.

Innocuous Universal Controller With in-Built Voice Recorder

Although this ‘everyday’ universal remote control will not function as originally intended, its outward appearance was always the most important factor in it being preserved as close to the normal standard unit as possible. Here the installation of the voice recorder within has not had any detrimental effect to how it looks. The donor remote control unit is something that can be purchased at many high street shopping outlets. As such, these listening devices can very often be found in the average home or sometimes the office, having the general appearance of a TV or DVD remote control box.

Sound Activated Voice Recording – Excellent Battery Life

All audio and voice recorder components are contained within the remote, hidden from view. The microphone hole (1mm diameter) is positioned on the end and almost impossible to spot even on close scrutiny. Sound pickup in a quiet environment is easily 10 metres radius and the voice (sound) activated circuitry/system is completely hidden from view with the body of the Remote including the lithium rechargeable battery that provides a lengthy standby time of up to 75 days and/or a straight recording capability of up to 72 hours, after a full charge. Of course as the system only records when the sound level goes above a certain level (sound activation) then battery life will be a combination of the standby and straight record time quoted figures. So, if left in a room where there is noise for only a few hours per day then the battery could quite possibly last a number of weeks before charge ran out.

Large Internal Auto Memory Storage

Each time there is a ‘sound event’ the recording gets automatically stored onto the built in flash memory, which on high quality setting amounts to a capacity of 288 hours. So when sound in the area of the recorder goes above a certain level, a new recording is triggered, ending only when the sound ceases for one minute, at which point that recording ends. This means that over a period of time a catalogue of recordings can be made, saved and stored/listed in chronological order, making navigating through files simpler. A total of 9999 separate recordings can be stored at any one time (may not use full memory space).

Time/Date Coding – Adjustment for Sensitivity/Quality

In line with our standard range of hidden audio recorders, this device has a time and date referencing system, which means that each recorded file gets a time/date code (when set), which can be crucially important to identify an event occurrence. Also, using the included software on the device memory, it is also possible to preset the sensitivity of sound level at which a new recording is triggered, to suit the deployment circumstances of the unit. In addition, there are three levels of recording quality that can be set through the same simple software. It should be noted that to increase the quality will mean a reduction in memory storage capacity as each file will take up more memory space. The operating system, of course, cannot distinguish between a human voice, sound from a TV or other noises in the environment and so will record all of them as sound/noise events.It should be noted that time/date/sensitivity can only be set using a Windows computer.

Covert Design – Discreet Voice Recorder

The push operated start/stop switch is located inside the battery compartment as is the magnetic USB charging and offload connector. When recording is started there are no visible flashing lights or sounds and so no giveaway indicators to those around. After switch on and deployment the device simply and discreetly and automatically makes recordings of its surrounding environment without attracting attention in any way and there is no visible or audible indicator when the battery expires. If battery charge runs out during a recording, the file is automatically saved and then the device shuts down. N.B. because alterations have been made around the battery compartment it is not possible to power the Remote Control itself, so it cannot actually be used in that way and only provides a covert enclosure for the recording system.

Works With Windows and Mac Systems

Listening back to and storing recordings is easily achieved. Using the supplied magnetic USB lead the Remote Control Voice Recorder can be connected to a computer for offload/playback of the recordings. No specialist software is needed. The hidden voice recorder uses the normal media player on your Windows or Mac computer to play the audio files. Customers often ask whether they can playback recordings through their smartphone and this is often possible as long as a compatible ‘on-the-go USB connection cable is used (not supplied).

• Non-functional commonly available universal controller (used for TV/DVD) with in-built audio recording system
• Ideal option for in-view but discreet deployment at home or in an office type of environment
• Sound activated recording system controlled and functions totally separately from the remote control button console
• High quality recording system is cleverly concealed within – totally discreet with no giveaway light or audible signals
• Voice (sound) activation as standard – no recording when nothing is happening
• Multiple levels of recording quality (programmable) with auto level control
• Records at MP3 format at rate of 64Kbps as standard
• Time/date reference on each recorded file – Sound event listed chronologically in memory
• Incredible standby only time of over 75 days – that’s approximately 2.5 months!
• Impressive battery life of up to 72 hours in recording mode
• Sound recording memory storage capacity of 288 hours (8 GB) in HQ setting
• Sensitive microphone providing up to 10 metres sound pick up radius (in quiet environment)
• On/off switch discreetly located inside battery compartment – hidden when battery hatch door in place
• Inbuilt rechargeable 550 mAh lithium polymer battery – Charge time of 4 hours
• Battery charging / audio offload port located inside battery compartment – USB cable supplied
• Universal remote control external dimensions: 225 x 45 x 20 mm
• Compatible with both Windows and Mac computers – No special software required
• N.B. Programming the time and date function can only be achieved on a Windows computer
• Perfect for long term room surveillance at home or in an office environment
• Supplied with USB connection cable, USB Mains 3-pin Adapter and full easy to understand instructions

Is the device silent and discreet in operation?

Yes, the inbuilt recorder is digital and as such there are no moving parts or sound alerts that would alert attention in any way.

Are there any lights/LED’s that would indicate to someone that the device is recording?

No, although the internal system has a small LED, this cannot be seen as the recorder is completely concealed and externally there are no lights or other indicators that would alert attention.

Do the recorded files have any type of time and date stamp?

Yes, each time the device makes a separate sound recording a time/date reference is added to the file name, so when their is no sound the recording stops, then when there is more noise/sound a fresh time/dated file is started.

Will the recorder still record if it is hidden away from view?

The unit is designed so as to be completely discreet when left in view, however if hidden away the recorder will still pick up sounds from the environment. However, be aware that the microphone effectiveness may be reduced.

How can I playback the recordings from the device?

Recordings can be played back by connecting to a computer with the supplied USB connection wire. No special software is needed for both Mac or Windows. It is also possible to playback recordings by connecting to your smartphone with a compatible ‘on-the-go- USB cable (not supplied).

Can the voice activation instead be switched over to straight recording?

No, unfortunately the Universal Remote Voice Recorder is wired specifically for sound (voice) activated recording. There is no straight record option.

Does the device record one big long file with no breaks or does it recorder numerous shorter recording files?

The recorder will record a new file each time the microphone picks up enough sound to start the recording process and then ends that file when the sounds, voices, etc. have stopped for about a one minute period. Then when sound is detected again, a fresh file is started.

Will the Universal Remote Control Recorder still be programmable to control a TV or DVD or other digital item?

No, Unfortunately the standard functionality of the Remote Control has been disabled because the inbuilt recorder encroaches on the battery compartment. It therefore becomes a dummy TV/DVD remote control.

You will need the following to use this equipment:

• A computer with speakers attached if wishing to playback recordings through your PC or Laptop
• A media player on the computer for playback of audio files. It maybe worthwhile downloading a free media player. We use VLC Media Player at Spy Equipment UK
• If you want to playback audio on your smartphone, a suitable ‘on-the-go’ USB cable compatible with your mobile device