All About Call Recording

Trillium provides convenient and cost effective phone call recording solutions for all business and home applications.

Our call recording solutions are ideal for recording calls on all types of telephones, telephone systems and PABXs.

Also see: Telephone Recording Adaptors and CallRecorder Software.

Benefits of Phone Call Recorders:

Recording phone calls can assist your business operations by:

Helping you monitor customer service quality and implementing appropriate training programs.
Allowing you to verify details of orders and conversations.
Recording telephone interviews for review, transcriptions or pod casting.
Collecting valuable sales and marketing data.
Recording of important conversations for later reference.
Complying with legal requirements.
Reducing the risk of liability.
Deterring nuisance and offensive calls.

We offer a range of telephone call recording adaptors which allow you to quickly start recording your calls with minimum fuss. Whether you’re using analogue, digital, cordless or VoIP telephones, our recording hardware solutions are suitable for recording phone calls to a range of machines and technologies, including:

Computer
Network Server
Tape Recorder
Dictaphone
Digital Recorder
MP3 Recorder

At Trillium, you can trust that our recorders are engineered to produce high quality recordings of your telephone calls.

Easy Installations and Reliable Support Services

Our recorders also allow for DIY installations, which lets you connect the unit and start recording phone calls in just a few minutes without the need for a technician, tools or special wiring.

Our extensive range of telephone recorders is complemented by our easy to use but powerful CallRecorder software, allowing you to manually or automatically record calls to your PC's hard disk drive or network server.

All our solutions are backed by our prompt and expert telephone and e-mail support, ensuring that help is available to you whenever you need it.

Our phone call recording products are covered by a one year warranty covering manufacturing defects, and we offer a money back guarantee if you are not totally satisfied with their performance.

What do I need to record telephone calls?

Firstly, you need a method of connecting to your telephone or telephone line, allowing you to tap the telephone signal and connect it to your recording device.

If you are using an analogue telephone (standard telephone) you can use a telephone recording adaptor (telephone tap) that either connects directly to the telephone line (see diagram - Connection method 1) or one that connects between your telephone handset and your telephone base (see diagram - Connection Method 2).

If you are using a Digital, VoIP or a PABX telephone extension you will need to use the handset connect type (see diagram - Connection Method 2.)

Connection Method 1- Line Connect

Recording Adaptor- Line Connect Diagram

Connection Method 2- Handset Connect

Secondly, you need a phone call recording device. These can include:

· Tape Recorder

· Dictaphone

· Digital Recorder

· MP3 Recorder

· Computer (with a sound card or USB port to record the signal)

If you intend to record to your PC, you will need to consider what type of software you’ll use to control the recording of your phone calls.

Do I need a technician to install my Telephone Adaptor?

The recording adaptors are very easy to install. They can be installed by anyone in a few minutes without the need for tools, special skills or a technician.

For most telephones and telephone systems, installation is completed by following these instructions:

· unplug the handser on your phone;

· plug it into the Recording Adaptor;

· plug one lead from our Recoding Adapter into your telephone's handset socket;

· connect the other lead to your PC or recording device.

How do I set up to record phone calls?

Step 1 - Choose the best recording adaptor for your application.
Step 2 - Choose the best software for your application.

How do I determine which Telephone Recording Adaptor best suits my phone call recording application?

Simply follow the guide below to help you chose. If you are still unsure please call Support on +613 8413 0400 or email support@trillium.com.au, and we will be happy to provide assistance.

Do you want to play pre-recorded messages or play recorded calls to the person on the other end of the telephone call?

YES

Select from:

REC/ANN-ADPT-A
REC/A-ADPT-USB

Select from:

REC-ADPT
REC-ADPT-LC
REC-ADPT-A
REC-ADPT-USB
REC-ADPT-USB-LC

Do you have an Analogue Telephone or Digital, VoIP or Telephone System(PABX) Telephone?

Analogue

Digital/VoIP/PABX

Select from:

REC-ADPT
REC-ADPT-LC
REC-ADPT-A
REC-ADPT-USB
REC-ADPT-USB-LC

Select from:

REC-ADPT
REC-ADPT-A
REC-ADPT-USB

Refer to the Compatibility Chart for best unit for your telephone.

Do you want to record phone calls while using a Cordless Telephone, a Conference Unit or a Handsfree Telephone (while using handsfree mode)?

YES

Select from:

REC-ADPT-LC
REC-ADPT-USB-LC

Why are there so many different Recording Adaptor models?

A number of models are required to cater for the needs of different call recording applications and telephones. These are split into basic Varieties; Line Connect and Handset Connect. The table below provides a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of the various models:

Product

Advantages/Disadvantages


	Line Connect Varieties

	Telephone Recording Adaptor Line Connect REC-ADPT-LC		Advantages Low Cost. Suitable for recording phone calls on all analogue models including, Standard Telephones (handset & handsfree mode) Cordless Telephones and Conference units. Records calls on any phone connected to the telephone line. Suitable for use with a Computer or Tape Recorder. Disadvantages Level of far-end voice can be affected by distance from Telephone Exchange Not suitable for Digital, PBX or VoIP Phones.

	Telephone Record Adaptor USB –Line Connect REC-ADPT-USB-LC		Advantages Suitable for recording phone calls on all analogue telephones including, Standard Telephones (handset & handsfree mode) Cordless Telephones and Conference units. Automatic Gain Control to automatically balance the level of far-end and local end voice. Records calls on any phone connected to the telephone line. Does not require external power or batteries –powered from USB Port. In-built sound card Disadvantages Not suitable for telephone call recording digitial, PBX or VoIP phones. Requires a PC - not suitable for use with tape recorders or MP3 recorders with mic socket.


	Handset Connect Varieties

	Telephone Call Recording Adaptor REC-ADPT		Advantages Low Cost. Suitable for most analogue, and digital phones with a detachable handset. Suitable for use with a Computer or Tape Recorder. Does not require external power or batteries. Disadvantages Level of local end voice can be low on some VoIP telephones and PBX phones. Not suitable for Cordless phones, conference units or recording handsfree calls.

	Telephone Call Recording Adaptor Amplified REC-ADPT-A		Advantages Suitable for recording phone calls on all analogue and digital phones with a detachable handset. Suitable for use with a Computer or Tape Recorder. Amplified to allow the level of far end and local end voice to be balanced. Available in Announce version to allow pre-recorded messages to be played to the telephone line (see below). Disadvantages Not suitable for Cordless phones, conference units or recording handsfree calls. Requires an external power (Plug Pack supplied)

	Telephone Record/Announce Adaptor Amplified REC/ANN-ADPT-A		Same as Telephone Call Recording Adaptor Amplified but offers additional benefit that prerecorded messages such as beep, recording warnings or contract terms and conditions can be played from your PC to the telephone line.

	Telephone Recording Adaptor USB REC-ADPT-USB		Advantages Suitable for all analogue and digital phones with a detachable handset. Has inbuilt sound card. Amplified to allow the level of far-end and local end voice to be balanced. Does not require external power or batteries –powered from USB Port. Available in Announce version to allow pre-recorded messages to be played to the telephone line. Disadvantages Not suitable for Cordless phones, conference units or recording handsfree calls. Requires a PC - not suitabled for use with tape recorders or MP3 recorders with mic socket.

	Telephone Record/Announce Adaptor USB REC/A-ADPT-USB		Same as Telephone Call Recording Adaptor USB but offers the additional benefit that pre-recorded messages such as beep, recording warnings or contract terms and conditions can be played from your PC to the telephone line.

How do I determine which CallRecorder Software best suits my phone call recording needs?

It’s important to choose the right CallRecorder software for your needs. The wrong recorder can not only result in operations that are less than optimal, it can also cause delays and incur unnecessary costs for businesses.

The CallRecorder software is available in two formats: Manual and Automatic.

The Manual software requires the user to start and stop call recordings using the mouse or keyboard function key (F1 –F12). As this version requires some time to operate, it is most suitable for recording specific calls.

The Automatic version record phone calls without manual input. It detects the start of a conversation on the telephone and immediately commences recording. It also detects when the call has ended, stopping and saving it immediately thereafter. The Automatic version provides greater flexibility as it can run in manual, semi-automatic and automatic modes.

	Phone Call Recording Control		Recommended CallRecorder Software
	Start	File Name and Save

Auto	Auto	REC-S/W-A
Auto	Manual	REC-S/W-A
Manual	Manual	REC-S/W-M

* Note REC-S/W-A can be operated in Auto, Semi-Auto or Manual mode.

What other features does CallRecorder Software offer?

CallRecorder Sofware Features Include:

Selectable phone call recording quality.
		Allows you to minimise the disk space used, by the temporary file, created during recording. This is particularly useful when recording very long conversations.

Selectable output file format.
		Allows you to select the format and attributes of the saved recording file, enabling you to reduce the file size by reducing the record quality.

Time and date stamping of call recordings.
		Each call recording is automatically stamped with time and date of recording when saved.

Flexible File Naming Options.
		Base File name can be selected or set to be User based. Select "Incremental Counter" or "Time and Date Stamp" for file adjunct. If required file name can be manually edited when saving the recording.

Playback select window.
		Allows quick selection and playback of recordings from the PC Sound card to your speakers or headset.

Announcements.
		Play pre-recorded announcements (“Beeps”) during the call manually or automatically. This can also be done at specific points of the recording.

Real time indication of recording in progress.
		Confirmation that recording is in progress is shown by a flashing green circle in the CallRecorder system tray Icon.

Post processing of files.
		Allows you to write your own script using Windows Command Lines to move, compress or zip the saved file.

CallRecorder - The Benefits

Although phone calls can be recorded with Windows Media Player and other software, these alternatives do not provide the range and convenience offered by CallRecorder. They can be clumsy to use and may limit recording length, in many cases allowing only less than 1 minute of recording.

CallRecorders also allow for greater flexibility, allowing users to select the output format of the recording file from audio codecs (e.g MP3s) already installed in the computer. Audio codecs convert analog audio signals into digital signals, compressing the final size of your recording for transmission or storage.

CallRecorder: Technical Information

Your recording will be telephone quality at best, as all telephones and telephone networks have a restricted frequency band. Additionally, the quality of your recording is determined by the format and attributes (compression methods) you choose when you save your recording file.

CallRecorder saves most files with the .wav extension when using audio codec. This is because the .wav format is a container format that allows other format types to be contained within it. However, this doesn’t hinder the useability of the recorder because the files can be played as normal .mp3s and other formats as well. Calls are then saved to your hard disk drive by default. To save to other areas, change the settings in the setup to have your recording automatically saved to your specified location such as a server or hard drive.

Check the bottom right hand corner of the screen to find out if your call is being recorded. A flashing green circle will appear in the CallRecorder Icon in the system tray, indicating its progress.

Call Recordings and Disk Space

The amount of disk space your call recordings take up depends on the quality level you choose at the time of saving your file. Typically, a one minute recording requires approximately 2,600KB of disk space; however, this can be reduced to as low as 63KB by selection of the correct audio format and attributes.

The table below provides examples of one minute recording and the file size required when using various Audio Format and Attributes.

Audio Format

Attributes

File Size

Demo

PCM (Raw Recording)	22KHz, 16 bit.wav	2,553KB
DSP Group TrueSpeech(TM)	8,00KHz, 1 bit mono.wav	66.4KB
MPEG Layer 3	16kBit, 8000Hz, Mono	122KB
MPEG Layer 3	8kBit, 8000Hz, Mono	62,7KB

Call Recordings - What are the legal requirements?

As the legal requirements vary from country to county and state to state, we recommend finding out the local requirements for your location to determine your legal obligations in recording calls.

Refer to the Participant Monitoring of Voice Communications Insdustry Guidline for Australia (G516:2014)