Is it possible (phone/computer)

[tharpdevenport]

Not looking to purchase anything...


Is it possible to hook up a phone to a computer so I can run the call through it and thus record it?*

I'm not looking to place a call through the computer, I know you ot to have a service for that, so I'll be dialing from the regular phone, I just want the voice to come through the computer.




* = I'm aware of my local state's recording laws.

 

[STR]

I'm sure there is, but the software for phone to PC is probably expensive. I do know for a fact, that Windows Mobile 6 powered phones have a hidden option that enables call recording. For legal reasons it is not enabled in most countries, so you'd have to hack the phone (or flash a ROM with the appropriate function enabled).

 

[tharpdevenport]

It's a regular land-line phone, no cell.

 

[STR]

Well, after a google search, I came up with this website: http://www.telephonecallrecorder.com

Seems like a setup would be an order of magnitude less than what I imagined, still probably at least $100.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I could've sworn I used to record calls using Winmodems back in the day. Since they were nothing more than the guts of a phone slapped on an ISA/PCI board, pretty much any application that could treat it as a phone also routed it to your sound card, and from there you could record it as though it were any other audio source.

 

[Deks]

Well ... marketing research agencies have a tendency to connect phones to computers and then use software to do the calling and possible recording.

It's definitely possible, but you just have to find appropriate measures to achieve the goal with low cost.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

I see two low-cost options:

1. The Winmodem solution I proposed above.
2. Getting a phone that lets you re-route the audio output. Stick it in the line-in on your computer and record away. You'll either want to split the signal or have your recording software setup to automatically play as it's recording, so you can actually hold a conversation.

 

[tharpdevenport]

Money is an issue, as I don't got it.

I don't even have a phone -- using somebody else's.

Would it make a difrerence in hook-up anyway if there are two phones? One could be hooked up to the computer, and the other used to make the call?

 

[Robert Maxwell]

If it's all the same phone line and they're both off the hook, that should work. Just don't have them close to each other or you'll get echo/feedback.

 

[Owain Taggart]

I think there's a way to set up Skype to do what you want. Also, there's a more direct way of going about it. I think IP phones do it, though it's not everywhere you'll find IP Phones.

 

[DonIago]

I think Google Voice maybe does this...

 

[JustAFriend]

Google is your friend:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...g3g-m3&aql=&oq=telephone+to+computer&gs_rfai=

If you have any kind of IP telephone service (Skype, MagicJack, etc.) then any recording application that captures the main audio stream would work -
Audacity is FREE and works on any platform.

 

[Anticitizen]

Not looking to purchase anything...


Is it possible to hook up a phone to a computer so I can run the call through it and thus record it?*

I'm not looking to place a call through the computer, I know you ot to have a service for that, so I'll be dialing from the regular phone, I just want the voice to come through the computer.




* = I'm aware of my local state's recording laws.

The technology existed at least as early as 1994. My first computer was an AT&T Globalyst 360TPC - part of AT&T's shortlived venture into computer sales. It featured one of, if not THE, first combination soundcard/modems on one board, allowing you to make speakerphone calls through the PC with a microphone and speakers. Firing up Windows Sound Recorder allowed you to record the call.

Seems to me that all you need is a computer with a modem and a software phone application, and a recording program that will allow you to record sounds from the system.

 

[judge alba]

I'm not sure about the laws in your neck of the woods but if you do record your calls you'll have to let the other party know your doing so. something like "I'm recording this call for my records" or something like that.
Well thats how it is in England anyways.
I think thats why a lot of companies say they are recording the calls for marketing or security purposes.

 

[Robert Maxwell]

Google is your friend:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...g3g-m3&aql=&oq=telephone+to+computer&gs_rfai=

If you have any kind of IP telephone service (Skype, MagicJack, etc.) then any recording application that captures the main audio stream would work -
Audacity is FREE and works on any platform.

I second Audacity. Great program! I use it to master and mix my music recordings.

 

[tharpdevenport]

Got Audacity myself. It is pretty darn nifty. I've used it to do various things. Also gotten the full "All times and music Eastern" piece from the Adult Swim commercials (from a site), and the catchy piano piece from that recent Santa car commercial.


To me -- correct me if wrong -- it seems all I would need to do (and this should prove I don't know what I am talking about) is:

plus the line in line to the phone jack in the back of hte computer, and the voice would go threw the computer. This phone, and the other phone on the same house line, would be picked up at the same time. I could use the other phone to hold the conversation, and the one plugged into hte computer just to run through Audacity.

 

[LaxScrutiny]

I'm not sure about the laws in your neck of the woods but if you do record your calls you'll have to let the other party know your doing so. something like "I'm recording this call for my records" or something like that.
Well thats how it is in England anyways.
I think thats why a lot of companies say they are recording the calls for marketing or security purposes.

The OP already mentioned they are aware of their local laws. Here in Canada, you can record any conversation as long as one party (you) is aware of the recording. What that means in practice, a third party can't record your conversation without either of you knowing (*without a warrant).

Anyway, a couple of years ago, my ex-wife had a unique recording on her voice-mail, a TV journalist (well known in Canada) sang her 'Happy Birthday'. She'd kept saving it on her voice-mail every week for several years, not knowing how to save it off of her voice-mail.

Like other posters here, I could remember back in the mid-90's making phone calls through my modem and computer mic/speakers, but I couldn't remember how. I pulled a few old modems out of my box of junk in the closet and got them working, but I couldn't find a way to place a call in XP.

I asked all my geek friends and they all could remember doing it, but none of us could remember what software we used. A google search finally found some old shareware software that I go working after a dozen tries in XP. Willowphone was the only thing I could find that worked for this.

So for the OP, what you want to do is either use Willowphone to answer your phone through the modem, and then just use any sound recorder to record what's coming out of your speakers, or you can answer on a separate line, then pick up the call with Willowphone as an extension line.

 

[Marten]

Can't the phone itself record conversations? I am fairly certain my Sony Ericsson can do that, and it's not one of their pricier models.