LEGAL ASPECTS

Will the Pulsar work on Windows, Apple Mac or Unix?

Will the Pulsar Plus work with VOIP / Skype telephones?

What file format does the Pulsar Plus save recordings in?

Do any of the conversation recorders require Caller-ID to work?

I have a cordless phone, will it work with any of the conversation recorders?

Can you choose if incoming or outgoing calls are recorded?

How long can I record for?

Are the conversation recorders voice activated?

Will it record the dialled number or the incoming number?

Does the recording device need to be next to the phone?

Will it work on a company telephone system with multiple lines?

I have ADSL, will this affect my recordings?

How do I connect a conversation recorder to my phone?

CTI Pulsar Plus and CTI Telesto both use CODECS – what does this mean?

Do I use the MIC or LINE input on my sound card for the Audio connection?

Can I send my conversations to other people?

Will the Pulsar work on Windows, Apple Mac or Unix?
The Pulsar Plus software is only compatible with Microsoft Windows systems (inc XP & Vista)

What file format does the Pulsar Plus save recordings in?
The Pulsar Plus records files in "wav" format. These can be opened and listened to on virtually any computer that has speakers.

Do any of the conversation recorders require Caller-ID to work?
No, Caller-ID is not required for any of Crucible Technologies conversation recorders.

I have a cordless phone, will it work with any of the conversation recorders?
All our conversation recorders will work with cordless or DECT phones. You can simply connect the Recording Adaptor or the CTI Pulsar Plus to the line using your existing telephone socket.

Can you choose if incoming or outgoing calls are recorded?
When using automatic recording, both incoming and outgoing calls will be recorded, if you are using manual record, then you can choose if you wish to record the conversation.

How long can I record for?
The Pulsar Plus can record many hours of conversation to the hard disk. The only limit is the spare memory available.

Are the conversation recorders voice activated?
Pulsar Plus and the Tape Based Conversation Recorder can be voice activated. Recording then starts when the handset has been lifted. The products detect the dial tone and start recording. Telesto is a manual recording device.

Will it record the dialled number or the incoming number?
No, DTMF or Caller-ID information is not used.

Does the recording device need to be next to the phone?
If you connect the recorder to the handset then yes it needs to be next to the phone.

If you are recording from the line, you have a 2m telephone cable and a 2m COM/Audio cable. In this case you have a little bit of flexibility about where you place the recording device.

Having the recording device connected in the curly cord only allows you to record from a single telephone. However if it is connected to the line then it is possible to record conversations from other phones using the same line (automatic detection of the conversation would be required).

Will it work on a company telephone system with multiple lines?
Because the recording device is connected via the curly handset cord, it can record conversations made from that phone. Provided that the handset can be unplugged on the system telephone you can connect any one of our conversation recorders. They will then record telephone conversations taking place on that telephone.

I have ADSL, will this affect my recordings?
All the conversations recorders should work on an ADSL line, as long as they are connected into the telephone side of the ADSL Microfilter.

CTI Pulsar Plus uses CODECS – what does this mean?
A codec allows the audio file (speech file) to be compressed; this means it has a smaller file size. The amount of compression and the sound quality of the file will depend upon which codec is chosen. Further information about codecs can be found in the CTI Pulsar Plus Manual.

Do I use the MIC or LINE input on my sound card for the audio connection?
We recommend the MIC input. In practice, you can use either of these inputs, but remember to change the settings in Windows so that the right input is selected. This is found through the volume control window under Options – Properties – Recording. More information about this and other soundcard settings can be found here.

Can I send my conversations to other people?
If you have a PC based system then you can send any .wav file via e-mail, Windows Media Player can be used by the receiver. If you have a tape based system then you can send the tape by post.

 

The Legal Aspects of recording phone conversations

Some companies think that it is illegal to record telephone conversations. This is not true. Many organisations, big and small undertake regular recordings in order to improve the way their business operates. There are some requirements though and these are presented below.

Is it legal to record conversations?

YES - Where organisations wish to record or monitor calls _ for whatever reason _ the rules under which they do so have been set by the Privacy of Messages condition of the major telecoms class licenses. Ofcom are responsible for enforcing these licensing conditions and the following is a verbatim extract from an Explanatory Guide to the Licences:

"18. The condition provides that you should make every reasonable effort to inform all parties to a call that it may or will be recorded, silently monitored or intruded into. The particular means by which you choose to do this are not specified in the condition. Acceptable options, depending on circumstances, might include warning tones, pre-recorded messages, spoken warnings by the operator or written warnings included in publicity material, telephone directories, contracts, terms of business, staff notices, etc. It may not always be possible to warn first-time callers with whom you have had no previous contact but what is important is that you have a systematic procedure in place which provides the necessary information wherever this is a realistic possibility".

How do we inform people that calls are being recorded?

Although this is not specified in the condition, most people will be aware of how companies are conforming to the requirement. Adverts in magazines, TV, radio etc that invite calls to a given number usually carry a message such as "calls may be recorded or monitored for quality". Warnings can also be given in literature, terms and conditions, letterheads, e-mails and websites.

It is not necessary to have a voice announcement before each phone call. Indeed Ofcom themselves do not give such a warning but they do say on their website that "calls to the Contact Centre may be monitored or recorded".

Do I have to tell my staff that calls may be recorded?

YES. Under the above provision it states that you must inform all parties to a call that it may be recorded. Staff must also be aware that personal conversations could be recorded on their telephone and must have access to a separate telephone on the premises where they can make and receive personal calls that are not recorded. Companies that do not provide this guarantee of confidentially could be in breach of Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights which covers people's right to privacy

 

Will the Pulsar Plus work with VOIP / Skype telephones?

YES. The Pulsar Plus is compatible with VOIP/Skype phones as long as the phone has a detachable cord into the handset. The only way to setup the Pulsar on this telephone is via the telephone connection.