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VRS Frequently Asked Questions

For all pre-download and sales related questions

About VRS
What does VRS do?
Can I upgrade from a previous version? What is the upgrade policy?
Where can I find version information?
How can I purchase VRS? What does it cost?
Can I become a reseller of VRS?

Testing VRS
How can I test VRS?

Hardware
What hardware do I need to have to use VRS?
Do I need a modem to run VRS?
Does VRS work with multichannel sound cards?
Can you recommend multichannel sound cards?
Can you recommend telephone interfaces which work?
Does VRS Work with sound cards with ASIO drivers?

Telephone Lines
Can VRS record digital / ISDN / T1 telephone lines?
Does VRS Work with sound cards with ASIO drivers?
Can VRS record PBX telephone lines?
Can VRS record VoIP telephone lines?
Can VRS record calls made from a cell phone?

Logging
Can VRS log outward-dial DTMF tones?
Can VRS log inward caller-id numbers?

Call Recording
Is recording phone calls legal?
Does VRS record both sides and both incoming and outgoing calls?
Can I listen to the audio from another computer as it is being recorded?
Can I play and record an audio file to announce the call is being recorded?
Can I setup call recording with VRS using Axon with softphones and/or IP phones?

Recordings
Does VRS support mp3 and other codecs?

Working with Other Software
Can VRS and IVM run on the same computer?
Can VRS record calls made/received by IVM?
Can VRS record calls made/received by Axon?
Can VRS record calls made/received by ExpressTalk?

Other
Can NCH Swift Sound modify or customize VRS?

About VRS

Q. What does VRS do?

VRS is automatic multichannel audio recording software. It runs on a Windows computer with standard or multichannel sound cards as well as our VoIP applications such as Axon and ExpressTalk. It is popular as an automatic telephone call recorder (with a small call recording adapter for non-VoIP) but it is also designed to be used for radio station logging and other voice monitoring applications.

For the full list of features see www.nch.com.au/vrs or you can simply download the software which takes only a minute and includes the manual. Download using www.nch.com.au/vrs/vrssetup.exe.

You should also compare other applications made by NCH Swift Sound. The TRx Personal Call Recorder is a manual single-line call recorder. The MSRS Recording System is a multichannel manual recorder designed for recording conferences and courts and records the channels together for transcription. SoundTap is a virtual audio driver designed to record streaming audio and alternate VoIP sources.

Q. Can I upgrade from a previous version? What is the upgrade policy?

All minor upgrades and bug fixes and some major upgrades are available free. Simply install the new file over the old file.

If we introduce major new features or change the registration system, we may require users to purchase an upgrade.

We guarantee free upgrades for 3 months from date of purchase but in practice we often allow upgrades up to 12 months. If in doubt backup your old version and just try the new version. If you purchased more than 12 months ago, you will need purchase an upgrade to the current version. Please use www.nch.com.au/upgrade to view discounted upgrade pricing. You will need to have your previous registration ID and Key to purchase an upgrade key.

Q. How can I purchase VRS? What does it cost?

The current pricing of VRS is displayed here. Click on the "more info..." links to view an explanation of the different license classes. You can also purchase using VISA or Mastercard on the same form.

After buying a license for the software you will be sent an email containing the 11-digit license serial number. You enter this serial number on the Activate Software page on our website to be allocated a registration and activation code for the software license. This code is comprised of a Name, a Location, an ID number, and a Key. When you receive this code, select the "Register Software" option from the VRS "File" menu and enter the code details into the registration window.

Q. Can I become a reseller of VRS?

We have a reseller program for bona fide software resellers and distributors. Please see www.nch.com.au/reseller.

Testing VRS

Q. How can I test VRS?

All of our products can be downloaded for a free trial period so that you can get a good feel for all its features. To download, click on one of these links. Save the file to disk, then run the file once download is complete.

Hardware

Q. What hardware do I need to have to use VRS?

Click here to see the formal system requirements. Also see here for recommended hardware and discusssion.

You may also need 'wires and things' to adapt, split and connect the audio (particularly multichannel work). If you are an audio person you will have no difficulty. If not, take the diagrams from the VRS Help Files to your local electronics store and ask them to sell you any required adapters or cables.

Q. Do I need a modem to run VRS?

No. VRS will only record through a sound card or a professional telephony board. For information on how to connect the sound card to the telephone line please refer to the help files. Also see www.nch.com.au/vrs/acc for devices to link to a telephone line.

If you want software to record through a voice modem, consider the TRx Personal Call Recorder www.nch.com.au/trx.

Q. Can you recommend multichannel sound cards?

VRS should work with all multichannel sound cards with Windows drivers. Visit your local professional audio store. Or for more information and a list of some recommended models, please see www.nch.com.au/vrs/acc.

Q. Can you recommend telephone interfaces which work?

Yes. Please see www.nch.com.au/vrs/acc for devices to link to a telephone line.

Telephone Lines

Q. Will VRS record digital telephone lines?

Yes, but it is more difficult than regular analog lines.

The best solution we recommend is to use a handset based connector. Please see www.nch.com.au/vrs/acc for more information.

If you don't want to use a handset based connector the only direct-line digital telephone interfaces we have been able to find are very expensive (for example the Dialogic DM/V480-2T1-PCI-HiZ and similar boards). Please post a message on the VRS Discussion Forum if you find a reasonably priced digital interface board.

Customers have also reported success using the PBX (often they offer analog conversion within the PBX) contact your supplier or converting the line to analog - there are affordable conversion boxes. Ask your telephone supplier.

Q. Can VRS record PBX telephone lines?

Yes.

Normally you use a handset based connector which connects to the handset lead of each extension (rather than the extension itself). Please see www.nch.com.au/vrs/acc for more information.

The other option is just to record-tap all incoming lines before they get to the PBX. For example use a CURL multiline professional telephony card for analog lines.

Q. Can VRS record VoIP telephone lines?

Yes in conjunction with our other VoIP software such as Axon and ExpressTalk. Please see How to Record VoIP Phone Calls for more information.

Q. Can VRS record calls made on a cell phone?

Yes if you use a "Telephone Attached Microphone". Please refer to www.nch.com.au/vrs/acc

Logging

Q. Does VRS log outward-dial DTMF tones?

Yes. Tick "Detect and log DTMF tones" from the Recordings tab of Settings.

Q. Does VRS log inward caller-id numbers?

Yes, but you need either a caller-id modem for each line to extract the caller-id information or a Professional multiline TAPI telephony board. Please refer to the heading under "Channel Properties" of the Help file.

Call Recording

Q. Is recording phone calls legal?

The rules vary from country-to-country and we are not really in a position to provide legal advice for all countries where our recording software is used. Some themes that apply in many jurisdictions are what follows but check with a lawyer whether this applies in your country or state.

Generally it is legal where the other party knows you are recording. You can make them aware either by a prompt on your automated attendant, with a recording start prompt or by putting the standard recording tones on the line. It is also sometimes legal to record calls even where the other side does not know you are recording for particular purposes such as to have a record to protect your legal rights if the other party disputes what was said. Where neither party knows they are being recorded it is almost always illegal to record calls unless you have a warrant.

Q. Does VRS record both sides and both incoming and outgoing calls?

Yes.

Q. Can I listen to the line as it is being recorded?

To listen to material as it is being recorded you will need to setup the remote monitor tool. Visit www.nch.com.au/vrs/remote.html for more information.

Q. Can I play and record an audio file to announce the call is being recorded?

Yes. When using a Call/Announce Adapter you can play an audio file while recording.

Recordings

Q. Does VRS support mp3 and other codecs?

Yes, VRS can compress recordings using the MPEG layer-3 codec, GSM 6.10, L&H CELP, TruSpeech and many more formats. See www.nch.com.au/acm for samples and selection suggestions.

VRS saves files with the wav, mp3 or gsm file extension.

Working with Other Software

Q. Can VRS record calls made/received by Axon?

Yes. When VRS is installed on the same server as Axon the lines are automatically detected by VRS. You must enable call recording on the lines within Axon.

Q. Can VRS record calls made/received by ExpressTalk?

Yes. When configuring ExpressTalk choose "Link to VRS for archive, compress and search (Professional Option).

Other

Q. Can NCH Swift Sound modify or customize VRS?

If you want to suggest an improvement to VRS or find a bug, let us know at our suggestions site. If we implement the suggestion or fix the bug, we will give you a free upgrade.

If you have a specific requirement, we also offer software development services to modify the software. Please visit www.nch.com.au/development


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