I need to record two verbal interviews for a course I'm doing (it's a UK course; I'm living here and will return for the exam). They'll probably take place in a reasonably quiet place and afterwards, I have to transcribe (write up) the text and retain the audio-file in case my tutor wants to see it.

I'd like some device I can place between myself and the speaker. I could either buy the very cheapest option, use it and give it away – or buy something nicer, keep it and use it for podcasts and revising my notes for an October exam.

So … if I go for the very cheapest option, I presume that's an old-style cassette player. Where would I get it? If I got for a nicer, digital one, then it would need at least MP3 file-format, usb lead, plug/play and drag/drop. The ones I looked at in IT city and Hardware House either aren't usb enabled, or are top end.

I'm in Nong Khai now but will pass through BK before the interviews. I'm rubbish at haggling and would rather just buy a priced thing if possible. Thanks for any shop/model suggestions or any better ideas generally.

Why's this question showing dashes instead of numbers for 'replies and views'?

I've got a Samsung YP-U5 that I bought second hand for about $10 in Thailand. It's 2gb, records tens of hours of voice, recordings are very clear, runs a long time on usb charge. I'd guess you could find one in Nongkai along the river, but even if you have to buy new, it should be less than 2000 baht and you can use it for music files.

You may already have the solution in your possession.

Nearly all of the point-and-shoot cameras made in the last 3-5 years offer a sound recorder function (as do many mobile phones). I have been using my little Casio pocket camera to record our monthly meetings for three years now. Works very good in a 10 x 6 meter room with 25-30 people in attendance. My camera creates a 30-35 mb *.wav file from a two hour meeting. My (cheap) Nokia mobile phone records reasonably well too but shuts off at 60 minutes and needs to be restarted.

Yeah, I did think about the camera, mine's only a canon point and shoot, but I'm not sure that I trust the mic. I guess I could do some testing first..

There's no particular way to find used stuff is there, I'm presuming it's if you know someone/word of mouth?

It does make me think though ... I've only considered transcribers, I should have looked at phones too (I don't have one at the mo.). ... but how would I know it can do the job before I actually buy it I wonder?