At the beginning, Michael presses the record button on the tape recorder and there is a closeup on the reels as they begin to turn. In a following shot, the reels are turning more slowly, indicating that the speed on the recorder has been changed between takes.
In the opening sequence closeup shot, there are four VU meters illuminated on Michael's reel-to-reel player. When there is a cut to Michael sitting on his desk, only two are illuminated.
When Michael is dictating his notes into the tape recorder, none of the "track armed" lights next to the VU meters are illuminated. On a multi-channel recorder of this type, any tracks that are not specifically selected for recording will be in playback mode, even when the record button is pressed, so that synchronized overdubs can be made. The movement of the meters shows that the tracks have been pre-recorded. Additionally, there is movement on two channels, despite the fact that his microphone is connected to only one input.
As Michael starts to dictate his "daily notes log", he starts the tape recorder by simply pressing the record button. On this model of recorder (Teac A-3340S) recording is started by pressing record and holding it while pressing play.
When Eleanor, Chidi, and Janet visit Claire, the camera crew is reflected in the glass door as it swings open.