Olympus DS 40 Digital Voice Recorder
November 27, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Up to 134 hours recording time / 512MB Internal Flash Memory / High-sensitivity Microphone / Voice guidance / DSS Player v7.0 Podcatcher Software This Podcatcher can transfer new content to the recorder simply by connecting it to a computer by registering favorite Podcast programs in DSS Player Stores highly compressed WMA (Windows Media Audio) format voice messages Playback and store WMA and MP3 music files Five voice folders can save up to 200 messages per folder. Music, Podcast, and Audible folder are also available New, brighter high-contrast monochrome LCD panel with backlight Built-in Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) function Timer Recording and Alarm features enable automatic recording and playing at a set time Index mark and temp mark features allow you to quickly find desired locations Noise Cancel Function and Voice Filter Function cut noise and enable clear audio playback Up to 32 hours of continuous operation with two AAA batteries Recording Time - ST XQ mode 8 hours 40 minutes, ST HQ mode 17 hours 20 minutes, HQ mode 34 hours 45 minutes, SP mode 68 hours 30 minutes, LP mode 136 hours 15 minutes Input Level - -70 dBv Practical Maximum Output - 250 mW Microphone Jack - 3.5 mm mini-jack, impedance 680 ohms Earphone Jack - 3.5 mm mini-jack, impedance 8 ohms or more Power Supply Rated Voltage - 3V DC Optional AC Adapter External Power Supply System Requirements - Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional, XP Professional, Home Edition, CPU Intel Pentium II class 333 MHz processor or more, RAM 128 MB or more (256MB or more is recommended), Sound Board Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 or 100% compatible sound card, Video Card and Display 800 x 600 pixels or more, 256 colors or more, Removable Drive 2x or faster, One Free USB Port, Audio Output Speaker or earphone output Dimensions - 4.37 x 1.48 x 0.63 inch (111 x 37.5 x 16 mm)
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars good buy
I purchased this to record piano and vocals. It does a wonderful job it’s just not so clear on the playback from the device. Also not being able to change the name of the recorded piece from the device itself is a pain. Still, it’s a wonderful little thing
5 Stars Perfect for students’ needs
I haven’t had a voice recorder since the old days of microcasette, so this is my first digital voice recorder. I read lots of reviews before choosing the Olympus DS-40, and I’m really happy with this little gem. I use it to record lectures at school, and for my purposes, it far exceeds all the expectations that I had.
Some pros: The sound clarity is great, and it even picks up questions from the back of the lecture hall. I like that I can vary the playback speed, but I wish it had more options than slow, regular, and fast. It is super small and lightweight; also looks pretty sleek in all-silver casing (though the entire casing isnt metal).
Some cons: I have to change batteries about every month, even though I only record 4 days a week, which leads me to think that I should’ve bought the a/c adapter for it. I also wish that you could stop and start your recording without it becoming a whole new file. Right now, I have to press the record button to pause the recording, and then press record again to restart the recording, which isn’t quite intuitive for me yet. It would also have been nice to be able to edit the recordings and rename them while they are still on the unit.
Overall, I’m VERY satisfied with the recorder and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a mid-range digital voice recorder. I think you definitely get your money’s worth for this one.
4 Stars Only *ONE* problem.
This recorder is fantastic. Small, easy to use, the USB connection is fantastic for downloading recordings to your computer.
The sensitivity is great (although I use the separate microphone and not the built in one) for meetings and class lectures (which is my primary use).
THERE’S ONLY ONE PROBLEM: this thing sucks battery juice like there is NO tomorrow! Why the manufacturer opted for AAA batteries instead of AA I’ll never know (I would have tolerated a slightly larger unit if it served this purpose).
Be warned: the battery indicator on the device is misleading. It’ll show 2 bars (out of 3) but that basically means you’ve got 1-2hrs left.
I use this thing to record roughly 5 hours of lecture 4 days a week and I replace the batteries every 2 weeks. Basically, you’ll get around 30hrs of recording time before it dies on you.
Not such a big deal you say? Well imagine you finish a 2hr lecture and realize the thing shut off from battery death 2 minutes into it. Yeah… it’ll tick you off.
The device gives no audio warning of any kind that it’s turning off so make sure you carry around extra batteries with you and keep an eye on it.
4 Stars Olympus DS40
Great little recorder. Only drawback is that I cannot create extra folders. Excellent quality and sound. Good buy for the money!
2 Stars Warning: Creates DRM-restricted files!
I have been mostly pleased with the DS-40 since I received it. It has a very good auto-record-level system and decent compression, however, there’s one big, major problem. The recorder creates Microsoft-proprietary-format .WMA audio files that have DRM (Digital Rights Management) restrictions on them. Why would a third-party company like Olympus marry themselves to a proprietary audio storage format? This puts restrictions on how you can copy and convert the files. If you are looking to record something in open-standards MP3 or WAV format, you’re out of luck. You may find tools to convert the format into industry-standard open-source formats or not (My copy of Nero refused to convert the WMA files into MP3 format citing they didn’t have authorization from Microsoft! - This is my recording!) I strongly condemn Olympus for choosing to store audio files in Microsoft’s proprietary file format. I urge everyone looking at ANY Olympus audio recording product to check and make sure that device isn’t also using .WMA files — DRM-enabled technology that puts limitations on what you can do with your own recordings!
Olympus DS 40 Digital Voice Recorder
October 17, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
In addition to capturing stereo sound from meetings, interviews, and important lectures, the Olympus DS-40 allows you to download and create Podcasts for later listening. The DS-40 offers users up to 136 hours of recording time with its 512 MB worth of internal flash memory. For easy organization and storing of files, the player allows users to set up five voice folders, and each folder can save up to 200 messages. Internal files can be easily navigated on the player’s high-contrast backlit monochrome LCD panel. Other great features include a built-in variable control voice actuator (VCVA) function, and a timed recording and alarm feature so you can set up automatic recording and playing. Running on two AAA batteries, the player offers up to 30 hours of continuous playback in the following modes: ST XQ mode (8 hour 40 minute capture time), ST HQ mode (17 hour 20 minute capture time), HQ mode (34 hour 45 minute capture time), SP mode (68 hour 30 minute capture time), and LP mode (136 hour 15 minute capture time). For added user convenience, an optional AC adapter can be used with the recorder. Compatible with Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional operating systems and later, the player measures a pocket-friendly 4.37 x 1.48 x 0.63 inches and weighs in at a scant 2.80 ounces.
What’s in the Box
DS-40 digital voice recorder, stereo microphone, USB cables, stereo earphones, DSS Player v.7 software, instruction manual, strap, and two AAA batteries.
User Ratings and Reviews
2 Stars Warning: Creates DRM-restricted files!
I have been mostly pleased with the DS-40 since I received it. It has a very good auto-record-level system and decent compression, however, there’s one big, major problem. The recorder creates Microsoft-proprietary-format .WMA audio files that have DRM (Digital Rights Management) restrictions on them. Why would a third-party company like Olympus marry themselves to a proprietary audio storage format? This puts restrictions on how you can copy and convert the files. If you are looking to record something in open-standards MP3 or WAV format, you’re out of luck. You may find tools to convert the format into industry-standard open-source formats or not (My copy of Nero refused to convert the WMA files into MP3 format citing they didn’t have authorization from Microsoft! - This is my recording!) I strongly condemn Olympus for choosing to store audio files in Microsoft’s proprietary file format. I urge everyone looking at ANY Olympus audio recording product to check and make sure that device isn’t also using .WMA files — DRM-enabled technology that puts limitations on what you can do with your own recordings!
4 Stars Olympus DS40
Great little recorder. Only drawback is that I cannot create extra folders. Excellent quality and sound. Good buy for the money!
5 Stars Perfect for students’ needs
I haven’t had a voice recorder since the old days of microcasette, so this is my first digital voice recorder. I read lots of reviews before choosing the Olympus DS-40, and I’m really happy with this little gem. I use it to record lectures at school, and for my purposes, it far exceeds all the expectations that I had.
Some pros: The sound clarity is great, and it even picks up questions from the back of the lecture hall. I like that I can vary the playback speed, but I wish it had more options than slow, regular, and fast. It is super small and lightweight; also looks pretty sleek in all-silver casing (though the entire casing isnt metal).
Some cons: I have to change batteries about every month, even though I only record 4 days a week, which leads me to think that I should’ve bought the a/c adapter for it. I also wish that you could stop and start your recording without it becoming a whole new file. Right now, I have to press the record button to pause the recording, and then press record again to restart the recording, which isn’t quite intuitive for me yet. It would also have been nice to be able to edit the recordings and rename them while they are still on the unit.
Overall, I’m VERY satisfied with the recorder and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a mid-range digital voice recorder. I think you definitely get your money’s worth for this one.
4 Stars good buy
I purchased this to record piano and vocals. It does a wonderful job it’s just not so clear on the playback from the device. Also not being able to change the name of the recorded piece from the device itself is a pain. Still, it’s a wonderful little thing
4 Stars Only *ONE* problem.
This recorder is fantastic. Small, easy to use, the USB connection is fantastic for downloading recordings to your computer.
The sensitivity is great (although I use the separate microphone and not the built in one) for meetings and class lectures (which is my primary use).
THERE’S ONLY ONE PROBLEM: this thing sucks battery juice like there is NO tomorrow! Why the manufacturer opted for AAA batteries instead of AA I’ll never know (I would have tolerated a slightly larger unit if it served this purpose).
Be warned: the battery indicator on the device is misleading. It’ll show 2 bars (out of 3) but that basically means you’ve got 1-2hrs left.
I use this thing to record roughly 5 hours of lecture 4 days a week and I replace the batteries every 2 weeks. Basically, you’ll get around 30hrs of recording time before it dies on you.
Not such a big deal you say? Well imagine you finish a 2hr lecture and realize the thing shut off from battery death 2 minutes into it. Yeah… it’ll tick you off.
The device gives no audio warning of any kind that it’s turning off so make sure you carry around extra batteries with you and keep an eye on it.
Olympus DS 40 Digital Voice Recorder
August 14, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
In addition to capturing stereo sound from meetings, interviews, and important lectures, the Olympus DS-40 allows you to download and create Podcasts for later listening. The DS-40 offers users up to 136 hours of recording time with its 512 MB worth of internal flash memory. For easy organization and storing of files, the player allows users to set up five voice folders, and each folder can save up to 200 messages. Internal files can be easily navigated on the player’s high-contrast backlit monochrome LCD panel. Other great features include a built-in variable control voice actuator (VCVA) function, and a timed recording and alarm feature so you can set up automatic recording and playing. Running on two AAA batteries, the player offers up to 30 hours of continuous playback in the following modes: ST XQ mode (8 hour 40 minute capture time), ST HQ mode (17 hour 20 minute capture time), HQ mode (34 hour 45 minute capture time), SP mode (68 hour 30 minute capture time), and LP mode (136 hour 15 minute capture time). For added user convenience, an optional AC adapter can be used with the recorder. Compatible with Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional operating systems and later, the player measures a pocket-friendly 4.37 x 1.48 x 0.63 inches and weighs in at a scant 2.80 ounces.
What’s in the Box
DS-40 digital voice recorder, stereo microphone, USB cables, stereo earphones, DSS Player v.7 software, instruction manual, strap, and two AAA batteries.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars good buy
I purchased this to record piano and vocals. It does a wonderful job it’s just not so clear on the playback from the device. Also not being able to change the name of the recorded piece from the device itself is a pain. Still, it’s a wonderful little thing
4 Stars Only *ONE* problem.
This recorder is fantastic. Small, easy to use, the USB connection is fantastic for downloading recordings to your computer.
The sensitivity is great (although I use the separate microphone and not the built in one) for meetings and class lectures (which is my primary use).
THERE’S ONLY ONE PROBLEM: this thing sucks battery juice like there is NO tomorrow! Why the manufacturer opted for AAA batteries instead of AA I’ll never know (I would have tolerated a slightly larger unit if it served this purpose).
Be warned: the battery indicator on the device is misleading. It’ll show 2 bars (out of 3) but that basically means you’ve got 1-2hrs left.
I use this thing to record roughly 5 hours of lecture 4 days a week and I replace the batteries every 2 weeks. Basically, you’ll get around 30hrs of recording time before it dies on you.
Not such a big deal you say? Well imagine you finish a 2hr lecture and realize the thing shut off from battery death 2 minutes into it. Yeah… it’ll tick you off.
The device gives no audio warning of any kind that it’s turning off so make sure you carry around extra batteries with you and keep an eye on it.
4 Stars Olympus DS40
Great little recorder. Only drawback is that I cannot create extra folders. Excellent quality and sound. Good buy for the money!
5 Stars Perfect for students’ needs
I haven’t had a voice recorder since the old days of microcasette, so this is my first digital voice recorder. I read lots of reviews before choosing the Olympus DS-40, and I’m really happy with this little gem. I use it to record lectures at school, and for my purposes, it far exceeds all the expectations that I had.
Some pros: The sound clarity is great, and it even picks up questions from the back of the lecture hall. I like that I can vary the playback speed, but I wish it had more options than slow, regular, and fast. It is super small and lightweight; also looks pretty sleek in all-silver casing (though the entire casing isnt metal).
Some cons: I have to change batteries about every month, even though I only record 4 days a week, which leads me to think that I should’ve bought the a/c adapter for it. I also wish that you could stop and start your recording without it becoming a whole new file. Right now, I have to press the record button to pause the recording, and then press record again to restart the recording, which isn’t quite intuitive for me yet. It would also have been nice to be able to edit the recordings and rename them while they are still on the unit.
Overall, I’m VERY satisfied with the recorder and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a mid-range digital voice recorder. I think you definitely get your money’s worth for this one.
2 Stars Warning: Creates DRM-restricted files!
I have been mostly pleased with the DS-40 since I received it. It has a very good auto-record-level system and decent compression, however, there’s one big, major problem. The recorder creates Microsoft-proprietary-format .WMA audio files that have DRM (Digital Rights Management) restrictions on them. Why would a third-party company like Olympus marry themselves to a proprietary audio storage format? This puts restrictions on how you can copy and convert the files. If you are looking to record something in open-standards MP3 or WAV format, you’re out of luck. You may find tools to convert the format into industry-standard open-source formats or not (My copy of Nero refused to convert the WMA files into MP3 format citing they didn’t have authorization from Microsoft! - This is my recording!) I strongly condemn Olympus for choosing to store audio files in Microsoft’s proprietary file format. I urge everyone looking at ANY Olympus audio recording product to check and make sure that device isn’t also using .WMA files — DRM-enabled technology that puts limitations on what you can do with your own recordings!
Olympus TP 7 Telephone Recording Device
July 31, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
Ever need to record an important telephone conversation? The TP-7, telephone pickup, makes phone recording two sides of the conversation. Just plug the TP-7 jack into the “MIC” jack of your recorder, and put the earphone side into your ear. When speaking on the telephone, the TP-7 will capture both sides of the conversation for recording by your voice recorder.Includes adapter to convert from monaural 3.5mm mini-plug to stereo 3.5mm mini-plug. Also includes monaural 3.5mm mini-plug to monaural 2.5mm mini-plug adapter.
User Ratings and Reviews
5 Stars I’d be lost without it!
I love this little gadget! As a freelance writer, it’s important that I get exactly what people are saying. I’ve had no issues with this product, and it picks up my voice just as well as it picks up the person on the other end. Worth twice the money!
5 Stars Olympus TP-7 Recording Device
The product does its job great. It works without a hitch with my Olympus DS 40.
1 Star Alternate choice (for landlines)
This Olympus mic is nice for portable applications, but is not the ideal product for desktop landlines. If you are looking for a way to connect your voice recorder to a landline then look at Radio Shacks adapter. Its part number is 430-2208. This product will connect directly to the phone jack at the wall and then to the voice recorder. It has a 3.5mm male plug (mono) that fits into the recording devices input. The 430-2208 is actually made for tape recording. However it does work on digital voice recorders. I use mine with an Olympus digital voice recorder and it is fantastic! Set your recorder to “dictation” mode. You can use “conference” mode, but the sound is too loud. One last comment relating to Radio Shacks adapter. There is a “play/record” selector switch. When recording, set the switch to record and have the 3.5mm connector plugged into the recorder’s input. When playing back voice through the phone, put the switch to play and connect the 3.5mm male connector to the output of the recorder.
There is another adapter out there made for this application. It’s part number TR-70. You’ll find it by searching Amazon. The bad thing about this is that it plugs between the handset and base of a landline and then to the recorder. A lot of the phones out today are cordless making the TR-70 unusable. Theres no way to connect it to the cordless handset. Also, the handset phone plugs are SMALLER in size than the wall connectors. The TR-70 wont correctly fit into the wall socket either, due to its size. I highly recommend Radio Shacks recorder control.
5 Stars Highly recommend this device!
I needed something to record my conference calls for GoTo meetings and this item fits the bill. I highly recomment this item. It picks up sounds and conversations very well. I just plug it in my computer microphone jack, use Audacity for just sound recording or use Jive to record my computer screen and teleconferencing conversations when holding online meetings. Perfect to use to recall information and keep track of meetings.
Before purchasing, I compared the in-line recording device that one just plugs into the phone and a recording device. I didn’t want something that was bulky and recorded on one channel. I went with this device hoping it would work for me. It did. This is portable, comes with plug adapters and different earphone sized cushions for a custom fit. It is very sensitive. I am so glad I picked this one.
5 Stars Works Great
I bought this item to record interviews for SElifestyle.com. The first time I used it I called Geoff Bodine at the Daytona 500. I was working on a story about his sister and needed a few quotes. The device worked great, very clear sound, easy setup and nice & small. I highly recommend this item.
