Olympus DS-2 Digital Voice Recorder
The DS-2 is the high-performance instrument professionals need to get the job done. A built-in stereo microphone ensures crisp stereo sound and 64MB of internal memory supplies 22 hours of recording time (LP). Record via voice activation or from the easy-to-use buttons on the face of the recorder. With slow, fast, skip, and repeat playback options. Featuring DSS Player software for editing, archiving and more and a USB docking station for fast and easy file transfers. 12 different speed levels (8 in fast playback, 4 in slow playback) Skip playback and Repeat playback options Variable Control Voice Actuator (VVCA) setting saves time and battery life by recording only when sound is sensed AAA batteries supply up to 18 hours of continuous operation PC Interface USB cable Folders Messages - 5 folders capable of storing up to 199 files each DSS (LP/SP), WMA (HQ/SSP/SHQ) Recording Format with Built-in 64MB Recording Time - 22 hours 20 min (LP), 10 hours 25 min (SP), 4 hours 20 min (HQ), 2 hours 10 min (SSP), 1 hour 5 min (SHQ) Sampling Frequency - SHQ 44.1kHz 128kbps, SSP 44.1kHz 64kbps, HQ 44.1kHz 32kbps, SP 12kHz 13.7kbps, LP 8kHz 6.3kbps Overall Frequency Response - SHQ 100-17000Hz, SSP 100-8000Hz, HQ 100-7000Hz, SP 200-5000Hz, LP 200-3000Hz System Requirements - Intel Pentium II class 333 MHz processor or more, Power Mac G3 233 MHz or faster, Microsoft Windows ME, 2000 Professional, XP professional, Home Edition, Macintosh OS 10.1, 10.2, 10.3, 10.4, RAM 128 MB or more (256MB or more is recommended), Sound Board Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 or 100% compatible sound card, USB Port, Earphone output or speakers Dimensions - 4.8 x 1.5 x 0.7 inch Weight - 80 grams
The advantages of digital voice recorders are numerous: superior sound, long recording times, and the convenience of built-in memory (much handier than hauling around several microcassettes). Enter the high-performance Olympus DS-2, which makes professional interviewing and dictation easy and efficient. With 64 MB of internal memory delivering up to 22 hours of total recording time in Long Play mode, the device is great for archiving long meetings or lectures, or for researching huge projects that require dozens of interviews. Users also have the choice of recording at several other speeds, including extreme high-quality modes that offer far less recording time (as little as one hour and five minutes) but much better audio resolution. The latter modes are more suitable for recording soft voices or when taking down complex song ideas--a process that's further assisted by the built-in stereo microphone designed to pick up all sides of a conversation with equal clarity. The DS-2 is a breeze to use thanks to its straightforward front panel, from which users can quickly access or move files (the recorder comes with five folders, each capable of holding 199 files), set the alarm, or change the recording mode. Multitasking users will also delight in the voice activation function, which enables hands-free recording--a must when you're busy taking notes. Voice activation also saves battery life by powering off when no sound is detected. And when you just don't have time to attend to the details on the spot, you can set the DS-2 to record automatically over a fixed span. Simply enter the start and end times and the timer function is ready to go. And though the DS-2 is primarily a recorder, the package comes with DSS Player software for editing and archiving files. The software offers a nice way to delete long silences, eliminate small talk, or combine two small but related passages into one large statement. Users can then transfer the files (they record in high-compression DSS and WMA formats) to a PC or Mac via the included USB docking station and cable. Once transferred, you can save them in perpetuity while freeing up the internal memory to record other interviews or meetings. Additional features include a backlit LCD screen that shows the date, time, battery life, and more; 3.5 mm headphone and microphone jacks for added flexibility; and several basic and advanced playback options, including slow, fast, skip, and repeat. And best of all, the variety of functions come packed in a chassis that fits conveniently in your hand or pocket--quite unlike the bulky tape recorders of yesteryear. The DS-2, which also comes with a pair of earphones and a carrying case, runs for 18 hours on a single pair of AAA batteries (included) and carries a one-year warranty. What's in the Box
DS-2 voice recorder, USB docking station, USB cable, stereo earphones, carrying case, DSS Player software CD, two AAA batteries, user's manual.
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Olympus DS-2 Digital Voice Recorder Reviews
jimbo This is the excellent dictation product needed for digital dictation product called Express Dictate.
Prompt shipping, great product.did work with my Mac right out of the box. Sensitive mic great even in public settings.
Only thing is that I always used a compact external microphone to really take advantage of the sound quality. Plus it is small and light.
I just think it doesn't fit any market. This is a fantastic unit easy to use, exceptional quality and records for more hours than you will ever need. The only problem is the price.
You will not regret if you buy it, but I would advise either the higher end Olympuses for more quality or lower end Sony for lower price. I got it a few years ago and was fine for then. If I was shopping today, I would get the DS-30 instead.
The default file format is.WMA. Last but not least, I would recommend purchasing the DS-20 model, which is exactly the same as this one but has twice the memory for only about $25 more. My computer, however, recognized it just fine as an external hard drive, and all I had to do was import files into the software. As other reviewers have noted, the USB cable is rather unique, so be sure to take good care of it. I purchased a factory refurbished DS-2 recorder, and it works beautifully.
The.DSS format, however, was a little tricky. The only differences between this refurbished version and a brand new one are slightly less-impressive packaging, a slightly different warranty, and about one-third the price. This was easily fixed by going to File > Properties and unchecking the 'Read Only' box. One setback is the way a Mac will read this device as an external hard drive. The only trouble I had with the software was that it did not recognize the digital recorder. From now on, though, I'm only going to use the first three recording modes so that the default format is.WMA (it's better quality sound, anyway). I was able to hear a person in a large room talking 20-30 feet away.
If necessary, the DS-2 software can easily convert.WMA to.AIFF. When you convert a file to.AIF, the software can no longer edit the file. If you delete files from your Mac computer, their memory is still kept in the._Trash folder. Overall, I'm very happy with this product.
I use Mac OS X Leopard 10.5.4 and downloaded the software directly from the Olympus website: http://www.olympusamerica.com/cpg_section/software_results.asp.id=1153&os=m. Otherwise, your recorder with say that it has zero files, but somehow, the memory is full, and you won't be able to record. If I tried to erase too much of a segment, the software would crash, and when I reopened it, the file became read-only (locked). If you want to convert.DSS to something other than.AIF, just put the.AIF file in iTunes and convert from there (.WAV,.MP3,.M4A).
However, this recorder is still very excellent, and I still would have purchased it if I already knew all of the things I mentioned (except I might have gotten the DS-20 rather than the DS-2). Bigger is always better. For these reasons, I'm bringing my rating down to 4 stars. I can carry it anywhere, and during meetings or classes, people barely know that I have it, or they mistake it as a cell phone. The first three modes have default files.WMA.
On Mac OS X Leopard, the software had no trouble reading and editing.WMA format. Addendum 8/22/08. Make sure you make all of your edits before converting. The last two have default files.DSS, which is the format associated with the DSS Player software. With closer inspection, I found that although this recorder is very nice, it can improve in a couple of minor areas (bringing my rating to 4 stars). In order to accommodate Macintosh and Windows, this recorder and many flash drives create a folder and a file entitled '._Trash' when it is read by a Mac. The interface is very intuitive, and I am enjoying this product very much. The fidelity and recording sensitivity are superb.
This whole scenario can be avoided if you simply delete files from the recorder itself by pressing the 'Erase' button for each file (or you can delete them from a PC). Instead, you need to plug the device into a PC and delete the files from there. I am very happy with this purchase.
To correct my review above, I'd like to go into more detail. Plus, I was able to edit the file just fine by erasing small chunks at a time. First, the recorder has five different recording modes: Stereo High Quality (HQ), Stereo Standard (SP), Mono HQ, Mono SP, and Long-term recording (LP).
The sound quality is very good, even for meetings in large rooms. However, the folder is not visible on the Mac interface (it might be, but I don't know how to find it). At first, I thought this would be a problem because I had a Mac, but the DS-2 software reads the files just fine, and Quicktime can also read.WMA.
The DS-2 software was easy to install and easy to use. I also used it during an individual clarinet practice session in a small room, and I heard excellent detail in my sound.
I'm a freelance technology writer who lives or dies by the ability to record my interviews with chief technology officers and systems administrators of big companies. The DS-20 model has plenty of room for recording multiple interviews before I'd need to download them. Having the accuracy of a quote or technical comment is critical. Wish I had one of these in graduate school. The quality and feature set are excellent. This is my third digital recorder by Olympus and they just keep getting better and better.
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