Discount: Office: Olympus DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder

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November 21, 2008

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
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)

Amazon.com Product Description
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.

Customer Reviews: Read 59 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Works Great! November 3, 2008

Works excellent, both sides of conversation are clear using the peripheral TP-7 mic cable. The DS-40 is worth the extra expense for the ability to connect the USB seamlessly to drag and drop the 'non-proprietary file format' WMA files to a PC.

5 out of 5 stars

Not Disappointed At All October 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I got this digital recorder due to new regulations in my business that require certain phone calls to be recorded. After using this for several days now it has worked flawlessly. I also purchased the TP7 accessory that you simply plug into the DS-40 mic input and put the earbud into your ear while you talk on the phone. The DS-40 does a great job of recording these calls. I'll also find many more uses such as recording lectures and using it as a daily log for ideas. I don't know how many times I've been driving down the road or somewhere where I've thought of an idea that I want to remember and I haven't had a way to capture it. Now, with the size and quality of the DS-40, I'll just take it with me and when I have a thought like that I'll record it to reference later. I also am a semi-professional songwriter and musician so it'll come in quite handy for capture song ideas on the fly as well. The bottom line is this is a great little recorder that seems to do its job very well. There are only a couple things that I think could be improved. 1) The backlighting seems kind of dim and there is no way to increase it. The settings are either "on" or "off." I suppose this is to conserve power but it seems like this could have been better. 2) I would like to be able to re-name the folders and files to my preference. The folders are lettered A-E (for recording). There is a list of pre-sets that you can choose from to rename the file but you don't have the ability to define a name yourself. The names available could be useful but may not be exactly what you want. The files can't be renamed so if you want to change a file name to identify it by its content, you won't be able to do that. In fairness you can attach comments to a file after you load it into your computer and you could use those comments to help identify its content. Overall, I'm very happy with the DS-40 and would recommend it. It's sound is crystal clear and for the price (especially here at Amazon) you really can't go wrong.

4 out of 5 stars

Does the job October 17, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful

I use it to record my lectures at college (with the professor's permission). It catches every word, and is easy to turn on and off in a hurry. I wish it were rechargeable and smaller, but I'm happy to have it.

4 out of 5 stars

Great recorder, but have to pay extra for Player Plus 7 September 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I have to write minutes and don't take shorthand so a good recorder is a must. So far, Olympus recorders have proven to be the best. I purchased this recorder for its ability to export wav files playable in
Windows Media Player. My boss and I are able to share the meeting recording with my colleagues and the recorder has been able to capture the voices around the room. I use it on lecture and the highest quality because the women often have a habit of speaking softly in meetings so it can be difficult to capture their voices. The size of the rooms for our meetings vary, but most of them seat around 15-25 people along long tables and some seating on the sides.

I like the option to make podcasts. I agree with the criticism about the speaker on the back, however most of the time I am using ear phones to listen to the recording as I type minutes so this is not such a big issue and the speakers don't give you the best sound for listening anyway. Plus if you record anything in stereo you don't want to use the built in speaker.

The included DDS Player 7 software is supposed to be compatible with IBM Via Voice and Dragon Naturally Speaking, neither of which I have tried yet. My only gripe so far is that you have to pay $10 extra to upgrade to DSS Player Plus 7 to access some additional features such as file splitting and binding and seamless connection to Via Voice 10 and Dragon 8.

Overall I am satisfied with the quality of the recording and features, but a star off for making customers pay an extra $10 just to access a few extra features.

5 out of 5 stars

Wow - was that fast! September 29, 2008
0 out of 3 found this review helpful

Ordered on a Thursday afternoon - received Friday afternoon - standard shipping! Excellent! Great product - exactly what I needed.

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