Re: DM-520 US and DM-550 UK the same
Hi, just to say Pat Ferguson has a review of the Olympus 420 and 520 on the blindcooltech site now. Sorry if this has been mentioned already and I've not seen it. Ray Tim Noonan wrote: Just confirming that Pat Ferguson also contacted Olympus this morning to confirm they are the same. The confusion came from that none of the descriptions I found on US sites for the DM-520 mentioned volume setting, but for the DM-550, they did. Re pricing, may have been answered already, from Pat Ferguson the units are $199.99 and the optional charger is $29.99 which apparently comes with various international plugs. And, Of course, with this new unit, the recorder can be charged via the USB port instead. This should be my last Olympus post, till I get the machine to put through its paces :-) Tim -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dave McElroy WA6BEF Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 7:05 AM To: 'PC Audio Discussion List' Subject: RE: Olympus DM520 Jusn an FYI. The Dm 520 and 550 are the same unit, the 550 being sold in the UK. I was on the phone with Pat Ferguson this morning and we found the manual mic setting in the menu. So for myself the Olympus 520 it is. Maybe I can hold onto this one and not lose it. -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Jamie Pauls Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 9:45 AM To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: Re: Olympus DM520 Pat Ferguson did a two-part demo of the Olympus DM-420 and 520 recorders for Main Menu. As soon as the ACB Radio archives are back up and running, I will let you know. - Original Message - From: Ray rays-h...@raynetbrm.plus.com To: PC Audio Discussion List pc-audio@pc-audio.org Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 7:09 PM Subject: RE: Olympus DM520 Useful information and thoughts on the Olympus recorders there Tim, so thanks. My interest in these recorders is as a relatively affordable portable recorder for blind people doing audio journalism-type recordings for talking newspapers and audio magazines. There is sufficient voice guidance now to make this a far more reliable and practical job than with much less accessible recorders. the Plextor may come into it's own where a bit more dynamic range is needed and some music of limited dynamic range could be recorded too with it. That leaves us with recorders of the calibre of the Sony PMCD50 - hope I've got it's model number right - for live music and high quality sound gathering. While it's not really accessible we're told by Neal Ewers it is usable. that would seem to me to be the main choices open to us just now. Others could add in the Edirol R09h and the new Zoom recorder and there are podcasts kicking about covering these too. Let's hope someone reviews the Olympus DM series soon. Ray Tim Noonan wrote: Going from the functionality in the Olympus DS71, which has adjustable recording levels, there are either 10, but probably 15 recording volume settings, accessed by pressing the left and right arrows while in record pause or record. In addition, there are still the three microphone sensitivity settings on the side of the machine. The volume limiter (anti clipping facility is disabled when recording is set to manual volume levels. I haven't tested extensively, but while I think the voice capture of the DS-71 is extraordinarily good, for full spectrum recording, there is a lot more background hiss during silent passages and it seems somewhat limited frequency response, than one would expect for a wave recorder. I deduce from the promotional material, that the DM-550 will be a reasonable step up in actual recording quality, above and beyond the quality of the DS-71. That all said, for recording meetings and small conferences, the clarity of voice recordings and memos is second to none on the DS71, and its fantastic form-factor, in-built speaker and battery life. I'm not convinced the DM-550's recording quality will equal the Plextalk Pocket, and am certain it will be nowhere near the Zoom and Edirol units. Disclaimer, this email is in part based on my direct experience and a few educated guesses. Tim -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Ray Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:11 AM To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: Re: Olympus DM520 Rick, It seems the DM550, a bit more exspensive than the 520, has adjustable recording level. Quite what this means I'm not sure, i.e. it could be in three or four sensitivity settings, or a continuous control, but not seen the recorder so don't know. Worth re-reiterating the Plextor Pocket has meters so you can actually monitor record level; doubt the Olypus DM550 can do that, but then no doubt you'd get acustomed to using it. Ray Rick Alfaro wrote:
RE: DM-520 US and DM-550 UK the same
Also, the last two episodes of Steve and Angie Nutt's Ourplace podcast were recorded on the DM-550, and the latest episode, 173, has a review of the machine starting at around 28 minutes into the recording. The Ourplace home page is http://www.comproom.co.uk/ourplace Caroline -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Ray Sent: 18 October 2009 19:49 To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: Re: DM-520 US and DM-550 UK the same Hi, just to say Pat Ferguson has a review of the Olympus 420 and 520 on the blindcooltech site now. Sorry if this has been mentioned already and I've not seen it. Ray Tim Noonan wrote: Just confirming that Pat Ferguson also contacted Olympus this morning to confirm they are the same. The confusion came from that none of the descriptions I found on US sites for the DM-520 mentioned volume setting, but for the DM-550, they did. Re pricing, may have been answered already, from Pat Ferguson the units are $199.99 and the optional charger is $29.99 which apparently comes with various international plugs. And, Of course, with this new unit, the recorder can be charged via the USB port instead. This should be my last Olympus post, till I get the machine to put through its paces :-) Tim -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dave McElroy WA6BEF Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 7:05 AM To: 'PC Audio Discussion List' Subject: RE: Olympus DM520 Jusn an FYI. The Dm 520 and 550 are the same unit, the 550 being sold in the UK. I was on the phone with Pat Ferguson this morning and we found the manual mic setting in the menu. So for myself the Olympus 520 it is. Maybe I can hold onto this one and not lose it. -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Jamie Pauls Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 9:45 AM To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: Re: Olympus DM520 Pat Ferguson did a two-part demo of the Olympus DM-420 and 520 recorders for Main Menu. As soon as the ACB Radio archives are back up and running, I will let you know. - Original Message - From: Ray rays-h...@raynetbrm.plus.com To: PC Audio Discussion List pc-audio@pc-audio.org Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 7:09 PM Subject: RE: Olympus DM520 Useful information and thoughts on the Olympus recorders there Tim, so thanks. My interest in these recorders is as a relatively affordable portable recorder for blind people doing audio journalism-type recordings for talking newspapers and audio magazines. There is sufficient voice guidance now to make this a far more reliable and practical job than with much less accessible recorders. the Plextor may come into it's own where a bit more dynamic range is needed and some music of limited dynamic range could be recorded too with it. That leaves us with recorders of the calibre of the Sony PMCD50 - hope I've got it's model number right - for live music and high quality sound gathering. While it's not really accessible we're told by Neal Ewers it is usable. that would seem to me to be the main choices open to us just now. Others could add in the Edirol R09h and the new Zoom recorder and there are podcasts kicking about covering these too. Let's hope someone reviews the Olympus DM series soon. Ray Tim Noonan wrote: Going from the functionality in the Olympus DS71, which has adjustable recording levels, there are either 10, but probably 15 recording volume settings, accessed by pressing the left and right arrows while in record pause or record. In addition, there are still the three microphone sensitivity settings on the side of the machine. The volume limiter (anti clipping facility is disabled when recording is set to manual volume levels. I haven't tested extensively, but while I think the voice capture of the DS-71 is extraordinarily good, for full spectrum recording, there is a lot more background hiss during silent passages and it seems somewhat limited frequency response, than one would expect for a wave recorder. I deduce from the promotional material, that the DM-550 will be a reasonable step up in actual recording quality, above and beyond the quality of the DS-71. That all said, for recording meetings and small conferences, the clarity of voice recordings and memos is second to none on the DS71, and its fantastic form-factor, in-built speaker and battery life. I'm not convinced the DM-550's recording quality will equal the Plextalk Pocket, and am certain it will be nowhere near the Zoom and Edirol units. Disclaimer, this email is in part based on my direct experience and a few educated guesses. Tim -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Ray Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:11 AM To: PC Audio Discussion List
RE: DM-520 US and DM-550 UK the same
Thank you very much for that Caroline. Considering how critical Steve was of previous Olypus recorders that is interesting indeed, (smile). I shall go and take a listen, and thanks for the link. Ray Caroline Ford wrote: Also, the last two episodes of Steve and Angie Nutt's Ourplace podcast were recorded on the DM-550, and the latest episode, 173, has a review of the machine starting at around 28 minutes into the recording. The Ourplace home page is http://www.comproom.co.uk/ourplace Caroline -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Ray Sent: 18 October 2009 19:49 To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: Re: DM-520 US and DM-550 UK the same Hi, just to say Pat Ferguson has a review of the Olympus 420 and 520 on the blindcooltech site now. Sorry if this has been mentioned already and I've not seen it. Ray Tim Noonan wrote: Just confirming that Pat Ferguson also contacted Olympus this morning to confirm they are the same. The confusion came from that none of the descriptions I found on US sites for the DM-520 mentioned volume setting, but for the DM-550, they did. Re pricing, may have been answered already, from Pat Ferguson the units are $199.99 and the optional charger is $29.99 which apparently comes with various international plugs. And, Of course, with this new unit, the recorder can be charged via the USB port instead. This should be my last Olympus post, till I get the machine to put through its paces :-) Tim -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dave McElroy WA6BEF Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 7:05 AM To: 'PC Audio Discussion List' Subject: RE: Olympus DM520 Jusn an FYI. The Dm 520 and 550 are the same unit, the 550 being sold in the UK. I was on the phone with Pat Ferguson this morning and we found the manual mic setting in the menu. So for myself the Olympus 520 it is. Maybe I can hold onto this one and not lose it. -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Jamie Pauls Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 9:45 AM To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: Re: Olympus DM520 Pat Ferguson did a two-part demo of the Olympus DM-420 and 520 recorders for Main Menu. As soon as the ACB Radio archives are back up and running, I will let you know. - Original Message - From: Ray rays-h...@raynetbrm.plus.com To: PC Audio Discussion List pc-audio@pc-audio.org Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 7:09 PM Subject: RE: Olympus DM520 Useful information and thoughts on the Olympus recorders there Tim, so thanks. My interest in these recorders is as a relatively affordable portable recorder for blind people doing audio journalism-type recordings for talking newspapers and audio magazines. There is sufficient voice guidance now to make this a far more reliable and practical job than with much less accessible recorders. the Plextor may come into it's own where a bit more dynamic range is needed and some music of limited dynamic range could be recorded too with it. That leaves us with recorders of the calibre of the Sony PMCD50 - hope I've got it's model number right - for live music and high quality sound gathering. While it's not really accessible we're told by Neal Ewers it is usable. that would seem to me to be the main choices open to us just now. Others could add in the Edirol R09h and the new Zoom recorder and there are podcasts kicking about covering these too. Let's hope someone reviews the Olympus DM series soon. Ray Tim Noonan wrote: Going from the functionality in the Olympus DS71, which has adjustable recording levels, there are either 10, but probably 15 recording volume settings, accessed by pressing the left and right arrows while in record pause or record. In addition, there are still the three microphone sensitivity settings on the side of the machine. The volume limiter (anti clipping facility is disabled when recording is set to manual volume levels. I haven't tested extensively, but while I think the voice capture of the DS-71 is extraordinarily good, for full spectrum recording, there is a lot more background hiss during silent passages and it seems somewhat limited frequency response, than one would expect for a wave recorder. I deduce from the promotional material, that the DM-550 will be a reasonable step up in actual recording quality, above and beyond the quality of the DS-71. That all said, for recording meetings and small conferences, the clarity of voice recordings and memos is second to none on the DS71, and its fantastic form-factor, in-built speaker and battery life. I'm not convinced the DM-550's recording quality will equal the Plextalk Pocket, and am certain it will be nowhere near the Zoom and Edirol units. Disclaimer, this email is in part based on my direct experience
DM-520 US and DM-550 UK the same
Just confirming that Pat Ferguson also contacted Olympus this morning to confirm they are the same. The confusion came from that none of the descriptions I found on US sites for the DM-520 mentioned volume setting, but for the DM-550, they did. Re pricing, may have been answered already, from Pat Ferguson the units are $199.99 and the optional charger is $29.99 which apparently comes with various international plugs. And, Of course, with this new unit, the recorder can be charged via the USB port instead. This should be my last Olympus post, till I get the machine to put through its paces :-) Tim -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Dave McElroy WA6BEF Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 7:05 AM To: 'PC Audio Discussion List' Subject: RE: Olympus DM520 Jusn an FYI. The Dm 520 and 550 are the same unit, the 550 being sold in the UK. I was on the phone with Pat Ferguson this morning and we found the manual mic setting in the menu. So for myself the Olympus 520 it is. Maybe I can hold onto this one and not lose it. -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Jamie Pauls Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 9:45 AM To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: Re: Olympus DM520 Pat Ferguson did a two-part demo of the Olympus DM-420 and 520 recorders for Main Menu. As soon as the ACB Radio archives are back up and running, I will let you know. - Original Message - From: Ray rays-h...@raynetbrm.plus.com To: PC Audio Discussion List pc-audio@pc-audio.org Sent: Monday, October 12, 2009 7:09 PM Subject: RE: Olympus DM520 Useful information and thoughts on the Olympus recorders there Tim, so thanks. My interest in these recorders is as a relatively affordable portable recorder for blind people doing audio journalism-type recordings for talking newspapers and audio magazines. There is sufficient voice guidance now to make this a far more reliable and practical job than with much less accessible recorders. the Plextor may come into it's own where a bit more dynamic range is needed and some music of limited dynamic range could be recorded too with it. That leaves us with recorders of the calibre of the Sony PMCD50 - hope I've got it's model number right - for live music and high quality sound gathering. While it's not really accessible we're told by Neal Ewers it is usable. that would seem to me to be the main choices open to us just now. Others could add in the Edirol R09h and the new Zoom recorder and there are podcasts kicking about covering these too. Let's hope someone reviews the Olympus DM series soon. Ray Tim Noonan wrote: Going from the functionality in the Olympus DS71, which has adjustable recording levels, there are either 10, but probably 15 recording volume settings, accessed by pressing the left and right arrows while in record pause or record. In addition, there are still the three microphone sensitivity settings on the side of the machine. The volume limiter (anti clipping facility is disabled when recording is set to manual volume levels. I haven't tested extensively, but while I think the voice capture of the DS-71 is extraordinarily good, for full spectrum recording, there is a lot more background hiss during silent passages and it seems somewhat limited frequency response, than one would expect for a wave recorder. I deduce from the promotional material, that the DM-550 will be a reasonable step up in actual recording quality, above and beyond the quality of the DS-71. That all said, for recording meetings and small conferences, the clarity of voice recordings and memos is second to none on the DS71, and its fantastic form-factor, in-built speaker and battery life. I'm not convinced the DM-550's recording quality will equal the Plextalk Pocket, and am certain it will be nowhere near the Zoom and Edirol units. Disclaimer, this email is in part based on my direct experience and a few educated guesses. Tim -Original Message- From: pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org [mailto:pc-audio-boun...@pc-audio.org] On Behalf Of Ray Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 3:11 AM To: PC Audio Discussion List Subject: Re: Olympus DM520 Rick, It seems the DM550, a bit more exspensive than the 520, has adjustable recording level. Quite what this means I'm not sure, i.e. it could be in three or four sensitivity settings, or a continuous control, but not seen the recorder so don't know. Worth re-reiterating the Plextor Pocket has meters so you can actually monitor record level; doubt the Olypus DM550 can do that, but then no doubt you'd get acustomed to using it. Ray Rick Alfaro wrote: This seems really impressive for the price and actually capable of making some high end recordings. I wonder however if there is a way of turning off AGC and setting
