Neal from the midi-mag mailing list is going to do a audio review of one of these units when he gets it.
Here is the press release. > Three New Digital Audio Recorders for Note-Taking at Work, and > Podcasts, Audio >Books and Music at Play > > CENTER VALLEY, Pa., January 4, 2007 Olympus unveils three new > DS-Series >digital voice recorders that bridge the gap between work and play. In >addition > to capturing audio of meetings, interviews and other critical > information >expected of digital recorders, the new Olympus DS-30, DS-40 and DS-50 are >optimized > for downloading, listening to and creating podcasts. The new > recorders' high >sound quality is also great for listening to audio books and music, making > them the all-in-one audio device. > > Software included with the devices makes downloading podcasts easy, and > the >podcasts' contents are updated automatically each time the audio recorder >is > connected to or "synchronized" with a computer. Podcasts and > other audio content >can be downloaded from any Web site. The new voice recorders are also > specifically designed to work with Audible.com, a leading online > provider of >audio books and other spoken entertainment and information. > > "Olympus has done a fantastic job designing the new DS-Series, in > particular the >voice guidance feature will have great appeal to both commuters and the > visually impaired community. This functionality is a great asset > to anyone that >relies upon Audible for its audio programming," said Chia-Lin Simmons, > vice president Strategic Alliances, Audible, Inc. "We are > confident that the >combination of Audible's vast audio selection with Olympus, the technology > leader in digital voice recording, will be well received." > > The voice recorders are also distinguished by a number of premium > features, >including: > > The highest sound quality in the Olympus line-up with the new > XSHQ Remarkable >Stereo Sound Quality mode. The new DS-Series devices can record and play >audio > content up to 44.1 kilohertz (kHz), which is equal to the sound > quality of most >CDs. > A convenient removable stereo microphone for recording high-quality > digital >audio. > A "Voice Guidance" function that talks, confirming which settings have > been >selected and helping visually challenged users to navigate the device. > Built-in memory from 256MB to 512MB to one gigabyte that enables > amazingly long >recording times ranging up to 275 hours. > "PC Link" enables the recorders to connect to a PC via the > included USB cable >for quick downloading of audio files to and from a computer. "Our DS-Series > voice recorders have been used for years by professionals such as > doctors and >lawyers to capture audio throughout their workday," said Andy Flagg, >director, > Sales and Marketing, Olympus Imaging America Inc. "These new > devices have moved > >from the hospital and courtroom into their personal lives. With stereo > headphones and up to one gigabyte memory, the new devices are optimal > for >holding virtual libraries of music, audio books and podcasts, as well as >the > traditional voice recordings." > > Intelligent & Stylish Design > These DS-Series recorders are sleek road warriors that can go anywhere > to >capture audio for podcasts and interviews. As podcasters join the ranks of >lawyers, > doctors and other professionals who use voice recorders, they can > rest assured >that they will have what it takes to get the job done. The new DS-Series > have microphones that can detach from their bodies and attach to a > remote >controller (an optional accessory) to allow podcasters to clip the >DS-Series' > microphone onto a shirt or tie and record in high fidelity at the flip > of a >switch. Recording in this unobtrusive manner with the recorder tucked away > in a pocket helps to keep an interviewee at ease, which in turn > can lead to more >entertaining and informative podcasts. > > Designed for optimal ergonomics with a high attention to detail, > the recorders >feature a speaker for audio playback on the back, buttons for recording and > playback on the side, and easy-to-use arrow pads and buttons to > navigate menus >on the front. Olympus even created a power on/off sliding switch so users > wouldn't accidentally turn it on. Coated in a sleek metallic exterior > for >durability, all three models come with large, easy-to-read high-contrast >LCD > screens that display file information, recording time and > settings. The DS-30 >features a silver casing with an amber backlight LCD screen. The >DS-40 features > a dark silver casing with a white backlight LCD screen. The DS-50 > features a >blue casing with a white backlight LCD screen. > > Voice Confirmation and Instruction Manual > The three new devices offer a voice confirmation function that > can be turned on >or off. When turned on, the function enables the devices to speak, helping > users to navigate the folders and various set-up options. The > pleasant automated >voice guides users through the onscreen menus for setting date, time and > other menu selecting modes. It also confirms by stating the > folder name as the >user moves from one folder to another. This enables visually challenged > users to easily move through the device's menus, folders and > set-up options. An >instruction manual will also be available to users as an audio file. Much > like any audio book, this option enables users to listen to the > instruction >manual for quick and easy use. > > Music Recording and Playback > Both MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio) files can be downloaded > and played back >on the device. This provides users with extreme flexibility, enabling them > to use one device for recording meetings / lectures for work or > school, while >also enjoying music and audio books for fun. > > Timer Recording Mode > A Timer Recording mode is available for instances when a recording needs > to >begin at a specific time. It works by setting a beginning time to >start recording > and an end time to stop recording. This feature is valuable for > those who do not >want to call attention to the fact that they're making a recording by > pushing the record button, or when timing is essential to capture > the recording. > > Variable Speed Playback > Users of the new DS-Series digital recorders will appreciate the control >provided by the variable speed playback settings. After capture, the >slow playback > option allows recordings to be listened to efficiently with > playback that is up >to 50 percent slower than real time, and fast playback that is up to 50 > percent faster than real time. Slow playback helps to eliminate > the need for >users to listen to the same recording multiple times to hear what was said, > and with fast playback they can skip ahead to the essential > sections - a real >benefit for transcribing dictation. > > Long Lasting Power > The DS-Series digital voice recorders have up to 32 hours of continuous >operation made possible by the long battery life of two AAA >batteries. An AC power > supply is also available. The DS-Series digital voice recorders > also feature a >one-year warranty. > > Availability > The DS-30, DS-40 and DS-50 will be available in January 2007. > Accessories >include stereo microphone, USB Cable, stereo earphones, a DSS Player >Version > 7 Software CD-ROM and two AAA-alkaline batteries. DS-50 > additionally includes a >remote control and carrying case. > > U.S. Pricing > DS-30 Digital Voice Recorder Estimated Street Price: $149.99 (U.S.) > DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder Estimated Street Price: $199.99 (U.S.) > DS-50 Digital Voice Recorder Estimated Street Price: $249.99 (U.S.) > > Review units and high-resolution images of the DS-Series Digital > Voice Recorders >are available from Mullen Public Relations. Contact Jeff Hluchyj, (978) > 468-8939 or [EMAIL PROTECTED] . For more information contact Jennifer >Lyons, public relations manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc., >484-896-5350, > [EMAIL PROTECTED] , Olympus Imaging America Inc., 3500 Corporate >Parkway, Center Valley, Pennsylvania 18034, or the Olympus Web site: >http://www.olympusamerica.com. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob Seed" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "PC audio discussion list. " <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 9:32 AM Subject: Re: new Olympus recorders > Bobcat, > Please post it on this list, as many of us would like to see what all of > the > hype is about. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Bobcat" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "PC audio discussion list. " <[email protected]> > Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 9:42 AM > Subject: new Olympus recorders > > >>I recently heard about new digital recorders from Olympus. The real great >> things about them are: First; they are designed with voice feedback for >> the >> blind. Next, they have stereo recording. And, they are Audible >> compatible. >> >> Shall I send the press release I read on another list? >> >> >> >> Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... >> http://www.pc-audio.org >> >> To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> > > > > > Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... > http://www.pc-audio.org > > To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] Audio List Help, Guidelines, Archives and more... http://www.pc-audio.org To unsubscribe from this list, send a blank email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
