Olympus DS-2 Digital Voice Recorder | 
 enlarge | Brand: Olympus
Category: CE
List Price: $129.99
Buy New: $118.95
You Save: $11.04 (8%)
New (2) Refurbished (7) from $63.50
Rating:  110 reviews
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 1.1
Dimensions (in): 9.6 x 6.5 x 1.5
MPN: 141757
Model: 141757
UPC: 050332298613
EAN: 0050332298613
ASIN: B0008ESGAY
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Compact digital voice recorder with 64 MB of internal memory and USB docking station | | • | Up to 22 hours of recording time in LP mode; 12 total speed levels (8 fast playback and 4 slow playback) | | • | Each of 5 file folders holds 199 files; includes DSS Player editing software | | • | USB dock connects to Mac or PC for file transfers; voice activation for hands-free recording | | • | 18 hours of operation on 2 AAA batteries (included); 1.48 by 4.8 by 0.69 inches (W x H x D) |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com Product Description
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.
Product Description
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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 105 more reviews...
 Good unit but not great value August 21, 2008
This is a fantastic unit -- easy to use, exceptional quality and records for more hours than you will ever need. Plus it is small and light. Only thing is that I always used a compact external microphone to really take advantage of the sound quality.
The only problem is the 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.
I just think it doesn't fit any market. 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.
 Fantastic Recorder August 20, 2008
I purchased a factory refurbished DS-2 recorder, and it works beautifully! The fidelity and recording sensitivity are superb. I was able to hear a person in a large room talking 20-30 feet away. I also used it during an individual clarinet practice session in a small room, and I heard excellent detail in my sound.
As other reviewers have noted, the USB cable is rather unique, so be sure to take good care of it!
The DS-2 software was easy to install and easy to use. 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
The only trouble I had with the software was that it did not recognize the digital recorder. My computer, however, recognized it just fine as an external hard drive, and all I had to do was import files into the software. The default file format is .WMA. 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. If necessary, the DS-2 software can easily convert .WMA to .AIFF.
Overall, I'm very happy with this product. 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. I am very happy with this purchase!
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Addendum 8/22/08
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). To correct my review above, I'd like to go into more detail. 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 first three modes have default files .WMA. The last two have default files .DSS, which is the format associated with the DSS Player software. On Mac OS X Leopard, the software had no trouble reading and editing .WMA format. The .DSS format, however, was a little tricky. 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). This was easily fixed by going to File > Properties and unchecking the 'Read Only' box. Plus, I was able to edit the file just fine by erasing small chunks at a time. 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).
When you convert a file to .AIF, the software can no longer edit the file. Make sure you make all of your edits before converting. 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).
One setback is the way a Mac will read this device as an external hard drive. 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. If you delete files from your Mac computer, their memory is still kept in the ._Trash folder. However, the folder is not visible on the Mac interface (it might be, but I don't know how to find it). Instead, you need to plug the device into a PC and delete the files from there. Otherwise, your recorder with say that it has zero files, but somehow, the memory is full, and you won't be able to record. 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).
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. Bigger is always better.
For these reasons, I'm bringing my rating down to 4 stars. 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). 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 sound quality is very good, even for meetings in large rooms. The interface is very intuitive, and I am enjoying this product very much.
 Digital recorder extraordinaire March 6, 2008
1 out of 4 found this review helpful
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. Having the accuracy of a quote or technical comment is critical. This is my third digital recorder by Olympus and they just keep getting better and better. The DS-20 model has plenty of room for recording multiple interviews before I'd need to download them. The quality and feature set are excellent. Wish I had one of these in graduate school!
crapy usb cable February 4, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
The DS2 it'sself is excellent for what I use it for the two problems I have is that since I have a mac the software for the computer is not what you would expect and the USB cable uses a propietery mini usb port but claims to use a normall one so I am having to buy a new cable because I lost the old one even though I have 3 mini usb cables sitting next to me.
olympus and dragon naturally speaking 8 December 5, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I bought it specifically to use with dragon naturally speaking 8. My initial thoughts:
Pros:
-Jaw Dropping accuracy. I mean there is nothing that will prepare you for the shock you will feel when you see your mumbled voice recording appearing on the screen into a neatly typed document. Its eerie.
-the ds-2 was the second highest rated recommended voice recorder on dragon's (nuance's) website. (the highest rated one is a sony model which is considerably more expensive than the ds-2).
-relatively inexpensive if you can pick it up on sale or used.
-Nice ergonomics, solid feel, a pleasure to use.
Cons:
-kludgie and non professional method of setting up the olympus to talk with DNS. As the other review here mentioned, the instructions are haphazard. Basically DS-2 comes with olympus' DSS player, a program to organize, play, and manage the voice notes on the ds-2. if you want to integrate with DNS 8, you need to upgrade to "DSS Plus". That costs 10 bucks extra, and involves navigating olympus's website until you come to the order page which looks like it was set up by a high school student. Amazingly, if you take the plunge and give them your credit card number, you eventually get a code that you go back into DSS Player and type in (look under one of the menu's, i think it was under the help menu), and that "upgrades" you to "plus". After that you have to launch dragon, create a new user, select olympus ds-2 as the source, then you have to train the new user account by reading into your ds-2 a VERY LONG PASSAGE (literally 30 minutes of reading) that dragon provides. The whole process is cumbersome, time consuming, and not well documented, though you CAN get thru it if you take a deep breath at each phase and 'just believe'. After the long training, dragon analyzes your voice recording (which takes a long time too - up to 30 minutes). but after that, you're done, and it does an eerily superb job of transcribing voice recordings rapidly and incredibly accurately, even when you mumble, and even with an air conditioner running in the background. Just stunning. I've never seen anything like it. I'm utterly delighted.
-wont work with dns 9, though there was a note on the website that an update might be available. May not work with vista either, though maybe the update will address that too.
-eats batteries - use one of the new "eneloop" rechargeable batteries and you'll be okay. The "eneloop" batteries can sit in the player for a long time and dont lose their charge when unused (unlike lithiums.)
Thats my first impression. Did mention that your jaw will drop?
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