Well, I could not find the olympus recorders in question at Amazon, but, I came across, http://www.startstop.com whilst googling, which sells proffessional equipment, such as dictation equipment and such. One can pre-order device from there, since they're not quite out yet. Supposedly one can get a "custom quoted price" from this web site. However, I had to send an e-mail asking about that when I clicked on the custom quoted price link. I was only asking about the ds-50, since that's the one with the most bang for me buck.
*********** REPLY SEPARATOR *********** Very interesting and well thought out device. I'd like to know how loud and clear the integrated speaker is. Like every new device, it seems that you can't get every thing you want. It is a shame that this device does not have an SD card slot. These days, 1 GB of memory is minuscule and paying and extra $50 for each memory upgrade from 256 to 1 Gb is almost laughable. Sure the Milestone 311 is pricy but it does have a card slot, great clear and loud sound as well as a long life rechargeable battery. Still, I can't wait to road test this new device. Cheers...Keith ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bobcat" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "PC audio discussion list. " <pc-audio@pc-audio.org> Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2007 9:59 PM Subject: Re: new Olympus recorders 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. " <pc-audio@pc-audio.org> 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. " <Pc-audio@pc-audio.org> > 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] 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]
