Olympus DS 2300 User Manual

DIGITAL VOICE

RECORDER

DS-2300

ONLINE

INSTRUCTIONS

Thank you for purchasing an Olympus

Digital Voice Recorder.

Please read these instructions for information

about using the product correctly and safely.

Keep the instructions handy for future reference.

To ensure successful recordings, we

recommend that you test the record function

and volume before use.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents ................................................ 2

Safe and Proper Usage....................................... 4

General Precautions ........................................... 4

1 Getting Started

Main Features...................................................... 6

xD-Picture Card ................................................... 8

Identification of Parts .......................................... 9

Inserting Batteries ............................................. 11

Turning ON the Recorder .................................. 12

Power Save Mode ............................................. 12

Setting Time/Date (TIME&DATE) ...................... 13

Inserting and Ejecting a Card ........................... 16

2 Basic Operations

Recording .......................................................... 18

Microphone Sensitivity (MIC SENSE) .............. 22

Recording Modes (REC MODE) ....................... 23

Using the Variable Control Voice Actuator

(VCVA) .......................................................... 24

Recording Monitor ............................................. 26

Playing ............................................................... 27

Erasing............................................................... 29

3 Other Functions

Locking Files (LOCK) ........................................ 31

Index Marks ....................................................... 32

LCD Display Information ................................... 33

Formatting the Card (FORMAT) ........................ 35

Hold ................................................................... 37

LCD Contrast Adjustment (CONTRAST) .......... 38

Backlight (BACKLIGHT) .................................... 39

System Sounds (BEEP) .................................... 40

Menu Setting Method ........................................ 41

4 Preparation Before Using

DSS Player

Using DSS Player Software .............................. 42

Operating Environment ..................................... 43

Installing Software ............................................. 44

Uninstalling Software ........................................ 47

Using Online Help ............................................. 49

Connection to Your PC ...................................... 50

Running DSS Player ......................................... 52

Window Names ................................................. 54

5 Managing Files on Your PC

Download Voice Files from the Recorder ......... 55

Play a Voice File................................................ 57

Upload Voice Files to the Recorder .................. 58

Direct Recording/Editing on PC ........................ 60

Send Voice Files with E-mail ............................ 61

Changing User ID ..............................................61

Changing a Folder Name .................................. 62

Editing File Comments ...................................... 62

USB Microphone/USB Speaker ........................ 63

Upgrade Function ..............................................65

Using Voice Recognition Software ................... 67

Joining Files ...................................................... 75

Splitting Files ...................................................... 77

Menu Setting of this Recorder .......................... 79

6 Other Practical Use Methods

Using the Recorder as a Reader/Writer ........... 80

7 Other Information

Alarm Message List ...........................................81

Troubleshooting ................................................. 82

Accessories (optional) ....................................... 83

Specifications .................................................... 84

Technical Assistance and Support .................... 85

Safe and Proper Usage

Before using your new recorder, read this manual carefully to ensure that you know how to operate it safely and correctly. Keep this manual in an easily accessible location for future reference.

• The warning symbols indicate important safety

related information. To protect yourself and others from personal injury or damage to property, it is essential that you always read the warnings and information provided.

Convention Used In this Manual

• The word “card” is used to refer to the xD-

Picture Card.

• The word “DSS Player” is used to refer to

the DSS Player version 6 in Windows and Apple Macintosh environment.

• The Notes at the bottom of a page are used

for additional information, exceptions, or related events.

• Words in uppercase form such as PLAY or

REC are used to describe a function or button on the recorder.

General Precautions

● Do not leave the recorder in hot, humid locations such as inside a closed automobile under direct sunlight or on the beach in the summer.

● Do not store the recorder in places exposed to excessive moisture or dust.

● Do not use organic solvents such as alcohol and lacquer thinner to clean the unit.

● Do not place the recorder on top of or near electric appliances such as TVs or refrigerators.

● Avoid recording or playing back near cellular phones or other wireless equipment, as they may cause interference and noise. If you experience noise, move to another place, or move the recorder further away from such equipment.

● Avoid sand or dirt. These can cause irreparable damage.

● Avoid strong vibrations or shocks.

● Do not disassemble, repair or modify

the unit yourself.

● Do not operate the unit while operating a vehicle (such as a bicycle, motorcycle, or go-cart).

● Keep the unit out of the reach of children.

<Warning regarding data loss> Recorded content in memory may be

destroyed or erased by operating mistakes, unit malfunction, or during repair work. It is recommended to back up and save important content to other media such as a computer hard disk.

Batteries

Warning

• Batteries should never be exposed to flame, heated, short-circuited or disassembled.

• Do not attempt to recharge alkaline, lithium or any other non-rechargeable batteries.

• Never use any battery with a torn or cracked outer cover.

• Keep batteries out of the reach of children.

• If you notice anything unusual when using this product such as abnormal noise, heat, smoke, or a burning odor:

1 remove the batteries immediately

while being careful not to burn yourself, and;

2 call your dealer or local Olympus

representative for service.

1 Getting Started

Main Features

This product is equipped with the following features.

● Connect the USB connection cable to

enable high speed data transfer to a computer. (☞ P.50)

● Recording and storing voice in DSS

format.

● Two recording modes, SP (Standard

Playback) mode or LP (Long Playback) mode (☞ P.23).

● It has a large backlight full-dot display

(LCD display screen). (☞ P.39)

• The screen displays information about

recorded voice files and easily understood operational messages.

● The five folders can hold 199 files each,

for the maximum of 995 recordings. (☞ P.18)

● It has a built-in Variable Control Voice

Actuator (VCVA) function. (☞ P.24)

● You can insert or delete index marks.

(☞ P.32)

• If you insert index marks during recording or

playback, you will later be able to quickly find the recording you want to hear.

● Comes with DSS Player software. (☞ P.42)

• If you transfer voice files recorded with the

recorder to a PC, you can easily play back, organize, and edit the files. (☞ P.55)

• If you connect the recorder to a computer, you

can use it as a USB microphone or USB speaker. (☞ P.63)

● The “DSS Player” can be upgraded to a

“DSS Player Plus”, which is equipped with

a enhanced functionality (Option). (☞ P.65)

• If a commercial voice recognition software is

utilized, the recorded voice file can be converted to characters automatically.* (☞ P.67)

• In addition to the “DSS Player” functions,

joining and splitting of the files and configuring the menu settings of this recorder, etc. can be performed.

The “DSS Player” can be

Plus

*: In a quiet environment, it is necessary to set

this recorder to SP mode, and that the person whose voice is registered in the speech recognition software speak with the constant tone of voice when recording.

The voice file recorded under the following conditions is not suitable for character conversion, since the software may have difficulty in recognizing the voice.

— Meetings, discussions where voices of more

— Conferences, lectures where the surrounding

upgraded to “DSS Player Plus”, which is equipped with enhanced functionality (paid option). (☞P.65)

than one person can be recorded

noise can be recorded

IBM, PC/AT, and ViaVoice are the trademarks or registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.

Microsoft, Windows and Windows Media are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

Apple, Macintosh, iMac, Mac, and PowerMac are trademarks or registered trademarks of Apple Computer, Inc.

Intel and Pentium are registered trademarks of Intel Corporation.

CORTOLOGIC is a registered trademark of Ruwisch & Kollegen GmbH.

Other product and brand names mentioned herein may be the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.

ScanSoft and Dragon NaturallySpeaking are the trademarks or registered trademarks of ScanSoft, Inc.

Main Features

xD-Picture Card

The xD-Picture Card is a removable recording media.

xD-Picture Card

Compatible Cards

The removable card can be used to store different kind of data. Since the card has larger memory capacity than a diskette, it can be used to transfer data between different PCs. The recorder supports cards with memory capacity between 16 to 512 MB.

Memory Sizes of Cards and Approximate Recording Times*

Memory Size SP Mode LP Mode

16MB 2 hr. 30 min. 5 hr. 30 min.

32MB 5 hr. 10 min. 11 hr. 05 min.

64MB 10 hr. 25 min. 22 hr. 20 min.

128MB 20 hr. 55 min. 44 hr. 45 min.

256MB 42 hr. 00 min. 89 hr. 40 min.

512MB 84 hr. 05 min. 179 hr. 30 min.*

..............................................................................................................................................................

Notes

• When initializing (formatting) a card, confirm that no necessary data is stored on the card beforehand. Initialization completely erases the existing data on the card.

• Cards used in a recorder must be formatted in the same recorder first unless formatted with a CAMEDIA series Olympus digital camera. Card may not perform as expected when formatted by a different device.

• The card has a service life. When reaching the end of its life, writing or erasing data on the card will be disabled. In this case, replace the card.

• If you use a PC card adapter compatible with the card to save or delete some data on the card, the maximum recording time on the card may be decreased. To recover the original recording time, initialize/ format the card in the recorder.

• Olympus will not be held liable for any data corruption or loss due to misuse of the media card.

1 Index area

You can write down the card’s contents.

*1: Available recording time for one continuous file.

Available recording time may be shorter if many short recordings are made.

*2: Total recording time of two files. The maximum

recording time per file is 99 hours.

2 Contact area

Comes into contact with the recorder’s signal read contacts.

Identification of Parts

1 2

& ^

% $

# @

5 6

9 0

Identification of Parts

(

)

1 EAR (Earphone) jack 2 MIC (Microphone) jack 3 Built-in microphone 4 NEW button 5 HOLD switch 6 REC (Record) button 7 REW (Rewind) button 8 FF (Fast Forward) button 9 INDEX button 0 FOLDER/MENU button ! Built-in speaker @ STOP button

# PLAY button $ ERASE button % DISPLAY button ^ Display (LCD panel) & Record/Play indicator lamp * POWER (ON/OFF) switch ( VOLUME (+) button ) VOLUME (–) button

- Card cover = Card cover lock q Battery cover w PC (USB) terminal

Identification of Parts

Display (LCD Panel)

Identification of Parts

9 8

1 Battery indicator 2 Folder 3 Current file number 4 Total number of recorded files in the folder 5 Character Information display 6 Erase lock indicator 7 Microphone sensitivity display 8 VCVA (Variable Control Voice Actuator)

indicator

9 Record mode indicator

3 4

Inserting Batteries

Lightly press down on the arrow and slide the

battery cover open.

Insert two AAA alkaline batteries, observing the correct polarity.

Close the battery cover completely.

Replacing batteries

The battery indicator on the display changes as the batteries lose power.

➜ ➜ ➜

When appears on the display, replace the batteries as

....................................................................................................................................................

Notes

• Be sure to turn OFF the recorder before replacing the batteries. Removing the batteries while the recorder is in use may corrupt the card. If you are recording into a file and the batteries run out, you will lose your currently recorded file since the file header will not be written. It is crucial to replace the batteries when one hash mark in shown in the battery icon.

• Be sure to replace both batteries at the same time.

• Never mix old and new batteries, or batteries of different types and/or brands.

• If it takes longer than 1 minute to replace dead batteries, you may have to reset the time when you load

fresh batteries (☞ P.13).

• Remove the batteries if you are not going to use the recorder for an extended period of time.

soon as possible. When the batteries are too weak, the recorder shuts down and “BATTERY LOW” appears on the display.

An optional Ni-MH Rechargeable Battery from Olympus can be used for the recorder (☞ P.83).

Inserting Batteries

Turning ON the Recorder

With the battery in the recorder and the card inserted properly,

Turning ON the Recorder/ Power Save Mode

the recorder is ready to work. While the power switch on the back of the recorder is in the OFF position, none of the buttons or switch on the recorder will be active. Slide the power switch to the ON position to activate the recorder.

Power Save Mode

When the recorder is ON but not in use for 10 minutes, it will switch to power save mode automatically. To reactivate the recorder again, press any of the buttons on the recorder.

Setting Time/Date (TIME&DATE)

Setting the correct time and date on the recorder is very important since every file recorded on the recorder will have the date and time information as part of the file header. This will simplify the file management aspects later on.

The hour indicator will flash automatically when you load batteries before using the recorder for the first time, or after the recorder hasn’t been used for a long time. Proceed from step 1.

Setting Time/Date (TIME&DATE)

DISPLAY button

(Switching the data displayed.)

REC button

(Accepts a choice and moves on to the next item)

FF/REW button

(Alters a choice)

Set the hour.

1 Press the FF button or REW button to set

the hour.

2 Press the REC button to accept the hour.

• You can choose between 12 and 24 hour display by pressing the DISPLAY button while setting the hour and minute.

Example: 5:45 P.M.

Set the minute.

1 Press the FF button or REW button to set

the minute.

2 Press the REC button to accept the minute.

Set the year.

1 Press the FF button or REW button to set

the year.

2 Press the REC button to accept the year.

5:45 PM ←→ 17:45

(Initial setting)

Setting Time/Date (TIME&DATE)

REC button

Setting Time/Date (TIME&DATE)

DISPLAY button

(Switching the data displayed.)

.............................................................................................................................................................

Notes

• If you press the STOP button during the setup operation, the recorder will save the items that were set to that point.

• You can set the time and date from your PC using DSS Player software (☞ P.42).

(Accepts a choice and moves on to the next item)

FF/REW button

(Alters a choice)

• You can choose the order of the year, month, day by pressing the DISPLAY button while setting them.

Example: March 14, 2005

3M 14D 2005Y (Initial setting)

↓

14D 3M 2005Y

↓

2005Y 3M 14D

Set the month.

1 Press the FF button or REW button to set

the month.

2 Press the REC button to accept the month.

Set the date.

1 Press the FF button or REW button to set

the date.

2 Press the REC button to accept the date.

Changing the Time/Date

REC MODE

SUB MENU

2,4

1,5

Press and hold the FOLDER/ MENU button for 1 second or longer.

The menu appears (☞ P.41).

Press the FF or REW button to choose “SUB MENU”, and press the REC button.

The sub menu appears (☞ P.41).

Press the FF or REW button until “TIME&DATE” flashes on the display.

Press the REC button.

Time/Date screen appears. The hour indicator flashes, indicating the start of the Time/Date setup process. Follow the same steps starting at step 1 in “Setting Time/Date” (☞ P.13).

Press the FOLDER/MENU button to close the menu.

VCVA

REC MODE

MIC SENSE SUB MENU

EXIT

SUB MENU

VCVA REC MODE

Setting Time/Date (TIME&DATE)

Inserting and Ejecting a Card

Inserting a Card

Inserting and Ejecting a Card

Slide the card cover lock in the direction indicated by the arrow.

The card cover is unlocked and the message “CARD COVER IS OPEN” appears on the display. When this message appears, the power is switched off automatically.

Face the card the correct way and insert it into the card slot as shown in the diagram.

• Insert the card keeping it straight.

• The card stops with a click when it is inserted all the way.

• Inserting the card the wrong way or at an angle could

damage the contact area or cause the card to jam.

• If the card is not inserted all the way, data may not be written to the card.

Close the card cover securely.

Card inserted fully into the slot

The message “PLEASE WAIT” on the display flashes for seconds.

Card not inserted fully into the slot

When the card cover is closed, the message “INSERT CARD” on the display flashes for a few seconds. Pressing any button will sound beeps* and flash the message “INSERT CARD” again.

* When the system sounds are enabled.

..............................................................................................................................................................

Notes

• If an unformatted card is inserted, the recorder automatically displays the menu to menu format option (☞ P.35).

• Never use any card in the recorder unless it has been formatted on this unit or on a CAMEDIA series Olympus digital camera (☞ P.35).

Ejecting a Card

Make sure the recorder is STOP mode.

Inserting and Ejecting a Card

Slide the card cover lock in the direction indicated by the arrow.

The card cover is unlocked and the message “CARD COVER IS OPEN” appears on the display. When this message appears, the power is switched off automatically.

Push the card inward to unlock it, and let it eject partially.

The card is visibly out of the slot and can be removed safely.

Hold the card straight and pull it out.

..............................................................................................................................................................

Note

Releasing your finger quickly after pushing the card inward may cause it to eject forcefully out of the slot.

2 Basic Operations

4H33M12S

REMA I N :

NEW F I LE

AUTHOR A

a b

Recording

The recorder has five folders, A, B, C, D, E and you can select folder by pressing the FOLDER/MENU button. These five folders can be selectively used to distinguish the kind of

recording; for example, Folder A might be used to store private information, while Folder B

Recording

might be dedicated to holding business information. You can use your DSS player to change a folder name (☞ P.62). Up to 199 messages can be recorded per folder.

All recordings made in any of the folders will be in Digital Speech Standard (DSS) format. By default, the RECORD function is configured to record at the current position (overwrite). However, that can be changed to any of the following settings:

• Append: Appends the recording to the end of the current file.

• Insert: Inserts the recording at the current position in the file.

• Overwrite: Overwrites the recording starting at the current position in the file.

New Recording

Create a new file to record in.

Built-in microphone

Press the FOLDER/MENU button to choose a folder.

The folder name is displayed for 2 seconds.

Press the NEW button to create a new file.

a Current recording mode b New file number c Selected Author ID

Press the REC button to start recording.

The record/play indicator lamp glows red. Aim the microphone at the sound source.

d Current recording time e Remaining recording time

AUTHOR A

00M05S

4H33M07S

Press the STOP button to stop recording.

If you want to append additional recordings to the same file, press the REC button again.

Pause

Press the REC button while recording.

“REC PAUSE” will flash on the display.

➥

• The recorder stops when it has been left paused for 10 minutes or longer.

Resume Recording

Press the REC button again.

Recording will resume at the point of interruption.

➥

Review Recording

Press the REW button when recording, and release it when you want to start playback. The recorder plays up to the end of file, then stops. You can overwrite or append additional recordings in the same file from that point.

.............................................................................................................................................................

Notes

• A beep will sound when remaining recording time reaches 60 seconds, 30 seconds, and 10 seconds while recording.

•“MEMORY FULL” or “FOLDER FULL” will be displayed when the memory or folder capacity is full. Delete any unnecessary files before recording any further (☞ P.29) or transfer voice files to your computer using DSS Player Software (☞ P.42).

• You cannot select a different recording mode (SP or LP) than that of the original file when appending recording (☞ P.23).

• While recording, pressing the PLAY button stops recording and plays back the current file.

Recording

14M00S

AUTHOR A

10M25S

AUTHOR A

00M05S

LENGTH :

27M58S

Overwrite Recording

You can overwrite a previously recorded file from any point within the file. Note that the overwritten recordings will be erased.

Recording

4,6

5 2

Press the FOLDER/MENU button to choose a folder.

The folder name is displayed for 2 seconds.

Press the FF or REW button to choose the file into which you want

to overwrite.

Press the PLAY button to play the file.

a Current playback time b Total recording time of the file being

played

Press the STOP button where you want to start overwriting.

Press the REC button to start overwriting.

The record/play indicator lamp glows red.

Press the STOP button to stop overwriting.

AUTHOR A

LENGTH :

00M00S

27M58S

.............................................................................................................................................................

Note

You cannot select a different recording mode (SP, LP) than that of the original file before overwrite recording.

Insert Recording

Additional recording can be inserted into previously recorded file.

Press the FOLDER/MENU button to choose a folder.

The folder name is displayed for 2 seconds.

1,4

.............................................................................................................................................................

Notes

• The recording time and date of the file is updated to the time and date of the inserted recording.

• You cannot select a different recording mode (SP, LP) than that of the original file before inserting.

Press the FF or REW button to choose the file into which you want

to insert additional recordings.

Press the PLAY button to start playback.

While playing the file, press the FOLDER/MENU button to insert

an additional recording.

“INSERT ?” appears on the display.

Press the REC button to start inserting additional recording.

The record/play indicator lamp glows red. “INSERT REC” and the remaining recording time will alternate on the display.

Press the STOP button to stop inserting additional recording.

AUTHOR A

00M00S

LENGTH :

27M58S

AUTHOR A

00M10S

INSERT ?

02M25S

AUTHOR A

00M11S

4H33M06S

AUTHOR A

00M12S

I NSERT REC

Recording

Microphone Sensitivity (MIC SENSE)

MIC SENSE

CONF.

MIC SENSE

Microphone sensitivity is adjustable to meet recording needs.

Press and hold the FOLDER/ MENU button for 1 second or

Microphone Sensitivity (MIC SENSE)

3,5

2,4

1,6

.............................................................................................................................................................

Note

If you want to record clear or noise-free dictation, select DICT mode and place the microphone 5 cm to 10 cm (2 to 4 inches) from the source.

longer.

The menu appears (☞ P.41).

Press the FF or REW button to choose “MIC SENSE” flashes on

the display.

Press the REC button.

The microphone sensitivity setup

process begins.

Press the FF or REW button to choose between “CONF.” and

“DICT.”.

CONF.: High-sensitivity mode that

DICT.: Low-sensitivity mode suited for

Press the REC button to complete the setup screen.

Press the FOLDER/MENU button to close the menu.

records sounds in all directions.

dictation.

REC MODE

MIC SENSE

EXIT SUB MENU

MIC SENSE

CONF.

DICT.

Recording Modes (REC MODE)

REC MODE

The recording mode can choose between SP (standard recording) and LP (long-term recording).

Press and hold the FOLDER/ MENU button for 1 second or

longer.

“REC MODE” will be displayed on the screen (☞ P.41).

2,4

1,5

.............................................................................................................................................................

Note

Choose SP mode for recording meetings or lectures with crisp clarity.

Press the REC button.

The recording mode setup process

begins.

Press the FF or REW button to choose between “SP” and “LP”.

Press the REC button to complete the setup screen.

Press the FOLDER/MENU button to close the menu.

VCVA

REC MODE

MIC SENSE EXIT

REC MODE

Recording Modes (REC MODE)

Using the Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA)

ONON

OFF

VCVA

MIC SENSE

VCVA

REC MODE

SUB MENU

When the microphone senses that sounds have reached a preset threshold volume level, the built-in Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) starts recording automatically, and stops when the volume drops below the threshold level. The VCVA feature extends recording time and conserves memory by turning off recording during silent periods. This helps make the playback, with no lulls or dead space, more efficient

and convenient.

Using the Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA)

Press and hold the FOLDER/ MENU button for 1 second or

longer.

The menu appears (☞ P.41).

3,5

2,4

1,6

Press the FF or REW button to choose “VCVA” flashes on the

display.

Press the REC button.

The VCVA setup process begins.

Press the FF or REW button to choose between “ON” and “OFF”.

ON: Will start recording in VCVA mode. OFF: Will resume recording in normal

mode.

Press the REC button to complete the setup screen.

Press the FOLDER/MENU button to close the menu.

When “ON” is selected, a VCVA indication will be displayed on the screen.

Press the REC button to start recording.

When the sound volume is lower than the preset threshold sound level, recording automatically stops after 1 sec approximately, and “STANDBY” flashes on the display. The record/play indicator lamp glows when recording starts and flashes when recording pauses.

AUTHOR A

1H25M01S

STANDBY

Adjust the start/stop actuation level

Press the FOLDER/MENU button during recording.

The VCVA level screen displayed.

Press the FF or REW button to adjust the pause sound level.

....................................................................................................................................................

Notes

• The start/stop actuation level also varies depending on the selected microphone sensitivity mode (☞ P.22).

• If the starting level is not adjusted within 2 seconds, the display will return to the previous.

• To ensure successful recordings, prior testing and adjustment of the start/stop actuation level is

recommended.

The VCVA level can be set to any of 15 different values. The higher the value, the more sensitive the recorder to sounds. At the highest value, even the faintest sound will activate recording. The VCVA pause sound level can be adjusted according to the ambient (background) noise.

a Level meter (varies according to the sound

volume being recorded)

b Start level (moves to the right/left according

to the set level)

AUTHOR A

VCVA LEVEL 05

1H25M01S

Using the Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA)

Recording Monitor

If you start recording after inserting the earphone into the EAR jack on the recorder, you can hear the sound being recorded. The sound volume on the recording monitor can be adjusted by pressing the VOLUME (+) or VOLUME (–) button.

Recording Monitor

VOLUME (+)/(–) button

.............................................................................................................................................................

Notes

• Recording level cannot be controlled using the volume button.

• When using the earphones, do NOT set the volume too high. Listening at very high volume may lead to

hearing loss.

Connect the earphone to the EAR jack on the recorder.

After recording is started, you can hear the sound being recorded through the earphone. If the earphone is connected, no sound will come from the speaker.

+ 60 hidden pages