Olympus DM-20 Digital Voice Recorder and Music Player

Olympus DM-20 Digital Voice Recorder and Music Player
Manufacturer: Olympus
Product Type: CE

Editorial Review:
Product Description
Olympus DM-20 Digital Voice Recorder - Comes with Instruction Manual; Case; Strap; 2 x AAA Battery; CD-ROM: DSS Player 2002 & Windows Media Audio Player; Earphones (Stereo); Remote Controller w/built-in Microphone; USB Cable; Dock Cradle. This pocket-sized, all-metal device supplies up to 45 hours voice recording time or two hours of CD-quality music. It can also be combined with the Olympus AS-3000 for the ultimate transcription solution, capable of playing back audio from the left or right microphones independently, or both simultaneously (An optional two-channel microphone is required for playback audio independently). Included remote control doubles as an external microphone. Noise Cancellation mode reduces ambient sound for improved clarity. WOW audio technology provides rich bass and 3-dimensional stereo sound during music playback. Manage your voice files in 5 folders and music files in 2 folders capable of storing up to 199 files in each. SHQ, HQ, SP and LP modes provide recording flexibility. Voice activation capable Index marking Large, backlit LCD Speaker Built-in 23 mm round dynamic speaker. Microphone Jack 3.5 mm mini-jack / Earphone Jack 3.5 mm mini-jack Batteries required - Two AAA (may use alkaline (up to 16 hours) or NIMH rechargeable (up to 12 hours per charge) Supports - Windows - Windows 98, 98SE, ME, 2000 Professional, XP Professional, Home Edition / Macintosh - Mac OS 9.0/9.1/9.2/10.1/10.2 for data transfer
Amazon.com Product Description
The Olympus DM-20 stereo digital voice recorder/music player packs 128 MB of built-in flash memory to give you nearly 45 hours (2,680 minutes) of voice recording or two hours of near-CD-quality music in either MP3 or WMA formats. The DM-20's compact, lightweight design and smooth, silvery finish make it an ideal travel companion. Measuring a mere 4.31 x 1.56 x 0.6 inches (H x W x D) and weighing in at a mere 3 ounces, the attractive and ergonomic DM-20 fits comfortably in the hand of the on-the-go professional or exercise enthusiast.

The DM-20 has 5 separate file folders capable of holding 199 files each, so you can organize nearly 1,000 files according to subjects like "work," "personal," and "to do." When recording, simply capture your high-quality voice files in either WMA or DSS (Digital Speech Standard) format and then place the recorder in the included USB docking station to begin downloading hours of audio to a PC or Macintosh computer. Stereo voice recording is possible with an optional stereo microphone.

Alarm playback will alert you to meetings, dates, show reminders, or wake-up times. You can simply dictate reminders into the DM-20--such as "Time to pick up the kids!"--and assign a time for this message to sound, like an alarm clock's buzzer.

Built-in WOW sound enhancement produces rich bass, and three-dimensional sound, while a user-selectable 5-setting equalizer lets you tailor the sound to your taste or environment. Olympus's innovative noise-canceling technology makes the sound even clearer. removing unwanted hiss and background noise.

The unit offers a built-in condenser microphone, and a .125-inch microphone jack gives you the option to use a high-quality external mic (not included). A .125-inch earphone jack and supplied stereo ear bud headphones let you monitor your files during or after recording. To suit various sound conditions, you can adjust the microphone's sensitivity. The recorder can be viewed in low-light situations, such as at a lecture hall or during presentations, thanks to its easy-to-read backlit LCD.

After capturing recordings you can erase them or move them between folders. The DM-20 also lets you set up to 16 index marks per message, during recording and during playback. This way, you can locate specific sections of individual dictations quickly and easily. The individual files may be played back at three different speeds: normal, fast, or slow, through either the built-in speaker or the supplied earphones. In addition, with the Repeat Playback function, the DM-20 can repeatedly play back a particular user-selected section of audio recording--ideal for transcribing dictation.

The unit's Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) ensures that recording begins only when sound occurs, while its security lock prevents accidental deletion of sensitive files.

The DM-20 is perfectly suited to meet varying professional needs. You can easily attach voice files to e-mails or forward them to others for transcription. The optional AS-3000 transcription kit (DSS Player Pro transcription module with foot switch and headset) can further streamline this process. The DM-20 is also compatible with most voice recognition software, including IBM's Via Voice.

What's in the Box
Voice recorder, docking station, USB cable, stereo ear bud headphones, a CD-ROM, a user's manual, and warranty information.