“Help” is a comment we have had a few times since the mac daddy of the Olympus digital voice recorder range, the DS-5000 and DS-5000iD was launched late 2008. This new Olympus digital dicataphone, which replaced the sturdy DS-4000, uses the latest DSS (Digital Speech Standard) audio technology known as DSS Pro which produces digital audio files with the extension .ds2
The previous audio format used by its predecessor the Olympus DS-4000 produced audio files with the extension .dss, this audio format was shared between a few of the leading digital voice manufacturers like Olympus and Philips and had been around for a while. Third party voice developers like the Australian NCH company had developed software which could easily play that audio format on a PC and so they and others created software which could use that format. Of note was their highly popular free digital transcription software called Express Scribe.
What we have found lately is the users of the DS-5000 recorders who are utilising the smaller outsource transcription companies are having issues as Express Scribe and other free transcription software is not able to play the DSS Pro .ds2 audio files. Of course for the larger Australian outsource transcription businesses like our sister company The Transcription People this is not an issue.
No need to panic, there is a way around this. Although the DS-5000 by default records in DSS Pro it can be changed to record in the older DSS .dss format, this is called Classic Mode. Setting the DS-5000 to Classic Mode is done via the DSS Pro Dictation Module software and not on the recorder itself. I spent plenty of time trawling through the onboard menus on my DS-5000iD before I did the sensible thing and read the manual!
If you are using a smaller outsource transcription business or your in house typing team uses the older Olympus transcription kits then I would suggest you switch your DS-5000 to classic mode until such time as they have updated their software to the DSS Pro transcription module or purchased a new Olympus AS-5000 digital transcription kit.
Nuance have just announced a new major release for its Windows based voice recognition software, Dragon NatutrallySpeaking. Currently shipping as version 10.0 an upgrade is now available to take Dragon upto version 10.1, this is a free update for current version 10.0 licence holders.
The upgrade to version 10.1 is currently only available for Dragon NaturallySpeaking Standard and Preferred versions. The update for Professional users is planned for Early April 2009.
Be warned people, the upgrade is a monster download. Weighing in at 1.37Gb for Preferred users and 1.22Gb for Standard. So you might want to go grab a three course meal out somewhere nice while it is downloading.
The big news in this release is that Dragon NaturallySpeaking v10.1 supports 64bit Windows Vista system.
Other inclusions in this release add support for IE8 and Firefox 3. Also included is enhanced documentation, including a “Commands Quick Reference” sheet, updates to the install guide and the users guide as well as more updates to the help files and tutorials.
This upgrade is not to be confused with the Service Pack SP1 out earlier this year, which primarily focused on documentation updates and bug fixes.
One of the best features of the Philips digital voice tracer (DVT) models is the ability for the end user to update the firmware in the recorder. This is an easy way for Philips to pass on bug fixes and product enhancements to the recorders without the need for return to base saving the consumer considerable time.
The firmware update is very simple. Basically you USB connect your DVT to your PC or Mac and download the .bin firmware file to the recorders root directory. Once it is there select the firmware upgrade through the recorders menu system and Bob’s your uncle, DVT updated with the latest firmware.
Full instructions and the latest firmware release notes are on the Software Downloads page for each DVT on the Philips Dictation Australia website.
This week we took delivery of the new Philips 880 Digital Voice Tracer. Philips have really made an effort with this new range of digital voice tracers which also include the 860 and 880 models, we finally see Mac compatibility which is a smart move by Philips. Gone is the need to install software in order to retrieve audio from the recorder as was the case in the old voice tracer range, these new models are all simple plug and play. Olympus have for sometime been the only descent Mac compatible digital voice recorders around and with the boom in Mac sales it makes good business sense at Philips to recognise this fast growing, tech savvy user base.
Philips DVT Digital Voice Tracers are Windows, Mac & Linux Compatible
In the box I am impressed by the number of goodies. Along with the recorder and the mandatory instruction manual in 752 languages comes a neck strap (handy), batteries so you are ready to go (essential), USB connecting cable (long so no messing around the back of your PC or notebook), stereo headset (nice touch) and a very nice stereo lapel mic, usually an optional extra for most voice recorder manufacturers.
Philips Digital Voice Tracer - DVT - 880 - LFH0880
The recorder itself is lightweight with the batteries in and about the size of a Nokia chocolate bar mobile phone. There is a sticker right over the built in speaker on the front of the unit which is stuck with that special glue, you know the kind that leaves half the sticker attached as you peel it off. Tad annoying.
Powering up the recorder the display is backlight blue so looks good but the display is big and clear. Flicking through the menus isn’t as intuitive as it could be and some initial manual referencing is required to work out things like changing the recording mode and mic sensitivity.
USB plug and play is a breeze on Winows, Mac and also Linux, the device is simply a USB drive so audio is easily accessed via the voice folders where they are stored.
This is recorder has a PCM mode for better than CD quality recording. In our office testing we did find the audio pickup at close range to be excellent like all recorders however it did seem to struggle a little with voices at the end of a large boardroom table. We did the same distance test with an Olympus WS-210S and the picked up clearer audio from a distance that the 880.
Some will like the ability to play music (mp3 and wma) on the recorder and to listen to the radio. I still find this a bit of a gimic in a voice recorder so we didn’t test these functions although I am sure it playes back music as well as any other USB music player. The ability to record FM radio will also appeal to some.
Summing up, the 880 is a good, cheap voice recorder for close range meetings (max 4 or 5 people) and for single speakers. It is very easy to get the audio off of the recorder no matter what platform you use.
Pros:
Well priced entry level PCM recorder.
Easy to use.
Fast easy transfer of files on all platforms – Windows, Mac and Linux.
Can be USB powered conserving battery life.
Firmware is user upgradeable giving the end user access to bug fixes and improvements as they are released from Philips.
Cons:
Poor audio pickup around larger number of speakers, i.e. large boardroom table.
