RSS
Twitter
Email
FacebookOptions For Playing Olympus .ds2 (DSS Pro) Audio Files If You Use Express Scribe Or Older Olympus Transcription Kits
Oct 20
AS-2400, AS-5000, DS-2400, DS-3400, DS-5000 & DS-5000iD, Digital Dictation & Transcription, Digital Voice Recorders, How To's, Olympus, Software AS-2300, AS-2400, AS-4000, AS-5000, australia, classic mode, convert .ds2 .dss, dictation module, DS-2400, DS-3400, ds-5000, ds-5000iD, DSS Player Pro, DSS Player Standard, express scribe .ds2, mac, Olympus, transcription module, windows 11 Comments
This is a hot topic in the transcription world currently. The new DSS Pro (.ds2) audio format now in use by default on all the Olympus digital dictaphones: DS-2400, DS-3400, DS-5000 and DS-5000iD. It is a hot topic for a couple of reasons, often a transcriber can not play the new .ds2 audio files because:
- Transcriptionist has an older Olympus transcription kit (AS-2300 or AS-4000)
- Transcriptionist uses free Express Scribe software
There are a number of ways to get around this glitch and the options depend on what you have already and what operating system you use. I will try to cover all possible solutions, if I miss one please let me know and I will update this post. What I will say right from the outset is that these solutions are work arounds for typists who choose not to stay up-to-date with the latest software. By purchasing an Olympus AS-5000 transcription kit (or just the DSS Player Pro transcription module software AS-5002 if you already own an RS-28 Olympus foot pedal) all these issues will go away. The latest DSS Player Pro transcription module is fully compatible with the DSS Pro (.ds2) audio files.
So let me try and cover all options for those who do not have the latest DSS Player Pro transcription module.Dictation with Olympus DS-3400/DS-5000/DS-5000iD Mac or Windows User – Typist with Olympus AS-4000 transcription kit on Windows
The AS-4000 transcription kit comprised a foot pedal, headset and DSS Player Pro version 4 transcription module software. Using the DSS Player Pro version 5 software which comes with the DS-3400/DS-5000/DS-5000iD the DSS Player Pro version 4 transcription module can be updated, free of charge, to DSS Player Pro version 5 transcription module. Thereby giving you a transcription kit compatible with the new .ds2 audio files. However, you must have an RS-28 transcription foot pedal, the older RS-26 transcription foot pedal will not function with DSS Player Pro version 5 transcription module. The upgrade will generate a new licence key specifically for the DSS Player Pro version 5 transcription module. You must write this licence key down and keep it safe. I suggest write it on a post-it note and keep it with the DSS Player Pro version 4 software CD and licence key.
Dictation with Olympus DS-3400/DS-5000/DS-5000iD Mac User – Typist with Olympus AS-2300/AS-4000 transcription kit on Mac
As you will likely already know, the functionality of the DSS Player Version 7 Plus on the Mac lacks some of the functionality of the DSS Player Pro v5 software for Windows. One key feature missing is the ability to set Classic Mode on your Pro Series recorder through the Mac software, this can only be done using the Windows dictation module. Therefore you will either need a Windows machine to install the DSS Player Pro v5 dictation module to change the default recording mode on your dictaphone or if you run Windows on your Mac using virtualisation software (VMWare Fusion, Parrallels, VirtualBox) you can set it using your Windows virtual machine.
If you do not have a Windows machine available your options are: 1. Upgrade your transcription kit to an AS-5000 or 2. Auto convert on download all dictation recorded on your DS-3400/DS-5000/DS-5000iD to .aif format which can be transcribed by older Olympus transcription kits on Mac. On your Mac select Preferences and then click the Download tab. Then tick “Convert to AIFF file during download”, see below.
Dictation with Olympus DS-2400 – Typist with Olympus AS-2300 transcription kit on Windows
The AS-2300 transcription kit comprised a foot pedal, headset and DSS Player Standard version 4 transcription module software. Using the DSS Player Standard version 5 software which comes with the DS-2400 the DSS Player Standard version 4 transcription module can be updated, free of charge, to DSS Player Standard version 5 transcription module. Thereby giving you a transcription kit compatible with the new .ds2 audio files. However, you must have an RS-28 transcription foot pedal, the older RS-26 transcription foot pedal will not function with DSS Player Standard version 5 transcription module. The upgrade will generate a new licence key specifically for the DSS Player Standard version 5 transcription module. You must write this licence key down and keep it safe. I suggest write it on a post-it note and keep it with the DSS Player Standard version 4 software CD and licence key.
Dictation with Olympus DS-3400/DS-5000/DS-500iD on Windows – Typist with Express Scribe on Windows
For this combination we have a few options:
- Set the recorder (DS-3400/DS-5000/DS-5000iD) to record in .dss format (known as Classic mode) by default instead of .ds2
- Convert the audio from .ds2 to .dss before sending to the typist
- Typist purchases the DSS Player Pro version 5 dictation module (AS-5001)
- Typist purchases the DSS Player Pro version 5 transcription kit (AS-5000)
Set the recorder (DS-3400/DS-5000/DS-5000iD) to record in Classic Mode by default
Using the DSS Player Pro version 5 dictation module it is possible to set the DS-3400/DS-5000/DS-5000iD to record by default in the .dss audio format, this is know as “classic mode”. This is set in the dictation module software itself and the setting uploaded to the recorder. View our
video demonstrating how to set Classic Mode.
Convert the audio from .ds2 to .dss before sending to the typist
With the files from the recorder loaded into the DSS Player Pro dictation module it is possible to convert the file format from .ds2 to .dss by simply right-clicking on the file and selecting “Convert Dictation..” and then select the audio format you want to convert to, the choice includes .dss
Typist purchases the DSS Player Pro version 5 dictation module (AS-5001)
This is the cheapest option for the transcription typist. The dictation module software is the same software that comes with the DS-3300/DS-5000/DS-5000iD, this can be installed on a Windows PC and can be used when receiving a .ds2 file simply for audio file conversion to .dss. If you are an independent or outsourced transcription business this is a cost effective solution as the AS-5001 (DSS Player Pro dictation module) is only RRP $160.00 incl. GST. By using the DSS Player Pro version 5 dictation module you can continue to use Express Scribe. Do not be tempted to ask to borrow the software CD that comes with the recorder, the licence is a single user licence and would have been used and registered when the person using the recorder would have installed their software.
Typist purchases the DSS Player Pro version 5 transcription kit (AS-5000)
This is for the serious transcriptionist. The AS-5000 kit comes with all you would need, Olympus RS-28 foot pedal, transcription headset and DSS Player Pro version 5 transcription module. This is the perfect accompaniment to the DS-3400/DS-5000/DS-5000iD recorders and can be set to automatically receive and load transcription from these recorders. All the features available in the dictation module are passed to the transcription module like prioritisation and audio notes. The RRP for the AS-5000 kit in Australia is $525.00 incl. GST – note this kit will accept audio from ALL Olympus digital voice recorders.
Dictation with Olympus DS-2400 – Typist with Express Scribe on Windows
It is not possible to set the DS-2400 to record in “classic mode” like the Pro series dictaphones. So this leaves the transcriptionist with only a couple of options.
- Typist purchases the DSS Player Pro version 5 dictation module (AS-5001)
- Typist purchases the DSS Player Standard version 5 transcription kit (AS-2400)
Typist purchases the DSS Player Pro version 5 dictation module (AS-5001)
As just covered above, this is the cheapest option for the transcription typist. The dictation module software is the same software that comes with the Pro series recorders DS-3300/DS-5000/DS-5000iD and can be installed on a Windows PC for audio file conversion from .ds2 to .dss. If you are an independent or outsourced transcription business this is a cost effective solution as the AS-5001 only RRP $160.00 incl. GST. By using the DSS Player Pro version 5 dictation module you can continue to use Express Scribe.
Typist purchases the DSS Player Standard version 5 transcription kit (AS-2400)
The AS-2400 transcription kit consists of a RS28 USB foot control, headset and DSS Player Standard transcription module. This software is capable of playing .ds2 audio files from the DS-2400 recorder. It can also play audio from the Pro Series recorders (DS-3400, DS-5000, DS-5000iD) however some of the audio functionality is lost when playing through the Standard transcription module.
Dictation with Olympus DS-3400/DS-5000/DS-5000iD Mac User – Typist with Express Scribe on Windows
This is were we can take advantage of the generosity of Olympus. With each of the Pro Series recorders comes a single use licence for DSS Player Pro v5 dictation module for Windows and DSS Player Plus v7 for Mac. If the person doing the dictation has a Mac they will use the Mac licence. Meaning their Windows dictation module goes unused. The person dictating therefore has the option of giving this software (and therefore the unused Windows licence key) to his Windows based typist for him or her to use to convert the .ds2 audio from the person dictating to .dss format. The dictation module on Windows has the ability to convert .ds2 to .dss. On a Mac .ds2 can only be converted to .aif files, although .aif is a format that can be used by Express Scribe there is a large file size difference between a .ds2 file and a .aif file, this may cause a problem if emailing the file.
lesley
Nov 23, 2009 @ 23:16:57
Can you tell me where I can upgrade for free from Player Pro Version 4 to Player Pro Version 5 so I can convert DS2 to DSS files as I still have R26 footpedal.
Dave
Nov 26, 2009 @ 13:00:47
Hello Lesley
If you have the DSS Player Pro v4 transcription module installed on a Windows PC the free upgrade to v5 is only available using a DSS Player Pro v5 Dictation Module disk. If you work for someone who has purchased a DS-3400 or DS-5000 recorder, the dictation module software is supplied with these recorders. Otherwise you will need to purchase the DSS Player Pro v5 Transcription module seperatly, this is called an AS-5002 and costs $285.00 incl. GST in Australia. The RS26 pedal does work with this software using the latest patches from Olympus which can be found here.
I hope that helps.
Dave
Dictate Australia
Kay
Feb 04, 2010 @ 15:05:02
Hi Dave:
I do transcription. I found out on my own on on how to convert the DS2 to DSS. I am using the free Express Scribe software. The problem I have is the sound quality after coverting DS2 to DSS. I slow the speed down to about 60% or 70% to transcribe but it is hard to catch all the words, esp. dates like second or seventh. Any advice? Otherwise my foot will be stopping & rewinding a lot at closer to 100% speed.
Dave
Feb 07, 2010 @ 09:38:39
Hey Kay
Can you tell us how you convert .ds2 files? The best option for transcriptionists we have found, if you do not have the latest transcription software from Olympus is to buy the Olympus DSS Pro Dictation module which allows file conversion. This is called AS-5001 and retails for $145 incl. GST and will convert .ds2 to .dss (Windows only) for you – letting you play back in Express Scribe or older Olympus transcription kits.
There should be no sound quality issues when converting from .ds2 to .dss, we have only done this using Olympus software but I would expect any software licensed to play .ds2 audio files to convert the audio without loss of quality, assuming they are using higher bit rates.
Thanks
Dave
Dictate
Kay
Feb 08, 2010 @ 15:39:28
Hi Dave:
Sorry for not being more clear. I had bought the Olympus DS3400 with the pedal kit from PC Dictate. I downloaded the software to my computer for the transcription portion and the recorder is used by the dictator. When I saw your instructions in the above blog, those were the steps I already use to convert DS2 to dss.
As to the sound quality issue, my issue was playing it at a slower rate than at 100% speed. I’ve been trying transcribing at 100% rate and it has been fine.
Thanks for your help. I’m a newbie at this.
Chris
Feb 18, 2010 @ 10:50:31
Hi – i’m looking to buy a device that i can use in meetings around a board room table, whiteboarding sessions then have the info auto-transcribed on a mac. Sorry if this sounds simple. What would you recommend as the most cost effective option?
Thanks in advance.
C
Dave
Feb 19, 2010 @ 12:12:38
Hey Chris
You are going to be out of luck using a digital recording and having that transcribed automatically on a Mac. Speech recognition does exists and only a week or so ago a new product was released called MacSpeech Scribe which will take audio from a recorder and transcribe it, single speaker only. There is no software that will transcribe multiple voices for you, you either need to transcribe it yourself or send it to a specialist transcription company like The Transcription People.
As for recording your meetings any Olympus note taker from the WS-450S up would be a great option. Also worth a look is the LiveScribe Smartpen which will not only record your meeting audio but will also record your handwritten notes and link those notes to the audio.
I hope that helps.
Dave
Dictate
rod
Mar 10, 2010 @ 22:20:10
Hi Dave – i have the olympus dss 5000 dictaphone and foot pedals with the software that comes with it. it cost me a lot of money. it does not work properly. every time we try to load some dictation from the dictaphone it crashes our computer and we have to reboot to get it to work properly. i have emailed the pathetic olypus support several times and they do not respond. it is inexcusable for such a expensive product and such a leading brand software. is there ANY other software that i can use to enable my staff to type out my dictated notes (from the olympus dicataphone) using the olympus pedals or do i need to throw them away and start again with a decent product. any help is appreciated. we have been struggling with this, trying to get help from the abysmally pathetic olympus help desk for about 4 months now – regards rod
Dave
Mar 12, 2010 @ 19:55:02
Hey Rod
That does not sound good and is very unusual for Olympus software to crash a computer. I am assuming you are running Windows? ( I have a Macs, they don’t crash
) Can you let me know what operating system you are running and the exact versions of the dictation module and transcription module you are running. If you could email these to me it will help, I can then respond to you directly and let you have the Olympus voice support phone number for Australia. If you have been emailing olympusvoice.com.au then you will get no reply, they closed down over Christmas and were taken over by Olympus Imaging.
Thanks
Dave
Dictate Australia
Tom
Mar 12, 2010 @ 20:17:26
I have received some .ds2 audio files via email. How can I convert these to a usable audio format on my Mac? It’s a little ironic and very annoying that an S in DSS stands for “standard” since no standard audio software will play it and since there are so many existing audio “standard” formats, why did Olympus have to complicate it for everyone by making their own?
Tom
Dave
Mar 12, 2010 @ 21:38:48
Hey Tom
You have a couple of options.
1. Invest in an Olympus transcription kit (AS-2400 or AS-5000) as they are both Mac compatible and will play .ds2 files, this is the pricey option.
2. Buy yourself the dictation module software (AS-5001) which is a bit cheaper, around AU$150 which will allow you to convert .ds2 files.
3. Chances are the person sending you the .ds2 file is a Windows user, if that is the case their dictation module CD will have 1x windows install licence key and 1x Mac install licence key. Ask them if you can borrow their CD and use their Mac licence key, this will give you option 2 above for $0.
I hope that helps.
Dave
Dictate Australia