iDictate – Digital Voice Blog

Another month, another round of new digital voice recorders coming from Olympus Imaging Australia. This month we sadly see the end of life for the WS-450S, WS-550M and WS-560M digital voice recorders, although stock of these will last for a month or two yet. Sad because these little recorders certainly keep the benchmark very high when it comes to digital note taking and for interview and meeting recording. The good news is they are being replaced by even more stunning recorders in the form of the WS-650S, WS-750M, WS-760M and a new addition to the DM series the new DM-5, where to begin !

Lets start with the new range of WS series recorders; perfect for interviews, meetings, focus groups, lectures and conferences.

Here are their features at a glance …

Olympus WS-650S (RRP $169 incl. GST)

• 2Gb In built memory
• .mp3 or .wma recording
• Mac & Windows compatible

Olympus WS-750M (RRP $229 incl. GST)

• 4Gb In built memory
• Linear PCM recording (.wav)
• .mp3 or .wma recording
• Micro SD slot for expanded memory
• USB chargeable battery
• Mac & Windows compatible

Olympus WS-760M (RRP $269 incl. GST)

• Massive 8Gb in built memory
• Linear PCM recording (.wav)
• .mp3 or .wma recording
• Micro SD slot for expanded memory
• USB chargeable battery
• FM Radio Receiver
• FM Radio Recording
• Virtual Zoom Mic – Focus precisely on a single, distant audio source
• Auto Recording – Essential for long recording sessions, save battery power and cuts down superfluous recording.
• Mac & Windows compatible

As you can see a very slight design change from the last set of WS series recorders, the mics have been placed on the top of the unit now. One of the reasons for this is to allow the recorder to sit in a shirt or jacket top pocket and record. Also, there is a choice of colours for the units, well overseas anyway, we are yet to see if colour options come to Australia. What continues to amaze me is the amount and the cheapness of the storage, 8Gb is a huge amount of storage for a voice recorder which obviously now transforms it from just an excellent digital voice recorder into being also a music/podcast player and media mass storage device.

Details on the new Olympus DM-5 to follow …. the DM-5 will have an RRP in Australia of $599 incl. GST

Of course all these recorders will be available to buy from Dictate Australia – Olympus Gold Partner – with super fast delivery Australia wide.

Any questions or for further information grab us in one of many ways. Not sure of anything please ask, we are quite friendly you know:

• Phone: 1300 787 092 (option 2)
• Email: sales@dictate.com.au
• Twitter: @dictates
• Facebook: facebook.com/dictate.australia

Click here to read the Olympus Europe press release for the new WS series recorder.

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This month we have seen the demise of some digital notetakers from Olympus’ current range. Out go the Olympus WS-550M, VN-5500PC and VN-6800PC. The VN series recorders ends the line of super cheap discount recorders although some will still be available in the short term through national chains like Officeworks, no loss there I was never a fan of these.

The dropping of the WS-550M was a bit of a surprise, traditionally Olympus kept a range of two or three recorders in a series line up, with the loss of the WS-550M this just leaves the WS-450S and the WS-560M as the two remaining WS series recorders. These are fantastic little recorders with amazing audio pickup.

Not content with dropping recorders Olympus also have some new recorders in the pipeline for next month, we are just waiting for confirmation before announcing what they will be. You will be pleasantly surprised, some very cool recorders are coming.

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Olympus Imaging who this year took over the distribution of Olympus voice products in Australia have recently allocated Gold and Platinum status to a select few Olympus resellers Australia wide. This restricts the number of resellers able to sell the Pro range of digital dictation and transcription products and software; the DS-5000, DS-3400 recorders and the AS-5000 transcription kit and AS-5002 transcription module software. We at Dictate Australia are proud to have become a Gold Olympus partner.

What does this mean this to the resellers. Well not much has changed for most of us, we are required to keep a healthy stock of all Pro line recorders and we are all required to be trained in the Pro recorders and software, all of which we already are. We also have more direct access to our own personal Olympus representative who can assist us and you in making sure you get the right solution for your business. Your business could be a one person shop with outsourced transcription or a large hospital or legal practice with offices around the country, both Dictate Australia and Olympus will be there to help you plan for your needs.

As we are based on the NSW Central Coast, our office is in Erina, we are able to offer demo’s of the Olympus products in our office, just call to arrange a time. If you are in Sydney we can arrange to come to you for a demo and a chat, of course this is all obligation free and there is no hard sell (I am personally not a fan of hard sell as I will buy anything if subjected to it – I currently own several time shares in Spain and frequently change my phone/internet/gas/electric provider when they come knocking at my door ), this is just an opportunity for you to have a hands on look and feel and a chat about how the recorders and transcription kits work.

As we are a national reseller for Olympus those of you outside Sydney don’t lose out either. We are available as always by phone for advice and information at any time, if you have a question about any aspect of dictation or transcription just give us a call. We can also support you remotely using our direct connect support software can connect to your PC or Mac and help you with any issues. We run both Windows (XP, Vista, 7) and Mac in the office.

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Olympus have today announced that end of life has been declared for the three remaining analogue microcassette recorders in their Australian product range, they are the model numbers J500, J701 and J711. This will leave Olympus with a fully digital range of voice recorders and dictaphones.

Also joining the recorders in the dim and distant past will be the Olympus 1 pack and 3 pack 60 minute microcassettes. So even if you cling tightly to your old microcassette player thinking you will never let go and embrace digital, Olympus are turning the screw that little bit more by taking away the fuel for the old recorders engine, the tapes themselves. Sure, you can re-use your tapes … over and over and over and over … but one day you will have to admit that they are poor quality, a pain to store and even harder to find a recording.

Olympus are running out their remaining stocks which are already low and then that will be it. If you are nervous about moving to digital voice recorders don’t be, we are here to hold your hand and give you the advice you need. Just drop us a line at sales@dictate.com.au.

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