The latest Olympus digital voice recorders come with the ability to update their firmware as and when Olympus release new updates. The firmware is essentially the operating system that runs your digital voice recorder so it is a good idea to always stay up-to-date with any new firmware releases, much as you do with your Mac when new OS X operating system releases are made and on Windows with security patches and fixes. Firmware updates will improve the usability of your recorder, fix any minor bugs and often add more features or improve usability.
To check your current firmware version on your Olympus DM-3 or Olympus DM-5 digital voice recorder navigate the menus:
Preferences -> System Menu -> System Info
Your current loaded firmware version will then be displayed along with your recorder model and serial number.
To upgrade the firmware on your Olympus DM-3 or DM-5 digital meeting recorder on a Mac or Windows PC you will need:
- Obviously your Olympus DM-3 / DM-5
- The DM-3 / DM-5 USB Cable
- If on Mac – OS X 10.4.11 or higher
- If on Windows – XP, Vista or 7
I recommend that you either fully charge your DM-3 / DM-5 prior to upgrading the firmware or better still use the AC mains power adapter (not Mac/PC powered USB). If the firmware upgrade fails your recorder may be left unusable, this will often occur if the recorder battery is low and powers down during upgrade.
Next you will need to determine if your current firmware version is older than what is currently available. You can do this by either regularly checking the relevant Olympus firmware website for your operating system (links below) or better still keep an eye on our blog as we will announce firmware updates as and when they occur:
Click here for the latest Olympus DM-3 or DM-5 firmware for Mac
Click here for the latest Olympus DM-3 or DM-5 firmware for Windows
The above links will give you all the detail you will need to update the firmware on your recorder.
STEP BY STEP GUIDE – DM3/DM5 FIRMWARE UPGRADE ON MAC
The steps for upgrading the firmware on a Mac are the same as on Windows, the walk through splash screens are exactly the same (see Windows upgrade steps below). The only difference I noted was that when I ran the .dmg installer it forced my to reboot my Mac prior to automatically launching the DM-3/DM-5 firmware upgrade. I left my digital recorder USB connected during this reboot.
STEP BY STEP GUIDE – DM3/DM5 FIRMWARE UPGRADE ON WINDOWS
So once you have downloaded the firmware upgrade for Windows from the above Olympus link, simply double click and the firmware updater will walk you through the process. It is very simple and only takes around 4 minutes to complete the firmware upgrade.
Step 1.
Confirms that the software you are running is a DM-X (Dm3 or DM5) firmware updater and requests you USB connect (PC not AC) your Olympus DM-3 or DM-5 digital voice recorder.
Step 2.
Your Olympus DM-3 or DM-5 will be detected and this is confirmed in this next splash box. Here you can check your current firmware version against the firmware version available and downloaded. If they are different then you can continue.
Step 3.
Firmware update phase 1 begins. PLEASE NOTE there are two phases of firware update so please be patient and read carefully every splash screen instructions.
Step 4.
Firmware (phase 1) is copied to the Olympus DM3/DM5 and is updating the digital voice recorder.
Step 5.
The next phase of firmware update is about to begin. Do not pull out your recorder from the USB yet.
Step 6.
This confirms that the new version of the firmware is now residing on the Olympus DM-3/DM-5 and is ready to be installed.
Step 7.
Wait while the firware unpacks on the DM3/DM5.
Step 8.
Firmware is installing.
Step 9.
That’s it! Your Olympus DM3 / DM5 has been flashed with the new firmware.
