Olympus DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder

  • Price: $149.99
  • No Longer Available
  • B&H # OLDS40
  • Mfr# 141911

Product Highlights

  • 512MB Built-In Memory
  • WMA
  • 136 Hours Recording Time
  • Voice Activation
  • LCD
  • Detachable Stereo Mic

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The slim DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder from Olympus, gives you the versatility you need to get the most out of digital voice recording, playback and management. Including the ability to record and playback WMA media format, you can use the DS-40 for voice as well as music or other digital audio files.

An included USB cable makes uploading and downloading your high quality digital stereo recordings a snap. 512MB of built-in memory, a large back-lit LCD, compact design, voice activation, multiple recording formats, and more make the DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder a great choice for professionals, students, and anyone else who needs to remember personal notes, conversations, meetings, interviews or for any other voice recording needs.

512MB Built-In Memory
Store up to 137 hours of voice recording on the built-in 512MB of flash memory.
Voice Recorder/Music Player All-In-One
Supporting WMA, you can record and playback both your digital recordings and music on this versatile digital voice recorder.
Removable Highly Sensitive Stereo Mic
The detachable high-sensitivity stereo mic captures high quality audio, with a full rich sound. There is also a built in monaural mic so you can record without the external add-on.
Your voice recorder also features a filter that removes ambient noise, such as air conditioners, so you only record what you intend.
Stereo Recording/Playback
Capable of recording and playing back on its built-in speaker in stereo in ST XQ or ST HQ formats, this player is built for high-quality digital recording and playback.
Folder Storage
You can save up to 200 items in each of the 5 folders. Music, Podcast, and Audible folders are also available.
Podcast Player
This is a fully functional Podcast player! Simply register your favorite Podcast programs, and the new programs will be automatically downloaded when you connect to your. computer
USB
Not only can you use the included USB cable to upload your recordings to your computer, this vice recorder also functions as a USB mic or USB speaker system for your computer.
Multiple Recording Modes
Recording in ST XQ, ST HQ, HQ, LP and SP gives you the flexibility you need to store the maximum amount of digital files of the quality you specify.
VCVA (Variable Control Voice Actuator)
Don't waste space while recording. With VCVA on, this voice recorder detects and automatically starts recording when it hears your voice.
Timer and Alarm
You can set you voice recorder to record, or playback an audio file, at a preset time.
Large, Back-lit LCD
Finding the digital voice and music files you need and organizing is easy with the large LCD.
DSS Player Software
The included software not only lets you easily manage and archive your digital recording files.
Repeat Function
The voice recorder features a "repeat" button that allows you to loop a recorded audio clip automatically. This is a great option for helping to transcribe audio that you may have to listen to a few times to understand.
Recording
Microphone Type Detachable stereo mic
Mode Stereo/mono
Clip Splitting 512MB internal flash memory
Format WMA
Time To First Fix ST XQ mode: 8 hours, 40 minutes
LP mode: 136 hours, 15 minutes
Voice Activation Yes
Convenience
Speaker Built-In 23mm Round Dynamic Speaker
LCD 1.02 x 0.98" (26 x 25mm)
Connectors
Input 3.5mm microphone mini-jack
Output 3.5mm earphone mini-jack
Other USB
Power
Battery Type 2 x AAA
Battery Life (approx.) Alkaline: Approximately 32 hours
External Power Supply AC Adapter
General
Frequency Response STXQ mode: 50Hz-19KHz
LP mode:100Hz-3KHz
System Requirements (Minimum) Windows 2000 Professional/XP
Intel Pentium II 333MHz
2 x CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM drive
64MB RAM or more (256 Recommended)
Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 or 100% compatible sound card
USB Port
Dimensions (WxHxD) 1.5 x 4.4 x 0.6" (3.8 x 11.1 x 1.6cm)
Weight 2.8 oz (80g)

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews
Olympus DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder
 
4.6

(based on 9 reviews)

Ratings Distribution

  • 5 Stars

     

    (5)

  • 4 Stars

     

    (4)

  • 3 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 2 Stars

     

    (0)

  • 1 Stars

     

    (0)

100%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

  • Reliable (9)
  • Compact (6)
  • Good audio (6)
  • Long battery life (4)
  • Durable (3)

Cons

    Best Uses

    • Conversation piece (3)
    • Lectures (3)
      • Reviewer Profile:
      • Tech savvy (3)

    REVIEWS

    Reviewed by 9 customers

    Sort by

    Displaying reviews 1-9

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    4.0

    Excellent recording quality

    By JY

    from Boulder, CO

    About Me Beginner

    Verified Buyer

    Pros

    • Durable
    • Easy To Install
    • Excellent audio
    • Good design
    • Reliable

    Cons

      Best Uses

        Comments about Olympus DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder:

        After just a few minutes checking the manual I was able to record a talk and discussion with about sixteen people in a spacious living room and am very satisfied with the results. I did at one point accidentally leave the recorder on in voice activated mode during a long break--sounds in the room kept activating the recorder & drained the batteries to the point where I had to replace them so I could continue recording. It would be great if this recorder was designed with a rechargable battery pack. Sometimes it seems to go through the batteries fairly quickly—might have something to do with the recording level used—so it's important to keep spare batteries on hand. An AC adapter, available separately, is a bit pricey and should I think be included with the recorder. Other than this I think it's an excellent product and easy to set up and use.

          Comment on this review

           
          5.0

          Versatile Audio Recoder

          By Kandinsky

          from Tampa, FL

          About Me Competitive

          Pros

          • Durable
          • Easy To Install
          • Reliable

          Cons

            Best Uses

            • Indoor
            • Outdoor

            Comments about Olympus DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder:

            This is a solid high quality product.
            Love it.
            The best part is that it works as a high quality USB mic in Windows XP or Vista, (not sure about the Mac). No drivers needed. !

            Comment on this review

             
            4.0

            Need a Voice Recorder? Look No Further

            By MDJAK

            from NEW York

            About Me Recreational

            Verified Buyer

            Pros

            • Durable
            • Easy To Install
            • Reliable

            Cons

              Best Uses

              • Indoor

              Comments about Olympus DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder:

              I bought this product for my son who is taping a dictation class for court reporting students. I've owned for a brief time a Sony but returned it for it's poor user interface.
              Olympus is the king of these items. Extremely easy to learn and operate, great sound quality.
              Highly recommended.

              Comment on this review

               
              4.0

              A good little thing

              By Shankar

              from India

              About Me Good enough with gadgets

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Compact Design
              • High Quality Sound
              • Long Battery Life
              • Reliable

              Cons

              • Picks Up Background Noise

              Best Uses

              • Lectures

              Comments about Olympus DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder:

              I use it to record lectures. I like the voice canceling function and Dict. function that makes recording really great.

              Comment on this review

               
              5.0

              Excellent voice recording device...

              By Ernest The Professor

              from San Juan, PR

              About Me Tech Savvy

              Verified Buyer

              Pros

              • Compact Design
              • High Quality Sound
              • Long Battery Life
              • Reliable

              Cons

                Best Uses

                • Conversations
                • Lectures

                Comments about Olympus DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder:

                I purchase this product to record conferences and group meetings. It offers an outstanding sound quality and cristal clear digital reproduction. The digital files were tranfered to my PC seamlessly without loss in terms of sound reproduction. The energy management is superior. With two alkaline AAA bateries you could record and playback over 20 hours. Strongly consider to purchase the AC adapter A328 to increase the equipment capabilities.
                I would prefere that the provided software DSS Player V.7 could enable to save the files as MP3 files in addition to the WMA files. The link to gather the upgraded version in not operational.

                The manufacturer should include a decent cover to protect the equipment as part of the package.
                Beside these minor items, this is an excellet piece of equipment.

                Comment on this review

                (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                 
                5.0

                Sure beats analog

                By Cis

                from Erie, PA

                About Me Technically Challenged

                Verified Buyer

                Pros

                • Compact Design
                • High Quality Sound
                • Long Battery Life
                • Reliable

                Cons

                  Best Uses

                  • Court reporting

                  Comments about Olympus DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder:

                  This is one heck of a recorder. It is very easy to use, and the sound quality is phenomenal, whether you're recording in a small conference room or a large assembly room. It does a good job filtering out extraneous noise.

                  The only bad experience I've had with it is that it has been mistaken for a cell phone. In the middle of a hearing, a witness picked it up and said, "Hey, who left their cell phone on the table?"

                  Comment on this review

                  (1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                   
                  5.0

                  Gotta love it!

                  By EphKathy

                  from Ephraim, WI

                  About Me Tech Savvy

                  Verified Buyer

                  Pros

                  • Compact Design
                  • High Quality Sound
                  • Reliable

                  Cons

                    Best Uses

                    • Conversations

                    Comments about Olympus DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder:

                    I haven't had a chance to use all the features, but for the two meetings I've taped so far, I've found it flawless. Although 20 people sit in the room, it picks up every word. A few button-pushes later, it's on my laptop and stored safely. I'll never use bulky recorders again.

                    Comment on this review

                    (1 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

                     
                    4.0

                    Excellent sound quality, quirky controls

                    By DogWalker

                    from St. John's, Newfoundland

                    About Me Tech Savvy

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                    • Compact Design
                    • High Quality Sound
                    • Long Battery Life
                    • Reliable

                    Cons

                    • Side controls nuiscance

                    Best Uses

                    • Conversations
                    • E-mailing sound letters

                    Comments about Olympus DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder:

                    As a Canadian editor I use it to e-mail comments and encouragement to a Luxembourg novelist on her manuscript.

                    The sound is excellent, it's a good size for adult fingers to handle, and the battery life is excellent.

                    Some controls are on the side and can be inadvertently triggered. It would be better to have then all on the front like the Olympus WS-110. The cable is a nuisance. Direct USB connection would be better.

                    Comment on this review

                    (0 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

                     
                    5.0

                    "A" Maker

                    By NaNa

                    from Corona, CA

                    About Me Technically Challenged

                    Verified Buyer

                    Pros

                    • Compact Design
                    • High Quality Sound
                    • Reliable

                    Cons

                    • Picks Up Background Noise

                    Best Uses

                    • Lectures

                    Comments about Olympus DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder:

                    Great for note taking in class.

                    Comment on this review

                    Displaying reviews 1-9

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                    Software

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                    Transcription

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                    What's in the Box

                    Olympus DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder
                    • Stereo Microphone
                    • USB Cable
                    • Stereo Earphones
                    • DSS Player Ver.7 Software
                    • 2 x AAA Battery
                    • Product Manual
                    • 1-Year Limited Warranty
                     
                     
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