Olympus DS 30 User manual

2
Introduction
•The contents of this document may be changed in the future without advanced
notice. Contact our Customer Support Center for the latest information relating
to product names and model numbers.
•The utmost care has been taken to ensure the integrity of the contents of this
document. In the unlikely event that aquestionable item, error, or omission is
found, please contact our Customer Support Center.
•Any liability for passive damages or damage of any kind occurred due to data
loss incurred by adefect of the product, repair performed by the third party
other than Olympus or an Olympus authorized service station, or any other
reasons is excluded from the Olympus's liability.
[] Trademarks
IBM and PC/AT are the trademarks or registered trademarks of International
Business Machines Corporation.
Microsoft, Windows and Windows Media are registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation.
MPEG Layer-3 audio coding technology licensed from Fraunhofer liS and
Thomson.
The product was developed based on noise-canceling technology under license
from NEC Corporation.
IBM ViaVoice and Dragon NaturallySpeaking are the trademarks or registered
trademarks of Nuance Communications Inc.
Other product and brand names mentioned herein may be the trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective owners.
_~ _Pla_Ys_---t
_::: Windows
".TM Media™

General Precautions
•Do not leave the recorder in hot,
humid locations such as inside
a closed automobile under
direct sunlight or on the beach
in the summer.
•
Do not store the recorder in
places exposed to excessive
moisture or dust.
• Do not use organ ic solvents
such as alcohol and lacquer
thinner to clean the unit.
•Do not place the recorder on top
of or near electric appliances
such asTVs or re'frigerators.
•Avoid
recording or playing back
near cellular phones or other
wireless equipment, as they
may cause interference and
noise. If you experience noise,
move to another place, or move
the recorder further away from
such equipment.
• Avoid sand or dirt. These can
cause irreparable damage.
•
Avoid strong vibrations or
shocks.
•Do not disassemble, repair or
modify the unit yourself.
•Do not operate the unit while
operating a vehicle (such as a
bicycle,
motorcycle, or go-cart).
•Keep
the unit out of the reach
of children.
<Warning regarding data loss>
Recorded content in memory may
be destroyed or erased by
operating mistakes, unit
malfunction, or during repair
work.
It is recommended to back up and
save
important content to other
media such as a computer hard
disk.
Any liability for passive damages
or damage of any kind occurred
due to data loss incurred by a
defect of the product, repair
performed by the third party other
than Olympus or an Olympus
authorized service station, or any
other reasons is excluded from
the Olympus's liability.
Batteries
.6Warning
• Batteries should never be
exposed to flame, heated, short-
circuited or disassembled.
• Do not attempt to recharge
alkaline, lithium or any other
non-rechargeable batteries.
•Never useany
battery with a torn
or cracked outer cover.
•Keep batteries
out of the reach
of children.
3

4
• If you notice anything unusual
when using
this productsuch as
abnormal noise, heat, smoke,
or
aburning odor:
CD remove the batteries immediately
while being careful not to burn
yourself, and;
®call your dealerorlocal Olympus
representative for service.
AC Adapter
~ Warning
•Do not attempt to disassemble,
repair
or modify the AC adapter
in any way.
•Keep foreign
objects including
water, metal, or flammable
substances from getting inside
the product.
•Do
not moisten the AC adapter
or touch it with awet hand.
•Do
not use the AC adapter in the
vicinity of flammable gas
(including gasoline,benzine and
lacquer thinner).
In case
•...
the internal parts of the AC
adapter are exposed because it
has been dropped or otherwise
damaged:
•... the
AC adapter is dropped in
water, or if water, metal
flammable substances or other
foreign objects get inside it:
•... you notice anything unusual
when
using the AC adaptersuch
as abnormal noise, heat, smoke,
or a burning odor:
CD do nottouch any of the exposed
parts;
® immediately disconnect the
power supply plug from the
power outlet, and;
@call yourdealeror local Olympus
representative for servicing.
Continued use ofthe AC adapter
under these circumstances
could result in electric shock, fire
or
InJury.

Identification of Parts
CD Exclusive stereo microphone
(ME53S)
®MIC (Microphone) /REMOTE
jack
@ Built-in monaural
microphone
@REC (Record) button
@STOP button
®PLAY button
(J) DISPLAY/Podcast button
®POWER/HOLD switch
® Strap hole
@) Record/Play indicator light
(LED)
® Display (LCD panel)
@LIST/INDEX button
@FOLDER/A-Be. button
@VOLUME (+) button
@ ~(Fast Forward) button
@VOLUME (-) button
@ ~(Rewind) button
@OK/MENU button
@ERASE button
®EAR (Earphone) jack
®MIC SENSE (Microphone
Sensitivity) switch
@ PC (USB) terminal
@ Battery cover
@Power jack
@ Built-in speaker
5

Display (LCD Panel)
iii Folder A
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Display in the stereo
recording mode
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Display in the
playback mode
6
oFolder name indicator
f} Erase lock indicator
eCurrent file number
oPlay position bar indicator
oTotal number of recorded files
in the
folder
oRecord mode indicator
GCharacter informationdisplay
eIcon display
1m Noise Cancel indicator
Ii'Voice Filter indicator
[I .. F. Play indicator
m~ S. Play indicator
~ VCVA (Variable Control
Voice
Actuator) indicator
"'.11 Microphone sensitivity
indicator
E(f.~ Battery indicator
o Timer indicator
((e» Alarm indicator
X Low Cut Filter indicator
~LiiI Play Mode indicator

Inserting Batteries
1
2
3
1
Lightly press down on the arrowand slide
the battery cover open.
2
Insert two AAA alkaline batteries,
observing the correct polarity.
3
Close the battery cover completely by
pressing to the direction @, then sliding
to the direction @.
Ni-MH Rechargeable Battery
Optional Ni-MH Rechargeable Batteries from
Olympus can be used
in the recorder. Use them
with the BU-400 Olympus Ni-MH Rechargeable
Battery Charger (Europe only).
• Be sure to stop the recorder before replacing the batteries. Unloading the batteries while the recorder
is
in use may corrupt the file. If you are recording into afile and the batteries run out, you will lose your
currently recorded file because the file header will not be able to close. It is crucial to change the batteries
once you see only one Hash mark
in the battery icon.
•If it takes longer than 1minute to replace dead batteries, you may have to reset the time when you load
fresh batteries.
•Remove the batteries if you are not going to use the recorder for an extended period of time.
7

Power Supply
When the recorder is not being used, turn the power off to reduce battery
consumption to aminimum. Even if the power
is turned off, existing data, mode
settings, and clock settings will be maintained.
8
Turning On the Power
While the recorder's power is off, slide the
POWER/HOLD switch in the direction
indicated by the arrow.
The display will turn on, and, after "System Check"
appears, the power will
be turned on. The resume
function will bring the recorder back to the stop
position
in memory before power was turned off.
Turning Off the Power
Slide the POWER/HOLD switch in the
direction indicated
by the arrow for 0.5
seconds or longer.
The display shuts off and the power will be turned
off. The resume
function remembers the stop
position before the power is turned off.

HOLD
Ifyou bring the POWER/HOLD switch to the HOLD position, the current conditions
will be preserved, and all buttons and switches will be disabled.This feature is
useful when the recorder has to be carried in abag or pocket.
o
..J
o
:I:
L
Set the recorder to HOLD mode
Slide the POWER/HOLD switch to the
HOLD position.
After "Hold" appears on the display, the recorder is
set to HOLD mode.
Exit HOLD mode
Slide the POWER/HOLD switch to the @
position.
9

SettingTime/Date (Time&Date)
If you set the date and time beforehand, the information when the file is recorded
is automatically stored for each file. Setting the date and time beforehand enables
easier file management.
When you use the recorder forthe first time after purchasing it,
orturn the power on after having removed the batteries for one •
minute or longer to change them or for other purposes, the -
"Set Time&Date" message may appear. If the "Hour" indicator
flashes, follow the steps below to set it.
1Press the
~ or ~ button to select the item to
set.
Selectthe item from "hour", "minute", "year" "month" and "day"
with aflashing point.
2Press the +or -button to set.
Follow the same steps by pressing the ~ or ~ button to
select the next item, and press the +or -button to set.
3Press the OK button to complete the setup screen.
The clock will start from the set date and time. Press the OK
button according to the time signal.
Time &Date
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10
•If you press the OK button during the setup operation, the recorder will save the items that were set to that
point.
•After setup, amessage will sound saying that If the guidance is not required, select "Off", and the screen
goes into "Voice Guide" setup.
(~ P.26)
If you don't want the gUidance feature, select "Off".

Before recording
This recorder offers awide range of recording options by using the exclusive
stereo nlicrophone, built-in monaural microphone, and exclusive remote control
(provided with the DS-50 only). Choose arecording method according to your
need.
Stereo recording using the exclusive stereo
microphone
Plug the exclusive stereo microphone into the recorder's
MIC/REMOTE jack for stereo recording in ST XQ and
ST HQ modes and monaural recording in HQ, SP, and
LP modes.
Connect the exclusive stereo microphone to
the recorder's MIC/REMOTE jack.
Monaural recording with the built-in microphone
Even if the exclusive stereo microphone is unplugged,
recordings can be still made using the recorder's built-in
microphone.
Unplug the exclusive stereo microphone from
the recorder.
•If arecording is made in ST XQ and ST HQ modes while the exclusive stereo microphone is unplugged,
it will be amonaural recording through the built-in microphone, and same audio will be recorded on both
Left channel (Lch) and Right channel (Rch).
•Stop the recorder before plugging
in or unplugging amicrophone.
11

Recording
Before starting recording, select afolder between Folder eto Folder (;I. These
five folders can be selectively used to distinguish the kind of recording; for example,
Folder emight be used to store private information, while Folder fit might be
dedicated to holding business information. Newly recorded audio will be saved as
the last file in the selected folder.
1Press the FOLDER button to choose afolder
in
which to make arecording.
Every time the FOLDER button is pressed, folders will
switch.
2Press the
REC button to start recording.
The record/play indicator light glows red.
Turn the microphone in the direction of the source to be
recorded. The displaychanges depending on the recording
mode. (1& P.16) When the exclusive remote control is
connected, the remote control's REC/STOP switch will work
the same as the recorder's REC and STOP buttons.
® Current recording mode
@Recording elapsed time
@ Memory remaining indicator (ElF bar)
(The bar indicates remaining memory)
@Level meter (varies according to the sound volume being recorded)
Every time the Display button is pressed while recording,
"Recording elapsed time" and "Remaining recording time"
cycles in the location indicated by @.
3Press the STOP button to stop recording.
12
IiIFolder A
I=~~~nr~
DS50000UMA
DS500004.WMA
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flFolder A
Display in the
stereo recording
mode
IiJFolder A
Display in the
monaural recording
mode

Recording
IBB
•If you select afolder other than ethrough ~ and press the REC button, an "Illegal Folder" message will
flash. Select afolder from ethrough
~ and start recording again.
•
To ensure recording from the beginning, start speaking afteryou see the red record/play indicator light on.
• A beep will sound when remaining recording time reaches 60 seconds, 30 seconds, and 10 seconds while
recording.
•When remaining recording time is less than 60 seconds, the record/play indicator light starts flashing
in
red. When the recording time is decreasing to 30 or 10 seconds, the light flashes faster.
•"Memory Full" or "Folder Full" will
be displayed when the memory or folder capacity is full. Delete any
unnecessary files before recording any further.
(1& P.24)
Pause
Press the REC button while recording.
.. "Rec Pause" will flash on the display.
•The recorder will time out after 2hours when left
in "Rec
Pause".
Resume
Recording
Press the REC button again.
.. Recording will resume at the point of interruption.
iii Folder A
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13

Using theVariable Control Voice
Actuator (VCVA)
When the microphone senses that sounds have reached apresetthreshold volume
level, the built-in Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) starts recording
automatically, and stops when the volume drops below the threshold level.
The VCVA feature extends recording time and conserves memory by stopping
recording during silent periods, which helps the playback to be more efficient.
Rec Menu
.Ree Mode ~
~ .
!ITImer Ree
,1JLowCut Filter
1.11
c@ii) ~
and "Off".
On: Will start recording in VCVA mode.
Off: Will resume recording in normal mode. ®.
When "On" is selected, aVCVA indication will be ~ ~
displayed on the screen.
®VCVA (Variable Control Voice Actuator) indicator
1While
the recorder is stopped or during recording,
press the MENU button for 1 second or longer.
The menu opens. (~ P.28)
2Press the + or - button to choose "VCVA".
3Press
the OK or ~ button.
The VCVA setup process begins.
4Press the +
or - button to choose between "On"
VCVA
5
Press the OK button to complete the setup
screen.
If the ~ button is pressed, the setting will be canceled
and it will return to the menu.
14

( ,VA)
6Press the
STOP button to close the menu.
If it returns to the menu screen during recording, press the ~
button to close the menu screen.
7Press the
REC button to start recording.
When the sound volume is lower than the preset threshold
sound level, recording automatically stops after 1sec
approximately, and "Standby" flashes on the display. The
record/play indicator light glows red when recording starts
and flashes when recording pauses.
8Press the
~ or ~ button adjust the pause
sound level.
The VCVA level can be set to any of 15 different values.
The higher the value, the more sensitive the recorder to
sounds. At the highest value, even the faintest sound will
activate recording.
The VCVA pause sound level can be adjusted according to
the ambient (background) noise.
@ Level meter (varies according to the sound volume being recorded)
@ Start level (moves to the right/left according to the set level)
iii Folder A
IiIFolder A
IiIFolder A
•The start/stop actuation level also varies depending on the selected microphone sensitivity mode. (lIE
P.17)
•If the surrounding noise is loud, the starting sensitivity of the VCVA can be adjusted according to the
recording situation.
•
To ensure successful recordings, prior testing and adjustment of the start/stop actuation level is
recommended.
15

Recording Modes (Rec Mode)
The recording mode can be chosen from ST XQ (stereo extra high quality sound
recording), ST HQ (stereo high quality sound recording), HQ (high quality sound
recording), SP (standard recording), and
LP (long-term recording).
1While the recorder
is stopped, press the MENU
button for 1second or longer.
"Rec Mode" will be displayed on the screen. (~ P.28)
2Press the
OK or ~ button.
The recording mode setup process begins.
Rec Menu
:VCVA ~
;;;;Timer Ree
LowCut Filter
"'-II
cWa ~
ST XQ
Rec Mode
ST HQ ~
HQ
SP
+.11
cWa ~
4
Press the OK button to complete the setup
screen.
If the ~ button is pressed, the setting will be canceled
and it will return to the menu.
3Press the +
or - button to choose from "ST XQ",
"ST HQ", "HQ", "SP" and "LP".
5Press the STOP
button to close the menu.
®Record mode indicator
Press the STOP button while the recorder is stopped to check
"Remaining Memory" and "Remaining Recording Time"
in the
selected recording mode.
@fiJFolder A
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16

Microphone Sensitivity
Microphone sensitivity is adjustable to meet recording needs.
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05500021
While the recorder is stopped
or during recording, slide the
Mic Sense switch and select a
microphone sensitivity among
"LECTURE", "CONF", and
"DICT" .
Every time the setting is switched, it cycles through the
display's microphone sensitivities.
LECTURE(~,II}: Highest recording sensitivity suitable for
conferences with large crowds and recording audio at a
distance or low volume.
CONF(\fI,I): Suitable for recording meetings and seminars
with asmall number of people.
DICT(\fI, ): Lowest recording sensitivity suitable for
dictation.
® Microphone sensitivity display
•When the speaker's voice is to be recorded clearly, set it to DICT (dictation) mode. If breath directly hits
the microphone it will be noisy, so keep the microphone alittle lowerthan the speaker's mouth
(5 to 1 Ocm/
2to 4inches) while recording.
•If the ambient (background) noise is too loud to get aclear recording even
in DICT (dictation) mode, we
recommend that you use an ME12 Noise-Cancellation monaural microphone.
17

Playing
The recorder can play back WMAand MP3 format files. To play backafile recorded
with other machines, you need to transfer (copy) it from acomputer.
Files saved
in the Audible folder can play back in the Audible mode. For operation
methods
in the Audible mode, see Online manual.
1Press the FOLDER button to choose afolder.
Every time the FOLDER button is pressed, it cycles through
folders and the List display will appear.
2Press the +or -button to choose the file that you
want
to play.
If the ~ button is pressed, the File display will open.
In the File display, press the ~ or ~ button to select a
file.
If you want to return from the File display to the List display,
or go backfrom the List display to ahigher-level List display,
press the LIST button.
18
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File display

-
3Press
the PLAY or OK button to start playback.
The record/play indicator light glows green.
For files created using machines other than this recorder,
the file format will appear on the display.
miEJ MP3 'files
~ WMAfiles
®Play position bar indicator
@ Current playback time
®File name
@File format indicator
4Pressthe +
or -button to select the proper sound
volume. .
The display shows the volume level. You can choose
between 0and 30.
®Volume level meter
5Press
the STOP or OK button at any point you
want to stop the playback.
Stop afile play back at any point.
Press the PLAY or OK button to start playing back from
where it was stopped.
You can change the display patterns.
The displays indicated in this manual are default.
rilFolder A
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ot Playable file bitrates are 5-256kbps in WMA format, and 8-256kbps in MP3 format.
•Variable bitrate MP3 files (in which conversion bitrates can vary) may not play properly.
19

Forwarding
20
Press and hold the ~ button while the recorder is stopped.
-If you release the button, it will stop. Press the PLAY or OK
button to start playing back from where it was stopped.
®File length
Press and hold the ~ button while playing afile.
-When you release the
~ button the recorder will resume
normal playback.
•If there is an index mark or temp mark in the middle of the file, the
recorder will stop at that location.
•The recorder stops when it reaches the end of the file. Continue
pressing the
~ button to proceed with the cue from the beginning
of the next file.
Rewinding
Press and hold the ~ button while the recorder is stopped.
-
If you release the button, it will stop. Press the PLAY or OK
button to start playing back from where it was stopped.
®File length
Press and hold the ~ button while playing afile.
-When you release the
~ button the recorder will resume
normal playback.
•If there is an index mark or temp mark in the middle of the file, the
recorder will stop at that location.
•The recorder stops when it reaches the beginning of the file. Continue
pressing the
~ button to proceed with the review from the end of
the previous file.
•
If the ~ button is kept pressed while the recorder is stopped at the
start of the top file, the recorder will fast rewind starting from the end of
the last file.
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