Product Support

• What are the specifications for this model?
• What are the main features of this model?
• What options on the DS-3300 can be set by an Olympus Professional Dictation Products dealer?
• Where can I find an authorized Olympus Professional Dictation Products Dealer?
• What is the function of the [CUSTOM] button?
• What is the DSS audio format?
• Other Olympus digital voice recorders have a wider frequency response than the DS-3300. Why is the frequency response in the DS-3300 narrower?
• Other Olympus digital voice recorders have more quality modes than the DS-3300 and also record in Windows Media Audio (WMA) format. Why does the DS-3300 have only two quality modes?
• How much recording time is available in the DS-3300?
• Which types of memory cards does the DS-3300 support?
• What operating systems support the DS-3300?
• What enhancements does the PLUS upgrade to DSS Player Pro offer?
• How does DSS Player Pro differ from DSS Player v.6?
• What is Voice Recognition?
• I want to email a DSS file to someone who doesn't have DSS Player Pro software. Since the file format is proprietary, how can the recipient play the file?
• What is the function of the [NEW] button?
• What file-editing options are available in the DS-3300?
• What demographic data can be programmed into the DS-3300?
• How is the recording volume controlled?
• How is the playback volume controlled?
• After about 10 minutes, the DS-3300 shuts off. What's wrong?
• What are Index Marks?
• What is VCVA?
• How are dictation files erased?
• I want to clear my recorder of all loaded files. How do I format the recorder?
• How long do the batteries last in the DS-3300?
• Is there an AC adapter for the DS-3300?
• Can NiMH batteries be charged in the DS-3300?

What are the specifications for this model?

Olympus DS-3300 Digital Voice Recorder
Olympus DS-3300 Digital Voice Recorder
Product Number 141770
Shipping date: May 2005
Box Contents
DS-3300 Digital Voice Recorder
32 MB xD-Picture Card™ removable flash memory media
Two AAA Alkaline Batteries
USB 2.0 Cable (KP-11)
Carrying Case
Multi-function Cradle / Docking Station (CR-3)
CD-ROM: DSS Player Pro for Windows DSS Player for Macintosh
Quick Reference Guide
Instruction Manual
Warranty Card

What are the main features of this model?

The DS-3300 is a digital voice recorder that records in the Digital Speech Standard (DSS) audio format. It uses xD-Picture Card™ Flash memory media as removable storage, so the user never has to leave the recorder with a transcriptionist--just leave the memory card. By using larger capacity xD-Picture Card media, the user has the option to dramatically increase the potential recording time of the DS-3300. The DS-3300 offers the ability to edit files in the recorder. File editing allows appending files, overwriting a section within a file, or inserting new recordings into an existing dictation file. Since the DS-3300 is also a mass storage device, it can also be used as a USB "jump" drive to transfer files from one computer to another.

The bundled DSS Player Pro for Windows® and DSS Player for Macintosh™ software enables the downloading of dictation files to a computer, where they can be archived and where further file editing can be performed. The optional DSS Player Pro PLUS upgrade (for Windows only) enables file joining and splitting, plus an interface with such voice-to-text applications as Dragon NaturallySpeaking® and IBM ViaVoice®. File joining and splitting functions are native to DSS Player for Macintosh; no upgrade is required.

The DS-3300 is an Olympus Professional Dictation Device, and as such technical support for the recorder and its associated software is provided solely by authorized Olympus Professional Dictation Products dealers.

What options on the DS-3300 can be set by an Olympus Professional Dictation Products dealer?

Some additional options can be set by an Olympus Professional Dictation Products dealer to modify and enhance the performance of the DS-3300. The additional and cutomizable options are as follows:

• Change the "beep" sound
• Modify assigned function of the [NEW] button
• Modify assigned functionality of the [REC] button
• Modify the Splash screen
• Add and remove user defined fields
• Switch the display languages
• Change the number of folders (up to 7)
• Modify assigned functionality of the [CUSTOM] button
• Modify assigned functionality of the foot switch
• Set interval for Power Save Mode activation
• Lock files automatically on completion of recording
• Set intervals of acceleration when using [CUE] and [REV]
• Automatically select the AUTHOR ID when the recorder is turned on

In addition, the dealer can modify and customize DSS Player Pro dictation software using a Software Development Kit (SDK). For details on the functions and operation of dealer optional items, consult your Olympus Professional Dictation Products dealer.

Where can I find an authorized Olympus Professional Dictation Products Dealer?

For up-to-date information regarding dealers in the US and Canada, call 888-553-4448.

What is the function of the [CUSTOM] button?

In an unmodified DS-3300, the [CUSTOM] button is used to insert a high-priority tag in an audio file being recorded. An Olympus Professional Dictation Products dealer can customize the button to perform the function of one of the following menu items instead of the high-priority tag insertion:

• DISPLAY - Toggle among seven formats of recording information, including date and time stamps, file length, remaining recording time, etc.
• REC MODE - Select the recording quality (SP or LP)
• MIC SENSE - Select the microphone sensitivity to CONF. or DICT.
• VCVA - Enable (ON) or disable (OFF) VCVA operation

What is the DSS audio format?

Digital Speech Standard (DSS) is a proprietary audio compression format jointly developed by Olympus, Philips, and Grundig. DSS compresses files approximately 12 times, so it is an ideal format for transferring files by email. The DSS compression format also extends the recording capacity of the xD-Picture Card™ removable storage media due to the smaller file it creates.

Other Olympus digital voice recorders have a wider frequency response than the DS-3300. Why is the frequency response in the DS-3300 narrower?

The DS-3300 is designed as an Olympus Professional Dictation Device, whose primary function is to record dictation files for transcription. Dictation recordings do not require a wide frequency response because the audio signals they are intended to reconstruct (tones produced by the human voice) fall within a relatively narrow band of frequencies.

Accordingly, the DS-3300 makes files that contain only as much audio detail as is necessary to re-create the original signal. By restricting the frequency response, the DS-3300 is able to create smaller files, which has the benefit of maximizing memory capacity (recording time).

The DS-3300 is not recommended for recording music or interviews intended for broadcast where a broad frequency response would be desirable.

Other Olympus digital voice recorders have more quality modes than the DS-3300 and also record in Windows Media Audio (WMA) format. Why does the DS-3300 have only two quality modes?

The DS-3300 is designed as an Olympus Professional Dictation Device, whose primary function is to record dictation files for transcription. The two DSS quality modes - SP (Standard Play) and LP (Long Play) - are optimized for transcription. They feature a narrow frequency response and high compression; these attributes result in small files, which in turn provide the additional benefit of extended recording time.

Recordings made in the SP quality mode can be converted in DSS Player Pro for Windows to a WAVE audio format file with the properties necessary to be compatible with voice-to-text applications commonly used by transcriptionists. Recordings made in the LP quality mode may not be used by these applications; however, the trade-off is that they allow much longer recording times than are possible in the SP quality mode.

The additional quality modes available in some other digital voice recorders provide enhanced audio detail, compared with the DSS files created by the DS-3300. However, this extra detail is not necessary to faithfully reconstruct a dictation file used for transcription, and it will increase the file's size, which in turn will restrict recording capacity. Therefore, these quality modes were not included in the DS-3300.

The DS-3300 is not recommended for recording music or interviews intended for broadcast where a broad frequency response would be desirable.

How much recording time is available in the DS-3300?

The length of the potential recording time available in the DS-3300 is governed by the recording quality mode and the capacity of the xD-Picture Card media used. An SP (Standard Play) quality mode recording uses more memory than an LP (Long Play) quality mode recording because the SP makes a more-detailed digital record and uses more memory. The table below shows the approximate maximum recording times possible in the DS-3300 using different size cards.

* Available recording time for one continuous file. Available recording time may be shorter if many short recordings are made.

**Total recording time for two files. The maximum recording time per file is 99 hours.

Which types of memory cards does the DS-3300 support?

The DS-3300 is compatible, out of the box, with Standard and Type M xD-Picture Card media in capacities from 16 MB up to 512 MB. Newer firmware is available to add support for Type M and Type H cards up to 1 GB.

This model does not support Type M+ xD-Picture Card media or the 2 GB Type M card.

Firmware updates are available from and must be performed by an Olympus Professional Audio Products dealer. To find a dealer in your area, contact Olympus Digital Technical Support for a referral.

What operating systems support the DS-3300?

The DS-3300 is supported by Windows® ME, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional, and Windows XP Home Edition. The DS-3300 is not compatible with Windows XP Professional x64 Edition and Windows Vista™.

The DS-3300 is supported on Macintosh™ computers by Mac™ OS X version 10.1 and later. The DS-3300 is not compatible with Intel-based Mac servers and clients.

What enhancements does the PLUS upgrade to DSS Player Pro offer?

Purchasing the DSS Player Pro PLUS upgrade adds the following features to the version of DSS Player bundled with the DS-3300:

• Splitting files--Individual audio files can be split into smaller units. This is especially useful if a file is longer than the capacity of an audio CD used for archiving.
• Joining files--Individual audio files can be joined together into a longer single file. This is useful when there are many short recordings on a similar topic that would be more convenient to archive or share as a single audio file. Files that are to be joined must be recorded in the same quality mode (SP or LP).
• Voice Recognition--Creates compatibility with voice-to-text applications IBM ViaVoice® 10 or Dragon NaturallySpeaking® 8 and 9.

  DSS Player for Mac does not require the PLUS upgrade since the Split and Join Files functions are built-in. There is no Voice Recognition function because there are no DSS-compatible voice-to-text applications available for Mac.

How does DSS Player Pro differ from DSS Player v.6?

For the most part, DSS Player Pro and DSS Player v.6 are similar. DSS Player Pro offers some enhancements designed to facilitate the transfer and archiving of files on a computer network. The primary enhancements found in DSS Player Pro that are not found in DSS Player v.6 are:

• Automatic distribution of recordings by email or FTP to transcriptionists and other users
• Automatic retrieval of transcribed text documents, via email or FTP, linking the document to the recording

Olympus Professional Dictation Products dealers may also be able to customize the DSS Player Pro software using a Software Development Kit (SDK).

What is Voice Recognition?

Voice Recognition is technology that enables an application to "listen" to the playback of an audio dictation file and convert its contents to a text document. DSS Player Pro for Windows is compatible with IBM ViaVoice® Pro USB Edition 10, and Dragon NaturallySpeaking® versions 8 and 9.

The Voice Recognition software must be trained to understand individual speakers. The applications can create accounts for individual speakers who have read prepared text under controlled conditions into the digital voice recorder to be used. Corrections to the text by the transcriptionist can be incorporated by the voice-to-text software to "learn" how the dictator speaks. If the users correct their own text files, they can also learn to enunciate words so the software can better understand the speech and increase the accuracy of the text file.

Hands-free recording using the bundled CR-3 cradle reduces handling noises that may confuse voice-recognition software. The microphone sensitivity should be set to CONF. (Conference). The recorder can also be controlled during dictation using an optional foot switch (RS-25, RS-26) plugged into the CR-3 cradle.

Voice Recognition performs poorly in meeting or lecture situations because of the presence of untrained voices and varying acoustics that will confuse the software.

I want to email a DSS file to someone who doesn't have DSS Player Pro software. Since the file format is proprietary, how can the recipient play the file?

Olympus provides a free download of DSS Player-Lite, a software application that will allow recipients of DSS format files to play the files. DSS Player-Lite does not enable editing of files; it is a read-only application.

The Windows version can be downloaded here.

The Mac version can be downloaded here.

What is the function of the [NEW] button?

The [NEW] button closes an audio file so a new file can be recorded. In the DS-3300, a file will remain open until the [NEW] button is pressed. Not pressing the [NEW] buttton allows a file to remain open over several sessions.

What file-editing options are available in the DS-3300?

The DS-3300 applies a number of functions found in Olympus Professional Dictation Devices. One of these functions is the ability to edit previously recorded files in the recorder. The value of this feature is to enable a dictator to edit an audio file to a finished form for submission to a transcriptionist without the need for correction notes. The options are:

• Appending - Adding new dictation to the end of the file.
• Overwrite Recording - Sections of dictation in a previously recorded file can be overwritten from any point within the file. The overwritten sections will be erased.
• Insert Recording - Inserting additional dictation into a previously recorded file.

What demographic data can be programmed into the DS-3300?

The DS-3300 can be configured so that various demographic data will become embedded in the dictation files, where DSS Player Pro can view it. The options are:

• Priority Levels - The [CUSTOM] button allows the user to select Priority Levels of Normal or High. Normal is the default. The function of the [CUSTOM] button can be reassigned by Olympus Professional Dictation Products dealers.
• Author ID - The recorder can be configured to incorporate an Author ID into the begining of the names of files it records. The ID is an easily recognizable tag, such as the user's initials. Thus, the source of the recordings may be easily determined at a glance simply by reviewing the file's name.
• Work Type - The Work Type can be embedded in the file data. The DS-3300 allows for Types 1 through 10. When more than one Work Type ID exists on the recorder, the Work Type ID list will display on the recorder's LCD screen.
• Option Items - The recorder can be programmed with additional user-defined fields called Option Items. Each Option Item ID can use up to 20 alphanumeric characters.

How is the recording volume controlled?

The DS-3300 always records at 100% volume level to prevent accidentally recording with the volume set too low.

The recorder has two levels of microphone sensitivity:

• CONF. (Conference) is a high-sensitivity level used in conference or lecture situations.
• DICT. (Dictation) is a low-sensitivity level used for close-up recording.

Microphone sensitivity is set via the [MIC SENSE] function in the recorder menu.

How is the playback volume controlled?

The playback volume is controlled during playback using the [+] (plus) and [-] (minus) buttons on the Volume rocker switch on the back of the DS-3300. Pressing [+] increases the playback volume. Pressing [-] reduces the playback volume.

After about 10 minutes, the DS-3300 shuts off. What's wrong?

When the recorder is ON but idle for 10 minutes, it will switch to [Power Save] mode automatically. Pressing any button on the recorder will activate the recorder.

What are Index Marks?

Index Marks are digital tags that can be inserted while recording or during playback. They are used to skip forward or backward in recordings to pre-selected points. Up to 16 Index Marks can be added to a single file.

What is VCVA?

Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) is a function that sets up the recorder to record automatically only when sound is detected at a pre-set level, and stop when the sound drops below the threshold level. The purpose of the function is to eliminate "dead air" during recordings, thereby conserving memory and shortening file times.

VCVA is enabled via the recorder menu.

How are dictation files erased?

To erase a selected file, press the [ERASE] button. The LCD screen will display FILE ERASE? for approximately 8 seconds. While it is still flashing, press the [ERASE] button again. When the file is erased, the screen will display ERASE DONE. File numbers will be reassigned automatically. Locked files cannot be erased. Erased files cannot be restored.

To erase all of the files in a folder, select the folder, and press the [ERASE] button for 3 seconds or longer. The LCD display will flash ALL ERASE? for approximately 8 seconds. While it is flashing, press the [ERASE] button again. When the files are erased, the screen will display ERASE DONE. Locked files are reassigned file numbers in ascending order. Erased files cannot be restored.

I want to clear my recorder of all loaded files. How do I format the recorder?

The recorder and memory card should be formatted only by using the internal FORMAT function found in the recorder's Menu. Using a computer to format a card will render the card unusable in the DS-3300. The card will have to be formatted in the recorder to restore functionality.

How long do the batteries last in the DS-3300?

Two AAA alkaline batteries will power the recorder in the Recording Mode for aproximately 20 hours and in the Playback Mode for approximately 12 hours.

Two BR401 AAA NiMH batteries will run the recorder in the Recording Mode for approximately 15 hours and in the Playback Mode for approximately 10 hours.

Is there an AC adapter for the DS-3300?

The Digital Camera AC Adapter D-7AC (item # 200850) can be used with the USB Cradle CR3 (item # 147480) to power the DS-3300 with 120 VAC current.

Both the adapter and the cradle are available from the Olympus Store. To order the AC adapter, click here.

To order the USB cradle click here.

Can NiMH batteries be charged in the DS-3300?

Proprietary NiMH battery packs can be charged in the recorder when using the cradle and the optional AC Adapter D-7AC (item # 200850). The BR-402 batteries must be charged with the CR-3 cradle and the BR-403 batteries must be charged with the CR-3A cradle. The CR-3A will also fully charge BR-402 batteries, but the CR-3 cradle will not fully charge BR-403 batteries. The cradles and batteries are available from Olympus Professional Dictation Products dealers.