FAQ: Is My AS-4000 Transcription Kit Compatible With The New Olympus DS-5000?

Since the launch of the shiny new black Olympus DS-5000 digital dictaphone by Olympus Australia back on the 1st September one of the most common questions we have received is from existing DS-4000 users and relates to their transcription kit. 

Many users want to know if the DS-5000 is compatible with the AS-4000 transcription kit, which the answer is NO. They then get a little stressed when they think they may have to fork out some more dollars for the AS-5000 transcription kit. This is where I can give them some good news, the smart folks at Olympus have included an AS-4000 upgrade in with the DS-5000 software.

To upgrade users need simply run the DS-5000 install disk on the computer with the AS-4000 software installed. The software will pickup that the older transcription software is installed and you then have the chance to upgrade. During the upgrade process a new licence key number will be generated. YOU MUST WRITE THIS LICENCE NUMBER DOWN AND KEEP IT SAFE. It will be required when the upgraded transcription software is installed.

The existing AS-4000 foot control will still work with the AS-5000 software as will any audio from older recorders so if you have a few DS-4000's in the office your transcriptionist will be able to continue transcribing the audio from these recorders as well as the DS-5000.

So, if you have a DS-4000/AS-4000 set already and want a DS-5000 you only need to buy the recorder and not both the recorder and the transcription kit.

New Olympus DS-5000 DS2 Audio Format Not Express Scribe Compatible

The Olympus DS-4000 replacement, the DS-5000 and DS-5000iD record in a newer format of the DSS (Digital Speech Standard) audio format known as .DS2 or DSS Pro. Initial testing with the popular Express Scribe transcription software used by many transcription businesses including our own, The Transcription People shows that the new .DS2 format is not compatible with Scribe, this we believe is due to tighter licencing controls of the DSS audio standard.

There is the option on the DS-5000 and DS-5000iD to record in "Classic DSS" however selecting this reduces not only the audio quality of the recording, QP record mode can not be selected only SP, but also limits some of the additional functionality of the unit. Verbal comments can not be recorded and index marks are limited to 16 for each file.

As soon as we receive our test unit we will test if "Classic DSS" will produce the older style .DSS files which can be loaded into Express Scribe.

Olympus DS-5000iD Pricing Confirmed For Australia

Official pricing for all the new 5000 range has now been distributed by Olympus Australia. The RRP prices are as follows:

DS-5000 - $895.00 incl. GST

DS-5000iD - $975.00 incl. GST

AS-5000 - $450 incl. GST

Available only from official Olympus Australia Professional resellers.

Finally - DS-5000 & AS-5000 Pricing Announced In Australia

The much anticipated replacement for the Olympus DS-4000 digital dictation kit and the Olympus AS-4000 transcription kit, the DS-5000 and AS-5000 were officially released in Australia today, 1st September 2008.

Today we finally received the pricing for these new models, they have come in at the same price as the DS-4000 / AS-4000. A smart move from Olympus, not only are these much more advanced recorders and transcription kits but they have been held at this price for some years now. Olympus could have easily released them for a marked up price but by doing this they will continue to keep a dominant grip on the digital voice recorder market here in Australia.

Surprisingly though, the DS-5000iD, the DS-5000 with the finger print reader for added security, we still do not have the official RRP for. As soon as we get it it will be posted on our website.

R.I.P. DS-4000, a legend of a digital dictatphone