How Do You Configure Send to Server in the Olympus Dictation App for iPhone and Android?

The new Olympus Dictation App recently released in iTunes and on Google Play lets you record your voice, like a digital voice recorder, and send it via email. But if you buy a 12 month subscription to ODDS - Olympus Dictation Delivery Service you can also send via Olympus' new cloud file transfer service known as the dictation portal.

In the app, which is free and can be used free with some limitations, there is no mention of the ODDS subscription license. In fact the only clue, although not really a clue at all more a frustration is what do you enter into the "Send to Server" configuration in the app.

Luckily our main blog has a full run down on the differences between the free version of Olympus Dictation and a version with a licensed ODDS subscription. Click the title link to read moe.

Olympus Release Firmware v1.20 for Pro Digital Voice Recorders DS-7000 & DS-3500 - FlashAir Support

Olympus this week launched their Olympus Dictation app on the Apple iTunes store for iPhone and Google Market for Android phones. The app has the ability, when you have a paid subscription, to receive audio recorded on an Olympus DS-7000 or DS-3500 loaded with a Toshiba FlashAir SDHC wireless enabled memory card.

The latest firmware to be released, v1.20, adds the required support for the FlashAir card to the DS-7000 and DS-3500.

Also of note, this is the first ever pro digital dictaphone firmware release from Olympus that can be applied to your device from a Mac. Traditionally the firmware updates could only be applied from a Windows PC.

Olympus Dictation iOS App - Olympus Finally Release A Voice Recording App With The Promise Of More To Come

Spotted on the iTunes store, a new app from Olympus Imaging called Olympus Dictation. But the appearance of the app just throws up more questions, in particular are we about to see some software revamps to go with it. This is why I think we will:

Records In .m4a Audio Format

That is great but currently ODMS for Windows and DSS Player Plus v7 is not compatible with that audio format.

The app also allows the use of your Author ID and Workflow type, but in the email that the app sends no .xml file is included, it is likely this data is embedded in the audio so again a good case for software updates to come.

FlashAir Card Support

This indicates that the FlashAir cards, typically used with Olympus' amazing cameras, may soon be compatible with the Pro digital dictaphones like the Olympus DS-7000. This would mean that dictators can take their dictaphones with hem out of the office and use their smart phone to collect recorded audio and send it back to their office. This has been something people have been after for a long time.

The app itself is full of features that you would expect from a good voice recording app including voice activation and even the ability to link with a bluetooth headset for better recording quality.

I would expect an announcement from Olympus in the coming weeks on how it expects to handle the .m4a audio files in its Windows and Mac audio software.

Dragon Dictate 3 Price Slashed by Nuance America through September

If you have ever wanted to try voice recogniton technology and you own a Mac this month (September 2013) would be a great time to do it.

Nuance, speech recognition worldwide leaders have slashed a huge $100 off the price of their Mac voice recognition software called Dragon Dictate 3 making only $99.99 for the boxed version, half price.

What makes Dragon Dictate 3 different to the free Dragon app on my iPhone or Android phone? Well there are quite a few differences:

• Your voice is processed on your Mac not sent to the cloud for processing
• You are not limited for how long you can dictate, with the app you only get 90 seconds max. of dictation
• Dragon on the Mac can also transcribe digital recordings of your voice, no need to be in front of your Mac to transcribe your voice
• Voice profile: on your Mac you create a voice profile tailored to the way you speak and how you sound. The more you use it, the more it learns, the more accurate it becomes

Maybe you dread the idea of typing long emails, writing blogs or essays because of the time it takes. With Dragon you can sit back, put your feet up and just talk, let your Mac and Dragon do all the work.

Head over to our main blog for more details or simply find the Nuance USA website for more details. No affiliate links here.

The Transcription Typists New Best Friend - Dragon NaturallySpeaking

For years now mentioning the Dragon word to a transcription typists would guarantee a reaction, not usually a good one. For a long time typists have heard that Dragon (NaturallySpeaking, the voice recognition software) is coming to get them, or more specifically their jobs, replaced by software.

It hasn't happened although Dragon is starting to encroach into the transcription world it is still slow going.

In our latest blog post we look at the advances that Olympus have made with their ODMS (Olympus Dictation Management Software) in integrating it with Dragon NaturallySpeaking. Specifically we look at the benefits that transcription typists can enjoy by embracing Dragon, namely a lot less typing and a lot more time to do more productive and less repetitive tasks.

We show how the typist still has a key role to play in a business using Dragon. From voice profile creator to voice profile trainer to proofreader of Dragon's transcripts there is still a place for the typist who can now evolve into a voice recognition specialist.

Olympus Release Update To Their Professional Dictation and Transcription Module Windows Software - ODMS R6.2

Olympus around the globe is rolling out a free update for Windows users of the professional ODMS Release 6 dictation and transcription module software. The free update will take ODMS to R6.2.0.

This release, small in features but big in size (around 400+ Mb) adds compatibility for the new RS-32 hand controller which is like a USB foot pedal for your hands to control audio playback.

The update can be initiated by running Check For Updates from your dictation or transcription module Help option.

How To Transfer Your Olympus Dictation or Transcription Module from One Computer To Another

Often computers are being upgraded, as hardware becomes cheaper and processors faster it can be more cost effective to just buy a new PC rather update internals. When you upgrade the process of transferring your software and data begins, data is easy software not so much.

In the case of Olympus software for Windows, ODMS (Olympus Dictation Management System) or its predecessor DSS Player Pro, for both the dictation and transcription module you require a software license key. The licence key comes with the software and is supplied with the pro digital dictaphones and transcription kits and is usually located on a small, square green piece of paper, the size of a compact disk.

Often though, people discard the serial number or it gets lost over time. Your license key is unique to you, only you know it, do giving your local Olympus audio dealer or Olympus themselves a call is not going to help you.

Luckily there is a way to find your licence key. In our latest blog post we look at finding the serial number and how to transfer your Olympus software from one computer to another. The post covers the Windows software and also DSS Player Plus for Mac. Click this blogs title to go straight there.

Which Digital Voice Recorder Should I Buy?

With a huge range of digital voice recorders to choose from you will likely spend many an hour researching the pros and cons of each one, compare their features, check compatibility and find features you may or may not need. But the type of digital voice recorder, notetaker or dictaphone is often overlooked.

In one of our first blog posts on our new USA centric digital voice blog we do a run down of the various Olympus digital voice recorders, what they are good for and of key importance the difference between a digital dictaphone and a digital notetaker.

Transcription Software: Compare Express Scribe vs Olympus Transcription Module

For many years Express Scribe from NCH Software has been a favourite of many small work from home micro-businesses worldwide. Starting out as free transcription software which could play just about any audio file format Express Scribe soon became the go to software for the Virtual Assistant industry.

Things changed when NSH up'd roots and moved to Denver, Colorado to grow their huge US business following. Express Scribe split in two in an attempt to monetize this software gem, a free version supporting a handful of common audio formats and a paid Pro version supporting everything. The plan was a good one until claimed support of the new .ds2 audio format left many a typist frustrated at poor .ds2 audio playback.

Olympus meanwhile kept on their focussed path of providing a stable version of their transcription module software. Starting out life called DSS Player Pro in version 4 then 5 and more recently at version 6 where it took on a name change to ODMS or Olympus Dictation Management System.

With the growth of the .ds2 (DSS or Digital Speech Standard Pro format) used predominantly by Olympus, Philips and Grundig the Olympus transcription module is becoming popular with outsource transcription providers looking for stable transcription software as well as the traditional base of medical and legal practices.

In our Dictate UK blog we delve a little further into the Express Scribe history and offer some reasoning behind NCH's struggle to play .ds2 audio files.

Windows 8 Compatible Transcription Software - Olympus ODMS

Olympus Audio have gone through some changes over the last year to eighteen months. Regular updates to their range of digital voice recorders and professional digital dictaphones are a given. Olympus are all over industry advancements in microphones and with cheaper memory revamps to the recorders are commonplace. Rarer though are changes to major versions of their software, minor versions are typical with updates and bug fixes.

DSS Player Pro (R5) -> ODMS (R6)

In early 2012 Olympus changed the name of their professional dictation and transcription module software from DSS Player Pro to Olympus Dictation Management System or ODMS. On the outside to the user not alot changed, other than a colourful green dictation module or vibrant orange transcription module splash screen. Under the hood Olympus kept innovating and moving with the times. Some of the key software tweaks seen in R6 were:

• Support for 256bit encryption audio files
• Improved interoperability with Dragon NaturallySpeaking 12 Premium & Pro
• Background voice-to-text using Dragon - this is a key feature improvement
• Windows 8 support in R6.1
• Office 2012 64bit support in R6.1

Olympus Transcription Software for Windows

Olympus continue to lead the way in the digital dictation and transcription world and with ODMS surge ahead even further, especially with their encryption and workflow solutions for secure dictation and transcription, key for all legal and medical firms. ODMS is at home in a small practicewith one or two typists or in a large enterprise covering multiple locations across towns, states or even countries. 

Out of the box you receive a single install licence for Windows and a single install licence for Mac. Managing many licence keys is fine for small business for for larger firms Olympus have the option to convert the transcription module and the dictation module software to a site or multi-user licence (MUL). The MUL will convert your single install licences to one licences for concurrent use.

Olympus ODMS leading the way in professional digital dictation and transcription software.

Digital Transcription Software for Mac OS X

Mac saturation in business as well as at home is becoming more and more prevalent. In the digital dictation and transcription world Olympus have long led the way in providing Mac compatible solutions.

For some time their range of digital voice recorders, dictaphones and transcription kits have been both Mac and Windows compatible.

DSS Player Plus for Mac is the Olympus software that allows the playback of digital audio files on a Mac. Different to Windows, dictation and transcription software is encompassed all in one software package known as DSS Player Plus version 7.

When used with an Olympus USB transcription foot control pedal DSS Player Plus allows the controlled playback of audio from within a word processor like Microsoft Word for Mac or Apples own Pages.

DSS Player Plus is only available as a single install licence, one licence is required for each install on individual Macs. The software is supplied with the range of Olympus digital dictaphones (DS-2500, DS-3500 and DS-7000) and includes in the AS-2400 and AS-7000 transcription kits.

More information on DSS Player Plus for Mac can be found in our main blog - click the title link on this post.

Olympus LS-100 Wins Best Field Recorder at 2013 MIPA Awards

The flagship Olympus LS-100 digital PCM music recorder has just taken out the award for best field recorder at the 2013 Musikmesse International Press Awards in Germany.

Beating out the Zoom H2N and Roland R-26 to take top accolade is a testimony to the efforts made by Olympus in recent years to break into the music industry. Zoom and Roland are familiar names in music, Olympus can now feel right at home in the recording studio too.

MIPA celebrates it's 14th year as the leading accolade giver in the musical instrument, sheet music and music production world. Awards are given based on votes from over 100 of the worlds leading music magazines.

Field recording, or phonography as it is also known, is the term used for recording outside of the recording studio. But this impressive unit is just as comfy in the recording studio too.

New iPhone App - Hugo Dictation - Works With Olympus Transcription Module

You know those times when you say, "Ah yes !! Why didn't I think of that?" well this is one of those times. A new voice recording app is making waves in the dictation world all because of an obvious yet perfect answer to a solution.

Background: For some time now, I and others have tried to find an easy way to get recorded dictation from an Olympus digital voice recorder and send it via a smart phone, ideal for people who dictate away from their office. I have tried WiFi enabled memory cards, cables into iPads but all no use. The easiest way was to take computer with you, USB connect the recorder and using a wifi hotspot email your dictation. Not the perfect solution.

Solution: Obvious, make a voice recording app and apply the specific smarts needed by the Olympus Transcription Module software (both version R5 DSS Player Pro and R6 ODMS) which is essentially creating an XML file to accompany the audio with specific data related to the audio, like Author Id, Work Types and Priority.

Out of the UK comes the Hugo Dictation app for iPhone which is fully compatible with the Olympus transcription module software. Simply record your dictation on the go and email them through to your typist/typing pool. The audio will auto load into the transcription module and will appear like any dictation recorded on an Olympus pro dictaphone, like the DS-7000 or DS-3500.

Within Hugo you can configure your Author Id so that audio can be identified as yours by your typist/typing pool. Work Type can be assigned to indicate any templates to be used and even a High priority marker can be set for those urgent dictations.

Hugo Dictation is available as a free Lite version or a paid version with recording time limits removed.

UK App Store Link
US App Store Link
AU App Store Link

Flying Saucer Spotted In Offices Turns Out To Be New Olympus ME-33 Microphone

Reports are surfacing of a strange, beautiful object appearing in board and meeting rooms world wide. The object is flat, round and shiny and has the inscription Olympus ME-33 Boundary Microphone on it.

This is a first, Olympus have taken inspiration from Philips (usually it is the other way around) with their new boundary mic the ME-33. Looking strikingly similar to the Philips LFH9172, the ME-33 sits unobtrusively on the desk and upto six can be chained together to cover a large area and therefore picking up audio from some very large meetings.

The ME-33 can be plugged into any Olympus digital voice recorder or dictaphone, for best results we recommend use with the DM-3 or the DS-3500. The ME-33 retails in AU for RRP AU$159.

Firmware Update v1.10 For Olympus DS-7000 & DS-3500 Pro Digital Dictaphone Available

Just a short post, Olympus has Internationally released a new firmware update for their top of the line professional digital dictaphone voice recorders (DS-7000 and DS-3500 models), taking the current firmware version to 1.10

Not much included in this firmware update; an extension to the backlit illumination timings adding 2 and 5 minutes and support for Meta Data Import Function a.k.a. MIF.

The firmware update can be downloaded from the various Olympus websites worldwide as a 2.2Mb zip file with a Windows only .exe file to run to flash your DS-7000 or DS-3500 firmware.

Mac users, either find a friendly Windows person who can run the update for you or flash yourself using Parallels 8 or VMWare Fusion, at your own risk of course as these are non supported. I have flashed using Windows 7 on Parallels 8 with no issues. 

New Olympus LS-12 and LS-14 Hit Australia - Musicians Can't Contain Their Excitement

Finally the long awaited replacements for the superb LS-3, which was discontinued down under later last year (2012), have arrived. Well nearly, the Olympus LS-14 is available in Australia now (April 2013), the cheaper LS-12 is expected next month.

Oh yeah and that bit in the title "Musicians Can't Contain Their Excitement", I made that up, I am assuming that they are as excited as I am. Why am I excited? The price, the LS-12 will retail for AU$199 and the LS-14 for AU$249. That is seriously cheap for studio quality digital PCM music recorders.

The LS-3 was good, the LS-12 and LS-14 are a step up again. Their features include:

• Mac & Windows compatible, always a given for Olympus
• Pre-record - it records before you hit the record button so never miss a cue
• Uncompress PCM WAV recording, and of course MP3 recording if you need it
• Digital metroname
• LS-12 has 2Gb built-in, the LS-14 has 4Gb - both expandable via SD card
• Over dubbing (LS-14 only)
• Tresmic Mics (LS-14 only)
• Chromatic Tuner
• Can be attached to a music stand

That is a long list of top quality music recording goodness, belt out your tunes and the LS-12 and LS-14 won't miss a beat, no clipping with these mics.