How To Set Classic Mode On Olympus DS-5000 & DS-5000iD

Here is our latest YouTube video which shows how to set the Olympus DS-5000 or DS-5000iD digital dictaphone into "classic mode". This mode sets the dictaphone to record audio in the older .dss audio format instead of the default .ds2 or DSS Pro audio format. The benefit being that the older .dss format is compatible with most older transcription kits like the discontinued AS-4000 and the AS-2300 and also the popular free transcription software Express Scribe.



As you can see Classic Mode is set in the Dictation Module softwaree and not on the recorder itself.

Pop In For A Demo Of Dragon, MacSpeech or Olympus Digital Voice Recorders

Dictate Australia Pty Ltd recently moved into new offices in Erina on the New South Wales Central Coast, we share our offices with our sister company The Transcription People.


We are now in a position to demo the Dragon NaturallySpeaking voice recognition software, MacSpeech Dictate voice recognition software for Mac and some of the Olympus digital voice recorders like the WS-311M, DS-30 and the new DS-5000iD.

If you are on or near the Central Coast please send us an email and we can arrange a time for you to come in and see just how good voice recognition is or how easy the Olympus range of digital voice recorders are to use.

My Transcriptionist Can't Play Audio From My New Olympus DS-5000 - Help !

Don't Panic ! The new Olympus DS-5000 and Olympus DS-5000iD digital dictaphone by default records in the new .ds2 or DSS Pro audio format designed to work beautifully with the Olympus AS-5000 transcription kit. But what happens if you send your audio to your outsourced typist and they are unable to play the audio?


The chances are your typist either has an Olympus AS-4000 digital transcription kit, now discontinued, or they are using other transcription software like Express Scribe from NCH Swift Sound. Both of these are not able to play the .ds2 audio format. There are however a couple of options:

1. If your typist has an AS-4000 kit they can upgrade their software to DSS Player Pro as used by the AS-5000 kit. They can do this for free if you hand over your software install disk that came with your DS-5000 as that allows a free upgrade for one licenced copy of DSS Player software. Alternatively they can purchase a software upgrade, look for Olympus product code AS5002.
2. If your typist does not transcribe using the Olympus software then you are able to configure the DS-5000 to record in "classic mode" which will save audio in the older .dss file format used previously by the DS-4000 recorders. Click here to see our YouTube video on how to change your DS-5000 or DS-5000iD recorder to "classic mode".

If you use one of the larger transcription services in Australia like our sister company The Transcription People they will have no problems using the DSS Pro .ds2 file format.

If you have any questions on "classic mode" or the Olympus DS-5000 please contact us, we are always happy to help: mailto://sales@dictate.com.au or click the Live Chat button on our website http://www.dictate.com.au/

MacSpeech Dictate - Version 1.2 Quick Look At Whats New Video

Now that the new version of MacSpeech Dictate, version 1.2, has been out for a few days we are now starting to get our teeth into the new functionality and features introduced in this release.


Spelling mode has finally arrived. This gives the user the ability to spell out words, acronyms, abbreviations or anything that MacSpeech Dictate is not able to interpret. This will be a great addition to the features of MacSpeech Dictate.


Phrase training has also been introduced. This is a very smart feature, as MacSpeech Dictate analyzes what you are saying, possible matching phrases appear in a "Recognition" window. If the spoken phrase required is not the one transcribed by Dictate the Recognition window will show a list of alternate phrases. The user simply needs to "pick" the corresponding number next to the required phrase and Dictate will insert that phrase instead. This has two major benefits, 1. it increases the speed of transcription as time is not wasted amending the dictation and 2. this process actually helps improve the accuracy of Dictate over time as it learns from your speech and dictation patterns.

These two new features can be seen briefly in our lastest MacSpeech Dictate YouTube video below.

MacSpeech Dictate - Upgrade To Version 1.2 Available

It's here, the next free upgrade to MacSpeech Dictate for registered users to version 1.2 became available today. The upgrade includes bug fixes and some new functionality including the long awaited Spelling Mode, can't wait to play with that one.

I will be using with the new features soon and will post some new YouTube videos to show you how to make the most of them.

The official MacSpeech press release in version 1.2 can he found here:

http://www.macspeech.com/article_info.php?articles_id=306

Global Financial Crisis Hits Australian Pricing Of MacSpeech Dictate

We have today started to see the effects of the global financial crisis with an increase in the RRP for MacSpeech Dictate rising due to the cost of the US dollar against the Australian dollar.

The RRP has been raised to $329 incl. GST for the version which ships with the Plantronics DSP-400 headset and mic. 

The RRP has been raised to $469 incl. GST for the version which ships with the Parrott VXI Pro headset and mic.

This is unfortunate as the cost may tip some people over the edge when making their decision to invest in the amazing voice recognition software for the Mac, time will tell.

For any advice or questions on MacSpeech Dictate in Australia please email us at sales@dictate.com.au or use the Live Chat option on our website.

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.