Olympus DS330 Digital Voice Recorder Review

I am a physician with a subspecialty practice in GI.In this type of practice I dictate my notes so my referring physicians get back timely, legible notes.The Olympus DS-330 has been working very well in this application.The recorder has a solid feel.The buttons are easy to push.The display is very easy to read, even with my presbyopia.The ability to enter each note as a separate file is great for patient transcriptions.There are also 5 folders built in so that you could dictate a different day of the week in a different folder.The ability to insert into the middle of a dictation is also available, something you could never do with a tape.(This is not just talk over the middle of the tape.It is just like you spliced in extra dictation in the middle without losing anything already dictated.)
At first I kept the dictations on the handheld until I was sure they were transcribed.The software has an option to delete file after upload.I have been so comfortable with the reliability of the transfers that I changed the setting to delete after upload.I sent files to three different transcriptionists and all were able to read the dss files exported by the device without problem.This is very nice because the files are quite compact.A typical 5 minute dictation yields a file size of about 500 kb.With over 2.5 hours of record time in standard quality mode you could dictate 30 patients before having to upload.Batteries seem to last about 2 weeks.There is a visual battery guide and the display says low battery once it goes low.
The DS-330 has a snap in cradle and a USB cable.You pop in the device, the display says REMOTE and it uploads as soon as the application is started.The only annoying thing about the unit is it needs to have the stop button pushed before popping it into the cradle or it won't upload, sometimes I have to pop it in and out a few times before the USB driver talks to it right.It seems if you switch it to the hold setting and put it in the cradle you confuse it.The cradle is very good.The contacts are large, gold plated and protected by recesses in the device housing.They clearly will allow thousands of insertions and removals.The DSS program needs to be started before the upload will work.Once the upload starts the files pop out very well.There is a mini-USB outlet on the device marked PCI/F if you want to plug it in with an adaptor cable (not included with the packge).
The software is very clear.You can manage settings and files from the computer.You can even push dss files out to the device.The audio on my Macintosh iMac plays the sounds very well.The control panel is ok for occasional transcription.It has a setting that allows selectable playback speed, but the software controls the pitch so that no matter how fast or slowly it plays you do not change the frequency.With a tape player you would have a Mickey mouse sound on playback.The software keeps that from happening on this device.For heavy duty dictation you need software built for that purpose with foot pedal controls.
This system has really improved turnaround for me.I dictate the patient visits with the patient in the office.The files are sent by FTP to my transcriptionist who gets it back to me the next day.What has really changed is dealing with missed words.Sometimes the transcriptionist doesn't understand a word and she puts in a blank spot.With tape I don't have the tape to listen to.With this system I have copies of the dictations.I just play back the spot and no more mystery words to worry over.I do this about twice a week.Works very well.
I use Macs at work, unusual for a medical practice.The software is very nice on the Mac.Seems like it was written for the Mac.Good interface that meets the Aqua interface guidelines.I am running OS X 10.2.6.USB driver loaded easily.CD installer worked without a glitch.
Recommended

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Product Description:
This Olympus digital recorder allows you to transfer audio files to your PC quickly and easily with a USB docking station. The recorder includes Variable Control Voice Actuator, which starts recording upon sensing sound, and 330 minutes of recording time in LP mode. When connected to a computer, the recorder can be used as a USB microphone and speaker. An easy-to-read backlit LCD allows you to use the recorder in low-light conditions.

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