Olympus Announces Digital Voice Recorder with Docking Station for PC & Mac

Melville, NY, March 8, 2002 - Olympus America announced today the easy-to-use DS-330 compact and ergonomic digital voice recorder with direct connect to all PC's and Macs. The DS-330 makes file transfers a snap with the included USB docking station. Just press the button on the docking station and voice files are downloaded quickly and easily to the PC.

The first Olympus digital voice recorder to be both PC and Mac compatible, the DS-330 provides 330 minutes of recording time with 16MB of built-in flash memory as well as five separate folders with 199 files in each folder for superior organization capabilities. Sound quality has also been enhanced and can be made even clearer with the Olympus innovative noise canceling technology, which removes unwanted hiss and background noise. To suit various sound conditions, users can also adjust the microphone's sensitivity. You can even use the recorder in low-light conditions, such as at a lecture hall or during presentations thanks to the easy-to-read back-lit LCD display.

The DS-330 is perfectly suited to meet varying professional needs. When connected to a computer, the DS-330 even functions as a USB microphone and speaker because of USB audio class compatibility. Voice files can be easily included into emails or forwarded to a secretary for transcription. The optional AS-3000 Transcription Kit (DSS Player Pro transcription module with footswitch and headset) can further streamline this process. Automatic transcription is also possible through the use of optionally available voice recognition software, such as IBM's ViaVoice®.

330 minutes of continuous recording can be stored in Long Play mode (155 minutes in Standard Play). These extended recording times are made possible with the high-compression DSS (Digital Speech Standard) file format. After capture, recordings can be overwritten, erased, moved between folders or have additional sections inserted into them at any point. The DS-330 also allows up to 16 index marks to be set per message - both during recording and playback - meaning that specific sections of individual dictations are always quickly located. The individual files can be played back at three different speeds: normal, fast or slow - through either the built-in speaker or earphones.

The Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) ensures that recording begins only when the sound is sensed. The DS-330 also includes an alarm/scheduler that allows a particular recording to play at a desired time. A special security lock function prevents accidental deletion of sensitive files. At just 4.25" x 1.6" x .8" (H x W x D) and only 2.6 ounces, the attractive and ergonomically designed DS-330 fits perfectly in a hand and is certain to become a must-have for the busy professional. The DS-330 is available May 1, 2002 for a street price $149. For more information, contact Olympus America, Consumer Products Group, Two Corporate Center Dr., Melville, NY 11747-3157, ph: (631) 844-5000 or (800) 622-6372, Fax: (631) 844-5262.

ABOUT OLYMPUS - Nothing's impossible
Based in Melville, New York, Olympus America distributes a wide range of products for consumer, scientific, health care, commercial and industrial markets. These include film cameras that provide the ultimate combination of performance and style, and digital cameras that deliver your most realistic digital images yet. Microcassette and digital voice recorders, binoculars, film scanners, personal photo printers, medical and industrial endoscopes, biological and metallurgical microscopes and measuring instruments, clinical analyzers, and other high technology products. Olympus America is responsible for sales in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

*Specifications are subject to change without notice.
All trademarks mentioned herein are the property of their respective holder. ®2001 Olympus America Inc.
*ViaVoice is a registered trademark of IBM.