DS4000 FAQ’s
How much recording time is available in the DS-4000?

The length of the potential recording time available in the DS-4000 is governed by the recording quality mode and the capacity of the xD-Picture Card media used. An SP (Standard Play) quality mode recording uses more memory than an LP (Long Play) quality mode recording because the SP makes a more-detailed digital record and uses more memory. The table below shows the approximate maximum recording times possible in the DS-4000 using different size cards.
Memory Cards and Approximate Recording Times*

Memory Size SP Mode LP Mode
16 MB 2 Hours 35 Minutes 5 Hours 30 Minutes
32 MB 5 Hours 10 Minutes 11 Hours 5 Minutes
64 MB 10 Hours 25 Minutes 22 Hours 20 Minutes
128 MB 20 Hours 55 Minutes 44 Hours 45 Minutes
256 MB 42 Hours 00 Minutes 89 Hours 40 Minutes
512 MB 84 Hours 5 Minutes 179 Hours 30 Minutes**
* Available recording time for one continuous file. Available recording time may be shorter if many short recordings are made.
**Total recording time for two files. The maximum recording time per file is 99 hours.
I want to email a DSS file to somone who doesn’t have DSS Player Pro software. Since the file format is proprietary, how can the recipient play the file?

Olympus provides a free download of DSS Player-Lite, a software application that will allow recipients of DSS format files to play the files. DSS Player-Lite does not enable editing of files; it is a read-only application.
What file-editing options are available in the DS-4000?

The DS-4000 applies a number of functions found in Olympus Professional Dictation Devices. One of these functions is the ability to edit previously recorded files in the recorder. The value of this feature is to enable a dictator to edit an audio file to a finished form for submission to a transcriptionist without the need for correction notes. The options are:
Appending – Adding new dictation to the end of the file.
Overwrite Recording – Sections of dictation in a previously recorded file can be overwritten from any point within the file. The overwritten sections will be erased.
Insert Recording – Inserting additional dictation into a previously recorded file.
How are dictation files erased?
To erase a selected file, press the [ERASE] button. The LCD screen will display FILE ERASE? for approximately 8 seconds. While it is still flashing, press the [ERASE] button again. When the file is erased, the screen will display ERASE DONE. File numbers will be reassigned automatically. Locked files cannot be erased. Erased files cannot be restored.
To partially erase a selected file, start playing back the file to be partially erased. Press the [ERASE] button at the desired point to begin erasure. While playback continues, PARTIAL ERASE and the file length will alternate on the display. Press the [ERASE] button a second time to end erasure. The starting point (time) and the ending point (time) of the erasure will alternate on the LCD screen for 8 seconds. Press the [ERASE] button to apply the erasure. (If the [ERASE] button is not pressed during the 8 seconds, the partial erasure will be cancelled.) The display will change to PARTIAL ERASE and then to ERASE DONE.
To erase all of the files in a folder, select the folder, and press the [ERASE] button for 3 seconds or longer. The LCD display will flash ALL ERASE? for approximately 8 seconds. While it is flashing, press the [ERASE] button again. When the files are erased, the screen will display ERASE DONE. Locked files are reassigned file numbers in ascending order. Erased files cannot be restored
I want to clear my recorder of all loaded files. How do I format the recorder?
The recorder and memory card should be formatted only by using the internal FORMAT function found in the recorder’s Menu. Using a computer to format a card will render the card unusable in the DS-4000. The card will have to be formatted in the recorder to restore functionality.
Can NiMH batteries be charged in the DS-4000?
Proprietary NIMH battery packs can be charged in the recorder when using the bundled cradle and AC adapter.Replacement cradles and battery packs are available. Be sure to check for compatibility.
The BR-402 batteries must be charged in the CR-3 or CR-3A cradle. BR-403 batteries must be charged in the CR-3A cradle. Both cradles will accept the A-510, A-511, and D-7AC adapters.
Replacement batteries, cradles and AC adapters are available from Olympus Professional Dictation Products dealers. In addition, the CR-3A cradle and D-7AC adapter may be ordered directly from the Olympus Store. To order the AC adapter (Item # 200850), click here. To order the USB cradle (Item # 147480), click here.
What options on the DS-4000 can be set by an Olympus Professional Dictation Products Dealer?

Some additional options can be set by an Olympus Professional Dictation Products dealer to modify and enhance the performance of the DS-4000. The additional and customizable options are as follows:
Change thebeep” sound
Modify assigned function of the [NEW] button
Modify assigned functionality of the [REC] button
Modify the Splash screen
Add and remove user defined fields
Switch the display languages
Change the number of folders
Modify assigned functionality of the [A] and [B] buttons
Modify assigned functionality of the foot switch
Set interval for Power Save Mode activation
In addition, the dealer can modify and customize DSS Player Pro dictation software using a Software Development Kit (SDK). For details on the functions and operation of dealer optional items, consult your Olympus Professional Dictation Products dealer.
What operating systems support the DS-4000?
The DS-4000 is supported by Windows® ME, Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional, and Windows XP Home Edition. The DS-4000 is not compatible with Windows XP Professional x64 Edition.
The DS-4000 is supported on Macintosh(tm) computers by Mac(tm) OS X version 10.1 and later. The DS-4000 is not compatible with Intel-based Mac servers and clients.
What enhancements doe the PLUS upgrade to DSS Player Pro offer?
Purchasing the DSS Player Pro PLUS upgrade adds the following features to the version of DSS Player bundled with the DS-4000:
Splitting files–Individual audio files can be split into smaller units. This is especially useful if a file is longer than the capacity of an audio CD used for archiving.
Joining files–Individual audio files can be joined together into a longer single file. This is useful when there are many short recordings on a similar topic that would be more convenient to archive or share as a single audio file. Files that are to be joined must be recorded in the same quality mode (SP or LP).
Voice Recognition–Creates compatibility with voice-to-text applications IBM ViaVoice® 10 or Dragon NaturallySpeaking® 8 and 9.
DSS Player for Mac does not require the PLUS upgrade since the Split and Join Files functions are built-in. There is no Voice Recognition function because there are no DSS-compatible voice-to-text applications available for Mac.
What demographic options can be programmed in the DS-4000?
The DS-4000 can be configured so that various demographic data will become embedded in the dictation files, where DSS Player Pro can view it. The options are:
Priority Levels – The [CUSTOM] button allows the user to select Priority Levels of Normal or High. Normal is the default. The function of the [CUSTOM] button can be reassigned by Olympus Professional Dictation Products dealers.
Author ID – The recorder can be configured to incorporate an Author ID into the begining of the names of files it records. The ID is an easily recognizable tag, such as the user’s initials. Thus, the source of the recordings may be easily determined at a glance simply by reviewing the file’s name.
Work Type – The Work Type can be embedded in the file data. The DS-3300 allows for Types 1 through 10. When more than one Work Type ID exists on the recorder, the Work Type ID list will display on the recorder’s LCD screen.
Option Items – The recorder can be programmed with additional user-defined fields called Option Items. Each Option Item ID can use up to 20 alphanumeric characters.
After about 10 minutes, the DS-4000 shuts off. What’s wrong?

When the recorder is ON but idle for 10 minutes, it will switch to [Power Save] mode automatically. Pressing any button on the recorder will activate the recorder.
Is there an AC adapter for the DS-4000?
The DS-4000 ships with either the A-510 or A-511 AC adapter. The optional Digital Camera AC Adapter D-7AC (item # 200850) can also be used with the USB Cradle CR3 (item # 147480) to power the DS-4000 with 120 VAC current.
What are the main features of this model?
The DS-4000 is a digital voice recorder that records in the Digital Speech Standard (DSS) audio format. It uses xD-Picture Card(tm) Flash memory media as removable storage, so the user never has to leave the recorder with a transcriptionist–just leave the memory card. By using larger capacity xD-Picture Card media, the user has the option to dramatically increase the potential recording time of the DS-4000. The DS-4000 offers the ability to edit files in the recorder. File editing allows appending files, overwriting a section within a file, or inserting new recordings into an existing dictation file. Since the DS-4000 is also a mass storage device, it can also be used as a USBjump” drive to transfer files from one computer to another.
The bundled DSS Player Pro for Windows® and DSS Player for Macintosh(tm) software enables the downloading of dictation files to a computer, where they can be archived and where further file editing can be performed. The optional DSS Player Pro PLUS upgrade (for Windows only) enables file joining and splitting, plus an interface with such voice-to-text applications as Dragon NaturallySpeaking® and IBM ViaVoice®. File joining and splitting functions are native to DSS Player for Macintosh; no upgrade is required.
The DS-3300 is an Olympus Professional Dictation Device, and as such technical support for the recorder and its associated software is provided solely by authorized Olympus Professional Dictation Products dealers.
How long do the batteries last in the DS-4000?

Two AAA alkaline batteries will power the recorder in the Recording Mode for aproximately 16 hours and in the Playback Mode for approximately 9 hours.
Two BR401 AAA NiMH batteries will run the recorder in the Recording Mode for approximately 12 hours and in the Playback Mode for approximately 8 hours.
How is the recording volume controlled?

The DS-4000 always records at 100% volume level to prevent accidentally recording with the volume set too low.
The recorder has two levels of microphone sensitivity:
CONF. (Conference) is a high-sensitivity level used in conference or lecture situations.
DICT. (Dictation) is a low-sensitivity level used for close-up recording.
Microphone sensitivity is set via the [MIC SENSE] function in the recorder menu.
What is the DSS audio format?
Digital Speech Standard (DSS) is a proprietary audio compression format jointly developed by Olympus, Philips, and Grundig. DSS compresses files approximately 12 times, so it is an ideal format for transferring files by email. The DSS compression format also extends the recording capacity of the xD-Picture Card(tm) removable storage media due to the smaller file it creates.
What are the functions of the [A] and [B] buttons?
In an unmodified DS-4000, the [A] button is the FOLDER button, used to select folders, and the [B] button is the PRIORITY button, used to insert a high-priority tag in an audio file being recorded. An Olympus Professional Dictation Products dealer can customize each of the buttons to perform the function of one of the following menu items instead of its default function:
INDEX – Insert an Index Mark.
FOLDER – Switch the folder into which your recording will be saved.
DISPLAY – Toggle among seven formats of recording information, including date and time stamps, file length, remaining recording time, etc.
REC MODE – Select the recording quality (SP or LP)
MIC SENSE – Select the microphone sensitivity to CONF. or DICT.
VCVA – Enable (ON) or disable (OFF) VCVA operation
PRIORITY – Set the priority tag for the recording to HIGH or NORMAL.
Other Olympus digital voice recorders have more quality modes than the DS-4000 and also record in Windows Media Audio (WMA) format. Why does the DS-4000 have only two quality modes?
The DS-4000 is designed as an Olympus Professional Dictation Device, whose primary function is to record dictation files for transcription. The two DSS quality modes – SP (Standard Play) and LP (Long Play) – are optimized for transcription. They feature a narrow frequency response and high compression; these attributes result in small files, which in turn provide the additional benefit of extended recording time.
Recordings made in the SP quality mode can be converted in DSS Player Pro for Windows to a WAVE audio format file with the properties necessary to be compatible with voice-to-text applications commonly used by transcriptionists. Recordings made in the LP quality mode may not be used by these applications; however, the trade-off is that they allow much longer recording times than are possible in the SP quality mode.
The additional quality modes available in some other digital voice recorders provide enhanced audio detail, compared with the DSS files created by the DS-4000. However, this extra detail is not necessary to faithfully reconstruct a dictation file used for transcription, and it will increase the file’s size, which in turn will restrict recording capacity. Therefore, these quality modes were not included in the DS-4000.
The DS-4000 is not recommended for recording music or interviews intended for broadcast where a broad frequency response would be desirable.
How does DSS Player Pro differ from DSS Player version 6?
For the most part, DSS Player Pro and DSS Player v.6 are similar. DSS Player Pro offers some enhancements designed to facilitate the transfer and archiving of files on a computer network. The primary enhancements found in DSS Player Pro that are not found in DSS Player v.6 are:
Automatic distribution of recordings by email or FTP to transcriptionists and other users
Automatic retrieval of transcribed text documents, via email or FTP, linking the document to the recording
Olympus Professional Dictation Products dealers may also be able to customize the DSS Player Pro software using a Software Development Kit (SDK).
What are Index Marks?

Index Marks are digital tags that can be inserted while recording or during playback. They are used to skip forward or backward in recordings to pre-selected points. Up to 16 Index Marks can be added to a single file.
What is VCVA?
Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) is a function that sets up the recorder to record automatically only when sound is detected at a pre-set level, and stop when the sound drops below the threshold level. The purpose of the function is to eliminatedead air” during recordings, thereby conserving memory and shortening file times.
VCVA is enabled via the recorder menu.
What is the function of the [NEW] button?

The [NEW] button closes an audio file so a new file can be recorded. In the DS-3300, a file will remain open until the [NEW] button is pressed. Not pressing the [NEW] buttton allows a file to remain open over several sessions.