Designed for busy professionals, the Olympus DM-20 is a smart looking digital stereo recorder that can also play back music files. With a 128MB internal memory, it ensures users are prepared for important conferences or interviews. Its stylish design and silver-colored brushed full-metal body guarantee it looks the part at any executive meeting, and its compact form slips comfortably into a jacket pocket. For effortless dictation, the microphone included also functions as a remote control unit. The integrated music player is a particularly welcome feature when taking a break between meetings or unwinding at the end of a busy day. Besides listening with the high-quality earphones provided, the user can play the music over the built-in loudspeaker for shared enjoyment.
The Olympus DM-20 stereo digital voice recorder/music player packs 128 MB of built-in flash memory to give you nearly 45 hours (2,680 minutes) of voice recording or two hours of near-CD-quality music in either MP3 or WMA formats. The DM-20's compact, lightweight design and smooth, silvery finish make it an ideal travel companion. Measuring a mere 4.31 x 1.56 x 0.6 inches (H x W x D) and weighing in at a mere 3 ounces, the attractive and ergonomic DM-20 fits comfortably in the hand of the on-the-go professional or exercise enthusiast.
The DM-20 has 5 separate file folders capable of holding 199 files each, so you can organize nearly 1,000 files according to subjects like "work," "personal," and "to do." When recording, simply capture your high-quality voice files in either WMA or DSS (Digital Speech Standard) format and then place the recorder in the included USB docking station to begin downloading hours of audio to a PC or Macintosh computer. Stereo voice recording is possible with an optional stereo microphone.
Alarm playback will alert you to meetings, dates, show reminders, or wake-up times. You can simply dictate reminders into the DM-20--such as "Time to pick up the kids!"--and assign a time for this message to sound, like an alarm clock's buzzer.
Built-in WOW sound enhancement produces rich bass, and three-dimensional sound, while a user-selectable 5-setting equalizer lets you tailor the sound to your taste or environment. Olympus's innovative noise-canceling technology makes the sound even clearer. removing unwanted hiss and background noise.
The unit offers a built-in condenser microphone, and a .125-inch microphone jack gives you the option to use a high-quality external mic (not included). A .125-inch earphone jack and supplied stereo ear bud headphones let you monitor your files during or after recording. To suit various sound conditions, you can adjust the microphone's sensitivity. The recorder can be viewed in low-light situations, such as at a lecture hall or during presentations, thanks to its easy-to-read backlit LCD.
After capturing recordings you can erase them or move them between folders. The DM-20 also lets you set up to 16 index marks per message, during recording and during playback. This way, you can locate specific sections of individual dictations quickly and easily. The individual files may be played back at three different speeds: normal, fast, or slow, through either the built-in speaker or the supplied earphones. In addition, with the Repeat Playback function, the DM-20 can repeatedly play back a particular user-selected section of audio recording--ideal for transcribing dictation.
The unit's Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) ensures that recording begins only when sound occurs, while its security lock prevents accidental deletion of sensitive files.
The DM-20 is perfectly suited to meet varying professional needs. You can easily attach voice files to e-mails or forward them to others for transcription. The optional AS-3000 transcription kit (DSS Player Pro transcription module with foot switch and headset) can further streamline this process. The DM-20 is also compatible with most voice recognition software, including IBM's Via Voice.
What's in the Box
Voice recorder, docking station, USB cable, stereo ear bud headphones, a CD-ROM, a user's manual, and warranty information.
1 LINE IN recording issue, and Bye Bye Sony
If you want to use a good external microphone (USUALLY STEREO) or record from external source using the micro jack as LINE IN, and don't want the automatic SHQ setting, just use a 3.5 stereo to mono adapter (both channels are merged) and VOILA, a lot of selectable good quality (HQ or SP) recording time.
About the recorder. . . sorry for my other ones (SONY) but ever since I got the DM-20, only use it. The difference (quality of recordings) is awesome. Bye Sony, welcome Olympus.
Ahhh. . . and as a Macintosh user... bye Sony, welcome Olympus (again). Tired and frustrated of trying unsuccessfuly to use Digital Voice Editor via Virtual PC. Thanks Olympus on behalf the rest of Us.
2 Great except for the batteries
I use the recorder in college to record lectures and classes, and I have been extremely satisfied with the quality and ability of the DM 20. I have classes in rooms as large as 40' x 20' and record on HQ mode. My Prof's range from the screamer to the mumbler and even at 30' the recorder picks up the mumbler clearly, (after I turn the noise reduction feature to high). I was going to buy the DM 10, but 8 hours of high quality recording won the day over the price difference. I would strongly recommend the DM series to everyone.
The reason I didn't give five stars is simple: the batteries. Regular batteries last about a week for me; I use the recorder about five hours a day everyday. So it's new batteries every week or rechargeable batteries. I bought rechargeable batteries and a charger but that adds $35 to the price of the unit. If the DM cradle recharged the batteries, it would be a big plus and I would have given 5 stars.
The battery problem is more a minor nuisance than a real annoyance. Overall, the recorder is amazing at picking up voices at distance and capturing it into a high quality recording. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.
3 very nice
I recently ordered olympus digital voice recorder DM20 from amazon.com. it was the cheapest price after compairing it to tons of stores. it was shipped the same day i placed the order and with Free shipping i receieved it in 6days. overall i was very satisfied with Amazon's service. DM20 itself is really good, very light and compact. the recording was clear and i was able to download a 2hr recorded file in less than 5sec. I had some trouble with the software in the begining, i was not able to download the files but after calling Olympus tech support, i was able to resolve that issue very quickly. i read one review where there was a complain about the pause time allowed during recording. while recording if you need to pause for somereason, the recorder has a 10min pause, after that it will release the pause. it was a concern for me since i record lectures and most of the time professor either goes off topic, or takes a break and it would be a waste of time to keep recording in situations like these. i was able to get around that by pausing the recording for 8 min and then releasing it for 2 sec and then again pausing it, this increased the time for pause to more than 10 min. i have found the recorder to be very helpful but at a close range to the speaker, i have not yet tried it from a longer distance. the cradle cannot be used to recharge the battery, in my opinion the recorder would be perfect if it included this feature.
