If you're looking for a handheld digital recorder, then you should take a closer look at the Olympus DS-2400 Dictation Recorder. It has a lot of excellent features which can be very beneficial for all your recording needs. This review will help enlighten you regarding the features that this product has to offer.
Design
The device is especially designed for compactness and portability. It has the dimensions of 4.47 x 1.97 x 0.67 and a weight of 3.9 ounces. Although it may be heavier than most Olympus recorders, it is still handy enough to be carried in your pocket, purse, bag, and even by your hand. This device is really designed to be a digital handheld recorder. It's also very simple and has a sleek silver body with all silver buttons.
All the buttons of the device have been designed to make navigation and operation of the device much more optimal. The unit operates on two Triple-A batteries which can either be rechargeable or alkaline. Depending on the mode of use, there are different maximum battery life lengths of the device, but it can be used the longest on SP recording mode, with a battery life of as long as 32 hours.
Display
The LCD display of this unit is 1.7 inches long, which is comparably bigger than most Olympus recorders. It has an orange backlight which enables the user to see the text and graphics on the display even under various lighting conditions. The dot pixel display is also very clear which makes it easier for user to read the information, making navigation and operation of the device much optimal.
Audio and Recording Features
Although the device has no internal memory, it does have a 2 GB memory card included in the package. Using the memory card, you can save your audio recordings and easily play them and transfer them in a computer. There are two recording modes of the device which have different maximum recording length. The QP mode can record up to 77 hours and 40 minutes of audio, while the SP mode can store up to 159 hours and 5 minutes of recording. The device also enables you to easier organize your files. There are five folders where you can save and separate your audio recordings, and each folder can carry up to 200 files.
The device has a built-in speaker and microphone which makes it easier for you to record and playback your files anytime you want. The speaker is 23mm and has a maximum output of 250 mW, a very high number for such a small device. It also has a built-in microphone and earphone jack which enables you to listen privately and record audio more clearly and precisely.
Probably the biggest flaw of this model is that it saves files in the new DS2 format which can only be read and accessed using the software which can be installed from the CD that is included in the package of the unit. This is a very big inconvenience for many users especially because it takes a lot of time and energy to install, convert, and transfer files that aren't readable by the computer. Nonetheless, if you have successfully installed the software, then you will not have any other problems about the files in the future. Also, although it is a relatively new file format, Olympus used DS2 format because it can increase the quality of your audio recordings for a better and more audible playback.
Other Features
Apart from the mentioned features, this model has more to offer. It has a voice activated variable control which you can turn on and off depending on your preference. There are new easy-to-use buttons, the Erase button which erases a file in one press, and the New button which starts a new recording in a single touch. There are two settings which you can set for better reception of audio, the Conference and the Dictate settings. There are also index marks which you can use to easier scan through the audio file and find a certain point during the recording that you need to play.
Conclusion
As an Olympus digital handheld recorder, this device has a good set of features to offer. The Olympus DS-2400 Dictation Recorder is also designed for professional use so you won't have any problems regarding the audio quality of this model. I am very confident to recommend this model to individuals out there who are in search of an excellent digital recorder. This will definitely work well for your personal, professional, and recreational recording needs.
