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NEWS from Olympus...
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Olympus Announces The First Digital Voice Recorder/MP3 Player Geared For Business Users


22 Hours of Voice Recording or Over 1 Hour of MP3 Music Recording

With Included 64MB SmartMedia - Interfaces with PC

MELVILLE, N.Y., June 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Olympus America Inc., Consumer Products Group, a leading consumer electronics manufacturer, today announced the DM-1, the first digital voice recorder/MP3 player geared for business users. The DM-1 supports removable SmartMedia cards for up to 22 hours of voice recording time or over one hour of MP3 or WMA music recording time on the included 64MB SmartMedia card. The DM-1 is geared for consumers and corporate road warriors, as well as students, journalists, doctors, and lawyers.

MP3 Player

The DM-1's MP3 music player provides high-quality music with a built-in WOW(TM) sound system by SRS Labs for the production of rich bass, clear three-dimensional stereo sound and user-selectable 5-setting equalizer for settings from classical to rock. The DM-1 is the first MP3 player in the world to feature the WOW system. For music listening & organizing on the computer, easy-to-use MusicMatch jukebox software is included.

The DM-1 uses the same SmartMedia that has been used in popular Olympus digital cameras. The DM-1 comes with a 64MB card, but is compatible with all SmartMedia cards up to 128MB. Downloading speech files to a PC is quick and easy. The DM-1 can be attached to a PC by the included USB cable. Also, the SmartMedia can be removed and downloaded to a PC by a variety of SmartMedia download devices.

The DM1 supports both MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio) music files.

Digital Voice Recorder

The DM-1 includes three folders for voice file management, capable of storing up to 199 messages per folder. Messages can be moved from one folder to another for easy organization. The DM-1 has 2 recording modes, SP mode when speech-to-text applications are used; and LP mode when a longer recording time is needed. An LCD display is provided to check remaining recording time, the date & time, voice activation mode, play mode (SP/LP), and battery status. A Microphone Sensitivity Selector and voice activation for hands-free recording are also included.

Olympus uses compact .DSS (Digital Speech Standard) files, which are 12 - 20 times smaller than standard .WAV sound files, and are optimized for voice applications. DSS files are also ideal for sending email to colleagues or transcription services. Transcription can also be done manually with an optional transcription accessory kit including a foot-switch and headset. Users can download the entire contents of the recorder, one specific folder or even one specific recording.

In addition, the DM-1 enables you to manage all of your dictation with the DSS Player Dictation Software. The software can automate many manual functions, such as auto-detection and auto-download of dictation from the DM-1. All you have to do is attach the DM-1 to your USB port.

"We are very excited about the release of the DM-1," said Keith Swiderski, Product Manager, Olympus America, Consumer Products Group. "The DM-1 is perfect for business users who need a digital recorder, but also want to take advantage of MP3 music. With 64MB of memory, you can make hours of high quality voice recordings and still carry your favorite music along for the ride."

The DM-1 is the latest in a long line of Olympus innovative award-winning digital voice recorders, such as the DS-320, a digital recorder with over five hours of recording time bundled with IBM's ViaVoice speech recognition software. The DS-150, released in April of 1999, was well received for its ease of use and affordable price. It was chosen as a preferred mobile solution for IBM ViaVoice, and was also bundled as part of L&H Voice Express Mobile Professional. The D1000, released in June of 1998, won numerous industry awards for its enhancement of the mobile office, including the coveted PC Computing MVP Award, November 1998; Popular Mechanics, Editor's Choice Award, January 1999; and Popular Science, "Best of What's New," November 11, 1997.

The DM-1 will be available in June 2001 for a Suggested Retail Price of $349, Street Price $299. It comes with a 64MB SmartMedia card, DSS Player software, MusicMatch software, USB cable, carrying case with belt clip and stereo headphones.

For more information, contact Olympus America, Consumer Products Group, Two Corporate Center Dr., Melville, NY 11747-3157, ph: [phone], [phone], Fax: [phone] or the Olympus Web Site: http://www.olympus.com. For consumer questions/comments, e-mail us at [e-mail].

About Olympus America, Inc.

Olympus America distributes a wide range of products to the consumer, scientific, healthcare, commercial and industrial markets. These include film and filmless cameras, Microcassette(TM) 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 United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

DM-1: Main Specifications

Digital voice recording>

Recording Format Digital Speech Standard (DSS)-format

digital recording

Recommended input level -70dBv

Sampling frequency SP mode: 12kHz

LP mode: 8kHz

Overall Frequency Response SP Mode:300~5,000Hz

LP Mode:300~3,000Hz

Recording Time SP Mode: approx. 10 hr 10 min.

LP Mode: approx. 22 hr

(Figures given for 64MB SmartMedia card )

Continuous Battery

Duration Time Recording: approx. 11 hours

Playback : approx. 8 hour

(according to Olympus tests using an

alkaline dry cell battery)

Digital music playback>

Compatible file formats WMA, MP3 formats (multi-decoding

system used)

Sampling frequency 44.1kHz (maximum value; use of different

data format or bit rate may result in

different value)

Frequency Response 20~20,000Hz (maximum value; use of different

data format or bit rate may result in

different value)

Recording Time Bit rate 160 kbps: approx. 50 min

Bit rate 128 kbps: approx. 60 min

Bit rate 96 kbps: approx. 82 min

Bit rate 64 kbps: approx. 120 min

(Figures given for 64MB SmartMedia card; use

of different bit rate may result in

different value)

Continuous Battery

Duration Time Approx. 8 hour

(according to Olympus tests using an

alkaline dry cell battery)

Other specifications>

Recording Medium 3V (3.3V) SmartMedia cards (4, 8, 16,

32, 64, 128MB)

(Cards without ID functions cannot be used

for music playback)

Card Format SSFDC forum- SmartMedia format

Speaker 28mm-diameter round dynamic speaker

Microphone Jack 3.5mm-diameter: 2ohm impedance

Earphone Jack 3.5mm-diameter: 8ohm impedance or higher

Practical Max. Output Max. 180mW (8ohm speaker)

Power Source Rated voltage DC3V - Two R03/LR03 alkaline

batteries

External power source: by connecting AC

Adaptor A321 (sold separately)

Dimensions 109.5(H)x50.0(W)x16.7(D)mm

(excluding protrusions)

Weight 86g including battery

Accessories 64MB SmartMedia, Stereo Earphones (E30),

Carrying Case, USB Connection Cable

(CB-USB1), PC Connection Cable (KP4),

CD-ROM, 2 x AAA batteries, User's Manual

DSS Player, MP3 Jukebox: Operating Environment

OS Supported Microsoft Windows 98/98SE/Me/2000

Professional

CPU Intel Pentium 166MHz or faster,

Intel Pentium and faster when using CD-R or

Windows 2000

RAM Min. 32MB

Hard Disk Space Min. 50MB

(additional space is required to store

voice files)

Sound Board Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 or

100% compatible card

Video Card and Display SVGA (High-color (16-bit or higher

resolution)

Removable Drive Min. 16x CD-ROM or CR-R, CD-RW, CD-ROM

USB Port At least 1 free USB port

Audio Output Speaker or earphone output

* Design and specifications are subject to change without notice.

Company Contact: Agency contact:

Olympus America Inc. Karen Thomas

Consumer Products Group Thomas Public Relations

Keith Swiderski [phone]

Product Manager [e-mail]

[phone]

[e-mail]

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SOURCE Olympus America Inc.

CO: Olympus America Inc.

ST: New York

IN: CSE CPR

SU: PDT

06/15/2001 09:00 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com