| CENTER VALLEY, Pa., January 4, 2007 - Olympus unveils three new DS-Series
| digital voice recorders that bridge the gap between work and play. In
| addition to capturing audio of meetings, interviews and other critical
| information expected of digital recorders, the new Olympus DS-30, DS-40 
and
| DS-50 are optimized for downloading, listening to and creating podcasts. 
The
| new recorders' high sound quality is also great for listening to audio 
books
| and music, making them the all-in-one audio device.
|
| Software included with the devices makes downloading podcasts easy, and 
the
| podcasts' contents are updated automatically each time the audio recorder 
is
| connected to or "synchronized" with a computer. Podcasts and other audio
| content can be downloaded from any Web site. The new voice recorders are
| also specifically designed to work with Audible.com, a leading online
| provider of audio books and other spoken entertainment and information.
|
| "Olympus has done a fantastic job designing the new DS-Series, in 
particular
| the voice guidance feature will have great appeal to both commuters and 
the
| visually impaired community. This functionality is a great asset to anyone
| that relies upon Audible for its audio programming," said Chia-Lin 
Simmons,
| vice president Strategic Alliances, Audible, Inc. "We are confident that 
the
| combination of Audible's vast audio selection with Olympus, the technology
| leader in digital voice recording, will be well received."
|
| The voice recorders are also distinguished by a number of premium 
features,
| including:
|
| The highest sound quality in the Olympus line-up with the new XSHQ
| Remarkable Stereo Sound Quality mode. The new DS-Series devices can record
| and play audio content up to 44.1 kilohertz (kHz), which is equal to the
| sound quality of most CDs. A convenient removable stereo microphone for
| recording high-quality digital audio. A "Voice Guidance" function that
| talks, confirming which settings have been selected and helping visually
| challenged users to navigate the device. Built-in memory from 256MB to 
512MB
| to one gigabyte that enables amazingly long recording times ranging up to
| 275 hours. "PC Link" enables the recorders to connect to a PC via the
| included USB cable for quick downloading of audio files to and from a
| computer. "Our DS-Series voice recorders have been used for years by
| professionals such as doctors and lawyers to capture audio throughout 
their
| workday," said Andy Flagg, director, Sales and Marketing, Olympus Imaging
| America Inc. "These new devices have moved from the hospital and courtroom
| into their personal lives. With stereo headphones and up to one gigabyte
| memory, the new devices are optimal for holding virtual libraries of 
music,
| audio books and podcasts, as well as the traditional voice recordings."
|
| Intelligent & Stylish Design These DS-Series recorders are sleek road
| warriors that can go anywhere to capture audio for podcasts and 
interviews.
| As podcasters join the ranks of lawyers, doctors and other professionals 
who
| use voice recorders, they can rest assured that they will have what it 
takes
| to get the job done. The new DS-Series have microphones that can detach 
from
| their bodies and attach to a remote controller (an optional accessory) to
| allow podcasters to clip the DS-Series' microphone onto a shirt or tie and
| record in high fidelity at the flip of a switch. Recording in this
| unobtrusive manner with the recorder tucked away in a pocket helps to keep
| an interviewee at ease, which in turn can lead to more entertaining and
| informative podcasts.
|
| Designed for optimal ergonomics with a high attention to detail, the
| recorders feature a speaker for audio playback on the back, buttons for
| recording and playback on the side, and easy-to-use arrow pads and buttons
| to navigate menus on the front. Olympus even created a power on/off 
sliding
| switch so users wouldn't accidentally turn it on. Coated in a sleek 
metallic
| exterior for durability, all three models come with large, easy-to-read
| high-contrast LCD screens that display file information, recording time 
and
| settings. The DS-30 features a silver casing with an amber backlight LCD
| screen. The DS-40 features a dark silver casing with a white backlight LCD
| screen. The DS-50 features a blue casing with a white backlight LCD 
screen.
|
| Voice Confirmation and Instruction Manual The three new devices offer a
| voice confirmation function that can be turned on or off. When turned on,
| the function enables the devices to speak, helping users to navigate the
| folders and various set-up options. The pleasant automated voice guides
| users through the onscreen menus for setting date, time and other menu
| selecting modes. It also confirms by stating the folder name as the user
| moves from one folder to another. This enables visually challenged users 
to
| easily move through the device's menus, folders and set-up options. An
| instruction manual will also be available to users as an audio file. Much
| like any audio book, this option enables users to listen to the 
instruction
| manual for quick and easy use.
|
| Music Recording and Playback Both MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio) files
| can be downloaded and played back on the device. This provides users with
| extreme flexibility, enabling them to use one device for recording 
meetings
| / lectures for work or school, while also enjoying music and audio books 
for
| fun.
|
| Timer Recording Mode A Timer Recording mode is available for instances 
when
| a recording needs to begin at a specific time. It works by setting a
| beginning time to start recording and an end time to stop recording. This
| feature is valuable for those who do not want to call attention to the 
fact
| that they're making a recording by pushing the record button, or when 
timing
| is essential to capture the recording.
|
| Variable Speed Playback Users of the new DS-Series digital recorders will
| appreciate the control provided by the variable speed playback settings.
| After capture, the slow playback option allows recordings to be listened 
to
| efficiently with playback that is up to 50 percent slower than real time,
| and fast playback that is up to 50 percent faster than real time. Slow
| playback helps to eliminate the need for users to listen to the same
| recording multiple times to hear what was said, and with fast playback 
they
| can skip ahead to the essential sections - a real benefit for transcribing
| dictation.
|
| Long Lasting Power The DS-Series digital voice recorders have up to 32 
hours
| of continuous operation made possible by the long battery life of two AAA
| batteries. An AC power supply is also available. The DS-Series digital 
voice
| recorders also feature a one-year warranty.
|
| Availability The DS-30, DS-40 and DS-50 will be available in January 2007.
| Accessories include stereo microphone, USB Cable, stereo earphones, a DSS
| Player Version 7 Software CD-ROM and two AAA-alkaline batteries. DS-50
| additionally includes a remote control and carrying case.
|
| U.S. Pricing DS-30 Digital Voice Recorder Estimated Street Price: $149.99
| (U.S.) DS-40 Digital Voice Recorder Estimated Street Price: $199.99 (U.S.)
| DS-50 Digital Voice Recorder Estimated Street Price: $249.99 (U.S.)
|
| Review units and high-resolution images of the DS-Series Digital Voice
| Recorders are available from Mullen Public Relations. Contact Jeff 
Hluchyj,
| (978) 468-8939 or [log in to unmask] . For more information contact
| Jennifer Lyons, public relations manager, Olympus Imaging America Inc.,
| 484-896-5350,
|
| [log in to unmask] , Olympus Imaging America Inc., 3500 Corporate
| Parkway, Center Valley, Pennsylvania 18034, or the Olympus Web site:
|
| http://www.olympusamerica.com.
|
| 


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