The DS-4000 is impressive with its beautiful design and huge LCD display.  It is light weight, much of the weight comes from the batteries. The unit comes with 32 MB memory card. With it, you can record over 11 hours of DSS Audio a file format developed primarily for dictation. It is a highly compressed file that allows for longer recording and offers clear audio sound.

While the DS-4000 is packed with features including some relatively sophisticated file management tools, voice operated recording, author IDs and work types, the most impressive attribute is the operation design. The DS-4000 replaced the DS-3000 bush button control with a very sophisticated slide switch which moves over rubber bumpers to reduce any unwanted clicking sounds. It provides a smooth transition between modes and allows for more comfortable control of dictations.

The 4 position slide switch allows for fast switching between modes, this is in part because the mechanism has two switches to detect the recording status instead of one. 

Another powerful advancement, as a result of the fast response and optimized processes for starting recordings, Olympus was able to minimize the clipping problem (when the beginning of a recording is cut off) which has annoyed so many of us over the years.

The DS-4000 start-up time is approximately 150ms for an initial recording, and less than 50ms for a consecutive REC * STOP * REC operation. As a result of these improvements, the beginning of the recording is no longer lost.

Other enhancements include improved power management which increases the amount of record time available, plus the DS-4000  file transfer rate to and from a PC is 2.5 times  faster than it predecessor.

For those in need of a complete end to end transcription system, the DS-4000 is designed to work with the AS-4000 Transcription Kit. The AS-4000 consist of of USB foot pedal to control dictation playback, a headset, and high end transcription software that streamlines workflow and can be used in a network environment.  The most powerful feature in the AS-4000 solution is its ability to automatically receive dictations and send transcribed documents to and from multiple users and locations.  Other automatic assistance features include visual or audible announcement of new dictations, automatic start of word processing program, and it automatically associates the transcribed document files with the dictation files. In addition you can sort and organize dictations by user, time, priority and other profile rules.

If your transcription needs are far less advanced, the DS-4000 may also be used with the AS-2300 Transcription Kit. The AS-2300 is designed more for one to one use, it is not network friendly or meant to be utilized with  multiple users/recorders. While the system lacks ability to automatically send and receive dictations,  it is a great solution for an office that only has one DS-4000 and would like to transcribe the files in a simple organized fashion.

All in all, the Olympus DS-4000 is an excellent device for professional users. With its high quality design, wealth of features, and compatible transcription kits,  it is sure to accommodate the needs of even the most rigorous users.