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Olympus DS-4000 Professional Digital Recorder Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.recorders.com/info/articles/29/1/Olympus-DS-4000-Professional-Digital-Recorder-Frequently-Asked-Questions/Page1.html
By Recorders.com Tech Team
Published on 06/13/2006
 

Have Questions about the DS4000, we have answers. Take a look at our Olympus DS-4000 FAQ for information on removable media, record time, "How To" tips and more.  

Frequently Asked Questions
for DS-4000
Go to DS-4000
1. What type of removable storage does the DS-4000 take?
2. What is the approximate recording time?
3. What type of batteries can be used with the DS-4000?
4. How many charge cycles can I expect out of the battery pack BR-402?
5. Can I charge my two AAA NiMH batteries or alkaline batteries in the cradle?
6. What model A/C adapter can be used with the DS-4000?
7. Can I charge the DS-4000 in its cradle?
8. Does the USB cable provide power to charge the batteries when the DS-4000 is in the cradle?
9. Is it necessary to charge the battery when first bought?
10. What voltage does the DS-4000 require?
11. Are there Dealer Option Items that can be installed on the DS-4000?
12. Is Recorders.com an Olympus Professional Dealer?
13. What is the difference between Insert recording and overwrite recording?
14. Does the DS-4000 have hands free capability?
15. What is VCVA?
16. What are the benefits of using the ME12 noise-cancellation dictation microphone?
17. What are the applicable external microphones for the DS-4000?
18. Does the DS-4000 have a noise cancellation feature?
19. How do I set the Noise Cancel function?
20. How do I erase all files from folder?
21. Can I place index marks within a file?
22. How do you format the card in the DS-4000?
23. Nothing appears on the LCD Screen what can be wrong?
24. Why won't the voice recorder won't start?
25. Why is my DS-4000 is unable to record?
26. What if there is no playback tone that can be heard?
27. I am unable to erase, what can be wrong?
28. Why is there noise heard during playback?
29. Recording level to low.
30. Unable to set index marks.
31. I cannot find the recorded voice.
32. I cannot connect the DS-4000 to a PC.
33. I cannot connect the DS-4000 to a PC while in it's cradle.
 

1. What type of removable storage does the DS-4000 take?  

The DS-4000 accepts xD-Picture Card up to 512mb.

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2. What is the approximate recording time?
 
Memory Size SP Mode LP Mode
16MB 2 hr. 35 min. 5 hr. 30 min.
32MB 5 hr. 10 min. 11 hr. 05 min.
64MB 10 hr. 25 min. 22 hr. 20 min.
128MB 20 hr. 55 min. 44 hr. 45 min.
256MB 42 hr 00 min 89 hr. 40 min.
512MB 84 hr. 05 min. 179 hr. 30 min.


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3. What type of batteries can be used with the DS-4000?

The DS-4000 uses a NiMH rechargeable battery pack (BR-402), two AAA NiMH batteries or two AAA alkaline batteries.

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4. How many charge cycles can I expect out of the battery pack BR-402?

Charging and discharging are possible for approximately 500 times depending on usage.

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5. Can I charge my two AAA NiMH batteries or alkaline batteries in the cradle?

No, only the provided BR-402 battery can be charged in the cradle.

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6. What model A/C adapter can be used with the DS-4000?

The A/C adapter A510 is packaged with the DS-4000. The A510 plugs into the CR3 USB Cradle.

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7. Can I charge the DS-4000 in its cradle?

Yes, by connecting the AC adapter (A510) to the cradle the DS-4000 can be charged in its cradle.

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8. Does the USB cable provide power to charge the batteries when the DS-4000 is in the cradle?

Yes, the computer must be on to charge the battery, however some computers may not be successful depending on the power supply capacity of the PC. If this is an issue, uses the AC adapter.

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9. Is it necessary to charge the battery when first bought?

Yes, charge the battery often for the first few uses. The battery performs better after several full charge/discharge cycles.

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10. What voltage does the DS-4000 require?

The DS-4000 requires 3volts.

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11. Are there Dealer Option Items that can be installed on the DS-4000?

Yes, your Olympus Professional Dealer can set some additional options. These additional and customizable options are as follows:

  • Setting for "beep' sound.
  • Setting for NEW button operation.
  • Setting for REC button operation.
  • Setting for Spash screen.
  • Adding/removing of user defined fields.
  • Switching the display languages.
  • Changing the number of folders.
  • Switching the display languages.
  • Changing the number of folders.
  • Assigning functionality to A, B buttons.
  • Assigning functionality to the foot switch.
  • Setting time for Power save mode.

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12. Is Recorders.com an Olympus Professional Dealer?

  YES. Recorders.com is an Authorized Olympus Professional Dealer

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13. What is the difference between Insert recording and overwrite recording?

Overwrite will overwrite a previously recorded file from any point within the file. Insert recording will insert voice recordings into previously recorded file.

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14. Does the DS-4000 have hands free capability?

The recorder can be used as a hands-free recording device. To setup the recorder for hands-free operation, connect the optional Olympus foot switch 9RS25/26) to the back of the cradle and place the recorder n the cradle.

Switch Press Press and Hold Release
Left SW

-

REV

Play

Center SW

-

REC

Stop

Right SW

New

-

-

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15. What is VCVA?

VCVA (Variable Control Voice Actuator). When the microphone senses that sounds have reached a preset threshold volume level, the built-in VCVA starts recording automatically, and stops when the volume drops below the threshold level.

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16. What are the benefits of using the ME12 noise-cancellation dictation microphone?

The ME12 is used to get crisp recordings of you own voice by reducing the effects of ambient noise. The ME12 is recommended to improve the accuracy when using voice-recognition software.

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17. What are the applicable external microphones for the DS-4000?
 
  • Remote Controller Microphone: ME12
  • Noise-Cancellation microphone: MR12

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    • 18. Does the DS-4000 have a noise cancellation feature?

    Yes, if recorded audio is difficult to understand because of noise, simply adjust the noise cancel setting level. Noise will be reduced in the file when it is played back for better sound quality.

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    19. How do I set the Noise Cancel function?
    1. Press and hold the MENU button for 1 second or longer while the file is flashing. Displays currently set Noise Cancel level.
    2. Press the MENU button again to choose a noise cancel level. The levels switch in the following rotation, "OFF", "LOW," "HIGH".
    If the display is already set to Noise Cancel, start from step 2. Change the Noise Cancel level with 2 seconds; otherwise the level is set at the displayed level and the display returns to its original view.

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    20. How do I erase all files from folder?
    1. Select any file in the folder, then press and hold the ERASE button for 3 seconds or longer. "ALL ERASE?" flashes on the display for approximately 8 seconds.
    2. Press the REASE button once more while "ALL ERASE?" is flashing. The display changes to "ALL ERASE?"

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    21. Can I place index marks within a file?

    Index marks can be placed in a file during recording or playback to provide a quick and easy way of keeping track of important sections in the file.

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    22. How do you format the card in the DS-4000?
    1. Press the MENU button.
    2. Press the "FF" or "REW" button until "FORMAT" in the SUB MENU flashes on the display.
    3. Press the MENU button to select "FORMAT".
    4. Press the "FF" or "REW" button to highlight the "START" option.
    Press the MENU button to confirm "START" selection.

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    23. Nothing appears on the LCD Screen what can be wrong?
     
  • Check to see if the batteries are loaded correctly.
  • The batteries are dead.
  • The recorder is in power off mode.

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    • 24. Why won't the voice recorder won't start?
     
  • The recorder is in power off mode.
  • The batteries may be dead.

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    • 25. Why is my DS-4000 is unable to record?
     
  • The card does not have enough memory.
  • The card is unformatted
  • The maximum number of files has been reached.

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    • 26. What if there is no playback tone that can be heard?
     
  • The earphone is connected.
  • The volume is set to 0.

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    • 27. I am unable to erase, what can be wrong?

    The file is locked.

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    28. Why is there noise heard during playback?
     
  • The recorder was shaken during recording
  • The recorder was placed near a cell phone or fluorescent lamp while recording of during playback.

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    • 29. Recording level to low.

    The microphone sensitivity (impedance) is to low, suggested impedance is 2k W.

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    30. Unable to set index marks.
     
  • The maximum number of index marks (16) has been reached.
  • The file is locked.

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    • 31. I cannot find the recorded voice.

    Check another folder.

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    32. I cannot connect the DS-4000 to a PC.

    Some PC's and USB hubs may not provide sufficient power.

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    33. I cannot connect the DS-4000 to a PC while in it's cradle.

    Sometimes a connection cannot be made with some PC’s running Windows XP.

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