Digital Dictation Recorders

Digital Dictation Recorders

Digital Dictation Recorders are especially well-suited for physicians, attorneys, investigators, and business users where it's a requirement to accurately construct sentences and paragraphs as you go, for later transcription. If you make a mistake, merely rewind, and play forward to that point, then hit Record and continue!

A true “dictation” recorder lets you listen to what you dictated, rewind and replay it, and make any changes to it as you go (“on the fly editing”). You can insert a new sentence in the middle of an old one, overwrite from a certain point onward, or go back to a dictation created earlier in the day and modify or append to it. Digital dictation recorders are perfect for dictating correspondence, reports, observations, or any type of dictation needs. (“Conference” recorders on the other hand, or consumer “note takers” that you see in local stores, are intended to be left in record mode for the entire time, and don’t allow making changes on the fly).

Olympus Dictation Recorders

The flagship digital dictation recorder of the Olympus product line is the Olympus DS-5000 Professional Digital Dictation Recorder, and is the favorite of professionals everywhere. This powerful, reliable, easy-to-use recorder has a single slide switch with record, stop, play, and rewind on a single control. This allows for one-handed operation, without even having to look at the screen of the recorder while it’s operating. A red light in the upper right corner of the DS-5000 will light up whenever you're in the record mode. The DS-5000 also features automatic recharging whenever the unit is inserted into its cradle, automatic HIPAA-compliant encrypted e-mailing or FTP of dictation to an off-site transcriptionist, and has an 89 hour recording capacity in standard mode built-in micro SD card. Just dictate and dock it for 10 or 15 seconds and you’re done. No need to open programs on your screen – it does it for you, and automatically sends the dictation to its destination and cleans off the recorder so it’s ready to use again.

The Olympus DS 3400 Professional Digital Digital Recorder uses the same body style, software, and construction as the Olympus DS-5000, but uses pushbuttons instead of a slideswitch, for the record, stop, play, rewind, and fast-forward functions. The pushbuttons work well, but the user has to be more careful about which button they’re pressing. The DS-3400 also is designed for use with disposable AAA batteries, and does not allow recharging. It also does not include the CR-10 cradle (although it’s optionally available). The DS 3400 is an economical, but quality choice for HIPAA-compliant dictation.

The Olympus DS-2400 Dictation recorder is the least expensive true dictation recorder in the Olympus line. It includes basic features for true dictation (editing on the fly). Like the DS-3400, it uses disposable AAA batteries and does not include a cradle. The DSS Player software included is the “Standard” edition, which supports file transfers to any folder on your local computer or network, but does not include the ability to email dictation off-site with HIPAA compliant encryption, like the DS-3400 and DS-5000 allows.

Olympus DS-5000

Olympus's flagship dictation recorder, ideal for professionals.

$449.99

• Docking/recharging station
• Software 128bit file encryption and device password - meets HIPAA requirements
• Easy and efficient slide switch control
• Supports SD and microSD memory cards
• Includes DSS Player Pro software

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Olympus DS-3400

This midline recorder includes most of the DS-5000 features at a lower price point.

$349.99

• Record in DSS and DS2 formats
• Software based 128bit encryption insures security of emailed files
• Includes 1GB SD memory card
• Includes DSS Player Pro software

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Olympus DS-2400

Olympus's entry level professional dictation recorder is great for most professionals, students, and podcasters.

$299.99

• Records in DS2 format
• Multiple recording modes allows for superior sound quality or smaller files
• Includes 1GB SD memory card
• Includes DSS Player software

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Philips Dictation Recorders

Philips continues its long tradition of excellent design, industry-standard compatibility, and functionality in the field of audio recording and dictation. The DPM 9600 was the first HIPAA compliant dictation recorder available and the only dictation recorder with on-board file encryption. The DPM 9600 family has also received awards for its ergonomic, low-impact design. Despite being a smaller player in the North American market, Philips continues to create excellent recorders that remain open and compatible with most third-party transcription and dictation software.

Philips DPM 9600

Winner of the 2007 iF Design Award, the excellent DPM 9600 continues to be the only dictation recorder with on-board file encryption.

$499.99

• Total compatibility—connections (mini-USB), file type (DSS), memory (SD card), microphone (3.5mm), and batteries (NiMH AAA)
• Includes docking/recharging station
• Full onboard editing
• Slide-switch control
• Onboard file encryption and device password—complete HIPAA compliance
• Includes SpeechExec Pro software

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Philips DPM 9500

The DPM 9500 uses slide-switch control and includes a docking station/recharger, features unique at this price level.

$399.99

• Total compatibility—connections (mini-USB), file type (DSS), memory (SD card), microphone (3.5mm), and batteries (NiMH AAA)
• Includes docking/recharging station
• Slide-switch control
• Software file encryption for HIPAA compliance
• Includes SpeechExec Pro software

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Philips DPM 9380

The only entry level professional dictation recorder with slide-switch control.

$399.99

• 4-position slide-switch control
• Total compatibility—connections (mini-USB), file type (DSS), memory (SD card), microphone (3.5mm), and batteries (AAA)
• Automatic file download via USB to PC
• Includes SpeechExec Dictate software

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Philips DPM 9375

The recorder designed for the business user.

Price $399.99

• Quick setup through PC wizard
• Full editing capability (overwrite/insert/append/lock)
• Automatic file download and quick charge via USB
• Set file urgency on the recorder
• Records in MP3 and DSS Pro formats
• Philips' dedication to standard formats and accessories

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