digital-audio-player

Tuesday, August 14th 2007 - 17:00 CEST - Comments: 0

O lympus announces the new Olympus WS-321M and Olympus WS-311M, the ultimate hybrids of Digital audio players, music players and portable storage devices. They are equipped to play both MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio) music files with rich tonality and record in Stereo for hours and hours. Requiring no USB cable, their slim, portable bodies are able to transport essential files directly to and from a computer just like a USB flash memory drive. A new, larger LCD rounds-out the total package with enhanced viewing and navigational ease. "Our WS-Series audio devices are ideal for work and play," said Andy Flagg, director, Sales and Marketing, Olympus Imaging America Inc.

> Lowest retail prices for digital-audio-player

 

 

Olympus WS-321M & Olympus WS-311M

Andy Flagg added: "Whether you use it to record your daily meetings/lectures, store important work files or just listen to your favorite artist, the WS-Series makes downloading and recording simple." The WS-Series boasts high-quality audio while in record or playback mode, offers up to six recording modes of increasing quality and uses Windows Media Audio file format - without needing additional software. The Olympus WS-321M and Olympus  WS-311M Digital audio playerprovide the highest quality mode: Stereo Extra-High-Quality (STXQ) with dynamic stereo recording capabilities. The Noise Cancel and Voice Filter features can also be turned-on during playback to enhance the recordings' sound quality. When activated, Noise Cancel enables users to select the high or low mode depending on the amount of background noise. The Noise Cancel feature cuts the surrounding background noise digitally during playback. Also, by removing the low and high frequency noises, Voice Filter enhances the human voice, which is a moderate frequency.

 

Olympus digital audio players - Low-Cut filter

The Low-Cut Filter feature can be turned on to filter-out low frequency noise that users do not want to record, such as background noise in meetings created through items such as air conditioners, computers or projectors, to name a few. With "Direct Recording" the Olympus WS-321M or Olympus WS-311M Digital audio playercan function as a USB microphone with optional DSS Player Version 7 Software. In this manner, direct recording on to your PC hard drive is possible and none of the recorder's own memory is used.

 

Digital audio player- Playback features

Users of the new WS-Series will benefit from the different playback settings. After capture, the slow playback option allows recordings to be listened to efficiently with playback that is 50 percent slower than real time. The fast playback option allows recordings to be played 50 percent faster than real time. Traditionally, users will keep rewinding to hear what was said, but with slow playback they will be less likely to do so, and they can skip ahead to the sections that are important with fast playback. Also, a repeat playback option enables repeated playback of just the selected part of the file being played.

 

Olympus voice recorders - SRS WOW XT technology

For added convenience, both MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio) files can be downloaded and played back. SRS WOW XTTM effects add higher quality to these popular file formats. Specifically designed for small devices with speakers that are physically located close together, SRS WOW XT technology enables the speakers to capture full-panoramic stereo sound. As a result, the reproduced sound is much closer to what the artists originally intended and delivers the same immersive and powerful 3D audio experience over headphones, which are included.

 

Olympus WS-321M & Olympus WS-311M - Mass storage devices

The new WS-Series has a wide range of flash memory capabilities, which enable the devices to capture long recordings. The Olympus WS-321M Digital audio playerhas 1 gigabyte of memory and holds up to 277 hours of recording time or 250 songs. The WS-311M has 512 megabytes and holds up to 138 hours of recording time or 120 songs. They also incorporate PC Link via "USB Direct," a unique design by which the device actually separates from the battery unit and plugs into the USB port located on most computers. This saves time and simplifies operation as there is no need for a docking station or cable. Additionally, the Olympus WS-311 and Olympus WS-321 Digital audio playeroffer USB 2.0 download speed for faster downloads, and because the Olympus WS-321M and Olympus WS-311M Digital audio playerare portable, mass storage-class devices, they are ideal for anyone downloading large files including documents and images in addition to audio files, with no software required.

 

Digital audio players from Olympus - Design

An enlarged, backlit LCD is easy to read and much more useful when navigating the menu screen. It reveals file information, recording time and events clearly. A stereo microphone is located on the top, and a speaker for audio playback is located on the front of the devices. The WS-Series' ultra-compact design (3.73" x 1.51" x 0.43") and light weight (1.65 ounces, including alkaline battery) make them ideal for travel. These devices are outfitted with an ergonomic dial thumb pad allowing the user to easily play or stop a recording, adjust the volume level, fast-forward and rewind with the touch of one button. The Erase and Folder/Index buttons are positioned individually below the thumb dial for easy access during use.

 

Digital audio players - File management

File management (music, voice or text) is a snap with the new WS-Series thanks to an enormous amount of storage space and fingertip accessibility. The new WS-Series delivers an easy-to-use interface that allows users to organize digital voice recordings and music. It has five separate file folders that allow up to 200 files per folder for unmatched organization. For added convenience, users can lock a file, safeguarding important data from being accidentally erased.

 

Olympus digital audio players - Price & Availability

• The Olympus WS-321M and Olympus WS-311M voice recorders offer up to 21 hours of continuous operation with a single AAA battery.
• The WS-321M and WS-311M will be available in September 2007.
• Olympus WS-321M Digital Audio Device Estimated Street Price: US $149.99
• OlympusWS-311M Digital Audio Device Estimated Street Price: US $99.99

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