Olympus DM-1 Voice and MP3 Recorder with WOW! Technology

• Digital voice recorder and MP3 player
• 64 MB removable SmartMedia card for up to 22 hours of dictation and 1 hour of MP3/WMA music playback
• Backlit orange LCD screen
• 8 hours of playback or 11 hours of recording from two AAA batteries (included)
• Includes earbud headphones, USB cable, DSS (Digital Speech Standard) software, and soft carrying case

Fittingly, the DM-1's metallic blue body cuts a sleek shape suited to both business and recreational environs. The unit is easily gripped in hand, and its silver-styled buttons and textured switches feel sturdy, if not downright elegant. It comes with a nifty fitted case with Velcro straps.

As a voice recorder, this unit is brimming with deluxe features. An included USB cable speeds through downloads from your DM-1 to your PC in minutes. And since digital voice files, being extremely compressed, require little memory, you can store a virtually unlimited number on your computer. The files save in the Digital Speech Standard (DSS) format and the play, organize, and interface through your PC via included DSS software on CD-ROM.

We were pleased to discover, however, that one can do a lot of organizing right on the player. The DM-1 lets you delete files or whole folders right there on its backlit LCD so you store only what you want. The LCD displays recording length, time, and date.

The included 64 MB SmartMedia card is removable so you can expand your available memory (up to 128 MB, depending on the card), but it's also large enough to hold over 10 hours of voice recordings in SP (Standard Playback) mode. In SP, the audio quality is clear and reasonably free of artifacts. Under LP (Long Playback) mode, the memory card holds a lengthy 22 hours, making this recorder especially useful for extended use and travel. The quality difference between SP and LP modes is slight enough that the 22-hour setting is probably your best choice.

But the thing that makes the DM-1 so much more fun than an average voice recorder is the fact that it doubles as a terrific digital audio player. You can store and play about one hour of CD-quality audio on the included memory. The player boasts WOW! technology to enhance the sound, but sonic purists (or those with great headphones) will just hear an earful of distortion more than anything else, though the reverberation effects are pleasing with some music. The preset EQ settings provide distinctive, easy listening no matter what your music preference with rock, pop, and jazz.

Though comfortable, the supplied headphones sound inadequate even with the compensation of the EQ and WOW! effects. If you prefer to tailor the sound, you can also customize an EQ setting through the recorder's menu button.

For public listening, the integrated speaker plays either voice or music when no headphones are connected. The small but highly listenable speaker is another example of how this diminutive device impresses with big sound and cool features.

To conserve battery space, the Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) automatically starts and stops recording when sound rises above or falls below at a given preset volume, or threshold. Other battery-saving features are hold, which keeps the device from accidentally recording the silence inside your pocket or suitcase, and an option that disables the orange backlight.

The palm-sized DM-1 offers intuitive button placement; fingers fall on the important buttons without obstructing the microphone, speaker, or display. And, your hand will have the control system memorized in minutes. Two exceptions keep the button layout from perfection: the volume control and the power switch. The power button hides on the back of the unit (probably to keep you from inadvertently turning it on or off) and the volume control sits atop the unit, a tiny dial with even tinier numbers. In our opinion, a front- or side-mounted button that displays the volume level digitally would have been ideal.

The unit derives approximately 8 hours of playback or 11 hours of recording from two AAA batteries (included); an AC adapter for continuous play must be purchased separately.

Apart from these minor quibbles, however, the DM-1 is a stand-out product--a versatile and exciting tool and toy. --Husseni Yali Rasiwala

Pros:

• Decent, comfy headphones
• Helpful step-by-step instruction booklet
• Ample 64 MB memory card included
• Onboard speaker
• USB cable included
• VCVA and hold feature saves precious batter life
• Backlit display easy to read in dark settings
• Accurate voice recording

Cons:

• No audio during forward or reverse scan in music mode
• AC adapter not included
• Awkward power button placement
• Tiny volume dial