• Kit includes DSS Player software, footpedal, and stereo headset
• Included software helps convert DSS files to waveform (.wav) and other formats
• Footpedal controls file playback
• Stereo headset connects directly to the computer soundcard
• Perfect for use with Olympus digital recorders

The Olympus AC-2300 PC Transcription Kit is ideal for transcription of digitally recorded documents. The kit includes DSS Player software, the RS-25 foot pedal, and the E-102 stereo headset. The DSS Player software is used to download DSS files from your Olympus DS or DM series digital recorder.

DSS is an abbreviation for "Digital Speech Standard." It is a standard for digital voice recording set by Olympus and other manufacturers. The standard has been widely adopted and establishes ground rules for compression format of data, file formats, and the storage of media in digital speech recorders. Digital voice recorders manufactured by Olympus save voice recordings in DSS format (.dss file extension) and can be converted to waveform files (.wav) and other formats with the included software. Once converted, recordings can be included on web sites, CD-ROMs, or even as email attachments.

This RS-25 foot pedal controls the playback of a file -- control playback, fast-forward and rewind without taking your fingers off of the keyboard. The E-102 is a headband-type headset that connects to your computer's sound card to privately listen to files rather than through speakers. This kit is an excellent all-in-one transcriber's dream that works great with Olympus and other manufacturers' digital recorders.

What's in the Box
DSS Player software, RS-25 foot pedal, and E-102 stereo headset.

The AS-2300 kit is ideal for transcription of digitally recorded documents. The AS-2300 includes: DSS Player software CD-ROM with support for the RS-25 footpedal. For Windows 98/98SE/ME/2000 Professional/XP Professional or Home Edition/NT Workstation 4.0 SP4 or newer and Apple Macintosh OS 9.0 or newer systems with USB port; RS-25 Footpedal; and E-102 stereo headset.DSS Player software is used to download DSS files from your Olympus DS or DM series digital recorder. The RS-25 Footpedal will control playback of the file. The stereo headset connects to your computer's soundcard to privately listen to the playback of the files rather than through speakers that could disturb others.For a complete compatibility list please refer to the original manufacturer's web site.

Not bad at all. Nice solid construction, works like it should. Setup is simple, but a more detailed manual would not hurt.

One snag in setup process was that you need to use the DSS Player serial number supplied in the box for the pedal to work - software itself is identical to what you probably already have installed, but you'll need to uninstall and then reinstall using new serial number. Very annoying, and documented nowhere.

Also, just to keep you on our toes, the right pedal is rewind, and the left pedal is fast forward. If you're typing in Arabic or Hebrew that might seem commonsensical, but otherwise it's a-backwards. [In the next iteration of the software I imagine the little black square will mean play, the red circle will mean stop and the little black arrow will mean record.]

But again, at the end of the day everything works fine. I'd buy it again.

While I love my Olympus digital recorder, and this is the only food pedal I could find that works with its software, this pedal is just horribly designed.

First, the main center part of the pedal for "play" is not big enough--it is barely as wide as my (mens' size 6) shoe--so every time you lift your foot to hit rewind, if you don't put it back RIGHT on the center, you will hit rewind or FF again by mistake. BIG PROBLEM--this is the very core of what the pedal is for! I find I have to keep scooting back and looking down at my shoe to see where it is on the pedel.

The only solution to this is to take off your shoe and only use the pedal with your sock, so you can feel the ridges of where the play pedel ends and the raised rewind and FF foot buttons being.

The second problem that blows my mind is the rewind is on the RIGHT and the fast forward is on the LEFT! HUH? Why in the world would they reverse these from their instinctive locations?

Third, the price is just ridiculous. If you think you can buy the pedal alone with a different part/model number you find elsewhere, think again--you must have the CD that comes with this pedal to unlock the foot pedal capability within the Olympus software--without the CD, the software that came with your recorder will not recognize the food pedal.

All that being said, it does work when you take off your shoe, and, it's the only option out there that I could find.

I bought this for a research team, and the first person to try it out (not me) has had a lot of difficulties getting it to work with the software for the Olympus DS-30 recorder used to download audio files. After consulting with our a/v tech, it seems as if it's not going to work, which is frustrating as the recorder and kit are both made by Olympus. I should note that I haven't experienced this firsthand, but the research assistant working on it is a diligent and competent person.

This is a very easy transcription kit to use. I am a university professor using it to transcribe interviews for qualitative research. It was super easy to install and I was up and running in no time at all. It is very easy to import files. Along with the Olympus WS-110 recorder I have a good set-up for digital recording and transcription that meets my needs. I thought I would have to spend more!

I had been waiting for some thing like this for a while and finally I am able to do the digital dictations without much hassle and at a very affordable price.

I purchased an Olympus DS 2300 recoder, put a 512mb card and I have 84 hours of recording time. The voice is clear and crisp compared to tape recorders, backup is a snap, and software is very intuitive.

I just bought another DS 2300 recorder for a backup in case I drop mine in a coffe cup.