OM System DS-2100 or DS-9100?

 

Just because the OM System DS-9100 looks like an old Olympus DS-9500 or DS-9000 there is a big difference with the software supplied!

With the recent name change from Olympus Audio to OM System earlier in 2024 comes changes to the physical digital dictaphones, software licences for both Windows and macOS installed software and their cloud based dictation and transcription workflow solution now called ODMS Cloud.

Some key points:

• Olympus DS-9000 is no longer available in Australia
• Olympus DS-9500 has some availability but they now come with an ODMS Cloud licence, no locally installed Windows or macOS software

So what should you buy instead, OM System DS-9100 or DS-2700?

As you can see from the graphic above the Olympus DS-9000 / DS-9500 looks exactly the same as the new OM System DS-9100, other than the brand name. Note that OM System have dropped the wifi option that was available in the Olympus DS-9500 model.

If you have an Olympus DS-9500/DS-9000 or older DS-7000/DS-5000 should you buy the OM System DS-9100? There are some variables for this answer, hopefully we cover all for your use case.

OM System DS-9100 Digital Dictaphone

By the look of it, you would think this is the natural replacement for the DS-9000/9500 as they look pretty much the same, which they are.

The OM System DS-9100 is available in two options:

• With a docking cradle included - allows fast charge and easy USB connection and data transfer
• No docking cradle included - if you have an Olympus DS-9000 or DS-9500 you can re-use the docking cradle (part CR-21) for the DS-9100

OM System DS-9100 - It's all about the software ..

The main difference is the software licence that is included in the box with the OM DS-9100, it comes with an ODMS Cloud licence which allows you to use the DS-9100 with the new OM System ODMS Cloud dictation and transcription workflow solution. if you are not using ODMS Cloud already you do not have a use for this licence. For an overview of the ODMS Cloud solution please review our overview video.

If you want to use an OM System DS-9100 like you did an older Olympus dictaphone (DS-9000/DS-9500/DS-7000 or DS-5000) where you dock the dictaphone and it automatically downloads your dictation and either emails it to your typist(s) or saves the file to a shared network or cloud drive, you can not do this with the ODMS Cloud licence.

Instead, you would need to buy an ODMS R8 Dictation Module (DM) licence for Windows only. This is a single install licence (just like previous ODMS and DSS Player Pro versions) so each computer requires it's own unique licence key.

Note, if you are upgrading from an Olympus DS-9000 or DS-9500 to the OM System DS-9100 and want to continue to use locally installed Windows software you can buy an upgrade licence from the ODMS R7 Dictation Module (DM) software licence supplied with your DS-9500/DS-9000 to ODMS R8.

Or, you could just buy the new OM System DS-2700

OM System DS-2700 Digital Dictaphone 

Looking very similar to the old Olympus standard rather than professional dictaphones (i.e. Olympus DS-2600) the OM System DS-2700 is only available in one option:

• No dock and no mains power supply, USB cable supplied to power from a PC or wall plug with USB connectivity -  if you have an Olympus DS-9000 or DS-9500 you can re-use the docking cradle (part CR-21) for the DS-2100
• Or you can buy a power and dock kit to go with it

Unlike the OM System DS-9100, the OM System DS-2700 comes with a software licence to install ODMS R8 Dictation Module (DM) on a Windows PC which can automate the download of dictations and send to your typist(s) via email or shared network or cloud drive.

We understand that the above can be confusing especially for long time Olympus dictation users.

Need help deciding? Contact us with any questions, and we’ll be happy to assist you.