What are the main features of the WS-210s?

The WS-210s is a digital voice recorder with 512 MB of built-in Flash memory. As a mass storage device (e.g. USB flash memory drive), it can be used to transfer files from one computer to another. The USB connector is built-in, so it can connect to most computers without a separate cable. To expose the connector, remove the battery holder.

Because the WS-210s records in WMA (Windows Media Audio) format, its files are supported natively by Windows Media Player. This means Windows computers do not require additional software to download and manage the files. The earphone jack permits playback through earphones. The microphone jack accommodates accessory microphones in place of the built-in stereo microphone.

How much recording time is available in the WS-210s?

The length of the potential recording time available in the WS-210s is governed by the quality mode that is selected. When a quality mode is selected, a number of audio file properties are put into place that determine the level of detail in the saved file data. A higher-quality data file saves more detailed information and creates a larger data file that uses more memory space. A lower-quality recording makes a less-detailed data file, so the memory goes a lot farther.

The table below shows the maximum recording times possible (assuming there are no other files saved in the recorder).

The different quality modes save the digital record of the recording with different levels of faithfulness to the original sound. The Stereo XQ (Extra High Quality) Mode is recommended for music, drama, or interviews that may be made for broadcast. Stereo HQ (High Quality) Mode makes a very detailed digital record of the sound and uses a very wide frequency range that uses up the available Flash® memory very rapidly. Lower-quality modes, such as SP (Standard Play) and LP (Long Play), make a less detailed digital record of the sound and use a narrower frequency range and use up the available Flash® memory much more slowly. These modes would be used for audio note-taking or recording college lectures or seminars in which large content is more important than high audio quality.

What are the Windows system requirements for the WS-210s?

The WS-210s is supported by Windows 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, and Windows Vista. Earlier versions of Windows do not have the USB drivers needed to connect the WS-210s. The WS-210s is not compatible with 64-bit editions of Windows XP.

Can the WS-210s be used on a Macintosh computer?

The WS-210s can be used on a Macintosh computer that has Windows Media Player for Mac installed. Windows Media Player for Mac can be downloaded for free at Microsoft’s web site. The WS-210s files are not compatible with iTunes. If the files are opened using iTunes, they will become corrupted and rendered unplayable.

Since the recorder does not come with software, how do I download and manage my files on the computer?

The WS-210s is designed to work with the Windows operating system. The support software and drivers are native to the Windows operating system, so no additional software is needed. When the recorder is connected to the compouter's USB port, the computer detects it and it appears in My Computer as a Removable Disk drive.  The drive letter assigned to the recorder depends on the number of drives recognized by the computer. In this example, the assigned drive letter is E:\.

Double-clicking on the drive letter or icon that represents the recorder will display the contents of the device's memory. Clicking on any of the folders will display the files within the folders. Shown below are the contents of Folder A.

Files can be copied and pasted onto the desktop or in a folder. Alternatively, export files by selecting them and choosing File > Save As from the menu bar.

How can I safely disconnect the WS-210s from a Windows computer?

Any USB device should be disconnected from a Windows computer using the [Safely Remove Hardware] button located in the Taskbar in the lower right corner of the Desktop screen. The button's icon features a green arrow suspended over a device.

Any open files should be closed before starting the disconnect process. Simply removing the device from the USB port without using the recommended disconnect procedure can result in corrupted files or firmware.

Double-clicking on the [Safely Remove Hardware] icon opens a dialog box that shows all hardware devices with open USB connections to the computer.

Select the device to be disconnected by clicking once on its name, and then click on the [Stop] button. This will launch another dialog box to confirm the identity of the device that is to be stopped. Clicking the [OK] button closes the device's USB connection.

Once the connection has been closed, the Desktop screen will display a message balloon above the taskbar indicating that it is safe to disconnect the hardware.

How can I safely disconnect the WS-210s from a Macintosh computer?

Any USB device should be disconnected from a Macintosh computer by dragging the [Untitled] drive icon that represents the device over the Trash icon and dropping it. Simply removing the device from the USB port without using the recommended disconnect procedure can result in corrupted files or firmware. Any open files should be closed before starting the disconnect process.

How can I transfer a recording from another device into the WS-210s?

Analog sound files can be imported and exported to other audio devices using a male/male patch cord with 3.5 mm plugs on each end. Olympus makes a patch cord -- the KA-333 Compaticord (item # 145122) for this purpose.

To import a file into the WS-210s, put one end of the KA-333 into the microphone jack of the WS-210s and the other end into the earphone jack of the other device. Press [RECORD] in the WS-210s and then [PLAY] in the other device.

To export a file from the WS-210s, put one end of the KA-333 into the earphone jack of the WS-210s and the other end into the microphone or input jack of the receiving device. Press [PLAY] in the WS-210s and [RECORD] or download in the receiving device.

The jacks in the WS-210s have a maximum input voltage of 10 VDC. Higher voltages may damage the recorder.

Note: The KA-333 Compaticord is available for purchase from Olympus’ online store. Click here to order.

How is the playback speed controlled?

Pressing the [PLAY] button once during playback decreases the playback speed by 25%. Pressing the [PLAY] button a second time increases the speed by 50%. Pressing the [PLAY] button again returns playback to normal speed. Even if playback is stopped, the changed playback speed will be retained. The next playback will be at that speed.

The playback speed of the file can be changed in the menu between 0.5 and 1.5 times normal speed in increments of 0.125. The tone will be automatically adjusted digitally without changing the voice so it sounds natural.

To pre-set a playback speed in the menu:

1. Press and hold the [MENU] button for one second or longer to open the menu.
2. Using the [REWIND] or [FAST FORWARD] buttons on the four-way keypad, select the Slow Speed or Fast Speed option and then press the [OK] button.
3. Using the [REWIND] or [FAST FORWARD] buttons on the four-way keypad, select a playback speed, and press the [OK] button to set it.
4. Press the [STOP] button to exit the menu.

The playback speed options are:

    Slow Speed: x0.5, x0.625, x0.75, x0.875
    Fast Speed: x1.125, x1.25, x1.375, x1.5

How is the playback volume controlled?

The playback volume is controlled during playback using the [+] (plus) and [-] (minus) buttons on the four-way keypad on the recorder face. [+] increases the playback volume. [-] reduces the playback volume.

How is the recording volume controlled?

The WS-210s always records at 100% volume level to prevent accidentally recording with the volume set too low.

The recorder has two microphone sensitivity levels:

• Dict is a low-sensitvity level used for dictation and up-close recording.
• Conf is a high-sensitvity level used in conference or lecture situations.

Microphone sensitvity is set via the [MIC SENSE] function in the recorder menu.

If recording is being monitored using an earphone plugged into the EAR jack, the monitoring volume can be raised or lowered using the [+] and [-] buttons on the four-way keypad.

What is VCVA?

Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) is a function that sets up the recorder to record only when sound is detected at a preset level. This extends recording time by not recording “dead air” or background noise that can use up memory.

What does the Low Cut filter do?

Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) is a function that sets up the recorder to record only when sound is detected at a preset level. This extends recording time by not recording “dead air” or background noise that can use up memory.

What does the Voice Filter do?

The Voice Filter minimizes high and low frequencies during recording to capture frequencies in the range of the human voice, thereby eliminating background noise “clutter”, resulting in a clearer recording of conversation or dictation.

What are Index Marks?

Index Marks are tags that can be inserted while recording or during playback. They are used to skip forward or backward in recordings to pre-selected points. Up to 16 Index marks can be added to a single file.

How is the recorder turned off?

The [HOLD] switch is the recorder’s ON/OFF switch.

How are files erased from the WS-210s?

Individual files can be erased or the entire contents of a folder can be erased. When a file is erased, sequential file numbers are reassigned automatically.

Erasing One File at a Time

1. Press the [FOLDER] button to choose a folder.
2. Use the [REWIND] or [FAST FORWARD] button on the four-way keypad to select the file.
3. Press the [ERASE] button. Cancel and Erase will flash alternately.
4. Press the [FAST FORWARD] button. File Erase? will flash.
5. Press the [OK] button. File Erase! will flash during the erasure, and Erase DONE will flash when the erasure is completed.

Erasing All Files from a Folder

1. Press the [FOLDER] button to choose a folder.
2. Press the [ERASE] button twice. Cancel and Erase will flash alternately.
3. Press the [FAST FORWARD] button. All File Erase? will flash.
4. Press the [OK] button. File Erase! will flash during the erasure, and Erase DONE will flash when the erasure is completed.

Erased files cannot be restored. Locked files cannot be erased.

I want to clear my recorder of all of the loaded files. How do I format the WS-210s?

The recorder should be formatted only by using the internal FORMAT function found in the recorder’s menu. Formatting using the computer may corrupt system files needed to run the recorder, so computer formatting is not recommended. Individual files can be deleted using the computer without negative effects.

When the recorder is formatted, all files — including locked files — will be deleted. All function settings will return to the factory defaults except the date and time settings.

To format the WS-210s:

1. In the menu, open the Sub Menu.
2. Use the [REWIND] or [FAST FORWARD] buttons on the four-way keypad to select Format, and press the [OK] button. Cancel and Format will flash alternately.
3. Press the [Fast Forward] button. After the Data All Cleared message flashes for two seconds, Sure? Start will appear.
4. Press the [OK] button. Formatting will begin and Format DONE will display after the formatting is completed.
5.  

While recording a file the battery ran out. Now I can't play or find the file. Why?

If the battery runs out during the recording of a file, the currently recorded file will be lost because the file header will be unable to close. It is crucial to change the battery once the battery indicator on the LCD shows only one hash mark of power remaining. Removing the battery while the recorder is in use may also corrupt a file.

How long does the battery last?

The power consumption of the AAA battery varies with the quality mode used.

Alkaline
Stereo XQ mode: Approx. 13 hours
Stereo HQ mode: Approx. 14 hours
Stereo SP mode: Approx. 15 hours
HQ mode: Approx. 16 hours
SP mode: Approx. 17 hours
LP mode: Approx. 19 hours

NiMH (BR-401)
Stereo XQ mode: Approx. 11 hours
Stereo HQ mode: Approx. 12 hours
Stereo SP mode: Approx. 12 hours
HQ mode: Approx. 14 hours
SP mode: Approx. 14 hours
LP mode: Approx. 16 hours

Is there an AC adapter for the WS-210s?

An AC adapter is not available for the WS-210s. When the recorder is connected to a computer, the computer’s USB port powers the device.

How can the blind and visually impaired set the time and date in the WS-210s?

The WS-210s has built-in audio cues that can help blind or visually impaired users set the time and date.

When the recorder is in the Time & Date menu, the four-way keypad is used to set the hour, minute, month, day, and year variables. Each variable has a baseline value, and pressing the PLUS (UP) and MINUS (DOWN) buttons on the keypad will ascend and descend the values, respectively. When the PLUS (UP) button is pressed, the recorder issues a high-pitched beep. When the MINUS (DOWN) button is pressed, the recorder issues a low-pitched beep. When the baseline value for any variable is reached from either direction, the audio cue for that value becomes a chirp. Once a baseline value has been identified, setting the time and date becomes a simple matter of counting beeps.

The baseline values for hour, minute, month, day, and year are, respectively, 12 AM, 00, 1M, 1D, and 2007Y.

Setting the Time & Date

1. Launch the recorder menu by turning on the recorder and holding down the [DISP/MENU] button for one second.
2. Press the REWIND (LEFT) button twice to select Sub Menu.
3. Press the OK (CENTER) button once to open the Sub Menu.
4. Press the FAST FORWARD (RIGHT) button once to select the Time & Date menu. Open the Time & Date menu by pressing the OK (CENTER) button. The first variable to be set is the hour. Press the PLUS (UP) button or MINUS (DOWN) button until the recorder chirps instead of beeps. The chirp means the hour variable has been set to its baseline value of 12 AM.
5. Press the PLUS (UP) button the number of times necessary to arrive at the correct hour value. Remember: The baseline value for hour is 12 AM. Therefore, the first 11 button presses represent AM values. It may be quicker to press the MINUS (DOWN) button and count backward from 12 AM if the correct time is a PM value.
6. Press the FAST FORWARD (RIGHT) button to move to the minute variable. Press the PLUS (UP) or MINUS (DOWN) button until the recorder chirps instead of beeps. The chirp means the minute variable has been set to its baseline value of 00.
7. Press the PLUS (UP) button the number of times necessary to arrive at the correct minute value. If it would be quicker to count backward to the minute value, the MINUS (DOWN) button can be used to arrive at the correct minute value.
8. Press the FAST FORWARD (RIGHT) button to move to the month variable. Press the PLUS (UP) or MINUS (DOWN) button until the recorder chirps instead of beeps. The chirp means the month variable has been set to its baseline value of 1M, representing January.
9. Press the PLUS (UP) button the number of times necessary to arrive at the correct month value. If it would be quicker to count backward to the month value, the MINUS (DOWN) button can be used to arrive at the correct month value.
10. Press the FAST FORWARD (RIGHT) button to move to the day variable. Press the PLUS (UP) or MINUS (DOWN) button until the recorder chirps instead of beeps. The chirp means the day variable has been set to its baseline value of 1D, representing the first day of the month.
11. Press the PLUS (UP) button the number of times necessary to arrive at the correct day value. If it would be quicker to count backward to the day value, the MINUS (DOWN) button can be used to arrive at the correct day value.
12. Press the FAST FORWARD (RIGHT) button to select the year variable. Use either the PLUS (UP) or MINUS (DOWN) button to select a year value. The baseline, 2007Y, is identified by a chirp.
13. Press the OK (CENTER) button to set the time and date settings, and press the STOP button (up and left of the four-way keypad) to exit the menu.