VN-3100PC Back to VN-3100PC

Select the topic that best matches your question:

What are the specifications for this model?

1. What are the main features of this model?

2. Which computer operating systems support the VN-3100PC?
3. What is CELP?
4. I already have Digital Wave Player installed on my computer because it came with an earlier model o
the VN-Series that I purchased. However, audio files from the VN-3100PC won't download to my
computer. Why not?
5. Can I save my files to an audio CD?
6. How much recording time is available in the VN-3100PC?
7. How is the VN-3100PC turned off?
8. How is the recording volume controlled?
9. How is the playback volume controlled?
10. Can playback speed be controlled?
11. What are Index Marks?
12. How can I format the VN-3100PC?
13. What is VCVA?
14. How are files erased from the VN-3100PC?
15. How does the TIMER function work?
16. How does the ALARM function work?
17. How are folders created and renamed in Digital Wave Player?

18. How are files renamed in Digital Wave Player?

What are the specifications for this model?

Olympus VN-3100PC Digital Voice Recorder

Olympus VN-3100PC Digital Voice Recorder

Product Number 141892
Shipping date: August 2006
Box Contents
VN-3100PC Digital Voice Recorder
USB 2.0 Cable (CB-USB4)
Two AAA Alkaline Batteries
CD-ROM: Digital Wave Player v.2.1
Instruction Manual
Warranty Card
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Specifications
Model VN-3100PC
Recording Format CELP, ADPCM (WAVE)
Recording Media 128 MB built-in Flash memory
XHQ mode: 5 hours 40 minutes
HQ mode: 11 hours 40 minutes
Recording Time
SP mode: 23 hours 30 minutes
LP mode: 71 hours 40 minutes
Card Format n/a
Input Level -70 dBv
PC Interface USB
LCD 23 x 25 mm
LED 2 colors (red = record/transfer, green = playback)
Folder Messages 4 folders, 100 messages per folder
XHQ mode: 16.0 kHz
HQ mode: 16.0 kHz
Sampling Frequency
SP mode: 12.0 kHz
LP mode: 7.0 kHz
Overall Frequency XHQ mode: 300 - 7,200 Hz
 HQ mode: 300 - 7,200 Hz
Response SP Mode: 300 - 5,400 Hz
LP Mode: 300 - 3,100 Hz
LP Mode Yes
Voice Activation Available, Switchable ON/OFF
Demographic Data Input n/a
Practical Maximum
120 mW
Output
Write Protection n/a
Speaker Built-in 28 mm round dynamic speaker
Microphone Built-in condenser microphone (monaural)
Microphone Jack 3.5 mm mini-jack, impedance 2 kohms
Earphone Jack 3.5 mm mini-jack, impedance 8 ohms
Power Supply 2 AAA Alkaline or 2 AAA NiMH batteries (BR-401)
External Power Supply n/a
Alkaline: Approx. 25 hours
Battery Life
NiMH: Approx. 15 hours
Size 4" x 1.54" x .77" (101.6 x 39.1 x 19.6 mm) excluding protrusions
Weight 2.2 oz (62.3 g) including alkaline batteries
Windows® 2000 Professional, Windows XP Professional, Windows Home Edition
OS Supported
and Windows Vista
CPU Intel Pentium 166 MHz or faster
Sound Board Creative Labs Sound Blaster 16 or 100% compatible sound card
Video Card and Display 800 x 600 pixels or more, 256 colors or more
USB Port One free port
Audio Output Earphone output or speakers

What are the main features of this model?

The Olympus VN-3100PC digital voice recorder is part of a new generation of VN-Series recorders that emp
CELP (Code Excited Linear Prediction) technology to extend recording capacity. The four recording quality
modes provide options for recording high-quality sound files or expanding the memory capacity by using a
lower-quality recording mode. The VN-3100PC also has options for setting an alarm or configuring the recor
to automatically record unattended for a pre-set time period. The microphone and earphone jacks allow the u
of audio accessories.

The bundled Digital Wave Player software and USB cable enable the downloading of audio files to a comput
where they can be managed and archived. The Digital Wave Player software supports the renaming of audio
files and the creation of custom folders for archiving files.
Which computer operating systems support the VN-3100PC?

The VN-3100PC digital voice recorder is supported by Windows® 2000 Professional, Windows XP
Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, and Windows Vista. It is not compatible with Windows XP
Professional x64 Edition or Windows Vista 64-bit.

The VN-3100PC is not supported by Macintosh™ operating systems because the WAVE audio format is not
supported by Macintosh platforms.

What is CELP?

Code Excited Linear Prediction (CELP) is an audio technology initially developed for use in cell phones. CE
works by comparing incoming sound signals to a model of human voice phonetics and saving the difference
an error report. When playing back the file, the error report data is compared to the model to reconstruct the
recording. The benefit is a very detailed file that employs lower bit rates and lower sampling frequencies,
resulting in a more efficient use of the flash memory of the recorder.

I already have Digital Wave Player installed on my computer because it came with an earlier model of the VN
Series that I purchased. However, audio files from the VN-3100PC won't download to my computer. Why no

Because of the CELP technology employed in the VN-3100PC, it is necessary to use the bundled Digital Wa
Player version 2.1 software to download and manage files. To check which version is installed on your
computer, look in the Digital Wave Player menu under Help and About Digital Wave Player.

Digital Wave Player version 2.1 is backward compatible with the VN-120PC through the VN-960PC and als
with the VN-2100PC. Digital Wave Player v. 2.1.3 is required for Windows Vista compatibility.

Can I save my files to an audio CD?

Audio files from VN-Series digital voice recorders cannot be saved to an audio CD for playback in a music
player. This is because the 4-bit bit depth used to expand the memory capacity in the recorder cannot be
converted into a format with the file properties necessary to create an audio CD. The files can be saved to a d
CD that can be played on a computer using the bundled Digital Wave Player version 2.1 software.

How much recording time is available in the VN-3100PC?

The length of the potential recording time available in the VN-3100PC is governed by the recording quality
mode that is selected. CELP (Code Excited Linear Prediction) technology has dramatically increased the
recording capacity of the VN-3100PC compared to earlier generations of the VN-Series Olympus digital voic
recorders.

An XHQ (Extra High Quality) mode recording uses more memory than an LP (Long Play) quality mode
recording because the XHQ mode makes a more-detailed digital record and uses more memory than does the
mode.

The table below shows the approximate maximum dictation recording times possible in the VN-3100PC in th
different quality modes:

Quality Mode Maximum Dictation Recording Time

XHQ mode 5 hours 40 minutes
HQ mode 11 hours 40 minutes
SP mode 23 hours 30 minutes
LP mode 71 hours 40 minutes

How is the VN-3100PC turned off?

The [HOLD] switch is the power ON/OFF switch on the VN-3100PC. It is recommended to set the [HOLD]
switch to HOLD when replacing the batteries to preserve the time and date settings.

How is the recording volume controlled?

The VN-3100PC always records at 100% volume level to prevent accidentally recording with the volume set
low.

The recorder has two microphone sensitivity levels:

• LOW is a low sensitvity level used for close-up recording.

• HIGH is a high sensitvity level used in conference or lecture situations.

Microphone sensitvity is set in the recorder Menu. The function is identified by an icon that looks like a
microphone.

How is the playback volume controlled?

The playback volume is controlled during playback using the [+] (plus) and [-] (minus) buttons on the four-w
keybpad on the recorder's face. Pressing [+] increases the playback volume. Pressing [-] reduces the playback
volume.

Can playback speed be controlled?

Pressing the [PLAY] button during playback changes the playback speed to -25% normal speed. SLOW app
on the LCD screen during slow playback. Pressing the [PLAY] button a second time changes the playback sp
to +50% normal speed. FAST appears on the LCD screen during fast playback. Pressing the [STOP] button
stops the playback and resets the recorder to normal playback speed.

What are Index Marks?

Index Marks are digital 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 10 Index Marks can be added to a single file.
They are entered by pressing the [FOLDER/INDEX] button on the recorder.

Index Marks embedded in files are displayed in Digital Wave Player in the Time Axis indicator in the Playba
Controller window. They appear as red triangles.

How can I format the VN-3100PC?

The VN-3100PC is formatted using the CLEAR function. Using the CLEAR function erases the time and da
settings as well as all of the files, so be certain the files are saved elsewhere before clearing the recorder. The
procedure is as follows:

1. Hold the [STOP] button and [ERASE] button simultaneously for 3 seconds or longer.
2. Press the [FF] or [REW] button to select YES.
3. Press the [PLAY] button. The recorder will be formatted.

In some instances, using the CLEAR function will reset the recorder if it is performing erratically. Files dele
using the CLEAR function cannot be retrieved.

What is VCVA?

Variable Control Voice Actuator (VCVA) is a function that configures the recorder to record automatically o
when sound is detected at a pre-set level, and stop when the sound drops below the threshold level. The purpo
of the function is to eliminate "dead air" during recordings, thereby conserving memory and shortening file
times.

VCVA is enabled in the recorder menu.

How are files erased from the VN-3100PC?

Individual selected files or the entire contents of a selected folder can be erased from the VN-3100PC.

To erase a selected file:

1. Press the [REW]or [FF] button to select the file.

2. Press the [ERASE] button.
3. Press the [REW] or [FF] button to select YES.
 4. Press the [PLAY] button.

To erase the contents of a folder:

1. Press the [REW] or [FF] button to select the folder.

2. Press the [ERASE] button twice.
3. Press the [REW] or [FF] button to select YES.
4. Press the [PLAY] button.

Erased files cannot be retrieved.

How does the TIMER function work?

The TIMER function enables the recorder to automatically record unattended for a pre-set time period. To
program the recorder for timer recording, do the following:

1. Open the recorder's menu by pressing the [DISP/MENU] button for 3 seconds.
2. Using the [+] or [-] buttons on the 4-way keypad, scroll down to TIMER.
3. SET flashes on the LCD screen. Press the [PLAY] button.
4. Enter the recording start time by setting the hour with the [+] or [-] buttons. Press the [FF] button to
select the minutes setting, and set the minutes using the [+] or [-] buttons.
5. Enter the recording end time by setting the hour with the [+] or [-] buttons. Press the [FF] button to se
the minutes setting, and set the minutes using the [+] or [-] buttons.

The [HOLD] switch must be in the power ON position. When the timer recording is finished the settings will
erased.

To disable the function, return to the TIMER function in the menu, set it to OFF, and press the [PLAY] butt
This operation also deletes the start time and end time settings.

How does the ALARM function work?

The ALARM function can be set to play back an audio file at a pre-determined time. This means the VN-
3100PC can be used for audio reminders or as a travel alarm. An alarm setting must be attached to a particula
file in a particular folder. The recorder does not have to be set to the folder being used--when the alarm time
comes, the recorder finds the file.

To set an alarm:

1. Select or record a message file to be linked to the alarm

2. Open the Menu by pressing the [DISP/MENU] button for 3 seconds
3. Using the [+] or [-] buttons scroll to the ALARM menu icon (looks like a dot with double-parenthese
around it).
4. SET flashes on the LCD screen. Press the [PLAY] button.
5. Enter the alarm time by setting the hour with the [+] or [-] buttons. Press the [FF] button to select the
 minutes setting, and set the minutes using the [+] or [-] button.
6. Press the [PLAY] button to set the time.

When the alarm goes off, it will beep for 5 minutes or until any button is pressed to play the recording. The
alarm will sound even if the [HOLD] switch is in the power OFF position. The alarm will sound daily until t
ALARM function is set to OFF.

How are folders created and renamed in Digital Wave Player?

Digital Wave Player allows you to create and rename folders and sub-folders within its storage hierarchy in
order to facilitate efficient management of large numbers of audio files.

In the example below, Folder B has been divided into a series of sub-folders. Able and baker are sub-folder
Folder B. Charlie is a sub-folder of baker.

Sub-folders can be named with up to 20 characters. Spaces are allowed, but some characters--such as backsla
ampersand, and colon--may not be employed because they serve other functions in computer languages. Usin
purely numeric naming models may create problems when archiving audio files, therefore alphabetical or
alphanumeric combinations are recommended.

To rename a folder, right-click on it, then left-click Rename Folder and overwrite the folder name.

To create a new folder or sub-folder, right-click on the folder and then left-click on Create Folder. In the
Create New Folder dialog box, type in the new folder name and click OK.

How are files renamed in Digital Wave Player?

Files can be renamed in Digital Wave Player with up to 17 characters. Renaming a file with more than 17
characters will render the file unplayable. Spaces are allowed, but some characters--such as backslash,
ampersand, and colon--may not be employed because they serve other functions in computer languages. Usin
purely numeric naming models may create problems when archiving audio files, therefore alphabetical or
alphanumeric combinations are recommended.

To rename a file, right-click on it, then left-click on Rename File and overwrite the file name. Optionally, yo
may instead highlight the file, select Rename File in the Edit menu, and overwrite the file name.