Upgrade to a Digital Dictation & Transcription Workflow

Olympus AS-7000 Digital Transcription Kit

The development of digital recording in the 1980’s has forever changed the way that audio is recorded and played back. Instead of physically imprinting on vinyl or magnetic tapes, digital recording creates a computer file of your audio. This allows for high quality sound, as well as easy file manipulation, storage, and transportation. Today, as digital recording technology continues to advance, it is no surprise that Analog (cassette tape) Dictation & Transcription is being phased out.

Manufacturers of dictation & transcription products (Dictaphone, Olympus, Sony, ect…) no longer produce analog Dictation & Transcription equipment, and the remaining new stock is quickly disappearing. There are always refurbished analog machines available, but the reliability and quality of this equipment makes refurbs more of a temporary bandage than a solution. In years past upgrading to Digital was more of a choice, but today it is fast becoming a necessity.

What does this mean for me?

Many medical, legal, and professional offices still use Cassette dictation & transcription workflows, and there are more than a few reasons why upgrading to a Digital Workflow can be seen as a challenge. Some of the more common reasons behind not wanting to upgrade to digital systems are listed below:

-You have been using the same analog workflow for 20 years and think that “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it”

Unfortunately, because all analog dictation & transcription equipment has been discontinued it really isn’t a question of ‘if’ you want to upgrade to digital, it’s a question of ‘when’. With all of the amazing dictation & transcription equipment, hardware, & software available, combined with trade in offers that won’t last forever, there is no better time to upgrade to digital than right now.

-I don’t want to learn something new

Yes, the recording media has changed, but dictating is still dictating and transcribing is still transcribing. There is such a quick learning curve on digital equipment that there is virtually no negative effect on your actual workflow. On the author’s end the ONLY change between analog & digital comes when he or she has completed their dictation. With analog dictation an author would give/send a cassette tape to their typist, but now with digital dictation that same author can simply dock their digital voice recorder and he or she is done. Additionally, the author can also choose to save, rout, email, or archive their digital dictation file with ease. This functionality allows for many more storage, transport, editing, and organizational options than were ever possible with cassette tapes. Furthermore, anyone who is currently working as a transcriptionist is already familiar with computers and foot control operation for playback. As it turns out, for typists, the only changes between analog & digital workflows are changes that make operation easier.

-The cost of upgrading seems intimidating

The reasons people use dictation & transcription workflows are to save time and money. Digital dictation is easier, faster, & more efficient than analog, which leads to more use. So after the initial investment you will save more money and get more work finished than you would have with your analog systems. Also, digital systems are comparable in price to analog systems, but with digital you eliminate your cassette tape cost. We have assisted thousands of companies with the transition to digital, and with our satisfaction guarantee you have nothing to lose.

-You have tried digital dictation in the past and didn’t like it

Did you try it 5 years ago?

So much has changed and advanced that you will be amazed at the difference in quality, and ease of use, of today’s digital dictation & transcription equipment.

Did you try Professional Dictation & Transcription equipment, or did you try a $60.00 digital recorder not intended or designed for dictation?

Professional dictation equipment is not mass produced in some mega factory in China like some consumer level recorders are. Great time and care has gone into the design, function, operation, and quality of pro digital dictation & transcription gear. These products are made for daily use and are built to last.

Did you have professional help shopping for, purchasing, setting up, and learning about digital dictation & transcription?

At DTP we have certified, Professional Digital Dictation Experts that will assist you through the entire process of upgrading. Regardless of your current workflow, our expert sales and service staff will help you put together a digital dictation & transcription system that will not only make your job easier, but will also save you time and money. Call (877.378.2838) or email us at sales@dtpss.com for assistance with all of your Dictation & Transcription needs.

Problems with Analog Dictation Recordings

Analog recordings degrade each time they are used. Every time you hit the Play button, there is physical contact made between the recording and the player. Over time this contact starts to cause cracks, pops, static, distortion, other loss in sound quality. Dictations become more and more difficult to understand until one day you have to start replacing equipment. Possibly the largest obstacle to overcome when thinking about upgrading to digital is comprehending that digital dictation & transcription is not any more difficult than analog. In fact digital is easier with many more features.

The Olympus DS-7000 top of the line digital hand held recorder.

Benefits of Digital:
-The transition from analog to digital dictation/transcription workflows is more of an upgrade than it is a change.

-No more using, storing, or buying cassette tapes.

-Organization of your dictation files made simple by different Management Software

-More efficient – Saves Time & Money!

-All other things being equal, Digital recordings will always be more consistent and higher quality than Analog.

-High Quality Playback
-Industry specific file type (.DSS) for maxium dictation sound quality with minimal file size
-Digital audio doesn't degrade like analog audio.

With the discontinuing of most analog dictation and transcription equipment, digital technology is becoming the industry standard. There are many questions to ask and considerations to be made when upgrading from analog to digital dictation & transcription, and professional help can save you time, money, and aggravation. Contact one of our Certified Professional Dictation Experts for assistance today.

www.dtpss.com  -  877.387.2838  -  sales@dtpss.com

No More Broken Tapes!