DSS File: How to Play It & How to Convert DSS to MP3

Q: I saved some DSS audio files generated by the Speechexec dictation software from my last workplace. I need to convert some of the old DSS dictation files so that I can play them on my PC. It seemed none of my players recognized such files.

Q: I have recorded some files using an Olympus digital dictaphone and saved the files on my PC. I wonder if there is any way I can play a DSS audio file on my iPhone?

You may have some files with .dss extension but don’t know how to open them. In fact, DSS is an audio format that cannot be directly opened with regular music players. Before we learn how to play DSS files, let’s figure out what the DSS format exactly is.

Digital Speech Standard (DSS) is a proprietary audio compression format jointly developed by Olympus, Philips, and Grundig. It’s widely used on digital dictation recorders to store audio voice data in a high compressed format. In contrast with MP3, the quality is usually as low as possible. Now DSS is being less used in modern voice recording equipment. Instead, as the successor to DSS, DSS Pro (.ds2) offers better sound quality, achieves higher compression ratio, and supports file encryption (AES).

Most media players, including VLC and Windows Media Player, do not support DSS files. If you have archived some DSS files and want to play them, you need to use a corresponding DSS audio player made by the company that produced these DSS files. However, if you want to play or edit DSS files without limitation, it’s better to convert DSS to MP3.

Next, I will show you how to play DSS files with a DSS file player and how to convert DSS to MP3. Just read and follow.

Proprietary audio formats usually have their corresponding players. As for how to open DSS files, you can download Olympus DSS Player to try it out.

Download link: https://audiosupport.omsystem.com/en/product/dss-player-standard/

After downloading, you just need to click "File" and choose to open the DSS file you have. Although the program is easy to use, it has a very obvious flaw - it only provides very basic playback functions, and you can't do anything except play.

If you want to edit DSS files or share them with friends who don't have the corresponding DSS player, converting DSS to MP3 format is still your best choice.