Belkin TuneTalk Stereo for iPod 5G, 5.5G (Black)

• Turns your iPod 5G, 5.5G into your own personal assistant for recording memos, lectures, interviews, or conversations
• Built-in pair of high-quality, omni-directional microphones allow for recording of full, CD-quality stereo audio
• Features real-time adjustable gain for changing noise levels, one-touch navigation for quick memos, and includes a clipping indicator
• Comes with an external 3.5-millimeter, stereo microphone adapter, power cable
• Has a sleek black finish, and is backed by a manufacturer's 3-year warranty

I had previously used the Griffin iTalk for the G3 an G4 iPods and while an excellent product, the sound quality was 8 bit and the range was approximately 6 feet.

The Tune Talk is a significant a step as the change from the original iPod to the video iPod.

Sound Quality Excellent. With the autogain off the recording is completely hiss free. With autogain on some his and distortion is introduced but it is acceptable. Stereo separation is good, excellent when you consider how small the microphone is. The two quality settings high and low correspond to 44.1 kHz (CD quality) and 22 kHz.

Format the files are in the WAV format and run about 10MB per minute I high quality mode. These can easily be converted in to mp3 or any other format.

Features The built in Autogain makes recording in large rooms or even outdoor settings practical. I have used it in small classrooms (10 person), large auditoriums (90 person) and outdoor theaters (200+ people). The quality is exceptional considering the small size. There is also an external input for either an microphone or line input (1/8th inch stereo) that allows your iPod to serve as a storage device for a higher quality recording setup. I used a direct input from one iPod to another using a male/male cable and there was no noticeable loss of quality. I am sure if you put the recordings on an analyzer you would see a difference but my ears couldn't tell. I have used this to digitize old analog tape recordings with excellent results.

Controls are minimal. Plug it into the dock connector and your iPod automatically goes to the record menu. Press the Play/pause button and you begin recording. Once recording begins the center button acts as a pause. Once your are done, scroll the clickwheel to "Stop and Save." When the save is complete, you go to a menu with your recording. File names are a date/time stamp. If you have the Tune talk already attached but you are doing something else (listening to music) you can go straight to the recording menu by pressing a button on the left of the Tune Talk. On the bottom along with the autogain and line input is a mini USB connector that allows you to power your iPod while recording. Recordings eat battery life fast. At full power you can get about 90 minutes of recording from a battery. After hat you run the risk of running out of juice during the disk write operation. Belkin includes the cable (nice) and a plastic holder that allows hands free recording (also nice).

The uses for the Tune Talk are only limited by your imagination. I use them in an education setting for spoken homework and recording lessons. I have also used them to record meetings, record plays and even notes to myself. The Tune Talk would make an excellent device for an on the fly Podcast. Combined with Apples GarageBand you could record, mix and post a podcast in a matter of minutes.

Highly recommended.

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I have a first generation iPod and now acquired an iPod with video. I record all of my lectures on the first generation iPod with two different devices, one a Griffin and one a Belkin. I can hear the lectures just fine, but have to strain my ears sometime once the lecturer starts pacing. I acquired the Belkin Tunetalk Stereo for iPod Video and wow! what a great difference. I played the recording and the quality is spectacular. I could actually hear the the whole lecture, very clearly.

The only thing is, it drains the battery. It does come with a cable that you can plug in into a USB port that charges the iPod's battery while it records. For longer lectures I would have to take my laptop to be able to keep the battery alive.

I love it, just a pity about the short life.

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I recently purchased the Belkin Tunetalk for my 5G Video iPod. I bought it for the purpose of recording lectures. For shorter recordings, the Tunetalk works great. The sound quality is excellent. However, when I try recording anything above 30minutes, the audio starts skipping. What's worse is that after lecture is over (almost an hour of recording), I hit the 'Stop and Save' button, the screen stays on the 'Saving' screen for a couple minutes, and then loads up the 'Voice Memos' screen. Assuming the recording was successly saved, I then try to play the recording, and the iPod completely freezes. It takes a complete reset just to get the thing to turn off.

When I do finally play the recording I find that even though the length of the recording is listed as 50 minutes long, when I try to play anything past the 30 minute or so mark, the recording stops and takes me right back to the 'Voice Memos' screen. This is especially frustrating because throughout recording the red light remains on leaving one to believe it's still recording what its supposed to. So I guess the issue comes when the Tunetalk tries to save such a lengthy file. Which leaves me out of luck, and missing crucial take home points made at the end of lecture.

I thought this might have been a battery issue, as I've read that the Tunetalk will cut off the last 25 minutes of a recording if the battery is too low. So I tried recording with the Tunetalk connected to my desktop via the USB cable. The same problems persisted. Skipping audio and missing the last 20 minutes of my hour long recording.

While the sound quality is excellent, I found the Belkin Tunetalk useless for longer term recordings such as lectures, which is unfortunate especially considering "records lectures" is specifically listed under the product description.

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Despite reading negative comments in the other reviews, I decided to try the TuneTalk for myself. I thought that it couldn't be that bad. Since I carry my iPod all the time and I carry a small recorder (m-audio Microtrack 24/96), I thought that I could save myself space in my bag by carrying a small mic for the iPod. I'll tell you my personal pluses and minuses:

Pluses:

Set up is very easy. You'll be making recordings very quickly.

The recordings are clear, but a little hissy, with or without the automatic gain control.

And it's very small which is convenient.

Minuses:

No monitoring through your headphones while recording. You need to do a test recording and then play it back to hear what you're getting.

No way to adjust the record volume beyond choosing automatic gain or no automatic gain.

I tried 2 different external mics and didn't get them to work properly. I think they needed more voltage for their phantom power.

The mic picks up the hard drive clicks of the iPod. So much that it ruins any recording you'd want of, let's say, a recording of birds outside your house.

Poor stereo separation.

If you need more than a device to record lectures, voice notes or loud music, then this isn't your solution. You get what you pay for and $55 dollars won't get you the quality of units costing $350+. I suppose I should hunt for a better microphone for my Microtrack.

I guess I was just a dreamer, hoping for something wonderful with this unit. My unit is heading back for a refund.

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I ordered the Belkin Tunetalk about 2 months ago, and it's been great. I purchased it to use recording voice lessons, and music rehearsals, and it's been fantastic. The built in level function on the mic keeps things from overloading even in a full blown opera rehearsal, and it is still sensitive enough to pick up what the conductor says at 60+ feet away. In voice lessons/coaching sessions, it picks up both piano and voices clearly without drowning one or the other out.

I've even begun using it just a a personal voice recorder for memo's and reminders. It's great. The one drawback is the limit of 90 minutes battery time.

The USB pass through is great. The interface is childishly easy, and works smoothly and effortlessly with iTunes. Highly recommend.