AAUG Reviews

by Gary Miller, AAUG Member

When Steve Jobs announced the new iPod Video, 5th generation, the companies who make all the gadgets didn’t even know about the new bottom only access plug, so it took Belkin and others some 6 months to get out a new recording microphone, but it was worth it. When Apple designed this 5th generation iPod, they realized that many wanted better than low quality sound recordings, so with this model, came the ability to have near CD quality sound recordings.

When i opened the nicely designed package, I found the black TuneTalk that fits perfectly with my black iPod Video, looks like Apple designed it almost. It comes with a spacer so it fits with most cases, so many gadgets now have to take off the iPod case to use them, not this, it works perfectly. And it comes with a USB cable so you can charge your iPod while recording. On the bottom of the TuneTalk you’ll see a external microphone adapter (3.5mm stereo), a button on the side that assists you with one touch immediate recording, no matter what menu you were in, very helpful. And the included stand, allows hands free operation. and printed instructions.

Here’s how you record with the TuneTalk. Just plug it into the bottom of your iPod Video, and immediately you’ll see the Voice Memo menu come up, with Recording ready, just click your center dial, and it’s going. Or click the click wheel to pause or save recordings. You can listen to them almost instantly since it puts them on the iPod’s hard drive when you click save. I tried to record in a variety of settings. First was while walking in a parking lot and talking into it, it recorded my voice well, and didn’t pick up much of the ambient noise. As i walked into Fred Meyer, it picked up the PA system, and the 2 way conversation I had with the clerk in the natural food section. Back in the car, i tried setting it on my seat, turning on the radio, it again recorded well. I took it to a lecture in the museum auditorium and sat in the 10th row, it barely picked up the speaker, so next time i’ll get closer to the speakers. The included instructions are helpful, and they’re printed, a great help in these days of only downloaded instructions. And did i say it had a 3 year warranty! That shows that Belkin stands behind their products.

I recommend the TuneTalk, and will be using it all the time, from voice memos, audio histories, to home concerts.