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Nextar MA206-5BL 512 MB Digital MP3 Player (Black) Review
Storage-wise, the unit offers 512 MB of flash memory, enough for up to eight hours of MP3 music and 16 hours of WMA audio. The unit's seven-band equalizer, meanwhile, lets you customize your audio options, with natural, rock, pop, soft, classic, jazz, and digital bass boost settings. Add in an E-book viewer--which lets you catch up on your reading in TXT format--and you have everything you need for on-the-go entertainment. Other details include a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery; a sync lyric function that displays the lyrics to your favorite songs while you listen (requires LRC files); an intuitive, icon-based menu system; a USB 2.0 interface; and an attractive black housing. The MA206, which runs for roughly five hours per charge, measures 2.51 by 1.06 by 0.6 inches (W x H x D) and is backed by a 90-day warranty.
What's in the Box
MP3 player, stereo headphones, USB cable, software CD-ROM, user's manual.
Nextar MA206-5BL 512 MB MP3 Player DRM Function Black. Digital MP3 Player, Support MTV format, Support MP3/WMA/ASF digital music, Built-in rechargeable LI-ION battery, 7 bands mode EQ system, Multi play mode (Folder repeat, repeat one, repeat all, random, INTRO ), OLED with true color display, A-B repeat playing and recording, Direct USB2.0 full-speed plug, JPEG Picture Viewer, E-book feature, DRM10, Synchronic Lyric during playing.
Griffin Technology 4020-TALK iTalk Voice Recorder for iPod Review
Design and Setup
Griffin has been designing Apple accessories since 1992, so it's no stranger to the sleek styling encouraged by Steve Jobs and crew. And the iTalk--with its smooth, white housing and slick, silver-colored speaker--fits in perfectly. It also pays tribute to the Apple ethos by requiring no setup: just plug it in and start recording (the recording functions appear automatically on the iPod screen). Once the device is connected, a user relies on the click wheel to record, pause, play, save, and delete files. The iPod then stores the files in a Voice Memos folder within the Extras menu. Each time you sync your iPod to iTunes, the files transfer into an iTunes playlist also called Voice Memos, where you can listen to them on your computer or transfer them to other multimedia programs (they're saved as WAV files).
The iTalk includes a couple of features that help it stand out above competitors' products. The first is an automatic gain control, which instinctively adjusts the signal level to achieve the best possible recording. The second is a multifunction pass-through jack located on top of the unit. This lets users plug their headphones directly into the iTalk rather than removing the device to access the iPod's headphone output. Users can also connect an external microphone to the iTalk to enjoy additional recording options. In addition, the iTalk archives the date and time of the recording--a plus for people working on date-specific material.
Features and Performance
At its best, the iTalk performs solidly. The recordings are clear and easy to decipher, and the microphone picks up sounds from all over the room. We tested the iTalk's microphone at distances of a few inches, a foot, 5 feet, and 20 feet, and each time it performed admirably. It also picks up TV speakers and some ambient noise, depending on the situation. Playback quality is mixed, however. It's decent through the built-in speaker when played at high volumes (the sound can be somewhat scratchy), but very good through the headphones. Anybody using the iPod to transcribe recordings should definitely use the latter, as the audio is much crisper.
Unfortunately, the iTalk isn't always at its best. For unknown reasons, it often fails to play recordings it just made through the built-in speaker. The files play for a few seconds, and then the menu inexplicably returns to the recording screen. Occasionally, you can play the file by trying again, but other times the file stubbornly refuses to open. The same files often played just fine through the headphones, indicating that the problem originates in the speaker rather than the microphone. However, anyone using the iTalk for important recording tasks--something more than archiving grocery lists, say--should test the iTalk thoroughly to verify that the files are recording properly. Users should also be aware that the iTalk doesn't actually start recording until three or four seconds after the light turns on, which is somewhat aggravating at first, although you adjust quickly.
The problems with the built-in speaker extended to other forms of playback as well. Griffin touted the iTalk as a great way to listen to audiobooks without headphones, but it refused to play Jon Stewart's America (the Audiobook). Many users have complained that the iTalk often locks up their iPods, especially if the iTalk is installed when the iPod turns on. We suffered through a single lockup, which required a quick reset, but didn't experience the problems described by other users. It's possible that the latest iPod software updates have resolved the freezing issues, but the glitch appears at least common enough to mention.
The iTalk is a mixed bag overall. The concept is terrific, and when Griffin releases the next generation of iTalk, it'll likely be a great buy. But in the meantime, users should proceed with caution. If you can afford to re-record your memos on the occasions that playback fails--or if you can test the microphone to make sure the speaker is the only source of the problem--the iTalk can be quite handy. However, if reliability is a major concern, such as when recording one-time lectures or interviews or archiving song ideas, iPod owners might want to take a pass. --Rivers Janssen
Pros
Cons
What's in the Box
iTalk microphone/speaker, user's manual.
GRIFFIN iTalk -- Finally, an iPod Voice Recorder done the right way, with integrated mic and loudspeaker and styling that makes your iPod look even more heavenly! Plays back recordings through amazingly loud and clear integrated speaker, or optional headphones Pass-through headphone jack allows you to monitor voice recording, or listen to music without having to remove iTalk Download recordings to your computer for archiving or playback With iTalk - your iPod will listen to you! Supported iPod Models - 3rd-Generation (4 Horizontal Buttons) / 4th-Generation (Click Wheel) / iPod color / iPod photo
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