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Convert iPod into voice recorder - is this possible
[Deleted User]
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Hi
I have an old (2008) iPod model 4J547DUSSZA 60GB photo. I hardly ever use this and was talking about buying a voice recorder recently - mainly to record meetings and personal phone calls with some problem providers - and I saw on Amazon and eBuyer that microphones are on sale for some iPod devices. Is there a cheapish device I can buy to convert my iPod into a voice recorder. If so, can you suggest a suitable device for my model and exlain how it works.
Thanks for your interest.
I have an old (2008) iPod model 4J547DUSSZA 60GB photo. I hardly ever use this and was talking about buying a voice recorder recently - mainly to record meetings and personal phone calls with some problem providers - and I saw on Amazon and eBuyer that microphones are on sale for some iPod devices. Is there a cheapish device I can buy to convert my iPod into a voice recorder. If so, can you suggest a suitable device for my model and exlain how it works.
Thanks for your interest.
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Thaks for your response.
Model no. is A1136 EMC No. 2065 5th Generation 60bg video and photos, I think.
Some microphone attachments (if that is the correct bit) are suitable for Nano and some for Touch etc. How do I find the correct one for my model?
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1353
See if you can match what you have to what is shown there.
Chris, see my edited post above for the details of what I believe I have got. It has video and photos, is 60gb and looks like the 5th Generation iPod. I bought it in early 2008, I think. I was quoting the serial number rather than the model number.
http://www.everymac.com/systems/apple/ipod/specs/ipod_5thgen.html
Anyway, your first task is to correctly identify the model. Then you can make proper use of the info in the other links to select a compatible mic kit. After that it's simply a question of reading and following the instructions.
There are only two caveats. The first is for recording phone conversations. A standard acoustic mic won't pick up the sounds too well from the telephone earpiece. You might need something along the lines of the Olympus TP-7. It looks like one side of some earbud headphones. Google it. Other methods are discussed here
The other point is legality. You need to inform the other party that the conversation is being recorded and ask their permission to proceed.
That looks right. I think it was the first with video and 60GB drive and it has colour but the attached http://www.everymac.com/systems/appl...od_5thgen.html shows that it was discontinued in 2006 and I'm pretty sure I bought it at the beginning of 2008 and it was not on sale. It was bloody expensive and I have hardly used it. I am trying to get it recording voices to go someway justify the expense.
The label on the box I have just found shows PART No. MA003FB/A iPod 60GB White Model A1136 Serial No. 4J547DUSSZA.
From this information you would think that I should be able to establish the model name without any doubt. I was thinking about buying either an iPhone or an iPad Mini to use when away from home but this is just putting me off the brand. The model name should be clear on the device so I and others have the correct information when we are looking for support or trying to buy accessories.
Any help you can give me in establishing if this model can become a voice recorder is most welcome.
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/oftel/consumer/advice/faqs/prvfaq3.htm
As for the date problem. Maybe it was old stock or your memory ain't what it used to be
Do you think it should be this difficult for a customer to identify the model name of a device. Why can't Apple engrave the model name on the device or have a search on their site whereby entering the serial number, they tell you the exact model name. Or have a model number that is a real model number and one that immediately identifies a specific model. Job done and no more comparison of pictures and specifications, Too simple for them!
Cynic, moi??? Surely not LMAO
Two reasons I have hardly used the iPod. 1. I have very small ear holes and in ear pods are very uncomfortable. 2. I prefer the radio in the car and the stereo indoors. I did buy a speaker dock for indoor use but thought the sound quality was poor and in the end used my stereo in the living room instead.
Recording phone calls: a Government Minister recently told consumers it is OK to do so for our own use. When I negotiate a new phone/broadband/mobile/energy contract over the phone I ask lots of questions to establish what I'm getting for my money. Then the contract arrives and it is just pathetic compared to the telephone discussions. I want to be able to record a speakerphone conversation, download it to my laptop and use it in the future if we are in dispute. I would also like to say 'this conversation is being recorded so you don't mess with me in the contract period'. They record our conversations 'for training purposes' so why can't we record.
I would rather avoid earphones. If I can buy some gizmo that attaches to the iPod that would be best.
Yes, but you know what youre doing. Although you are not 100% sure, are you. If I look at my sony camera, it is clear which model I own. I expect to be able to look at the device and see the model name or a number that means I am sure of the accessories to buy or the software to download etc. This is turning me off Apple. Apple do not help by using 5th generation for Nano and Touch. Is mine just a 5th generation with video.
How about this gadget:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Griffin-iTalk-Voice-Recorder-video/dp/B000ENQT1W/ref=sr_1_28?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1377634795&sr=1-28&keywords=ipod+voice+recorder
The only element of doubt is what Apple call their Order No. The MA003xx/x bit. It's the xx/x section that is the only difference between what you have and the link I provided earlier. But that could simply be down to some sort of regional identifier. Everything else matches so what doubt there may be is minuscule.
That looks very similar to the Belkin TuneTalk which you can also get from Amazon.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Belkin-iPOD-TUNETALK-STEREO-BLACK/dp/B000IZTCQA/
I'm a bit shocked at the prices. I thought it would be about £20 - £25 all in. I will read the reviews and see how they work and also if I have to download any software as there is not a menu on my iPod for voice recording.
I phoned Apple yesterday to have a go at their model name recognition system and they told me how to find the model name. I told then a Digital Spy member beat them to the draw and they get no points from me by not having the model name on the iPod or a model name that identifies the product. They told me this model can't be converted to record voices and I would not be able to download an app for it. I told them that I would get the information from Digital Spy or elsewhere and that I was finished buying Apple products. This was my one and only Apple device!!
Today, I read that Apple were to introduce a cheaper plastic cased iPhone5C (C for cheap?) so I may be eating my words as I am getting very intrigued by Smartphones. The idea of having a phone, internet/email, camera, voice recorder in one small device is starting to be attractive. I have avoided them until now mainly because of the price but if Apple is coming in with sub £300 iPhone then others will have to look at their prices.
hmmmm.... You do realise that for something to record it needs more than an app, right? It needs to have connections and bits of hardware and processing in the device so that when you plug a mic in that there's actually a physical connection.
I think you're way behind the times. You can get smartphones now that do all of these functions both on pay-as-you-go and on contract way cheaper than the latest Apple will cost you. Go have a chat with the guys at a phone shop.
No proper research as I did not know my iPad model name but I have seen devices on sale for under the price mentioned by me. NOW I know they are not compatible with my iPod.
I now know my iPod needs software and hardware to record audio but some devices provide both it seems. I thought I would buy the hardware and download the software. I was wrong.
From asking some younger friends about their smartphones they almost all have iPhones and iPads rather than other cheaper brands. I tend to buy what I think is the best I can afford - hence my £285 60gb iPod rather than another brand. I have not been comfortable at the thought of paying £500-600 for a phone, perhaps because I got so little use from my iPod.
Now, perhaps your time would be better spent helping someone rather than being so critical. Chrisjr is a good example why I can tell Apple they could learn from the Digital Spy Forum. He is the only one to bring about my current level of understanding. Now I have to consider if I should buy a £50 gizmo for my iPod or spend much more and buy a Smartphone with all the additional features that will provide.
Perhaps YOU could suggest an up to date Smartphone with all your knowledge!
Oh by the way, I'm probably 'way behind the times' because I'm older but I have not yet got to the stage of sitting in my corner listening to His Masters Voice and tapping away on my Sinclair Spectrum.
Thank you Chrisjr for all your help.
If you remember your ZX Spectrums and HMV then you and are are not of such dissimilar ages. I put off going for a smart phone for quite a while. But I bit the bullet about 2 years ago and I did exactly what I suggested that you do in post #19 (flippin' eck.... another useful post!! Well I never :rolleyes: ). I haven't looked back since.
I'm not going to recommend a specific phone because I know nought of what you think is important in a handset besides smart features. However, a quick look at the web sites for any of the major phone networks or independent phone shops will soon reveal lots of choices on contract from under £15/month with a free phone. Or you can buy a phone for substantially less than the prices you've mentioned and then opt for a pay-as-you-go arrangement.
Like I said before, and I'm repeating myself here in the hope that you catch this bit of the message, the easiest thing is to go to a couple of the phone shops and see what products they can offer and what deals they can do.
I may have got a couple of the posts by Chrisjr and Chris Frost mixed up. Sorry if that offends you. I did not like the critical tone of your post, that is why I retaliated. Chrisjr never made me feel like an imbecile although he may have had that thought.
I have taken your advice and visited a phone shop. My overwhelming thought is 'what short battery life' and 'how confusing they all are'. So a long way to go, I think, before I make a decision.
Belated thanks for your earlier help.
Battery I put down to the fact that the screens are much bigger and the phones running more processes, so battery life being shorter was a necessary compromise. As well as the wall charger I have a cable for the laptop (it'll charge via that) and a car charger too. That works for me.
Phone choice I simplified by operating system. Windows phones at the time were rubbish, so that got struck off. Blackberry seemed too unstable a company, so they were out. HTC didn't support the apps I wanted to use for some business-related stuff. So that left Android and Apple. In my case I preferred Android so got a Samsung Galaxy as that seemed to be one of the best in class. It's been okay.
I liked the Galaxy S3 and it was on a much better deal than the S4 or I could buy a Nokia Lumia 620 for a cheap smartphone to use on PAYG.
I charge my Nokia phone every few weeks and it is always ready for use. A charger at home and one in the car suffices. Also the very best smartphones allow about 4 hours surfing only on battery which is a lot less than tablets. It would appear that I would have to charge it daily. So perhaps I should be buying a smaller Tablet instead of a smartphone and continue to use a regular phone for calls and a mini Tablet for email/internet/maps/camera/voice recorder/GPS or WTF did I park my car? when out and about.