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| ION Tape2PC USB Cassette Deck | 
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| Brand: Ion
Category: Musical Instruments
Buy New: Too low to display
New (45)
Avg. Customer Rating:  74 reviews
Sales Rank: 12
Color: black
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 11
Dimensions (in): 192.9 x 124 x 86.6
MPN: DIO TAPE2PC
Model: ION TAPE2PC
UPC: 855960000252
EAN: 0855960000252
ASIN: B000VG802I
Shipping: Eligible for Super Saver Shipping
Availability: Usually ships in 2 to 3 days
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| Customer Reviews:
 Ruined two tapes December 18, 2007
10 out of 12 found this review helpful
I'm so very disappointed. Based on some of the other reviews I had high expectations. I used the machine to record two songs and was very happy. But then my cassette wouldn't play any more. I set the tape aside thinking it must be because the tape is old. Put in another cassette and same thing - recorded a few songs, then started on another and the tape won't play. Two cassettes that were very valuable to me are now ruined. I put in a third and sure enough it plays. But won't leave it in. Be wary - at least play with some dummy tapes first or tapes you don't care about. I did have great fun stamping the bolts and rivets out of the thing.
 Good for beginners who don't care about sound quality December 12, 2007
37 out of 38 found this review helpful
I feel obligated to review this item since I bought it and returned it after being unsatisfied with the sound quality. If you're like me, you're trying to get your tape collection onto your computer. I was looking for the best sound quality first, and if possible, an easy way to make the transfers. The Tape2PC didn't do either.
My recommendation is to buy yourself a new dual tape deck that offers auto-reverse and relay play. Most new decks have both features, including the new Sony deck I bought.
The Tape2PC boasts that it comes with Audacity audio software, but you can download Audacity for free (just google it). Hook up the tape deck to your computer's line-in jack using an RCA to 1/8" adapter. 99% of computers already have a line-in jack and the ability to record with relatively little white noise added. The Audacity software is easy to use and will let you convert files to MP3 or WAV. If you're comfortable using a computer, the entire process will be easy for you.
Reasons to buy Tape2PC:
Tape2PC is good for beginners who don't know much about computers. The included software has a wizard that walks you step by step through the process. It will help you name the files and even help split the tape into separate tracks, provided you sit through the whole process and click a button at the exact moment you want to split the tracks (who has time for that?)
It auto imports files into iTunes, and from there you can sync to your iPod easily.
Reasons not to buy Tape2PC:
Number one reason is quality. I thought a USB device would eliminate interference and hums and lead to the best sound quality, but it was less of a factor than I originally thought. The key is the tape deck itself. The Tape2PC deck is a cheap deck at best and even if the USB connection adds no noise, the sound from the deck is lousy to start with. It's mostly noticable on the high-end frequencies - they sound muffled or missing altogether.
The Tape2PC is a dual deck, but doesn't have auto-reverse. That means you need to come back to the computer every 25-45 minutes after one side as been recorded, flip the tape over, and start recording the other side. On the other hand, a dual deck with auto-reverse and relay play means you can load up 2 tapes, and have both sides play in sequence. Set your computer to record and come back and hour or two later (or 200 minutes later if you have 100min mix tapes, for example). You can split the tracks manually in the audacity software after the fact. Most computers nowadays can handle recording 200 minutes without running out of disk space.
Lastly, using the built in Tape2PC software was sort of a pain because it requires iTunes to be installed and it always converts files to MP3s at a low bit-rate. I wanted to convert them to WAV files (i.e. lossless format) and to do that I couldn't use the included Tape2PC software. I was required to use Audacity, but again that's free so what's the advantage to buying this Tape2PC system?
Terrible deck December 5, 2007
7 out of 11 found this review helpful
This is a terrible deck i tried this at a freinds house and its just horrible at playback i use a tascam 302 dual well to convert my tapes and it puts this thing to shame and its software is owfull i use roxio toast and the line in on my mac and that works much better then this does get an old sony or tascam to convert your tapes they'll put this thing to shame dont by this
 Easy to Use December 2, 2007
14 out of 15 found this review helpful
The hardware is easy to connect to your computer and the software, EZ Tape Converter, is easy to install and use: very straightforward.
The quality of the recordings is as good as the originals and in one case I was surprised that the pops on the original were not also recorded.
I didn't give this product five stars for the following reasons:
a) Songs are recorded in real time: Every time a song ends, you have to select the "New Track" button manually.
b) You have to use the back button very selectively: Because I didn't I hit the "New Track" button in time, when I selected the back button, I lost all the tracks I had just recorded and had to start over.
c) You can't use both tape decks at the same time while a song is being recorded. I tried rewinding on one deck in preparation for when the recording on the second deck would end, and the recording session was interrupted and I had to start the entire recording again.
I have over 60 tapes to review to see which tracks I want to record and having to monitor the recording process so closely is time consuming.
In sum, unlike the process of importing CD into iTunes, converting cassette recordings so that they can be imported to iTunes is a more primitive process. However, this product is reliable and easy to use.
Should Be a No-Star November 29, 2007
34 out of 35 found this review helpful
I recently returned an ION Tape2PC deck to Amazon. It was the worst product and experience with a product's manufacturer I've had in a long time.
Amazon, good to its word, accepted the return and quickly credited my account (ION should learn Customer Service from Amazon.)
My deck seemed to have some kind of odd circuitry problem. Every so often it created loud interference during recording. I isolated my iMac and the ION from any and all interference in the room I was in, meaning no Wifi, no wireless connections open, blackberry in a different part of the house, cordless phone unplugged. I disconnected and reconnected everything. I rebooted the iMac. I tried different cassettes (all commercial grade). Nothing worked.
I called ION Customer Service. After three attempts, each with a hold time of more than 15 minutes, I called back and spoke to the receptionist who told me there was only one tech support person. When I mentioned I needed to speak to someone or return my product to Amazon, the receptionist essentially said to go and return it - just the friendly, helpful customer facing employee you want to encounter.
The software was not very good. The EZ Tape Convertor requires real-time attention to capture individual tracks. The included CD had no Mac software though the website did. Audacity is far better but requires a learning curve. What is really annoying is that before purchasing this deck, I actually spoke to someone at ION who told me the software could discern track breaks and therefore I did not have to watch it - which is why I made my purchase.
The deck itself seems of insubstantial manufacture. The USB port is great and that's the only reason to even remotely think about buying this deck.
The documentation that came with my deck referred only to turntables.
All in all, a substandard - in my opinion - product from a company that does not seem to value the customer or the customer's experience.
I'm going to take the suggestions of others here and buy a proven brand and some RCA-to-line/in jacks and use Audacity (free) or Garage Band.
Do not buy this deck.
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