In an ongoing quest to find an affordable and high quality portable podcasting device, I make a brief recording with the iRiver iFP899 using the AudioTechnica ATR55 shotgun, powered, condenser microphone with mini-plug.

After investing about two hours trying out this device and putting it through its paces, I decided that it wouldn’t be acceptable for portable podcasting. I need a device that is as simple as a point-n-shoot digital camera if I hope to focus on the audio content vs. goofin’ with the recorder (and its crackling mini-plug line-in is a deal-killer). Also, my bride won’t be able to quickly perform on-the-spot interviews at trade shows unless it’s just like using a handheld digital camera: powerful and of excellent quality but able to take those shots a person has two seconds to set up.

Take a listen and you’ll also hear the crackles and pops of the mini-plug moving around…not good. So I’ll be returning it to Best Buy tomorrow morning and I’m back on the hunt for an acceptable quality, easy to use, portable podcasting device.

Still going to check out Giant Squid whose products have been discussed at the Podcast Alley forums and people seem to love his stuff.

MP3 File