from a reliable Apple source as a reply to Beth Secrist's comment on the lack of an analog audio input port on the new G4 towers from Apple ---Otmar >> >> Hi Otmar, >> >> This is true, the analog sound input has been removed. Instead, we are >> continuing down our path to move away from the legacy analog I/O to pure >> digital solutions like USB and Firewire. This includes analog audio. I >> believe this provides a richer set of options and capabilities with higher >> quality for both the end-user and developer. >> >> For example, USB audio input devices gives us higher quality digital inputs >> with better signal to noise and with standard line level and mic level >> inputs rather than the "unique" PlainTalk connector with proprietary power >> at the tip. Now you can trivially use a standard microphone or headset. >> >> To address sound input for language labs there are numerous solutions >> available today. If you are interested in using existing microphones or >> input >> devices with 1/8" minijacks I would take a look at iMic from Griffin >> Technologies. The iMic universal audio adapter is a USB device that allows >> the connection of virtually any microphone or sound input device to the >> iBook, >> G4 Cube, Titanium PowerBook G4 or any other Mac with USB ports. It supports >> better than CD quality at up to 48 Khz sampling and works with virtually any >> microphone including unpowered (Mic level) and powered (Line level) I >> believe >> the SRP is $35 >> >> http://www.griffintechnology.com/audio/imic_main.html >> >> If you are looking for new input solutions, there are a number of USB desktop >> microphone solutions on the market. If headsets are of interest, I would >> take >> a look at the at VXICorp's Parrot solutions, they have both monaural and >> stereo versions with a built-in microphone. Some models also have noise >> cancellation. >> >> http://www.vxicorp.com/docs/usbparrott.htm >> >> Plantronics has some headsets worth taking a look at. >> >> http://www.Plantronics.com/ >> >> And if the need is on the high-end, companies such as Roland offer some very >> sophisticated audio input/output products. >> >> http://www.edirol.com/ >> >> I hope this helps. >>