Internet radio

mackerooney

I ma looking to buy a radio for the kitchen that will connect wirelessly to my broadband - primarily to increase the number of stations that I can access. I don't need it to link to Ipod's or music libraries on my MAC.

Can anyone suggest anything? Biggest selling seesm to be the squeezebox - it seesm to be over specced for what I'm looking for.

MediaTank

Can I direct you here for a list of devices http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_radio_device Note that most devices do not support RealAudio which is what most of the big broadcasters (e.g. RTE) use for streaming. So check which channels support which first. Secondly, most UK based music channels (e.g. BBC Radio 1), do not allow streaming to anything other than a UK based IP address. Other than that take your pick

Homer

Squeezebox (which does support irish radio stations) would be an expensive solution allright as you'd have to either add powered speakers or add it to your existing hifi.

Try something like this would be about 75 euro all in and is a standalone device similar to a portable radio,

mackerooney

MediaTank wrote: »

Can I direct you here for a list of devices http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_radio_device Note that most devices do not support RealAudio which is what most of the big broadcasters (e.g. RTE) use for streaming. So check which channels support which first. Secondly, most UK based music channels (e.g. BBC Radio 1), do not allow streaming to anything other than a UK based IP address. Other than that take your pick

Thanks for this.

So irrespective of whichever hardware I choose, I won't be able to access the BBC? Are you sure?
If thats the case, probably not worthwhile - can you suggest a workaround?

MediaTank

mackerooney wrote: »

Thanks for this.

So irrespective of whichever hardware I choose, I won't be able to access the BBC? Are you sure?
If thats the case, probably not worthwhile - can you suggest a workaround?

Yes, you can access BBC 5 Live and the World Service etc. just not the music stations. It's due to a row/agreement with the performance rights association. There are web proxies out there to allow access to the BBC and others but they tend to go off air a lot. The www.sonos.com forums has lots of information on this - not just on their software and hardware. I use Sonos at home for internet radio and had this issue.

km991148

MediaTank wrote: »

Yes, you can access BBC 5 Live and the World Service etc. just not the music stations. It's due to a row/agreement with the performance rights association. There are web proxies out there to allow access to the BBC and others but they tend to go off air a lot. The www.sonos.com forums has lots of information on this - not just on their software and hardware. I use Sonos at home for internet radio and had this issue.

Are oyu sure on this? I can listen to the streams on my PC no problem for all radio + listen again, its only tv thro Iplayer and radio on win media player thats blocked, unless you mean on a standalone (non realplayer I assume) systems?

MediaTank

km991148 wrote: »

Are oyu sure on this? I can listen to the streams on my PC no problem for all radio + listen again, its only tv thro Iplayer and radio on win media player thats blocked, unless you mean on a standalone (non realplayer I assume) systems?

Correct MP3 streams are blocked.

Dinarius

I want to buy a DAB radio to use as an alarm clock.

So, just to be clear, what can I listen to on it?

I'm hooked on BBC Radio 3 and 4. Am I correct in thinking that I won't have BBC3?

Anything else I should know?

Will any DAB radio take a signal from my Eircom Wireless Router?

Thanks.

D.

km991148

No not any DAB

There are DAB radios for listing to over the air digital radio, and there are internet radios, which allow you to listen to streams from the internet (as well as units that will do both..)

DAB over the air only may or may not pick up bbc digital depending on wher you live. If you get 'normal' fm bbc then there is a chance.

With internet radio receivers, it sounds like (according to posts above) that you will not get bbc radio (unless you are connecting via a connecton based in NI or UK) sent to an internet radio receiver as bbc only deliver stream in realplayer format. There may be a radio that can pickup the realplayer stream but its doubtfull.

you can listen to bbc radio online with realplayer on a pc, but not much use as an alarm clock..

Gunther_Gloop

I have an Aldi-bought internet radio. It cost around 100euros, last year.
I get all the BBC channels (live) on it. There is no problem playing live BBC radio over the internet -unless, as was mentioned above, your player can't handle the format being "broadcasted".

Dinarius

Cheers guys.

I'm looking at two radios>

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=30001&langId=-1&catalogId=1500001201&productId=1500276385&Trail=C%24cip%3D1500015586.Home%2Bentertainment%2Band%2Bsat%2Bnav%3EC%24cip%3D1500015670.DAB%2Bdigital%2Bradio&categoryId=1500015670

and........

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=30001&langId=-1&catalogId=1500001201&productId=1500292541&Trail=C%24cip%3D1500015586.Home%2Bentertainment%2Band%2Bsat%2Bnav%3EC%24cip%3D1500015670.DAB%2Bdigital%2Bradio%3EC%24Brands%3DRoberts.Roberts&categoryId=1500015670&clickfrom=name

Will both allow me to receive all the BBC channels using my Eircom Wireless Router? - that's my main concern.

Thanks.

D.

Edited: Just realizing that I need a WiFi radio for wireless not just DAB (doh!) and that the Roberts is mentioned in the link given Homer above. As it happens, the Roberts is the only WiFi radio that Argos sells. The Logik from Aldi looks interesting.

Gunther_Gloop

Dinarius wrote: »

Cheers guys.

I'm looking at two radios>

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=30001&langId=-1&catalogId=1500001201&productId=1500276385&Trail=C%24cip%3D1500015586.Home%2Bentertainment%2Band%2Bsat%2Bnav%3EC%24cip%3D1500015670.DAB%2Bdigital%2Bradio&categoryId=1500015670

and........

http://www.argos.ie/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=30001&langId=-1&catalogId=1500001201&productId=1500292541&Trail=C%24cip%3D1500015586.Home%2Bentertainment%2Band%2Bsat%2Bnav%3EC%24cip%3D1500015670.DAB%2Bdigital%2Bradio%3EC%24Brands%3DRoberts.Roberts&categoryId=1500015670&clickfrom=name

Will both allow me to receive all the BBC channels using my Eircom Wireless Router? - that's my main concern.

Thanks.

D.

Edited: Just realizing that I need a WiFi radio for wireless not just DAB (doh!) and that the Roberts is mentioned in the link given Homer above. As it happens, the Roberts is the only WiFi radio that Argos sells. The Logik from Aldi looks interesting.

The Argos link for the first one says "Listen to previously broadcast material from the BBC using listen again."

But you should check online reviews, etc. to make sure it can use Real Audio to be able to play live BBC radio.

...Or you can always return it to Argos within 30 days if you're not satisfied. Looks a bit pricey though.

MediaTank

Dinarius wrote: »

I want to buy a DAB radio to use as an alarm clock.

So, just to be clear, what can I listen to on it?

I'm hooked on BBC Radio 3 and 4. Am I correct in thinking that I won't have BBC3?

Anything else I should know?

Will any DAB radio take a signal from my Eircom Wireless Router?

Thanks.

D.

Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB) is completely different from Internet radio. It's a free to air system replacing (eventually) FM radio. It does not use or rely on an Internet connection.

MT

eoghand

Can anyone recomend a good internet radio less than 150 euro?

Dinarius

I've just ordered one of these>

http://tinyurl.com/5bxnce

Hard to find on the Argos site unless you search for "wifi" since they only have two categories on the radio page, DAB and FM. Nor do they list Tranciva as one of their makes. Very odd.

Anyway, this one has the triple whammy of DAB, FM and WiFi, which is expensive elsewhere - e.g. €200 with Roberts 202.

I like the fact that the controls and LCD are at the front and not the top. Much better for use as a bedside alarm/radio, which is what I want it for.

D.

Zoltan68

Just bought one yesterday in Argos in Dublin on the strength of recommendations above and elsewhere. €90 + €15 for 3 years insurance (think I might need it given some of the comments I have see).

No problems setting up and works well on DAB, FM, Internet and linking to MS Media v11 on PC. Sound quality very good on mono speaker on top and thru stereo earphones. There is a faint hum/clicking sound from the unit when switched off which could be annoying if using as a bedside alarm clock. I have read elsewhere of a hum when listening on low volume but I did not notice this on my unit.

As mentioned elsewhere there is no remote control included and no evidence of a detector on the unit. No mention in the manual either (manual is quite good and to-the-point).

Unit is fairly sturdily made and compact. 9v power supply is also quite small and neat. No battery option so not portable.

Very happy for the first 3 hours then I noticed that the LCD screen more or less went blank. Still backlit but very hard to see the characters on it which were faint and flickering - but still there if you squint and hold it sideways! I will be taking it back for a replacement. From what I read elsewhere the trick is to keep bringing it back until you get a good one. Luckily my Argos is within walking distance. I'm not saying where it is yet in case they run out of stock before I get back!

Good value for money if you can get a good one.

Update Sat 13/09/2008: LCD Screen was fine again when I got home. Go figure!

Dinarius

Zoltan,

I just got mine.

Please tell me how to set up the WiFi link.

Edited: Sorted! Sound on DAB and WiFi really is good.

Thanks.

D.

ps. Agree on performance on FM and DAB. Only drawback is build quality which is very Mickey Mouse.

Dinarius

Had a few queries privately about this radio.

No problems so far.

Build quality is not great, but at the price...........!

DAB and WiFi reception are very good. I'm strictly BBC3/4 and RTE 1/Lyric, so this unit has rendered FM redundant.

Sound is very good for what it is.

Only drawback for me (and it won't affect too many people!) is that there is no switch to turn off the display light at night. And, even though it dims automatically when the radio is turned off, it's still quite bright to use as a bedside alarm clock. But, that's a minor crib.

This unit offers the triple whammy of FM/DAB/WiFi at a silly price. I went to both the BOSE and Sony Centre shops in Dundrum the other day and they offer no equivalent. In fact, they don't offer any clock-radio with WiFi.

Only Roberts offer this (available in Peats though oddly not listed on their website) with their wm 202 at €200. Not strictly a clock-radio I'll admit, and the positioning of the clock would make it impossible to see when lying down. I know, I know............!

http://www.robertsradio.co.uk/Products/Internet_radios/STREAM_202/index.htm

....and the WM201...

http://www.peats.com/cgi-bin/catalog.cgi?view_product=1&id=23670&sid=23&cid=7677&scid=7690

but, at a price.

The Tranciva will do me fine until the market wakes up and starts selling quality clock radios with at least DAB/WiFi.

D.

Raven_k42

...Guys....just to check/confirm I understand...as some of the earlier posts have thrown me...you can pick-up the normal BBC channels (especially R2/R4) on your machines here in Dublin ??.

Thanks,
K.

Dinarius

Raven_k42 wrote: »

...Guys....just to check/confirm I understand...as some of the earlier posts have thrown me...you can pick-up the normal BBC channels (especially R2/R4) on your machines here in Dublin ??.

Thanks,
K.

Yes. I don't listen to R2, but 3, 4 and 5, definitely yes.

D

ergo

just wondering,

with the Tranciva will I be able to get Phantom FM and also Newstalk?

I've just moved to the UK in case that makes any difference so that's where I'm based. I can get them here on my laptop no problem by the way

also, is there really only 5 presets on this? and if remote is not included are they (remotes) freely available to buy as an add-on? am thinking 5 presets not enough but if more available with remote could be tempted...

ergo

^^^^

no replies yet then.....? come on: am in England and stuck listening to RTE Radio 1 on LW 252 in the car for the moment :rolleyes:

Dinarius

Ergo,

As you can see from the link below, Newstalk is available via internet radio. Check out Phantom yourself.

http://newstalk.ie/newstalk/listen-live-now.html

There are five presets on the Transciva for each band (FM, DAB, Internet) so 15 in total.

D.

ergo

MediaTank wrote: »

Can I direct you here for a list of devices http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_radio_device Note that most devices do not support RealAudio which is what most of the big broadcasters (e.g. RTE) use for streaming. So check which channels support which first. Secondly, most UK based music channels (e.g. BBC Radio 1), do not allow streaming to anything other than a UK based IP address. Other than that take your pick

sorry , I got thrown slightly by the post above ^^ which suggests that not all machines will support all stations that have an internet radio service.

But from reading the Argos blurb which includes "Supports real audio, MP3 and WMA" that means it should be ok for Phantom. It just would have been a lot of cash to pay if I couldn't listen to the station that I have on 90% of the time when at home ie. Phantom

Dinarius wrote: »

Ergo,

As you can see from the link below, Newstalk is available via internet radio. Check out Phantom yourself.

http://newstalk.ie/newstalk/listen-live-now.html

There are five presets on the Transciva for each band (FM, DAB, Internet) so 15 in total.

D.

thanks for that, 15 is much better than 5

ergo

I was going to get a Trancivia but just noticed the intempo gx 01 when I was wandering around town today, it's £69 STG but £49 in amazon, some info and reviews here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Intempo-Digital-GX-01-Internet-Centre/dp/B000UJICFG/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

mikelongford

hello ergo - where do you see it in amazon for £49 ??.......i can only see it selling at £89.95 in there.
Also can anyone tell me if the intempo gx 01 is available in ireland and if so from which outlet?.....also how does it compare with the Tranciva IR804 ??
Many thanks for any info you guys can supply....
Mike

ergo

Hi Mike

from the link in my post just above your post it's still listed as being £48.92 from UK amazon. I haven't a clue if it's available in Ireland or not though..

mikelongford

Hi Ergo, i eventually found it at the same price as you did and then guess what - amazon have delivery restrictions on certain electrical items (including this one!) to ireland both north and south so it was all a waste of time
i then went back and checked via third party sellers but could only find it at
89 quid plus about 35 quid sterling for carriage - so i think ill wander round to argos and try that Tranciva one - at least i can get it back to them for free if it fails to do what it says on the tin....
but thanks for coming back to me anyway - hope your one is working perfectly for you

Cheers
Mike

MediaTank

Check out iBOOD today- Revo Blik for E69.95

Bog Butter

MediaTank wrote: »

Yes, you can access BBC 5 Live and the World Service etc. just not the music stations. It's due to a row/agreement with the performance rights association. There are web proxies out there to allow access to the BBC and others but they tend to go off air a lot. The www.sonos.com forums has lots of information on this - not just on their software and hardware. I use Sonos at home for internet radio and had this issue.

I don't have sky so I will occasionally listen to BBC 5 live through Free To Air digital satellite in order to listen to premiership soccer. I also have an internet radio (Tranciva IR804) though and I went to listen to 5 live a few weeks ago through it but they had a message saying they could not broadcast the football online.