Internet Radios: What do you have?

tbh

I've an AE Reciva which I got about four years ago



At the time I bought it, not many devices could play realaudio, and the BBC only streamed in RA, so it was the best of the available models. It's mains only, wireless only and has a single speaker with a standard headphone jack. It's wifi only (no FM or DAB tuner) and supports all the major formats, including "listen again" support. It also works as a media player, tho I never really bothered hooking it up. There are 10 presets (5 through a shift key). Navigation system is fine, Slightly annoying that mine seems to have to download the entire station list every time, but I'm sure I could fix that if I was bothered enough. The sound is good, very good bass, although mine seems to crackle a lot now, especially at low streaming rates. I think there's been maybe one major firmware upgrade in the years I've had it, mostly tweaks to the menu system and the ability to turn down the backlight.

I've recently upgraded to a Roberts WM-202 and it blows the AE out of the water on all fronts.

It has everything the AE has, but some major advantages:

-It's portable - it's mains or battery powered
-Supports wired or wireless connections
-It has DAB and FM - It has DAB and FM!!!!
-Through a page on the internet, you can create lists of favourite stations, which are then sync'd and available through the radio itself
-Two very good quality speakers
-Aux in


So the AE, which has served for years as a kitchen radio, has been retired to the spare room where it serves us well on those boring laundry-folding afternoons.

I'd highly recommend the Roberts, any other suggestions?

byte

Firstly, I got a Logik IR100 from Curry's in NI, for a steal at £40 (regret not buying more at such a price). Alas discontinued now. Had to modify a bit, and replace the internal wifi dongle with an external wifi antenna/dongle, and it works much better since. Works with the excellent reciva.com


Added now, I have two Philips NP1100's, one connected to my Onkyo AV receiver, the other not connected to anything yet. Also works very well, had a digital output, as well as an option for wired LAN. It's biggest downside is lack of Real support, but otherwise good. Doesn't use Reciva.com but a Philips site that offers similar idea of personal stations that then syncs with radio.



The Roberts does look like a good piece of kit with DAB and FM, though don't have DAB in Donegal so that'd be one part that's pointless. Still, good bang for buck though, and one I'd consider should the Logik die.

ntlbell

been tempted by various roberts wi-fi radio's but never pulled the trigger

where did you buy yours tbh and how much was it?

byte

Amazon have it for £132 which is quite good IMO (£147 delivered).

Recommended retail price of it over here is €199.

ntlbell

yea, was having a look on ebay 144stg and 24.99 for delivery :eek:

tbh

I got it in Peats, €199.

mike65

Blimey internet radio should be for all incomes!

Thanks to DMC I have a Logik 100 as well and it doesn't even hum yet.

DMC

The hum was a "feature" in early models

I have 2 Logik IR100's, one modified like Byte's with a EDIMAX antenna, just unscrew and lift out the wifi antenna inside (its a USB connection) and gently push in the USB extender cable into the slot. Range went from 30% and unusable to 90% and super.

I have also upgraded to the Roberts WM-202, and its a gem of a radio, except for 2 gripes. 1, as I am used to the Reciva technology in the Logik IR100, there is no pause facility on the BBC listen again, and 2, if the signal goes while listening to a BBC listen again programme, it goes back to the start with no fast forward. Boo.

Those two small gripes aside, its a fine piece of kit. Also, looks well in black, not in silver.

I would not dismiss the Pure Evoke Flow and the Avanti Flow, except for the Evoke Flow is the same price as the Roberts WM-202 and a speaker light, and the Avanti Flow is megabucks.

The Black Oil

I'm tempted by the Roberts WM-202, but the Evoke Flow certainly looks interesting..
Hmm.

ntlbell

been reading a lot about the pure evoke flow most people seem to be very happy with them, the "pure lounge" the portal used to gain access to the stations seems to have a few issues and the odd hardware fault but all in all the feedback seems very positive.

I don't like the idea of having to buy a separate second speaker/remote/battery pack so the Roberts might be a better option..

hmm!

The Black Oil

Many thanks of the mail.

With regards to the compatibility of the Wm202 and MAC operating systems, I can inform you of the following: -

The Wm202 works with MAC OS as far as file sharing is concerned, it will work with a uPnP server when using the Eye Connect software and will playback files from the MAC when it is switched on. However, the 202 will not handle AAC files (default file for iTunes).

The internet radio part of the unit will work with just the radio and the router turned on, it should not require the MAC to be powered to work.

DAB and FM work completely independent of the router and MAC.

Got this back pretty quickly. Seems to tie in with some of the discussion over on Apple. http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=1967358&tstart=75

The Black Oil

Went for the Roberts in the end. It arrived this morning and I've been playing around with it. Seems very easy to use and tune stuff in. Should be fun.

sudzs

tbh wrote: »

I've an AE Reciva which I got about four years ago



At the time I bought it, not many devices could play realaudio, and the BBC only streamed in RA, so it was the best of the available models. It's mains only, wireless only and has a single speaker with a standard headphone jack. It's wifi only (no FM or DAB tuner) and supports all the major formats, including "listen again" support. It also works as a media player, tho I never really bothered hooking it up. There are 10 presets (5 through a shift key). Navigation system is fine, Slightly annoying that mine seems to have to download the entire station list every time, but I'm sure I could fix that if I was bothered enough. The sound is good, very good bass, although mine seems to crackle a lot now, especially at low streaming rates. I think there's been maybe one major firmware upgrade in the years I've had it, mostly tweaks to the menu system and the ability to turn down the backlight.

I've recently upgraded to a Roberts WM-202 and it blows the AE out of the water on all fronts.

It has everything the AE has, but some major advantages:

-It's portable - it's mains or battery powered
-Supports wired or wireless connections
-It has DAB and FM - It has DAB and FM!!!!
-Through a page on the internet, you can create lists of favourite stations, which are then sync'd and available through the radio itself
-Two very good quality speakers
-Aux in


So the AE, which has served for years as a kitchen radio, has been retired to the spare room where it serves us well on those boring laundry-folding afternoons.

I'd highly recommend the Roberts, any other suggestions?

I have the Roberts and also have a Pure Evoke-2. The Pure evoke picks up lots of DAB stations while the Roberts picks up none.

Edited to say, duh! I thought this was the DAB thread! I use the Roberts for internet rado listening and couldn't fault it!

Fido loves 7up

Stupid question (hey its late ), can you pick up DAB stations on these radios without Wi-Fi in the house?

mike65

DAB is over airwaves so yes if you are in range of the transmitter - Cork city, Limerick City, Dublin City and surrounding areas and the North East to the border.

Fido loves 7up

sudzs wrote: »

I have the Roberts and also have a Pure Evoke-2. The Pure evoke picks up lots of DAB stations while the Roberts picks up none.

So the 202 is crap for DAB?

DMC

Works fine for me.

tbh

perfect for me - North Co. Dub

Greenman

sudzs wrote: »

I have the Roberts and also have a Pure Evoke-2. The Pure evoke picks up lots of DAB stations while the Roberts picks up none.

Did you put the antenna up?

spurious

I have one of these (in black) on the way to me.

Greenman

spurious wrote: »

I have one of these (in black) on the way to me.

From who and how much have you paid?

sudzs

Greenman wrote: »

Did you put the antenna up?

Yes! lol!

I'm in the UK and only barely getting the DAB signal. If I check out the postcode it says "you are fairly likely to receive these stations, but may need an external aerial for best reception" The Pure Evoke has to be positioned just so to get any station loud and clear! But the Roberts picks up nothing. But 'tis a great internet radio all the same!

Greenman

sudzs wrote: »

Yes! lol!

I'm in the UK and only barely getting the DAB signal. If I check out the postcode it says "you are fairly likely to receive these stations, but may need an external aerial for best reception" The Pure Evoke has to be positioned just so to get any station loud and clear! But the Roberts picks up nothing. But 'tis a great internet radio all the same!

What about bringing it to location where DAB is rock solid to see its working at all?

spurious

Greenman wrote: »

From who and how much have you paid?

Sennheiser Tangent Quattro WiFi Wireless Internet Radio

From ebay

I got fed up waiting for them to be in stock with dabs and with a fast courier service, the total I paid on ebay was €186.

They're €249 before postage on komplett.

squirrel6767

Got the Tangent Quatro for the old man last Christmas. Looks good and brilliant sound. More of a non-portable size and works on AC.

I got from Firebox.com for €194 (€269 at Peats) but looks like they do not stock any more. Amazon have at €203 before postage.
(if received ok then the ebay price from previous post is better)

Personally I am looking for one I can pick up and bring around the house to the Roberts wm-202 sounds interesting. Listen again is a must so thumbs up on that one although it would be good to have pause/ff/rewind.
£131 on Amazon equates to €158 before postage (at the moment)
Powercity have for €179 so I would go for them - supporting local business and all. (Peats @ €199)

Has anyone seen Aldi/Lidl come out with an Internet radio yet? They usually come out with the same product or a variant every few months.

Ideally I would like to pick up a sub €100 unit that does the job.

By the ways - DAB is dead, so for those of you still looking for a unit that also does DAB I wouldn’t be bothered. All you can get in Ireland now are the RTE supplied stations. The rest went last December and I think it is pretty much dead in the UK now too.

Fido loves 7up

Has anyone tried one of these as a budget alternative?

The

Pure Siesta DAB Clock Radio






http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=345153&view=detailed#ProductTabs

DMC

Its just a DAB radio, not an internet radio (which is what this thread is mostly about?)

magnumlady

I've got a Logik as well.
It's grand although I would like one that I can add more favourite stations too and it's a bit slow changing station.
What bugs me though is the low bitrate of some of the stations....but that's a whole new subject.

sudzs

Greenman wrote: »

What about bringing it to location where DAB is rock solid to see its working at all?

It worked perfectly in Co Louth before I moved to the UK!

lyndonjones

I have been reading this thread with interest until I read the reply that DAB is dead or soon will be.


Can someone elaborate on that for me please?

I was going to buy a DAB radio but now not so sure!!

Thanks

The Black Oil

OK, so on the Roberts 202 again. I've been using the alarm to wake up to BBC R4 and it's been grand so far. However, it seems to switch itself off after about an hour or so. I've not got any sleeper timers running in conjunction with the alarms. Is this normal? The first time it happened I thought someone had come into the room to turn it off, but this was not the case.

RTFM?

ntlbell

The Black Oil wrote: »

OK, so on the Roberts 202 again. I've been using the alarm to wake up to BBC R4 and it's been grand so far. However, it seems to switch itself off after about an hour or so. I've not got any sleeper timers running in conjunction with the alarms. Is this normal? The first time it happened I thought someone had come into the room to turn it off, but this was not the case.

RTFM?

can't help with your issue but can you choose what station you wake up to or do you have to tune into radio 4 before you turn it off to sleep or?

tbh

ntlbell wrote: »

can't help with your issue but can you choose what station you wake up to or do you have to tune into radio 4 before you turn it off to sleep or?

you can choose but it has to be a pre-stored station´- eıther through the pre-sets or ın your fav. channels

I thınk the auto-off ıs a good feature myself - I`m always goıng away and forgettıng to dısable the alarm.

sorry for the weırd characters, workıng ın turkey and havnt fıgured out the kb yetç

squirrel6767

lyndonjones wrote: »

I have been reading this thread with interest until I read the reply that DAB is dead or soon will be.


Can someone elaborate on that for me please?

I was going to buy a DAB radio but now not so sure!!

Thanks

Ok, maybe I was being a bit harsh when I said that. It does however look to be floundering. All the independent radio stations dropped from DAB last December so all you have now are the RTE stations and it is only available in select cities with it unlikely to expand any further. If you are going to get a DAB radio make sure it does FM too.
More here
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055543873

In my view getting an Internet radio gives you access to a whole lot more choice so spend your € there.

The Black Oil

Anyone else have a problem with BBC radio 4 & 5 today? It says network error, my other presets (World Service & NPR) are fine. I've tried to get at them through the station list search, but get the same message.

Note: If you radio is unable to connect to an internet radio station it will generally either display 'Network Error' or 'Stopped'. This can be for many reasons, but typically will be due to one of the following:

The radio station may not be broadcasting at the present time.
The radio station may not be able to accommodate any more connections
from internet listeners.
There may be network congestion (either locally or at a distance) which is affecting the reliability of the connection.
If your radio can connect, but the audio is not continuous and the radio keeps having to reconnect, this may be due to the radio station only having
limited connection capacity.

mike65

Nope, just fine here

The Black Oil

Working again now.

exaisle

I have a Bush TR2015 and a Roberts WM201.

Both have similar software architecture....which is a pain in ass at times. The only real difference is that the sound of the Roberts is better because it has better speakers. If speech radio is your thing, get the Bush. Available online for about £60 or thereabouts.

E.

_blank_

I've got one of these also. On a recommendation in this forum.

I love it.

Dub13

What model is that des...?and can anybody tell me if the football on BBCRadio 5 is blocked out on these.

stanley1

Using this one for a good while with beta firmware from reciva, very small and stylish, wifi only and it also caters for real networks, very fast in seeking and locking on to stations.

http://www.revo.co.uk/digital-radio/revo-mondo-wifi.php

The Black Oil

Re BBC 5 live, you might get a message such as "unfortunately, due to rights restrictions, this section of the programme is not available" (which I've just heard whilst heading over to 5 live extra as my standard 5 live preset has been on the blink for the past 24/48 hours - "this station is currently not available, please try back again later" (in an American accent) so I've searched the stations and tuned it back in.

byte

Dub13 wrote: »

What model is that des...?and can anybody tell me if the football on BBCRadio 5 is blocked out on these.

That's the Logik IR100 (Logik is a Currys/Dixons brand), no longer made AFAIK, which is a shame.

_blank_

The Black Oil wrote: »

Re BBC 5 live, you might get a message such as "unfortunately, due to rights restrictions, this section of the programme is not available" (which I've just heard whilst heading over to 5 live extra as my standard 5 live preset has been on the blink for the past 24/48 hours - "this station is currently not available, please try back again later" (in an American accent) so I've searched the stations and tuned it back in.

But.

The regional BBCs sometimes carry thier own commentary.

I listened to a Liverpool match on the Merseyside BBC online stream one evening while I was getting that message on Five Live.

shoegirl

I've a Binatone IR804 which I fortunately bought in Belfast last year before they hiked up the price by about 30 pounds and even more in euros.

Nice radio, the internet radio functions reasonably well but its on the Wifi Radio Frontier chip which isn't as up to date as Receiva so sometimes I lose stations for a while before they are updated.

derektrainwreck

this thread has inspired me to get one of these!

The Black Oil

Hmm, my Roberts has turned itself off twice without warning. Odd, but I suppose it is a computer thingy.

Big Tone

The Black Oil wrote: »

Hmm, my Roberts has turned itself off twice without warning. Odd, but I suppose it is a computer thingy.

have you checked if its a Sleep/Timer issue?

The Black Oil

I don't think it's the culprit, I only use it in the morning. Actually reset is probably more accurate word - it's as if someone unplugs it then plugs it back in because the Roberts logo shows up. Don't seem to lose the time/date/preset settings.

Greenman

derektrainwreck wrote: »

this thread has inspired me to get one of these!

So how are you getting on?

Fratton Fred

I've just got my father a Pure Evoke Flow http://www.johnlewis.com/230507528/Product.aspx



It is very very good. So good in fact, I am getting myself one.