R2OK!

SantaFefan · Posted: Thu Jan 21, 2010 8:15 pm Post subject: WiFi query

I was looking at a WiFi radio in Comet this evening.. nice looking thing in shiny black made by Roberts for £150.
I asked two of the staff if they could explain how it works but with no success Rolling Eyes

I'm sure somebody has one on here - Helen maybe?
My question is, how does the WiFi radio pick up the Internet radio signal? Do you have to "pre-tune" the computer to the station you want to hear and the radio picks it up or, can you scroll through countless Internet stations on the radio itself using your wireless broadband?
(I suspect the former, in which case it's not so good) Razz

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13/8/07
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RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

Hello SF

So much for Comet's tv advertising claiming their staff have full product knowledge!

If you go to the Roberts Radios website - http://www.robertsradio.co.uk/Products/Internet_radios.htm - you'll find the four available models. For each one you can download the instruction manual (in pdf) - they all look to be the same, and it is the radio which searches the internet for the stations. Connection to your PC can be either wifi or wired ethernet.

While on the subject, can I ask your advice? You've mentioned that you have one of the radios with the pause and/or record onto SD card facility. Is that the Roberts RD41 - http://www.robertsradio.co.uk/Products/DAB_radios/SOUND_41/index.htm - and what's it like for sound quality, ease of use? I (and someone else here) am thinking of investing in one.
_________________
Ron

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

Hi SanteFe,

To use an internet radio you need to have your internet coming through a router. The radio then picks up the connection in the same way that a laptop would if you wanted to use that wirelessly. It's not foolproof and the connection often falls off and in frustration I've given up more than once!

I use mine in fits and starts but it's good for listen again if you don't want to be next to your computer, say in the kitchen, and there are the other stations of course.

H

Edit: I forgot to add that you tune the radio to what ever you want once you have got the wifi connection up and running. Also you don't need to have a computer switched on as long as the router is on.
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

That's interesting, H. Does your wifi connection to the radio fall off more often than to a laptop?
_________________
Ron

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

Hi Ron,

Can you receive DAB where you live? I ask because we bought the Pure version of the Roberts radio which can record on an SD card. When I tried it, Radio 2's signal kept falling off and you can only record from the DAB and not the FM. We took it back to the shop and they refunded even though according to our postcode we should be able to get DAB. It's put me off trying another digital radio. I'll have to see if any of the neighbours have one which works.

I was a bit disappointed as I'd planned to record either Alex Lester or Sarah Kennedy so the news is at least the same day's!

The 'listen again' must be a bit slower in reaching the internet radio as Sarah isn't available the same day until after Ken Bruce starts.

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

Yes, we can receive DAB, and I do also get a limited number of stations through Freeview TV.

At the moment it seems you can't have all your cake and eat it - they don't do a recordable radio which receives internet stations.

I used to have drop-off problems with my laptop until Windows 7 came along, and I think my son also downloaded an update to the wifi driver. The radio will not have such an option so it will presumably be more prone to loss of contact.
_________________
Ron

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

Yes it's a shame you can't get both on one!

I may have a try at re installing the radio and see if it makes any difference.

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

SantaFefan · Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 9:39 am Post subject:

Morning Helen and Ron,
Thanks for all the information! Razz

I'm glad the stations are tuned using the radio Razz

.. I was sure it would only pick up the station received by the pc. so I think I'll be headed back to Comet to buy it today.

Ron, yes that's exactly the same as mine and I have to say again how pleased I am with it. I'm presently redecorating one of our rooms here and listening to the 60s Great British Songbook programme and loving it!

The unit is very easy to use... if you want to record a programme currently on air, you simply press the red record button or, if it's on later, you select EPG (programme guide), scroll down to the show and press record.. a little symbol appears and it'll record the programme whether the unit is on or off.

To retune to another DAB station, you turn the right hand knob left or right to view available staions and press the knob to tune in.

The sound quality is good enough for a portable and I have no problem with it although the bass ( separate controls ) will distort if over half way and the volume is up but otherwise it's fine.
If I have the unit in my den, I plug it ( or the laptop ) into a PC sound system ( £20 from Staples ) and it sounds fantastic!

I haven't figured out yet just how many hours you can record on a sound card but the 2Gb card I'm using at the moment has three Great British Songbook shows plus two R&M's, the Alan Freed doc and I'm sure a SOTS so far so that's about 16 hours at least.

I was so pleased with it I bought another "ex display" on offer!

Another plus for me is the soundcard format itself.. I like the fact that you can transfer it from one unit to another and play it over the pc too.
I wish it would work on our Home Cinema but it doesn't play the radio shows - just pictures.
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy

13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

Hi SanteFe,

Glad it helped.

I was really disappointed not to get to record anything with the radio. I thought it would be the answer to my breakfast listening problems as well as giving us a new radio in the kitchen where we seem to spend a lot of time.

Back to the drawing board time!

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

RockitRon · Joined: 07 Dec 2006 Posts: 7646

Thanks for that, SF. I remembered that you had spoken favourably about it,, but I couldn't find the relevant thread.
_________________
Ron

SantaFefan · Posted: Fri Jan 22, 2010 11:58 am Post subject:

Like Helen, I originally bought the "Pure" radio - again with a card slot, but was so disappointed when it wouldn't pick up many DAB stations ( none of the BBC stations! ) so I took it back.
A couple of months later, I bought the Roberts radio and the signal meter went to full strength so I assume a new transmitter had been switched on somewhere..
I have to say though, the reception can be very fussy - full strength on the west side of our house, a lot less on the east side, depending on how many walls etc.. but, I can say it still works fine even on a minimal signal indication.
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy

13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

Thanks for that SanteFe. I think I'll ask around my neighbours and maybe try a DAB alarm clock as mine is on the blink anyway.

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

SantaFefan · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 4:45 pm Post subject:

Wow! am I impressed or what?
Finally found my "web key" password thingy to enter in to my new Roberts Wi Fi radio, pressed and twiddled a couple of buttons and Blammo - thousands of radio stations at my finger tips... fantastic!

It'll take a week to read the instructions but I soon got it tuned to KYA in SanFrancisco so I'm happy so far Laughing

It works by selecting the country, in my case so far North America, then either Canada, Mexico or United States, then a choice of any state.
I selected California and was offered a choice of

All Stations
Highlighted Stations
Alternative
Ambient
Big Band
Bluegrass
Blues
Business news
Celtic
Christian Contempary
Christian Rock
Classic Rock
Classical
College
Comedy
Country
Dance
Electronica
Folk
Gospel
Government
Hard Rock
Hip Hop
Holiday
Jazz
latin
New Age
News
News Talk
News Updates
Oldies Cool

Pop
Public
Radio Drama
Reggae
Religious
R&B
Rock
Scanner
Smooth Jazz
Soft Rock
Soundtracks
Sports
Talk
Top 40
Variety
Weather
World
World Asia
World Europe
World Hawaiian
World India
World Middle East
World Native American
Shocked

The sound is great - 3 speakers, two little ones at the front and a woofer in the back. It also features an equaliser plus separate bass & treble controls.

Something I don't get so far is "Last FM"... it looks to me like I can log tracks I like and tracks I don't... bit complicated.

Very impressed so far, good sound, sleep timer and thousands of stations for £150.. if only it had a sound card slot! Sad

_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy

13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

Hi SF

Glad it's all working for you! Which radio did you buy was it the Roberts one?

My Accoustics Energy one (4 + years old now) takes forever to crank up each time I switch it on. I don't know whether the whole thing needs to go back to factory settings and then start again with whatever updates are available or if it's on the blink. When you turn it on do you get instant sound?

Also does it give FM and DAB on the same radio?

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

SantaFefan · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 5:05 pm Post subject:

Hello Helen,
Yes, it's the Roberts "Stream 83i" radio..
It says -

Fm, BAB and Internet radio.
Listen to over 1000 stations from around the UK and over 10,000 stations from around the world.
Listen to previously broadcast material from the BBC using listen again
Listen to Pod Casts.
15 presets.
Music Player to play music from your pc.
Playback of audio files from USB memory devices.
MP3,WMA,AAC,FLAC and Real Audio formats are supported.

Don't know about starting up... hold on, I'll give it a try... Razz

Turned on, counted to 3 and it was playing. (Classic Country from Tennessee! Laughing

)
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy

13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

Thanks, I think it's time to do a re tune with mine!

Of course they will have improved drastically since I bought it.

I'm getting fed up with this digital switchover (TV) that is. The DVD recorder no longer records so we had to get a digital one of those. I've just about got it set up, but there are 4 different ways of just hooking it up to the TV <yikes>. Then there are the HDMI cables instead of/as well as the scarts! I'll be glad when I get it all sorted as it's starting to do my head in!

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

SantaFefan · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 5:44 pm Post subject:

I know what you mean Helen... I got my lounge set up sorted out eventually using HDMI leads to the Virgin box and Home Cinema/Blue Ray but an Optical cable had to be used too.. from the TV back to the Home Cinema.
I've recently bought a new Camcorder and it will have to be played back through the TV using those yellow, red and white cables....
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy

13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.

Angela W · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7201 Location: North Yorkshire

SantaFefan · Posted: Thu Feb 11, 2010 6:58 pm Post subject:

Angela, does your DVD recorder have Freeview built in? if so, I believe it will be digital ready...
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy

13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

Hi Angela,

Does your recorder have both an HDD and DVD recordable drive?

Do you have Sky or do you just record from the terrestrial channels?

Has it been the same channel that refuses to record or is it just intermittently not recording?

Sorry for so many questions!

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

Angela W · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7201 Location: North Yorkshire

Angela W · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7201 Location: North Yorkshire

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

SanteFe,

Can I ask which of the Roberts Internet Radio you have? Does it look more or less the same as the one with the SD card?

I noticed Amazon seem to have several which look the same but different model numbers.

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

SantaFefan · Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 10:39 am Post subject:

SantaFefan · Posted: Fri Feb 12, 2010 10:41 am Post subject:

and I just noticed Amazon are selling them for £128 Sad

I paid £150 for mine...
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy

13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.

Angela W · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7201 Location: North Yorkshire

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

Hi Angela,

You should be able to record a radio show on the VHS, I think I once did it a long time ago. I've heard that DVD discs in general can be extremely temperamental!

Does it play the discs you've recorded okay? Our first one wouldn't in the end and only the HDD worked.

Do you use the R type or RW type discs? Also are they + or - ones. The RW ones can play up apparently and there are different versions. Have you had successes with the type of discs you are using?

When you've had a failure what kind of messages do you get, if any, on the screen? I must admit I've sometimes set it wrongly using the HDD and got no programme then realised I've put in the incorrect time, it's so easily done when you're in a hurry.

I would try to use an R type one the next time you record anything if you can. I found the very cheap ones from Tesco worked fine for me if you have to throw them away.

I wish I could help a bit more!

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

Angela W · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7201 Location: North Yorkshire

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

Hi Angela,

It does sound like it's a problem with the DVD recorder part of the machine.

Make sure when you buy a new one it has an HDD drive as they are so much easier for general recording of programmes and you can easily make a disc if it's something you want to keep. Disc-less recording really is a doddle.

Good luck!

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

Angela W · Joined: 11 Dec 2006 Posts: 7201 Location: North Yorkshire

SantaFefan · Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 8:34 pm Post subject:

Getting a little more familiar with the WiFi now and still impressed.. there's so much to listen to.

Heard some nice Big Band and Smooth Jazz on the specialist stations as well as interesting and amusing talk radio from the US of course.

Tuned in to "Beatle Radio" tonight... yes, non stop Beatle music! Laughing

there's a "Gracelands" radio too - all Elvis.

The "Scanner" stations are interesting to browse... I was listening to the "BNSF" ( Burlington Northern & Santa Fe railroad ) scanner this afternoon, cab and tower talk to and from the trains in LA. Razz

_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy

13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

Hi SF

I think my internet radio has died, looking at the Reciva forum I'm not the only one to be having problems. So I've been looking at the user manual for the one you have and it looks good. Have you tried the FM?

We need a new radio for the kitchen so in a way it would be better to have the internet/FM combined.

It looks a similar size to the Pure one that I had but the DAB didn't work.

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

SantaFefan · Posted: Thu Feb 18, 2010 9:00 pm Post subject:

Hi Helen,
Yes, I'm listening to Maconie on FM right now and it's a very good sound, maybe just a little background hiss... no doubt the equaliser would get rid of that but it's not distracting enough for me to worry about. ( I tend to up the treble on the equaliser so that's probably the reason.. )

I'm pleased the bass doesn't distort so easily on this radio unlike the other Roberts I have, probably due to that large woofer in the back.
You're right about the size, it's about the same as the Pure.. just a little smaller all round.

I enquired at Comet if they would match Internet prices and they wouldn't oblige but, I'll probably get another from them. I'd like the second one by the bedside as I like the idea of "browsing" and eventually falling asleep to some American band music. It has a sleep timer.

Another feature I really like, although I'm not too sure how to do it yet, is "Listen Again" ( Listen to previously broadcast material from the BBC using Listen Again ) That really will come in handy for me sometimes... Mark Lamarr shows etc.

Yes, this is one item I'm 100% pleased with! Razz

_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy

13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

Thanks for that SanteFe.

I had a look at the online instruction manual and one of the things I looked for was the ability to alter the tone. The other Roberts which looks rather like the one which can record doesn't seem able to.

Amazon have raised their prices back to £149. I've not been in our Comet but I think I'd prefer to pick it up myself if possible in case there are any problems. John Lewis don't seem to stock that one.

It will be a week or two before I get round to doing something as I've a few new gadgets to get to grips with, new mobile phone and a camera, so enough to keep me occupied. Wink

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

My radio is playing up again so think it's time for a new one.

Just wondering if you can get this station on yours SanteFe?

It's KACL on 98.7, hope you can get it. I think the Roberts one uses a different 'platform' from the one I have.

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

SantaFefan · Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 9:33 pm Post subject:

Hi Helen... Yes, KACL 98.7 also known as "Cool 98.7" from North Dakota is easily found.. took four seconds to load and currently playing "Can't Help Myself" Laughing

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Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy

13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.

Helen May · Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 19333 Location: Cheshire

Thanks SF, thats the one! Amazon have some good deals on the Roberts stream 83i so I may order one.

I'll give my other one one more go with a factory reset but I think it's something to do with the internet connection. The laptops are working fine so I don't really want to fiddle with the router. I think it's more likely to be the radio.

My only gripe is that I'll be adding to the DAB numbers of radios sold ......... Although reading some of the reviews on Amazon it seems it can get DAB where others have failed for some people so it may just work for me! I know you are happy with yours.

Thanks again!

H
_________________
88 - 91 FM this is Radio 2 from the BBC!

I said it live on air in the studio with Jeremy Vine on 10/3/2005

SantaFefan · Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 10:00 pm Post subject:

Yes Helen, I'm very happy with ours.. it really is a great alternative to Radio 2 at times... great sounding unit too.
Whilst browsing for the station you mentioned, I'm simply amazed at just how many stations there are to try... and that''s just the USA in my case!
I hadn't noticed before but now you mention it, I might be tempted to say that this Roberts unit does seem to receive DAB easier than my other (silver) Roberts radios.. the one with the record facility..
_________________
Johnnie Walker read out my message on Pirate Radio! Very Happy

13/8/07
I have heard how radio should be.