Product Description
Sansa Connect MP3 player is the first Wi-Fi based MP3 player from SanDisk's audio line. Created by the leaders in flash memory for wireless entertainment, this flash-based player keeps you connected to your music, friends and fresh new entertainment streams wherever you are (where WiFi is available). All from one wireless mobile player, it plays music, photos and Internet radio. The very attractive, sleek design includes a 2.2? TFT color screen with advanced navigational features and an easy to use interface. The Sansa Connect provides superior sound playback and Microsoft PlaysForSure subscription music. The Sansa Connect provides a microSD card slot for additional capacity for your player. Connect to any open Wi-Fi network Get your music subscription library on the go Recommend songs to your friends Sleek, attractive profile with large 2.2? TFT color screen MicroSD slot for capacity expansion Internal speaker Standard Sansa 30-pin connector for compatibility with Made for Sansa accessories WiFi capability may require subscription to access content and an open WiFi network
Amazon.com Product Description
Stay connected no matter where you are. The Sansa Connect MP3 player allows you leave the computer behind, and connect to any open wireless "hot spot." Play music, view photos, stream internet radio, or chat with friends using one device. In addition to 802.11g Wi-Fi connectivity, the Connect features 4 GB memory, a MicroSD slot for capacity expansion, a 2.2-inch TFT color screen for viewing your music library and photos, and an internal speaker. Measuring 2.05 x 3.58 x 0.63 inches (WxLxH) and weighing in at 2.7 ounces, the Connect won't weigh you down.
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The Sansa Connect MP3 player is the first Wi-Fi based MP3 player from Sandisk's audio line.
View Interactive Demo |
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Download music from online subscription services and listen to Internet radio stations when connected to open Wi-Fi network. |
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View stored photos or Flickr albums on the go. |
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Chat and share recommendations with friends. |
Unplug and Go Wi-Fi
Connect wirelessly to Yahoo! Music's LAUNCHcast to start enjoying Internet Radio. Wi-Fi networks in range are automatically found and listed in order of signal strength. Browse through your bookmarked stations, various genres, and themes to pick a station for whatever mood you're in.
Connect With Your Friends
Chat and share song recommendations with your Yahoo! Messenger friends. Talk to your friends or stumble upon other Sansa Connect users near you. See what your friends are listening to and search through recommendations that have been sent to you. Recommend your favorite music to your friends.
Share Your Photos Anywhere
Explore interesting photos on the go. Access Flickr albums and photos wirelessly, or view your stored photos on an inserted microSD card.
Optimized for Yahoo! Music Unlimited
Access Yahoo! Music Unlimited wirelessly and choose from millions of songs to download. Select between multiple download options or explore recommendations from friends.
Choose Your Format
The Sansa Connect works with MP3 and WMA (both secure and unprotected) files. Play Yahoo! LAUNCHcast internet radio broadcasts (both FREE and subscription-only stations.) It also supports Microsoft PlaysForSure subscription music. Use Yahoo! Music Jukebox (included) to manage music and transfer songs.
Easy to Use
Add additional capacity to your player or move files to other devices using the microSD card slot. Quickly navigate your music or photos using the intuitive, easy-to-use interface. Recharge the internal, lithium-ion battery via your computer's USB 2.0 port or using the included AC adapter. The device is compatible with PCs running Windows XP (Service Pack 2) or Vista, and requires Windows Media Player 10 or later.
What's in the Box
Sansa Connect digital audio player, AC adapter, USB 2.0 cable, earphones, protective case, lanyard, Quick Start guide
Customer Reviews:
No support for wireless "N" yet.......2007-12-23
Was purchased primarily for wi-fi found out it will not work with "N" but should work with the older versions...... so I wait..
.support was excelent!
Very poor product.......2007-12-21
I bought this during thanksgiving day sale. I loved the fact that this player has Wi-Fi and expandable, using the microSD slot. But none that matters if the player never goes off! Yes, for whatever reasons, after a couple of on/off, downloading a song or two, the player would not power off, it got stuck in the welcome screen. Since it does not have a detacheable battery, I had no choice but to return the item to Amazon. Wish Sandisk had paid more attention to product quality.
Sansa Connect - a Portable, Searchable 'Nabster in a Box' Next Gen Device.......2007-12-21
I went to the store to get an Ipod nano, until I saw this for the first time. Why is this device not advertised? I have no idea - it is the first Ipod Killer. Zune step aside too. If you want an Ipod go get one, if you want a 'Nabster in a box' get the Connect. I got this for under a 100.
Please understand this concept - it includes all the music on the Internet. Think about that. This is the only device that has this out of the box.
All the music you ever need - CD quality.
Searchable, Catalogued, streaming and downloadable. And once you download songs (in the background - you never see a download bar) you can take it to the gym or the ocean.
You can hear the whole song - not a section of it. You don't even need a computer - just a wireless router or wireless connection point at your favorite place. In fact, I have filled up 2 GB of music and haven't yet connected a computer or cable or CD or software program.
If you believe that the musical experience is a trip rather than a known destination, and the discovery of what you like and what is new is part of the experience, then get this player.
If you think you already have all the music you want and plan on purchasing new songs for a buck each from Itunes or another service then get an Ipod.
Like sat radio, this player lets you select a channel of music and listen to it for hours. This is basically like XIM or SIRIUS radio on steriods: Here are some of the channels: 1980s pop, 1990s rock, 1970s soul, 40 years ago hits of 1967, forgotten hits of the 90s, disco, house, dance, brazilian, salsa cien po ciento, latin jazz, classic rock, emo, garage rock, alternative, metal, hair flare, brit rock, goth rock,southern rock, classic soul, reggae, underground hip-hop, east coast rap, hardcore rap, any many many others.
These channels are all CD quality and if you dont like the song hit next and it flips to the next song. If you like a song click save and it downloads it offline for listening when not connected to wifi.
You can also just search for an artist or view recommendations to find music. You can make playlists on the player and see album covers.
I recommend also getting the following accessories for this: Logitech im510 dock speaker, griffin technologies clear case.
The only downside to this player is that it is not more widely adopted.
A Little Gem.......2007-12-11
Let me preface by saying I have a subscription to Yahoo Music Unlimited, so when I saw this little gem for $100, I simply could not resist. I think the operation is intuitive, and I have really ejoyed the option of downloading songs directly into the unit via Wi-Fi. The sound quality is great, and I have had no glitches whatsoever in the operation of the device. Admittedly, I have not tried to log on to commerical Wi-Fi nodes at airports, Starbucks, and the like, but the Wi-Fi works flawlessly with my router at home.
Great value, full of features, but not quite perfect.......2007-12-03
I bought this after my 5th gen iPod 30GB broke, and I have been very impressed. The screen resolution and brightness far exceeded my expectations for an MP3 player, and the interface is as intuitive as my old iPod while looking better than the older iPod. Battery life is as I expected, pretty good with wifi turned off.
Still, the wifi features are pretty amazing. Even if you don't pay for the Yahoo! subscription plan, you can still browse Flickr and the free Yahoo! radio stations. If you do pay for the subscriptions, then getting new music is easy even without a computer.
My only problem is one of software. Getting the device to work with Linux took a lot longer than expected, and I can't manage the subscription music from Linux. Yahoo! Music Jukebox is fairly bloated and resource-hungry, and sometimes gives the occasional error or glitch when trying to use with the Sansa Connect. Windows users with faster systems probably don't have to worry about any of this.
Sandisk seems like it's serious about providing good firmware updates - they've addressed the most common criticisms of this device since its launch, and now boasts new features added in October including logging onto certain types of wifi networks requiring browser login, video playback, and built-in search tools for the Yahoo! Music downloads. I'm looking forward to seeing whether they'll continue to add features (maybe even support for flac or ogg files, video support not requiring their own video converter).
Overall, this player blows away anything else under $100, and even outperforms the more expensive iPod nano, even if you don't use any subscription services.
Product Description
PlaysForSure compatibility -- plays downloaded music files from compatible music sources, like MSN Music, Musicmatch, MusicNow, Napster, and more * compatible with MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV and AIFF music files and Internet radio stations *
not compatible with songs downloaded from Apple iTunes Music Store (protected AAC files) * AM/FM tuner * SD card slot *
Amazon.com Review
Like its smaller cousins, the Roku M1000 and M500 network music players, Roku's SoundBridge Radio is designed liberate your digital music from your computer and let you crank up Internet radio stations and your unprotected digital music files in the room of your choice. But unlike those products, the SoundBridge Radio doesn't require a hi-fi system because the SoundBridge Radio is the hi-fi system. And not a bad one at that.
A clean design and several easy-access-ports give the SoundBridge added versatility. View larger. |
Most of the radio's ground-breaking Wi-Fi features can be accessed via the convenient remote. View larger. |
Featuring two linear magnetic drive full-range speakers and a linear magnetic drive subwoofer -- each powered by built-in amplifiers -- the SoundBridge puts most table-top radios to shame. If you have a lot of space to fill with your music, you'll want to think twice before replacing your stereo system with it. But for a unit this size, the SoundBridge offers excellent sound performance, and its many ground-breaking Wi-Fi features make it worth the price.
As a complete Wi-Fi music system that can stream your MP3, WMA, AAC, WAV, and AIFF music files in high-performance sound; play AM, FM and Internet radio; automatically update the time via atomic transmission; and wake you up to a variety of ascending alarm sounds or your favorite Internet station or digital music, the SoundBridge has clear aspirations to be your bedside radio of choice.
Without needing any special software for your computer (PC or Mac), within a few minutes of breaking this five-pound radio out of its packaging you can be browsing through the music you have stored in your Apple's iTunes, Real Networks' Rhapsody, Windows Media Connect or Windows Media 10 music players. All you need is a wireless network with a broadband connection, and your digital music is yours for the asking. (However, because Apple doesn't license its digital rights management code, SoundBridge -- like most other non-Apple network media players -- can't play protected songs from the iTunes Music Store.)
In our test we set up an iMac G5 on our network running Apple's iTunes. The radio, which is configured with Wi-Fi 802.11b but is 802.11g compatible, immediately recognized the network but took several tries before it successfully connected. (If your network is locked, the SoundBridge will ask for a password. And if you have access to more than one wireless network, the SoundBridge will give you the option of choosing which network to connect to.) Once online, the radio automatically updated the Roku software and was officially ready to perform. And for the remainder of our test over several days, we never once had another connection problem.
Diving straight into our iTunes folders, it didn't take long for us to recognize the several play features that put the SoundBridge head and shoulders above many of its competitors. For starters, unlike other network players we've tested, the radio recognized our iTunes playlists, and a neat "song queue" feature let us easily create our own playlists with the radio's remote. And as a huge brownie point, the SoundBridge not only categorized our songs by genre, title, artist and album (as most networks players do), it also queued up each song in the same order as they were originally placed their respective albums. Astoundingly, not all Wi-Fi players can make that claim.
Large, easy-to-access buttons -- including a huge snooze bar -- on the top of the radio make the SoundBridge an excellent clock radio option. View larger. |
On the Internet radio front, SoundBridge doesn't come out quite so well. While Roku's marketing material claims "10,000 stations -- No strings attached," that wasn't exactly our experience. The radio is pre-configured with dozens of Internet stations -- all of which can be accessed without the computer powered on -- and the radio has 18 pre-sets that offer quick access to the station of your choice. But to access the rest of the world's Internet radio stations, you have to go through several somewhat tedious steps with Roku's Web interface to configure them.
The strongest criticism of SoundBridge concerns its remote capabilities and navigation. The features of the SoundBridge are designed to be accessed both through the large, easy-to-access buttons on the radio itself, and via its basic 5.5 x 2-inch remote. Unfortunately, the remote works for some features, but not for others, and less-than-intuitive navigation makes things unnecessarily complicated.
The most glaring example of this problem is with the SoundBridge's highly convenient "source" button located behind the radio's conveniently huge snooze button. You hit the source button until you reach -- you guessed it! -- the music source of your choice. If you want AM radio, you tap the button until "AM Radio" appears on the radio's display. Pretty simple, and just how it should be. However, if you are using the remote you must hit the "home" button, which then leads you to a navigation level that's dependent upon the level you're starting at. If you're listening to AM radio, for example, and you want Internet Radio, the remote requires that you click several times through two additional navigation levels to make the switch. And there are other similar problems with the remote configuration and navigation.
Call us spoiled, but this can be a drag. Is it a deal breaker? Not by a long shot. The SoundBridge Radio is the first dedicated Wi-Fi radio that has the ability to serve your digital music collection, and it does it with a performance and convenience that should please most listeners. But at this price, and with thousands of examples of well-designed remote appliances to draw from, we would have liked these issues not to have been issues.
Pros:
- Wirelessly delivers digital music and Internet radio from your PC or Mac
- Linear magnetic speakers and woofers offer excellent sound performance
- Alarm clock functions feature large, easy-to-access buttons and several alarm options, including Internet radio and digital music wake-up
Cons:
- Poorly integrated remote control and difficult navigation
- Internet radio stations somewhat difficult to configure
Amazon.com Product Description
The wireless R1000 SoundBridge radio system combines the convenience of a high-quality tabletop radio with the versatility of a digital music device, giving listeners the best of both worlds. The R1000 doesn't actually store song files itself. Rather, it communicates with your Mac or PC over your home's WiFi network and accesses all your saved WMA, AAC, MP3, WAV, or AIFF files. Once the files are retrieved, the R1000 plays them over its pair of built-in stereo speakers and subwoofer, which deliver unsurpassed audio quality. As a result, you can listen to any of your digital tunes or podcasts on the R1000 regardless of whether your computer is located upstairs, down the hall, or in the basement.
The R1000's top panel includes a snooze/sleep button, several radio presets, and scan up/down buttons. Take a closer look. |
The R1000 is compatible with a variety of Mac and PC digital music players, including iTunes, MusicMatch, Windows Media Connect, Windows Media Player 10, Rhapsody, Windows Media DRM 10, and more. It also stands ready to play free Internet radio stations, and doesn't require a computer to do so. All you need is broadband access and a WiFi home network and the R1000 takes care of the rest, giving you one-touch access to any available jazz, talk, rock, or pop station. And should you want to take the R1000 to a friend's house or elsewhere, you can simply store your favorite music files on an SD/MMC card and plug it into the available slot for offline playback.
Other features include a built-in subwoofer, an SD/MMC card slot, and a headphone jack. Take a closer look. |
Your digital files are easy to navigate thanks to the bright 280 x 32 vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) and the handy remote control, which lets you browse and select music from across the room. The radio also offers Roku's Fast Browse feature, which browses by album, artist, genre, or composer (providing your files are properly encoded with said details). And those who prefer traditional browsing can simply use the top preset, scan, and source select buttons located on top of the radio.
The unit's superior audio quality stems from the precision-engineered sound system and the patented Linear Magnetic Drive stereo speakers and subwoofer. Each full-range speaker is outfitted with its own tuned acoustic enclosure and built-in 20-watt 3G digital amplifier, while the sub offers a proprietary Delta Tunnel-tuned acoustic enclosure and a 30-watt 3G amp. Together, the speakers deliver a full-bodied audio performance that far surpasses most tabletop radios, all in a package that's only 11 by 6 by 6.5 inches (W x H x D).
In addition, Roku has outfitted the SoundBridge with a super-fast, 400 MHz Blackfin DSP processor and 16 MB of DRAM memory, giving it more than enough headroom to handle future software updates. Other features include a traditional AM/FM tuner; a full-function clock radio (tuned to the U.S. atomic clock) that wakes to digital music, Internet radio, AM/FM stations, iTunes playlists, podcasts, or selectable alarm tones; a gradual volume ramp mode for listeners who like to wake up slowly; a headphone jack for private listening; and a built-in light sensor that automatically dims the display in the evening.
The R1000 system weighs 4 pounds and 15 ounces and is backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
What's in the Box
R1000 SoundBridge radio system, remote control, two AAA batteries, power cable, external AM antenna, external FM antenna, user's manual.
Customer Reviews:
Not perfect, but amazingly good........2007-12-26
The SoundBridge Radio is very easy to set up and has great performance and a good user interface. Using regular radio is straightforward enough, but the performance, ease and availability of Internet radio stations males it almost unnecessary to use broadcast radio. Almost every local radio station we use is available over the Internet. Using a web application called Radio Roku makes it easy to find stations, test them, and instantly assign them to presets on the SoundBridge Radio.
Of course, nothing is perfect. While WPA wireless encryption works, I found it erratic and intermittent, and that was with several brands of wireless access points. I finally had to revert to WEP. Also, it uses an 802.11b radio rather than the newer (for several years now) 802.11g version. Connecting this to a wireless access point will slow down the wireless network for other devices as well. This is not an issue for most people, but in our case, we set up a separate access point for the SoundBridge for this reason and the encryption issue already mentioned.
An Ethernet port would be helpful so you're not forced to use wireless access.
You will need to use some type of media software on the computer which acts as the music server in order for the SoundBridge to see the music library. What should be made clearer is that if you use a separate network drive, as many do to store music, with most of the software, i.e. Windows Media Connect, it is not easy to get access from the network music to the SoundBridge, nor are directions on how to do so readily available. I struggled for hours to figure this out, and I'm not a computer networking novice. Apple iTunes does help get around this issue, but it must be kept running whenever you might want music access (in other words always).
Bottom line, this is a great device, so much so that if you get one, you may want more of them throughout your home, so it could get very expensive. I hope Roku continues to sell these so they can fix the WPA and 802.11b issues, design an Ethernet port into the unit, and continue to enhance their products.
Great Product.......2007-12-21
I bought this to hear radio stations from different places in the world (that have internet streams in addition to their conventional broadcast). Setup was really easy. The sound is great. I have been using this for about 3 months so far and have had zero problems.
Rocky Roku to you!.......2007-12-13
I do not work for Roku, and I am a techno geek.
With that said, I have had my unit for about a month, and it is awesome! I am listening to "radio" from around the world and genera I want to hear including "satellite radio"! The sound is adequate if not a tad bassy for my taste, but all in all great (the faster the stream the better the sound)! The "clock radio" part works great too, and will wake you up even with the ear plug plugged into the thing!! Anything bad? Sure why not.... the CLOCK display, it goes away at the darndest times, like when the alarm goes off, or so small ya can't read it (it needs its own fulltime spot). Other then that the boys from Roku did a great job.....just go buy one!!!
Excellent products; two caveats........2007-11-29
The Roku SoundBridge Radio is an excellent alternative to its smaller sibling, the SoundBridge. What you get is a Bose Wavetable style radio piece that performs a wonderful number of functions and is very good at what it is meant to do.
I especially like the Internet Radio feature which lets you pick up on stations that you might have never thought existed, through the RadioRoku.com feature. As far as software integration goes, I've had no problems getting it working with Itunes or Windows Media Player.
There are a few things I do not like about the Roku Radio though. Firstly, it is a little annoying that there is no way to control Bass/Treble on the device. Perhaps Roku meant this as a tribute to the WaveTable, but it has to be the one annoyance I hate most about the WaveTable. That said, the sound quality is very good, excellent almost.
The other thing that bothers me about the Roku is that it works only on a 802.11b connection and not a 'g' connection which has better range. This leads to some patchy wireless connections depending on the quality of wireless router you have. Roku is openly transparent about this issue and admits that quality/cost issues prevent them from putting a 'g' chip in.
The other thing that I find annoying is that the remote control doesn't have a sleep timer option (you have to manually press the sleep button on the device... painful if you're in bed and want to doze off!) or a way to set the alarm. These have to be done manually.
That said, the Roku is wonderful. I play with it every day and I love it more. I am planning to buy the SoundBridge without the radio for another part of my house.
Just what my husband wanted: music and radio in every corner of the house.......2007-11-25
My husband loves listening to the news from our home country. This usually means being stock in front of our computer, but thanks to the Roku SoundBridge we are now able to listen to internet radio, our iTunes libraries and podcasts, anywhere in the house. My only complain is that programming it isn't very intuitive, but you'll figure out if you read the manual.
Customer Reviews:
Fantastic Radio--Great Sound.......2007-09-20
This is such a fun item. I can listen to any of the online radio stations I like anywhere in the house, not just near the computer, and the speakers on the radio are far superior to my puter speakers. You need high speed internet and a wireless transmitter to make this work, incidentally. It IS a little expensive, but there's no subscription--the purchase price is all there is.
Customer Reviews:
Cool gadget but not perfect........2007-11-17
I've been waiting for this type product for a long time and I am glad I bought it. However, I would not recommend it for everyone just yet. It has a coolness factor which I paid a premium. I refuse to pay for XM because there is too much free music out there. It works seamlessly with the Reciva website but expect only 50% of the stations to work properly. That's fine because there is so much to choose from. The sound quality is only ok but most stations are sub cd quality anyway. Battery life is maybe 3 hours depending on the loudness. WiFi distance is not very good. FM is not great either. Navigating the menus is far from intuitive. You really need to be tech savvy to understand this radio. The podcasts I listen to cut off about halfway. The remote sucks. Despite the cons, I think future firmware updates will continue to improve the technology. Unless you have some disposable income or have to have the latest, greatest, you might want to wait until revision 2.
Customer Reviews:
No satellite needed, no subscription required, thousands of stations available.......2007-12-05
This product worked faultlessly out of the box for me. We live in a radio shadow area where even a station 15 miles away can be difficult to receive using a classical aerial and we have no reception for digital at all. However we do have cable internet broadband and a local wireless network - with this radio we found that we can now get effectively faultless reception from an enormous range of stations which offer streaming internet. Our preference is for talk radio from the other side of the English Speaking world - completely problem free so far. Hear different points of view on international news, listen to "book at bedtime" from the BBC etc! ! Could try and learn a new language. No interference noted with our use of broadband with our laptops simultaneously. Much better than shortwave type approaches. Cannot comment on musical quality but essentially it is a mono speaker output by default. Somewhat expensive to buy but no continuing subscription costs, aerial etc needed.
I saw some cautions about upgrading the default station data base but have followed the Five Mile Island technical rule "do not fiddle unnecessarily with the controls" !.
Overall Strongly recommended.
Product Description
streams music from your computer * built-in stereo speakers and separate subwoofer * searches iTunes, Windows Media Player, and other music players for unprotected music files * supports protected music files purchased from Sony Connect online music store * plays Internet radio stations *
Amazon.com Product Description
Enjoy audio files stored on your home or office computer with the CPF-IX001 wireless streaming music system. After loading the supplied M-crew software, the product just needs power, an 802.11 b/g access point, and an Ethernet connection, automatically configuring to a home network. Once connected to the network, the device creates its own unique Internet Protocol (IP) address. Consequently, if multiple players are stationed around the house they can simultaneously stream music from the networked PC wirelessly. Additionally, the system automatically searches for music files when connected to a network for simple content navigation by disc, artist and genre. The player also provides play list creation that can be accessed via remote control. The system also features Sony's S-Master digital amplifier providing superior sound from its compact speakers. Other features include an audio input and remote control.
Multi-Location Use
Because each CPF-IX001 has its own identity on your PC's network, you can use multiple units throughout your home that can each access and play different music.
Compact Size
Unique subwoofer and digital amplifier technology allows a surprisingly small unit to fill your room with high-quality, high-performance sound.
Simple Setup
Load the supplied software, plug in the unit, and the CPF-IX00 does the rest.
Wide Compatibility
The CPF-IX001 is seamlessly compatible with virtually any software you use to store your music, whether it's Connect, iTunes or Windows Media. It automatically searches out all music files.
Customer Reviews:
Hard to set up. .......2007-06-15
Spent too many hours trying to make this work. I was told after all that time that it may not be compatible with my Dell Lap top.
Junk.......2007-02-26
Impossible to set up, sounds terrible. Get yourself a Squeezebox and a nice little pair of powered speakers.
Customer Reviews:
Not very good.......2007-01-23
I have had this product for 3 or 4 days and the software has to be reinstalled every day to use it. And it seems to be harder to reinstall it each day. The signal is a little stronger than my 2 year old Hawkings, but not that much for the price. On their website I have failed to find a "help" section. Overall. I do not like this WiFi antenna.
Product Description
The Sangean WFR-20 Wi-Fi Internet Radio offers direct access to over 6000 Internet Radio stations (and 21242 on-demand streams) in 250 locations from 60 genres. This allows you to drill down your search quickly and conveniently from your radio or by using your favorite web browser and a computer you can search for specific stations with the convenience only the internet can provide and upload those stations to your radios ?MY Stations? folder allowing for quick and easy access to only the most desired stations. Don't find your favorite internet station on the list? Just submit the station to the website and it will be researched and added to the list, available for all of the current 14,000+ subscribers! Don't have a computer? Not a problem with the WFR-20. It still provides you access to the same internet radio stations and is designed to work as a completely independent stand alone unit anywhere in your home, office or dorm. All you need is a broadband internet connection and a wired or wireless router. Used in conjunction with your wired/wireless networked computer and Windows Media Player you have full access to your digital media library using the UPnP Server, or simply your Microsoft Shared File Folder function in MP3, AAC, WMA, FLAC, Real Media, and AIFF formats.
File formats utilizing DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection or other copy-protection features may not be supported. Use of a UPnP server may increase compatability, but is not a gurantee. Sleep timer with gentle fade Auxiliary Input socket for adding your iPod, MP3 player, etc Line Output Headphone port for optional earphone Intuitive Menu system Operate from single rotary control or compact, stylish remote control High-gloss Piano-black finish Acoustically tuned cabinet for great sound WiFi 802.11b/g wireless and wired Ethernet connections (10/100 Mbps, RJ-45) Connects to Windows Shares or UPNP servers Unit
Customer Reviews:
Bought it thinking I'd probaby return it..........2007-12-04
...but I like it too much!
I listen to a lot of internet radio; this is my primary form of news and entertainment. My computers tend to serve the purpose of being $1200 radio station streaming devices and I use FM transmitters and 900Mhz transmitters (sorry to see the RCA Lyra Transmitter set discontinued--it worked really well). The WFR-20 frees up a computer, it sounds great, the output jack connects to one of my Sangean FM transmitters so I can listen to this all over my house and yard. The Reciva software can be a bit buggy--but mostly works quite well. I log on to the Reciva website, set up my favorite stations and they appear on the radio. The WFR-20 can also access files on the computers connected to the wireless network shared through Windows Media (a bit buggy) and PNP connections.
It's kind of a homely thing, but it works well. And it's smaller than you might think. Better controlled by remote than its single knob control.
All that I wanted.......2007-11-30
I ordered this radio after doing a great deal of on-line research, frustrated that American retail electronics stores for the most part don't stock internet radios, thus leaving consumers without an opportunity for in-store inspections. The radio arrived this afternoon, I had it configured within minutes of opening the box, and it's playing splendidly in the background as I write this. The sound quality is much better than I expected for this size unit (though I'd hoped for good sound given this price). Another pleasant surprise is that the navigation is much simpler than I'd expected, given the solitary knob that controls everything. AND, this radio performs much better as a media streamer than most products currently on the market for that purpose. After fooling around with radio stations for a while, I started streaming music from my immense collection on a hard drive in another part of the house -- One selling point is that the Sangean can play lossless files in the FLAC format -- On the whole, this item surpassed all my expectations.
A good quality radio.......2007-11-17
I have just recently purchased a Sangean WFR-20. Here are my initial thoughts. (I will update this posting with additional information, if necessary).
Sound Quality: Good dynamic response for such a small unit, at both low and high volume levels. The unit has a reflex port on the rear which boosts the bass. There is also a noticeably good stereo separation on high bit-rate streams (e.g Radio Paradise).
Build Quality: Heavy duty case**, very solid and sturdy construction. My only minor criticism is that the 'tuning' knob is slightly wobbly, and taints an otherwise robust design.
Software Quality: The radio uses the Reciva software. This is reliable, but seems a tad buggy. For example, when attempting to load "My Stations" while simultaneously listening to a Podcast, it displays a menu load error; Of course, this is not a fault of the WFR-20 itself, and I am certain that firmware quirks like this will eventually be resolved by future `online' firmware upgrades. The Reciva website is easy to use, and I had no problem registering and setting up my radio's station, stream and podcast lists. The Reciva forums are also a good source of information, for example if you have questions regarding setup, connection to Premium streams etc ...
Usability: I found the navigation of the menu system to be straight-forward, using either the `tuning' knob or the remote control. The instructions are almost redundant because the menu system is quite intuitive. The three line display is sufficient to browse station/tracks lists and the horizontal scrolling feature effectively allows long track names to be displayed. That said, I am aware that some less tech-savvy users might disagree with this analysis; the radio's features are not quite as simple as a normal table-top FM/DAB unit, and the display is not what I would consider to be large, or crystal clear. So beware if your fingers are a little stiff, or your eyesight is a little tired,
Connectivity: I had no problems setting up the WFR-20, on our home network. I use a WRT54G Linksys with WEP in B/G mixed mode. After initial configuration I was able to instantly access, browse and play Internet Radio stations and access my WAV encoded music library (Twonkymedia on an NSLU2).
Cost: The WFR-20 is what I would consider to be an expensive unit, when compared to other Reciva based radios. Shop around, because you may find a bargain!
Conclusion:
I am very happy with the WFR-20. It provides me the access to the BBC listen again/on demand streams, which is the primary reason for the purchase. While expensive, the sound quality is better than I expected and the unit has a definite quality feel ... reminiscent of early transistor radios in Bakelite cases! I would recommend the WFR-20 as a good WiFi table-top radio, with any caveats previously mentioned. Internet Radio is still in its early stages, and I would consider this to be a great table-top radio to enjoy the new technology!
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** Regarding the case material: I believed this to be plastic when I first wrote the review, however I stand corrected! (Please see first comment). 11/22/07
Delivers as promised.......2007-11-17
Out of the box to listening to internet radio - total time 5 minutes.
Easy set up, instinctive menu system on one dial/button combo. Good sound for table radio. Attractive design. The Receiva internet site makes it a breeze to drill down among the 1000's of choices to find what you want and customize your own dial. Next time you turn on the radio your personal menu with your choice of stations and streams.
Highly recommend
great right out of the box.......2007-11-16
Easy to set up, easy to configure, decent sound, nice to look at and no power brick! I am a radio-head and this is a nice addition to radio options. It is very chic and cool. It lives up to its claims. It was worth the wait. I would recommend this product to those interested in wifi radio. Amazon was a good purchase source and the price was more competitive than other vendors. Overall I am initially pleased.
Product Description
The wireless Ibiza Rhapsody instantly connects over-the-air to millions of songs, podcasts, and videos with a press of a Wireless Hot Button. Or install included Rhapsody software on your computer to transfer your own music, videos, or photos. A free 30-day trial for Rhapsody To Go allows you to search over 4-million song library and play or save music in seconds. You can also listen to free, non-stop Rhapsody Channels in any genre, without ads. Listen to up to 25 new songs a month, or play 25 Rhapsody Channels, without any monthly fee. Use your Ibiza Rhapsody to enjoy free AOL Videos on-demand for hours of constantly updated entertainment. Browse and stream the latest from the AOL Video library. With Ibiza Rhapsody, you can take your favorite podcasts with you. The Ibiza Rhapsody uses the wireless connection to automatically update nearly 1000 categorized podcasts that you choose. A quick Internet search and you're on your way to downloading that song from Rhapsody. AirSkins automatically theme your player with styles, graphics, pictures and colors in one click. Dedicated volume controls High-Speed mini-B USB 2.0 1/8 Stereo headphone with composite Advanced docking connector Unit Dimensions - Height 4-1/8 x Width 2-3/8 x Depth 5/8 Units Weight - 3.0 Ounces
Amazon.com Product Description
The ibiza Rhapsody keeps you connected no matter where you go. Boasting PC-free, wireless operation, this compact MP3 player offers 30 GB of storage and a "hot button" that instantly connects you to millions of songs, podcasts, and videos. Easy to operate, with simple navigation and selection you can manage with one hand, the Rhapsody is slim, light, and ultra-portable, with a long battery life. And its intuitive, user-friendly design helps you fit more fun into your busy life.
Wireless portable media player with access to Rhapsody music service. View larger. |
Unlimited access to millions of songs. View larger. |
Video playback supports all major download services. View larger. |
Stay Connected On the Go
Whether you're traveling to work or school, or hanging out at the local coffee shop, take advantage of the Rhapsody's Wi-Fi capability to access the Internet. Browsing is a snap with the easy-to-read 2.5-inch color LCD, and the 320 x 240 resolution lets you enjoy vivid videos and photos. Need to find something right away? The content menus are streamlined and straightforward, so you never have to hunt for what you want to see or hear.
Personalize and Share
Let your Rhapsody showcase your individual style. Airskins let you automatically personalize your player with styles, graphics, pictures, and colors of your own choosing. Have you found a cool picture or song you can't wait to show off? No problem. The included Rhapsody software quickly loads on your computer so you can transfer your favorite images and songs, making everything easy to share with friends and family. Or you can save data from your PC to the Rhapsody, organize pictures into portable digital photo albums, and enjoy click-and-drag access while you're out and about.
Entertainment Anywhere and Everywhere
With the Rhapsody, you'll never run out of entertainment options. Instantly tune to a host of your favorite, preset FM radio stations; enjoy free AOL videos on demand; and bring with you nearly 1,000 categorized podcasts, including free up-to-the-minute news and sports. Over-the-air updates mean you'll never miss the newest available information or services. The Rhapsody also features Bluetooth capability that works with compatible headphones or speakers.
Free Trial to Rhapsody To Go
Never run out of new music again. The Rhapsody comes with a free 30-day trial (credit card not required) for Rhapsody To Go, a four-million song library. Play or save your favorites in seconds. You also can listen to free, nonstop Rhapsody channels in any genre, completely free of advertisements. At the end of the trial period, your membership will be automatically canceled, with no cost to you. Or, you can choose to extend your membership and listen to up to 25 new songs a month, or play 25 Rhapsody channels without any monthly fee.
What's in the Box
Device, headphones, wall charger, CD, and gel skin covering.
Customer Reviews:
Revolution in PMP!.......2007-10-25
this is the first player I've ever used that doesn't really need a PC !
just enable wifi, hook into them Rhapsody channels and click away when you hear anything you like or just listen for hours browsing through the artists' bios and simular music that it keeps suggesting you.
really great experience, highly recommended!
now got to install an A2DP Bluetooth adapter (or car stereo) in the car to make it magically play without any wires there :-)
Awesome true WiFi media player.......2007-10-25
Awesome media player that isn't an iPod. Finally, a media player that has true WiFi with no strings attached and no WiFi limitations. I can download music from any WiFi hotspot, play it whenever and where-ever I want to, and never have to connect it to my PC. No crippled WiFi, like other wanna-be's.
Product Description
for docking iPods * allows iPod control with Denon remotes * access Internet radio without a PC (broadband connection required) * access music and photos from a networked computer * Ethernet port for connecting to a wired home network *
Customer Reviews:
Great product.......2007-11-13
I just purchased the Denon Wi-Fi for iPod and it does all that it says. I did have a bit of trouble connecting it to my home wireless network, but once I solved that issue, I fell in love with it.
There is a nice choice of worldwide "internet radio" stations available to listen to.
Playing songs from the iPod are very easy, as are songs from my computer's Windows Media Player.
Photos from the computer play as slideshows. (I have not been able to find a way to control the playback of photos manually yet.)
The instruction book is not the greatest, which is why I had a bit of trouble with the connection.
I would highly recommend this product.
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