AM/FM hardware and software for PC

baef · 11-05-2004, 07:42 AM

Has anyone tried this hardware out?

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/radioshark/

Looks promising. I reallly need a solution that provides both FM and AM.

grepzen · 11-05-2004, 07:47 AM

plenty of opinions, but no hard reviews of this product by CarPC users. --YET

TheKingPlaza · 11-05-2004, 08:18 AM

I'm thinking buying one of these..
Radio Xtreme
Media Forte
USB Radio + Remote Control
Price :USD 39.00
Radio Extreme

Confused · 11-05-2004, 09:29 AM

This product has been talked about for well over a year, with no sign of it.

Someone here is currently making a full FM/AM/RDS solution which should be equivelent quality to car head units, and will use the same ariels, it should be available reasonably soon. Definitely a bit of hardware to wait for!

Jobine · 11-05-2004, 11:09 AM

the radioshark is to big

we need a USB FM radio who look like this small module

baef · 11-05-2004, 12:57 PM

I am really interested because it can pick up AM.. That is a big selling point for me.. It says on their site that it is now shipping.

antimatter · 11-05-2004, 02:13 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Jobine

Radio Xtreme work with 2xAAA batteries

and the radioshark is to big

we need a USB FM radio who look like this small module
...

Get your facts straight. The radioxtreme does not work with batteries. The batteries that come with it are for the remote control.

Besides your completely false post the Radio Xtreme still sucks xtremely.

I would name it "Radio Xtremlycrappypoopfart."

Anywho. I would love the radio by seth to come out but they are redisigning it for easy to find parts and there is no good review on the Griffin RadioShark (plus it has no RDS)

Argggg

grepzen · 11-05-2004, 02:28 PM

Antimatter,

Speaking of getting one's facts straight, the Griffin Technologies Radio Shark does have AM/FM capabilities.

Quote:

The radio airwaves will never be safe again. The RadioSHARK adds an AM/FM radio to any Mac or PC — but that’s just the beginning.

The RadioSHARK can record any AM or FM radio broadcast in real time. You can also program it to record a scheduled show, or to ‘pause’ live radio so you can return right where you left off moments or even hours before (See ‘What is Time-Shift Recording?’ sidebar above).

RadioSHARK includes a full-featured application that controls all radio and recording functions. Favorite station presets can be set with the click of a mouse, and new stations can be scanned and tuned with ease. The application is also where you program Time-Shift Recording, either to take a break without missing any of a show or to record your favorite broadcast to listen to later.

The RadioSHARK connects to and is powered by USB. The fin-shaped device acts as an antenna and can be positioned for best reception and recording. Any recorded broadcast can be transferred to an iPod or any other AIFF-compatible digital music player to replay on the go.

RadioSHARK gives you control of how and when you listen to your favorite radio shows. Dive in today and take a bite out of the airwaves!

unless by "IT" you were referring to the radio extreme...

antimatter · 11-05-2004, 02:38 PM

I meant RDS

DaveDog · 11-05-2004, 02:45 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by antimatter

Anywho. I would love the radio by seth to come out but they are redisigning it for easy to find parts and there is no good review on the Griffin RadioShark (plus it has no AM)

Argggg

I'll admit there isn't a decent review of the RadioShark however,

It does support AM, but probably not RDS.
It connects via USB 1.1 only, audio travels over the USB.
It's software allows network streaming.
It has a headphone jack that doubles as an external antennae connector.

Someone needs to get one of these and post a decent review.

grepzen · 11-05-2004, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Someone needs to get one of these and post a decent review.

I've written to GT for that very thing.

baef · 11-05-2004, 06:32 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by antimatter

I meant RDS

n00b question, what is RDS?

stevewm · 11-09-2004, 09:27 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by baef

n00b question, what is RDS?

RDS = Radio Data System

Its a way of sending digital data inside a FM radio broadcast.

Its been in wide use in Europe for some time, its just now starting to come into wide use in the US. Most newer factory headunits have RDS capability now. But unfortunately very few if any US aftermarket head units have it.

RDS in the US is mostly used to carry the station's call latters, slogan, and/or song titles. Most ClearChannel run stations in the US are now using RDS for song titles.

RDS is capable of much more though. Alternate Frequency is one example For example: Your listening to a program on 93.1 But your driving out of 93.1's broadcast area and into 107.3's area. 93.1 starts to fade out but 107.3 happens to be 93.1's sister station and is playing the EXACT same program. If the broadcaster was using RDS' AF feature, your RDS capable radio would automatically switch to 107.3 when 93.1 started to fade.

RDS can also send program/genre types. So you could basically have your radio show only stations that are of a certain type. (like News, sports, etc..) RDS can also broadcast alerts that actually mute whatever is currently playing and switch the radio to a special frequency to hear an announcement.