R E V I E W: RadioShark

grepzen · 03-08-2005, 06:53 PM

KEYWORDS:
REVIEW, GRIFFIN TECHNOLOGY, RADIOSHARK, USB, AM, FM, RADIO

FEATURES
∙ In The Box: Griffin RadioShark, 4' USB extention, CD
∙ AM/FM radio that connects via USB.
∙ Timeshifting (TiVo for radio)

INSTALLATION
Installation was effortless but the 'auto check' for most recent version of drivers though it said "no newer version exists" even though one did.

REVIEW Narative
Griffin Technology's list price is $70.00, I was able to get it delivered for $55.00 from eBay.

Simple straight forward interface, basic functions were intuitive. Wasn't able to timeshift out of the box w/ V 1.0x of the software. V1.1.7 did howerver, permit timeshifting. Installation indicated that it checked the internet for the latest version and said that no updates were available. This was not the case however.

Basic use :: the UI seems a bit flimsy.. when moving the window about on the screen.. the mouse must be moved very s-l-o-w-l-y when moving the window up or else it will 'slip' off the app.. moving down or side to side the window can be moved as fast as the user can move the mouse.

Though GT would love for you to compair the radioshark's timeshifting to TiVo, it's not quite there yet. The interface isn't as intuitive as TiVo(tm).
<> When you're recording, you can't just shift channels.
<> I've yet to get TS (timeshifting) to work in windows.. I'll be calling GT tomorrow and persuing the issue w/ them. & posting results here.

The headphone jack in back also serves as an external antenna source. It's unclear how this will help/hender reception while on the road.

Such is my initial review of the Griffin RadioShark. I'll post more here as I learn/experience more w/ this radio.

Please feel welcome to add comments and questions here.

The Images
:: 1) Simple interface

:: 2) With Presets

:: 3) When recording, presets are disabled

:: 4) Timeshift controls

:: 5) W/ EQ

:: 6) The Schedule Recording screen

:: 7) .. ADD/EDITing an entry for program recording

:: 8) Same as #6 but with a program scheduled for recording

:: 9) List of recorded shows including instant-record.

:: 10) The Griffin RadioShark

antimatter · 03-08-2005, 07:05 PM

What we all want to know (as your probably guess) is how is the reception in the car?

Is it head unit comprable?

grepzen · 03-08-2005, 07:34 PM

<> Will be checking it out tomorrow w/a laptop.
<> RE: comp/w/HU.. I'm no audiophile..Tchaikovsky over FM radio... in a moving vehicle won't every compare well with Tchaikovsky in a syphony hall. --so, I may as well be deaf in that respect. But I'll let you know if there are any obvious downsides.

antimatter · 03-09-2005, 12:12 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by grepzen

<> Will be checking it out tomorrow w/a laptop.
<> RE: comp/w/HU.. I'm no audiophile..Tchaikovsky over FM radio... in a moving vehicle won't every compare well with Tchaikovsky in a syphony hall. --so, I may as well be deaf in that respect. But I'll let you know if there are any obvious downsides.

I am most curious about the reception quality. I am no audiophile either but i know good reception (not much static/stable (not shifting in and out of the station)) and Bad Reception (Lots of static and shifting in and out of the station)

You should have a base line to compare it to like a head unit in a car and test out different known strong and known weak station

ncamara · 03-09-2005, 06:38 PM

Is there an SDK for this? Will someone be able to write a Radiator plugin, or has it been done already?