Griffin RadioShark Ships - USB AM! and FM - Offer to develop software

gork · 09-28-2004, 02:06 PM

Well folks, it seems that after a year and a half of waiting, Griffin is finally shipping their RadioShark usb tuners. This is AFAIK the first pc-based raido tuner that I have seen supporting AM. It's also probably one of the first with a decent internal antenna. It's also unique in that the audio itself comes in via USB instead of hogging up a line-input on your soundcard.

Anyway, I'm posting it here in the software section because there are no non-mac drivers for it as of yet. Due to the audio issue, this may be more complicated than just finding an appropriate usb->serial driver and decoding the protocol. Hopefully the device identifies itself as a standard USB audio device AND a serial port.

I would be willing to do the legwork on reverse engineering this device and publiclly publishing the protocol; however, I do not have the desire to spend $70 on AM/FM radio at this time.

If anyone wants to volunteer to order one and loan it to me for a few days to try to get it working, I'll be happy to do this and send it back to you when I'm done. I have a mac that I can use to analyze the protocol, so it should hopefully be very straightforward. Please PM me if anyone's interested.

antimatter · 09-28-2004, 02:21 PM

I would like to know the quality of the reciever although i am waiting to see what Seth's radio produces.

gork · 09-28-2004, 02:51 PM

Seth's radio is a very cool project, and I have read through the whole thing. If and when it comes to fruition, I would probably buy one myself; however I think that it's going to take quite a bit longer than even he expects to deliver a workable USB device. I really hope their RF circuit skills and power supply skills are up to par because that is what is going to make or break lower frequency support on their device (AM/SW). I kind of get this distressed feeling that their first prototype boards are going to work, but be a bit of a letdown. I expect that by the time they implement all the features they want, the price point will have risen also. I do wish them the best of luck, though. I will continue to follow the progress closely. We don't need another thread about their radio, though

The griffin radio is an AM/FM tuner with a digital audio interface that has the distinct advantage of a well-tested production design being available today. The initial reports from people who have already received their radios from Griffin indicate that the performance is a lot better than the alternative USB radios.

DaveDog · 09-28-2004, 05:25 PM

Griffin hasn't updated their website yet, and the poster from Mac Slash had planned on testing one last night , but has not replied with info yet.

If the RIAA didn't like the XMPCR, they are gonna hate this poduct with the USB audio interface.

If reception on this is at all decent, it will be a cleaner install with a single USB cable than other solutions that require multiple cables, (power, control, and audio).

rando · 09-29-2004, 02:22 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by gork

This is AFAIK the first pc-based raido tuner that I have seen supporting AM.

FYI, the Radioman AM/FM has been around for ages. It works great -- until you put it into a car. It's serial for control and needs a line-in on your sound card. The control protocol is well understood -- and even published in the forums.

Let us know how the Griffin does in an automotive environment.

Katya · 09-29-2004, 12:35 PM

I just called Griffin and the rep said the CD includes PC drivers as well as Mac.

krystar · 09-29-2004, 03:26 PM

let's just hope their PC driver support is better on the griffin than on the powermate

gork · 09-29-2004, 03:53 PM

I have also been bouncing around with the Griffin people. They are working on an SDK, but this won't even be ready for any testing for a few weeks. You also won't be able to get a unit for a few weeks either, as they are only going out to pre-orders at this time. I guess I should just put one on order and see what I can see. At least if it has some PC support the worst that could happen is that i'll have to use their software to listen to the radio on the rare occasion that I want to do that.

antimatter · 09-29-2004, 04:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by gork

If and when it comes to fruition, I would probably buy one myself

It is not a matter of "IF" it is a matter of when. The project is happening

Quote: Originally Posted by gork

however I think that it's going to take quite a bit longer than even he expects to deliver a workable USB device. I really hope their RF circuit skills and power supply skills are up to par because that is what is going to make or break lower frequency support on their device (AM/SW).

Seth's partner is a RF junkie so i have faith in there RF skills as for them taking longer i think that i agree that it will take a while before wek get a completed project

Quote: Originally Posted by gork

I kind of get this distressed feeling that their first prototype boards are going to work, but be a bit of a letdown. I expect that by the time they implement all the features they want, the price point will have risen also.

We will have to wait and see but i think that it will definitly be the best total package with AM/FM and RDS along with a plug that connects right to your existing car antenna. Software is what is going to make or brake and that is up to the developers here which all of them have agreed to integrate.

Quote: Originally Posted by gork

I do wish them the best of luck, though. I will continue to follow the progress closely. We don't need another thread about their radio, though

I wasn't trying to hijiack your thread or make "another" thread about their radio. To tell you the truth I am interested to know the quality and reception of this device and will be keeping my eye out for any in depth reviews.

Quote: Originally Posted by gork

The griffin radio is an AM/FM tuner with a digital audio interface that has the distinct advantage of a well-tested production design being available today. The initial reports from people who have already received their radios from Griffin indicate that the performance is a lot better than the alternative USB radios.

I can't wait to hear more. Any body have any links on any beta reviews or anything.

rando · 09-29-2004, 07:09 PM

I want to know more about the Griffin too. If it works well, I'm all for it and would probably even buy one. The first reasonably priced solution that works well is good enough for me. Either way, I'm planning to continue supporting the project with Seth.

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