Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] Sound and performance quality of SB Radio compared to SB Boom
For the purchased-used Boom, I have the power cord in a small coil and the Boom placed on top of it. That, together with a request to my wife to not move or bump it, seems to work for now. I will see if using a small bit of masking tape connecting the cord to the back of the device will keep it from moving and maintain a stable connection. When the power remains on, the Boom works fine. I just checked - I do have a Netgear AX1800 router at this location, a second home in Southern Cal. I will get a radio and if I find trouble with the Wifi connection, the good advice y'all have provided will allow me to resolve it with an Iogear device. I have an Iogear device here in use for a Verizon minitower (not an amplifier) that has only ethernet capability that I wanted to locate away from the router location. It works fine with this router. I don't think losing battery functionality would be an issue Downloading and installing supplemental software is beyond my ability or interest. PNelson, I'll try to remember to refer back to this thread should I take a Boom out of service. Thanks again. My education and occupational pursuits were not directly in the tech field. I felt it was a big accomplishment overcoming the learning curve 15+ years ago and getting comfortable with setting up and using an SB environment in my house. It was a big deal for me, because it's something less than user friendly for a duffer. This forum and its participants have never failed to provide knowledgeable help and I again thank you all for taking the time to share your expertise. Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=117319 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] Sound and performance quality of SB Radio compared to SB Boom
Thank you both for the responses. From your experiences I think I'll get one. Replacing/repairing/etc. is well beyond my abilities or interest - either something works adequately and I can use it, or if it no longer does, it gets tossed. Just one question, Jim mentions a Wifi issue. Can you give me a bit more info about the Wifi problem please? The Wifi feature died on my Boom a good number of years ago - I bought an Iogear ethernet to wifi adaptor and it's been working well. I presume I could configure a Radio for ethernet and then similarly use an Iogear device if I have a problem? Thanks again. Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=117319 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
[SlimDevices: Radio] Sound and performance quality of SB Radio compared to SB Boom
I'm a longtime owner of SB devices. I bought a used Boom on Ebay for a bedroom in a second home. The power socket seems to be loose and the slightest movement of the unit breaks the power connection and it turns off. I will try to tape the cord in place to make it more physically stable. I'm thinking about getting another SB device to be a spare for a backup, I see that used SB Radios are more available and less expensive than Booms. I presume the SB Radios have mono sound (one speaker?) but how otherwise does the sound quality compare? The SB device in this location is only for casual and occasional music use (not at high volume) and as an SB alarm. Do those of you who have an SB Radio think it would be suitable in a bedroom and would I find the use and listening experiences reasonably comparable to a Boom? In addition to Touches and even SB3s that I've had connected to better sound systems over the years, I've had a Boom in the kitchen of my primary home for >10 years and I'm quite familiar with them. I never did buy a Radio when they were being produced. Thanks. Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=117319 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] New router stops radio working
Are you're trying a Wifi connection? Maybe the new router is set to a different channel than you used before and the problem is interference. Try changing the channel. -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=92511 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] What happened to Bloomberg?
bwaldron;655923 Wrote: > Sometimes the station owners aren't clueless -- they know people are > listening in other ways (internet radios, smartphone apps like TuneIn) > and don't like it. They want people to see the ads in their flash > players, and consider alienating us as collateral damage. Your view of their motivation seems unlikely to me. You're talking about RADIO stations - the majority of people use car radios (whether over the air or satellite) and radios at work. They don't see visual ads at all. Internet streaming must represent a pretty small (but growing) percentage of listeners. Those using non-PC devices are thus a small percentage of a small percentage. Execs at stations who make these kinds of decisions have many factors in mind. Or, many may view it as something trivial and just go with what their IT or corporate advisers say. Don't view it as a conspiracy against your listening preference. Maybe someone here works in the radio industry and can comment. -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=90126 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] Station blocked by broadcaster
vrette;650177 Wrote: > Understood, but I think the point is they are using licensing as an > excuse for what is really much more about generating more ad revenue by > pushing listeners to CBS Radio Android and iOS apps, along with their > web sites that are chock full of advertising. Got it, I missed the nuance, it was a BS comment. Easy enough to understand why they push listeners to portals that give them more revenue opportunities. It's a business, not a public service. -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=89618 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] Station blocked by broadcaster
castalla;650163 Wrote: > Why bother? Switch to a non-greedy broadcaster! In a globalised world, > this licencing excuse is pathetic. Businesses have lots of rules and laws they need to comply with. For broadcasters, licensing rules are foremost among the many. Ignoring them would be asinine and ultimately unnecessarily expensive. If you find a company that you think is more focused or successful in conducting its business than its peers, there's a solution: be a capitalist and buy that stock! -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=89618 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] Shortwave Stations
maggior;634282 Wrote: > Wow, I never would have pegged Joe Walsh as an SWL'er :-). > > I liked the Drake receivers. When I bought my R-5000, I was torn > between it and an R8. I went for the R-5000 only because I had been > lusting for it for years. > > I fire up the R-5000 here and there for some nostalgia, but I don't > have the time any more. I think the airwaves are getting pretty > desolate anyway. My kids got a kick out of my QSL card collection. I never got in to shortwave. Would you say that the lure was the sense of adventure and the tactile experience of operating the radio, rather than the content? Today, internet "broadcasting" brings clear content (in most cases) in a mechanical, uninteresting way which I would guess doesn't compare to the old days? -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=88037 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] Reciveing Podcasts
Why not just use a feed/podcast aggregator program, or itunes, to automatically download what you want? Set it up to place the downloads in folders under your SBS music file branch and the episodes will be there and ready to listen to when you want to listen. -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=88074 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] Why no tuner??
aubuti;606968 Wrote: > I probably underestimated DSL coverage in the US (and therefore DSL vs > cable competition) in my earlier post, because I don't even think about > DSL any more. In our area it's all cable and fiber optic. Verizon > probably still offers DSL, but I don't know anyone who uses it. Even > so, 2-3 oligopolistic providers hardly makes for robust competition. The Wash DC area is cursed with some of the worst utilities anywhere. I think the phone company, Verizon, is the successor to GTE, which for the past 30 years has continued its reputation as America's consistently worst phone service provider. The former Bells historically have been better, but there's no choice, it just varies by area. The cable/DSL split is about 50-50 among the people I know. Cable is more expensive but faster. Netflix is the most speed demanding thing I do, and my DSL connection handles its highest quality stream easily. -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=85190 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] Why no tuner??
aubuti;606907 Wrote: > From what has been reported in the business and technology press, I > wouldn't be surprised if the US starts seeing download limits in the > not-too-distant future. This is coming precisely because of the growth > of high volume video and audio services, while some users are only > using it for light-duty stuff like email. > > I expect it will be like cellphone plans, with graduated limits and > correspondingly graduated prices. Much like many ISPs already do with > upload/download speeds. As US consumers are used to unlimited, I also > expect most providers will keep an "unlimited" option -- you'll just > pay more for it. And as for competition, in a _lot_ of the US there is > no competition for broadband. I am unusually lucky in the DC metro area > to have a choice of at least 3 providers. In many areas there is only > one provider, regulated by a public board. In California, other than the most rural areas, there are usually at least two choices - DSL from the phone company and internet service from the local cable company. Plus, there are often additional DSL sources from ISP/CLEC companies who piggyback on the phone company's lines. That plus fiber build-outs, WiMax, increasing speed from mobile phones, etc., suggest that more rather than less competition will be with us. I don't know about other parts of the country. I guess we'll see how it plays out. I do think competition will keep unlimited download usage available for reasonable cost. It's sure kept the basic service cost down. It's not worth the bother to me, but I know people who switch providers every 12 months so that they're always paying a "first year introductory price". -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=85190 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] Why no tuner??
garym;606815 Wrote: > I suspect a lot of our "preferences" here are somewhat tied to the > differences in bandwidth we're mentioning. I don't know how I'd cope > with the UK limited bandwidth. In my home, we're so used to streaming > 192kb or 128kb radio, streaming movies from netflix, surfing the net, > sending and receiving large files, etc. that a serious limit on this > would be life altering! Yeah, my first reaction was why not stream radio from a smartphone, but I guess those are limited over there too. I'm not sure which direction the trend is going (toward the UK way or the US way) but I know there would be an uprising in my house if any limits were imposed. With the incredible growth of Netflix and video streaming sites, I just can't imagine there would be any possibility to cap or charge more for reasonable usage (reasonable as compared to the use by other, similar customers). Any carrier trying to do that would lose its subscribers to competitors not doing so. -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=85190 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] Why no tuner??
Do most affordable home internet plans in the UK have download limits? In the US, most broadcast radio stations can be streamed and most plans don't have download limits. From a marketing perspective, there may be more an issue of the familiarity/technical capability of users to make it work. But I don't think having a tuner would be worth the time or effort for the domestic market. -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=85190 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] Questions before buying
ascomm74;591619 Wrote: > I'm also considering to buy one and I have one question in mind. How > well Squeezebox Radio handles a "low signal" conditions? As I would be > using it in outside and the WLAN signal is not too strong in that place > where the Radio would be used. > Can I expect lots of head banging against concrete wall? There are a number of wireless range extender/signal booster type products. I don't know enough to understand why, but sometimes one product will work in a given environment and another won't, other times it can be the opposite. If you try one, buy it from a business that accepts returns in case the first one you get doesn't work and you want to try a different one. You might also be able to try a higher gain antenna for your wireless router, sometimes that can give enough boost to make marginal areas functional. -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=83425 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] child-proofing the presets/settings
Sorry that I can't help you, but I wanted to say that I think your comment about analog radios is not valid. Even simple analog or car radios with presets can get screwed up if someone uses the wrong button presses or sequences. If you've set it up for them and explained what to do and don't do, their difficulty may have little to do with a lack of tech savvy and more to do with simply not following instructions. If this is a recurring problem, it may be right to conclude that the radio is too difficult for them to use. I don't know if this highlights a product shortcoming. I'd guess that people like many of our parents are not part of the target market, and for good reason. -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=83040 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] SqueezeBox Radio battery kit avalible
You must have good liability insurance to take the risk that following your instructions won't result in a fire or other problem. Especially with how funky rechargeable batteries can be. I wish no harm to anyone. But if it has taken >6 months for the company's experienced hardware engineers to STILL not have finished this project with suitable performance and safety specs, how could a roll-your-own project be expected to be adequate? -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=75056 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] Squeezebox Radio and Best Buy
Fry's usually offers a good selection and cheap specials. The shopping environment and customer service can be dreadful, however. I think they've gotten the message, they seem to be working to improve the quality of their employees and the customer experience. My own view, and one I have heard from many other people, is that Fry's is a store choice of last resort. If I can get something somewhere else, even if it's slightly more expensive, I will go somewhere else to avoid the usually unpleasant experience of going to Fry's. Be careful what you wish for Rich, your wish may come true. -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=71634 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] I live in San Francisco - Where can I go buy one NOW?
In the SF Bay Area, the East Bay commute routes (in any direction) consistently rank near the top of the "Worst Commutes" lists the newspapers periodically prepare. And that's nothing new, it's been that way for a long while. Most people don't have to put up with quite as much abuse as the East Bay folks do. BUT, so long as everybody is happy where they are, and have the right equipment to listen to the music they like, that's all that matters. -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=70193 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] Radio in the bathroom?
dwilliams01;473976 Wrote: > the mirrors take up most of the humidity anyway. Are you suggesting that mirrors have a magnet-like effect to attract and remove water vapor from the air? If you're getting condensation on mirrors, you're likely also getting it on walls, ceilings, and other things in the room. Including on/in any electronic devices, and the upshot of that will likely be damage. Just a matter of when, not if. -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=69951 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] Ship date?
gweempose;469961 Wrote: > I ordered from the Logitech site and didn't get charged sales tax. I > assume it's because I live outside of California where Logitech is > based. No, it would be because the selling entity has no employees and uses no facilities in your state. The obligation to collect a state's sales tax is triggered by the selling entity having "operations" within a given state, not where it's based. -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=68552 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] Best alarm clock ever!!!
Reality is probably somewhere in the middle, as with most disagreements. I don't have an SB Radio, but from my other SB devices, I'd agree that calling them the best alarm clocks ever is probably unwarranted. But they're probably not the worst either. If you're unhappy because you look at your >$200 purchase as an unreliable alarm clock, I'd suggest your expectations are the problem. Why think of these products as anything other than great network music players/devices with an alarm function? It's a bonus, not a core function. It's no more reliable than your and my crappy networks, patched together with products and technology made by others and out of the company's control. In any system, reliability comes from redundancy. If oversleeping is not an option, relying on just one device (no matter what kind) involves risk. Use two to be certain. -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=68252 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] Where is the broadcast FM?
pfarrell;455737 Wrote: > Goodsounds wrote: > > pfarrell;455714 Wrote: > >> OTA radio is dead.. .. > > > > people who listen to broadcast radio dwarfs the number who listen > over > > the internet. Maybe I'm wrong about that? > > > > Something like two-thirds or more of people in cars listen to the > > radio. > > Drive time radio is doing well. But that's it. People used to buy > tuners > for their stereo and listen to radio. That's gone. > > OTA radio is dead, just as newspapers and the network nightly news. It > doesn't know it yet, and they pretend they are relevant, but the > future > is clear. All they are arguing about is the timing of the funeral. > > > -- > Pat Farrell > http://www.pfarrell.com/ So you think they'll stop putting radios into cars, and no more radio tuners in bedroom "clock radios"? I don't think either scenario is very likely. Component tuners you describe were never more than a tiny market. Their relative disappearance is not indicative of anything. I think you're wrong about broadcast radio, but you're welcome to your opinion. -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=67502 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio
Re: [SlimDevices: Radio] Where is the broadcast FM?
pfarrell;455714 Wrote: > Mike Meyer wrote: > > Another reason for broadcast AM/FM is for sporting events. Most of > > those are 'blacked out' via the internet stations. > > OTA radio is dead.. .. > http://www.pfarrell.com/ Really? While revenue is down like everywhere else, I'd thought audience sizes have been holding steady. As far as I know, the number of people who listen to broadcast radio dwarfs the number who listen over the internet. Maybe I'm wrong about that? Something like two-thirds or more of people in cars listen to the radio. You know, the ones who aren't texting, on the phone, putting on make-up, drinking coffee and reading the paper at the same time. Don't tell them radio is dead. -- Goodsounds Goodsounds's Profile: http://forums.slimdevices.com/member.php?userid=14201 View this thread: http://forums.slimdevices.com/showthread.php?t=67502 ___ Radio mailing list Radio@lists.slimdevices.com http://lists.slimdevices.com/mailman/listinfo/radio