Thursday 10th December 2009

Consumer Technology Review - Digital Radios

Pure Sensia Internet/DAB/FM/Streamer - €299

Cross between a rugby ball, a giant ostrich egg and an i-Pod, but it is a fascinating development in Digital Radio.

With it, you can receive DAB radio, internet radio through Wireless Broadband, and you can stream audio from your computer through it.

The 3 ½ inch touch screen is easy to read, but the sensitivity of it could be improved. Having said that, the model I had is a pre-production model, so this may be addressed in the final version.

A piece of designer tech that you would probably plonk straight in front of the coffee table or on a display shelf.

There's very good sound of it though, solid speakers, they don't go cut back on the audio quality.

You use "The Lounge" which they describe as a "gateway" to thousands of online radio stations, podcasts and listen again content.

It even streams it's own music channels from Pure, which at the moment include Christmas music, and a lot of different sound effects channels with everything from babbling brooks to chirping birds, and even an angry mob.

Plus the other selling point is the access to online apps - such as Twitter, Facebook and weather forecasts in part of the digital window display.

You can search for Internet stations via genre, location, language etc using the onscreen keyboard.

You register online thru the Sensia system itself, and you can access these additional channels and it will even recommend particular radio stations based on your favourites.

You can stream audio from your computer at home to the Pure using wifi broadband if you have that.

Comes in a Yellow, Black, Red and White trim.

Also comes with a remote control.

It costs €299 and is available now, but in small quantities in Ireland as Pure say demand is huge worldwide.

Verdict - very stylish, big leap in Digital Radio systems with advanced touch screen design, but the keyboard could be more sensitive.

Roberts Streamtime Internet/FM / Clock Radio (€179.99)

Looks a little like a bedside or kitchen radio and so is familiar and not threatening, but gets you access to over 17,000 radio stations worldwide very easily.

Once you have given the radio your wifi encryption key it connects and allows you access to a wealth of stations, including all of RTE's DAB stations, which is one of the selling points if you are not in the immediate DAB signal coverage areas.

You simply search via location or genre, and can access 60's, 70's, 80's music etc, Comedy, News, Talk, Drama, Classical, Christian Radio, Adult Contemporary Rock, Salsa.the list goes on and on.

Goon Show Radio was one of my favourites. All Goon Show, all the time!

Not a DAB radio but you can access all of RTE's DAB stations online using this set.

It has something it calls a "HWS" - or Humane Waking System! Which sounds delightful, like someone quietly bringing you a cup of tea first thing in the morning, but is a description of the various snooze and nap timers on the set.

Only 10 station pre sets which is not huge amount considering the massive range of stations available online, but if you register your radio online, you can store more of your favourite stations in the memory that way.

The Roberts can also stream audio from your computer if using wifi broadband.

Verdict: Very easy to operate, once it has been set up. Could do with more preset station memories.

Sony DAB/FM/CD player (XDR-S100CD) (€219 from Peats)

This is a big solid wooden body with fairly straightforward controls.

It is heavy enough - it's not a lightweight radio, that you would lug around from room to room.

20 pre set stations on FM and DAB.

Very easy to operate - you switch from DAB to FM to CD and sit back and listen.

It also has a pause and rewind function for DAB listening. It can store the DAB output for about 25 minutes depending on the bit rate

It has an EPG or Electronic Programme Guide, which will give you details of what programmes are coming up on the DAB station that you are listening to.

It has a top loader CD player - but you load the CD down vertically into the player, so it keeps the unit compact.

The Sony also comes with a remote control.

Verdict: Nice to have a DAB/ FM set with CD player, with good sound, display and operation, but heavy and slightly big.

More details from:

Touchmyradio.com (Pure Sensia DAB / Internet Radio)

Peats.com (Sony DAB / FM / CD)

Robertsradio.co.uk (Roberts Internet / FM Radio)