[access-uk] Re: Internet Radio latest
- From: "Jackie Cairns" <cairnsplace@xxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2008 15:40:50 -0000
Ray, I have several concerns about this project as a whole.
1. It is all voice tagged.
2. There doesn't appear to be any way in which a user can add their own
station.
3. It is very TNAUK/RNIB/Calibre based. A great idea if that's what you want,
but not for your avid radio enthusiast.
4. What support is going to be offered for those who don't subscribe, and want
it merely as an Internet radio?
I've asked all these questions, and hope to get some answers into my review.
But then it might depend on what I'll be "allowed" to say. Gosh did I say
that? (smile.)
Seriously, it's an interesting concept, of that there is no doubt, but it needs
a lot of work, and I fear it won't have a long shelf life.
Jackie
Email: cairnsplace@xxxxxxx
Skype Name: Cairnsplace
----- Original Message -----
From: Ray's Home
To: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Saturday, March 22, 2008 2:47 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Re: Internet Radio latest
Jackie, great news that you'l be doing a review of the talking internet
radio. Your comments made me realise that I've probably not understood how
this thing works, with voice tagging. I'd sort of assumed there'd be a TTS in
there. this seems a serious limitation if adding voice tags is only doable by
someone running a special program or something, or maybe it is done simply by
someone hooking the thing up to a PC.
I can see why they'd want to settle for human voice identification of
stations if this unit's aimed at older people, though there are good human
sounding voices these days. TTS would be so much more flexible and hassel-free
though in use.
What I would want is the ability to update myself. Maybe there is an Orion
model that does allow for this, but I may contact them to see what the position
is regarding this. Maybe you are planning to get an answer to this sort of
question?
I don't sub to Brian Hartgen's infotech, but wonder if he's looked at this.
From Ray
I can be contacted off-list at:
mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of
Jackie Cairns
Sent: 21 March 2008 9:44AM
To: Access UK Mailing List
Subject: [access-uk] Internet Radio latest
Hi Listers
I promised to report back to the group when I had something new to tell you
about the saga of Internet radio, and more specifically, the device I was
hoping to allow TNAUK, or Sound Talking, to let me try out.
Well the Orion Webbox arrived yesterday for me to try out. I have it on
the basis I can write a review, which Ted Davis needs to sanction before it is
published. Nevertheless, I certainly intend to make it fair and honest, as
always.
But my initial thoughts are these. The box itself is flat, with a speaker
on the top and five small round buttons, as well as a rotary volume/pause
control. All the relevant sockets, including mains, phonos and RJ45 connection
are on the back.
When you turn on the Webbox, the lady from Solutions Radio, where the box
is manufactured in Holland, announces the unit and offers a menu. This menu is
full of TNAUK, RNIB, Calibre and other publication choices, but also local
radio stations and national radio stations. Of course, I made a beeline for
these. On this trial unit, there are lots of national BBC stations that you
would expect to find on DAB or FM/MW, but some extras. Local radio stations
include a selection from around the country. To be honest, if I was buying the
radio, I would want its memory filled to capacity with as many stations as
possible.
The radio, in simple terms, is easy to operate. You go into menus, select
what you want, and press the back key to get out of them and return to the
previous layer.
Based on what I've seen so far, there is an awful lot of work still to do.
It's very TNAUK/RNIB/Calibre oriented, and that does worry me considerably. I
can see why a lot of people would like to have the entire collection of
subscription titles from TNAUK on there, as well as a variety of RNIB or
Calibre books. But I think the radio side of it - which is my primary interest
- will lag behind. Firstly, all stations are tagged, and we know what that
means in terms of future-proof continuity. If you want a station included, Ted
has assured me it can be added, but I have grave reservations about that in the
long term.
So folks, while I'm still exploring, and want to write something fair and
constructive for publication, my advice is hang onto your dosh for now if you
want more of a radio than a DAISY player full of books and magazines.
Jackie
Email: cairnsplace@xxxxxxx
Skype Name: Cairnsplace
Other related posts:
