[access-uk] Re: Internet Radio latest
- From: "Ray's Home" <rays-home@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:47:31 -0000
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
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