"I tried to get it updated, but no response back from Boing Boing."

Submitting stuff is always hit or miss. As for updating something on the site from two years ago, it is easy to see why that didn't happen.

Hi All,

I tried to get it updated, but no response back from Boing Boing.

We have a new model, new design, 2.0 USB, better MyFi, runs on Linux. And now we're open source.

visit http://neurosaudio.com to learn more.
and http://open.neurosaudio.com to learn about the open source part.

K

>As for FM recording, I'm not sure why I'd want to record a crappy radio tune, from a crummy FM quality band, with a weak signal to digital format.

It also does track ID - so if you hear a tune you like on the radio you dont need to wait for a DJ to announce it - you just hit record and get title automatically next time you synch.

I'm not going to dispute the differences between USB2.0 and Firewire. They both are certainly much faster than USB1.1. If you'd want to use your jukebox as portable drive, then the crawling USB1.1 transfer rate renders it inconvenient.

As for FM recording, I'm not sure why I'd want to record a crappy radio tune, from a crummy FM quality band, with a weak signal to digital format. I'd rather rip my own tunes, or pick them up from sharing sources.

Craniac, I saw some very favorable reports on the speed of both USB 2.0 and Firewire external drives. I have no ax to grind on this; I have both ports on my system. I like USB 2.0's backwards compatibility with USB 1.1 -- I can hook my USB 2.0 external drive up to my friend's old system to copy files. Firewire is also great. An ideal external drive would have both.

mightykong, the problem with that is that you'd presumably have to disconnect the storage backpacks to connect a Firewire or USB 2.0 backpack, so you'd have nothing to copy your files to :(.

Andrew, I agree about copying being less common than listening, but it's a pain to have to schedule your life around your toys any more than necessary.

Edited by author 11-13-2002 12:13 PM
Given that it makes near-digital copies of FM radio tunes that can then be easily distributed, I surmised it would freak out the RIAA, but then again how would that be different from, say, a tape recorder or minidisc.

I suppose the Irock works better with a headphone extension because it is acting as an antenna? part of my problem with the Irock is that the frequencies it uses are not especially empty in my region.

the FM recording feature is nice, but would be nicer if it had a timer for capturing specific programs, like a radio-Tivo.

On usb 2.0 vs. firewire:

http://www.techtv.com/screensavers/superge...330,3393571,00.html

"Don't be confused by the rated speeds you see emblazoned across USB 2.0 and FireWire product boxes. Despite USB 2.0's 80 Kbps speed advantage over FireWire, our testing showed that the additional overhead of USB 2.0 made it slower than FireWire. For high-bandwidth devices such as external hard drives, the difference was as high as 70 percent. On a positive note, we noticed that the CPU usage of each interface was similar on our Pentium 4 1.3-GHz test system. During a 1.54GB data transfer from our system's internal hard drive to an external drive, USB 2.0 averaged 40 percent CPU usage compared to 37 percent for FireWire."

The lack of USB 2 is a non-issue. Given the space on this thing you only need to do the copy once while you sleep. Thereafter, it won't take more than a minute or two to add an album.

As for hacking, I can't wait for the SDK. I'm buying one. The FM transmitting feature for the car alone is worth the cost (how much does a Phatbox cost?).

Andrew

http://www.archos.com/lang=en//products/prw_500326.html

Archos 20 GB Jukebox, USB 2, records, FM receiver, etc.

Doesn't do the FM transmitting thing, but you can buy things like the iRock if that's important.

open source firmware for available (http://rockbox.haxx.se/ - not positive if they do this model, yet).

$299 -- $100 cheaper

Sure, its USB 1.1, but it does have some pretty cool features:

  * Exchangable backpacks - has 128 pack and an HD backpack, perhaps firewire can be added via a back pack.

  * Open - the possibility to hack this thing is pretty cool, and the fact that they are publishing an SDK makes it even more attractive.

Once they publish the SDK, I will seriously consider buying.

Come on! It should be USB 2.0 or Firewire. I would take either any day over USB 1.1. What crap!

IMO, the post should hilight the broadcasting features..I just skimmed it and missed this feature. That's the groundbreaking part.
like so: http://jrobb.userland.com/2002/11/12.html#a2832

My USB 2.0 external hard drive is a wonderful thing. All my media stuff goes on it, and I have no speed complaints.

Then again, I've got an iPod, which I love, so I'm not in the market for this :)

Edited by author 11-12-2002 11:18 AM
I have a little $60 Emerson discman that broadcasts and the reception in my car has always been great - I love it to bits.

I can't understand the RIAA comment - what have they to do with *this* player in particular?

I have had very good experience with the iRock transmitter, however it does seem to work better with a headphone extension cord. The iPod remote works great as an extension cord.

USB 2.0 does not achieve the speeds they claim and from accounts I've read sucks compared to firewire in that regard. Glovebox transmitting generally sucks and is of poor quality due to FCC limitations. I bought an Irock transmitter. It sucks. Also, the RIAA will crush this.

Edited by author 11-12-2002 10:04 AM
I want one so bad!

Firewire would be nice - but transmitting to my computer is *way* less important to me than transmitting to my car stereo!

"Hey kids - you're tuned to 92.5 fm, broadcasting live from the glovebox"