Stevie
Gordon on... Wi-fi Radio:
"Listening to stations from different parts of the world
has always been interesting, but it can often also be a hassle finding the
sites, logging on, signing up as a friend etc, and then finding a stream
that works. But, with a wi-fi radio, you just switch it on and listen. It
really is as easy as that. No screen, no keyboard, just a box that both
looks and sounds like a radio, and you can take it anywhere.
Well, almost anywhere! A wi-fi radio, which simply put
is something like a free version of Winamp, works from a computer’s
wireless network. If you have got broadband and wi-fi for your computer(s)
then you should really think about treating yourself to a wi-fi radio.
Satellite TV has been with us for just over 20 years
but, before then, whenever I wanted to hear the news from home or a brief
summary of the Top 20 the only option was the BBC World Service on
shortwave. Not now though! With an internet radio, I can listen in nearly
FM quality to whatever takes my fancy. Our wi-fi is normally in the
kitchen tuned to Radio Seagull and Waddenzee 24/7 although, in the past,
my wife has put on Johnny Walker sitting in for Wogan whenever she thought
she might get away with it!
To be honest, I do sometimes listen to other stations.
When I was contributing to The Evening Show, one of the 10 presets was for
BBC Radio Kent. And the others? At the moment, those are BBC Radio 2, WPLJ
New York, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5, Caroline, Planet Rock, Capital Radio,
Virgin and The Jazz. That is today. Tomorrow, my choice might be something
else. Offshore Music Radio for a bit of anoraking, or 2XS for some serious
listening! They are all available.
Reciva is
the name of the Cambridge UK company that has revolutionized radio
listening. Reciva collects the internet signals from all over the world,
and then puts them through their own servers and back onto the internet. A
wi-fi network is necessary to receive the signal from Reciva, but your
computer does not have to be turned on. Both “live” and “on demand”
broadcasts are available and you can also listen to any audio files saved
to hard disc again without turning on your PC or Mac.
www.reciva.com.
And, believe me, wi-fi radio is becoming more
and more popular. You will find various models available in most
Radio/TV/White Goods chain stores. Mine is an AE (Acoustic Energy also
make dynamite loudspeakers) and retails in the UK for around £200. It is
exported around the world and, you should look here
http://www.acoustic-energy.co.uk/product_range/wifi_radio/WiFi.asp
to find your local stockist.
Many major hotels and airports already have a wi-fi
zone. Public wi-fi is ever growing, and surely it cannot be all that long
before wi-fi car radio becomes a reality?
Let’s face it, sitting down to the computer can become
a chore! The wi-fi, looks like a “nomal” radio but has around 10,000
stations available. Totally amazing! The jocks used to think I was a real
computer geek because whatever they said or did, I semed to hear it. To be
honest, I am not really a computer person. What helps me so much in my job
is the wi-fi playing quietly in the background. Usually in the kitchen,
sometimes in the lounge, occasionally in the bedroom or even out on the
terrace! We live in Norway which is too far from The Netherlands for
normal reception but, with the wi-fi, I can tune into Radio Seagull,
Waddenzee or any of the other 334 Dutch stations which are available. Not
bad, eh?"
Stevie Gordon
Radio Seagull - Programmes |
