Logitech unveils wireless audio systems for PCs, portables
posted August 23rd 2005 10:10AM
Just when we thought that all wireless audio enhancements were going Bluetooth, Logitech has thrown us a curve with a series of peripherals that use what the company calls Logitech Music Anywhere wireless technology (which is some brand of RF, though we don't know the frequency). Logitech's Wireless Headphones for PC work with a USB dongle, and include an integrated playback control that works with iTunes, WinAmp and other audio programs. The Wireless Music System for PC is a similar setup, which substitues a stereo hookup and IR remote for the headphones. Finally, the Wireless Music System for iPod (which works with any audio player, but capitalizes on the name of the market leader) matches a headphone-port transmitter with the stereo-system receiver and remote. Logitech claims that the two pieces are "paired at manufacturing," which we assume is their way of saying that they QA them to make sure that the frequency lock is consistent, stable and relatively impervious to interference from other devices.
if its not bluetoth, i realy dont want it
I don't know if I'd like it more than a bluetooth device I could probably get easier...but where's the screen? It seems almost useless without one. I suppose if you're listening to just one cd it's ok...or a playlist.
This is when I get out my ipod and plus it into my stereo with a stereo splitter that cost me 50 cents at radio shack.
I don't know about you, but I don't want anything bluetoth.....
Seriously though, most people that I hear say "If it's not Bluetooth then I don't want it." have no idea of the differences between Bluetooth and RF. They just want a Bluetooth device because it sounds cool and they think they're hot @#$% for having it.
If the RF device is designed correctly then it'll work great and Logitech is known for good implementation.
Agreed with #3. To use Bluetooth one always need to go through the hassles of pairing a passkey and pressing the Connect button a couple times to get it going. It works for me but for many they would have called Tech Supp already. The weird conflicting drivers for Windows (Widcomm vs SP2) makes Bluetooth devices even harder to use. The way they implemented the RF definitely takes the installation problem away for most starters.
"if its not bluetoth, i realy dont want it"
I'd take a good RF over BT for Audio anyday.
I completely agree with you, Tesla. I have never had any problems with RF (keyboard, mouse, and phone in my case). However, my dad bought a microsoft bluetooth keyboard and mouse...it dropped the connection constantly, which really pissed him off since he spent over $100 for the pair. I'm going to give them a loooong time to perfect it before I make any switches to bluetooth; just too unreliable in my mind.
Argument for bluetooth: Remote control capability--though not with this item.
Argument for RF: Smaller size, the BT verson of these phones are too big. Hopefully, these are a lot smaller.
This is the type of thing I have been looking for actually. Its something people can use in lieu of an FM transmitter to several devices around the whole house. Its not intended to make every device a streaming audio control station, just a way to distribute audio all around the house.
People like me who only want bluetooth want it because we have it built in to our laptops (ibook in my case) and don't want to use another RF dongle. If my ibook came with RF built in instead, I'd probably say, "If it doesn't have RF, I don't want it."
Bluetooth is a Standard. If you engineer to it (assuming you don't put any English on your implementation), your product will seemlessly interoperate. If a particular product does a shit job of implementing its functions (i.e.: wireless headphones), d you *honestly* think it's the fault of the spec?
Finally, how do you think data is wirelessly transmitted via BT? Differently than RF? Through subspace, maybe? BT *uses* RF, it's just a "value-added" leveraging of RF.
It does'nt look like the wireless headphones work with the iPod ! Only with the PC!
Am I missing something ?
It does'nt look like the wireless headphones work with the iPod ! Only with the PC!
Am I missing something ?
my office bought a logitech wireless keyboard and mouse set and it is crap .. over $100 and we can only sit in certan places and the mouse cannot be in certain spots near the keyboard it is ridiculous and it is more ridiculour to watch people (including myself) point a non-directional technolgy at the computer thinking that it will work better ... well i guess that part is kinda funny ..
do not have much experience with bt but it works on my pda .. maybe i'll try that di nuvo keyboard (though it is logitech as well :()
#11 >Am I missing something ?
Yes.
Wireless headphones work via a USB dongle. iPods do not have USB ports.
Glad you pointed that out Lenord. I haven't been following the laptop market as much lately so I didn't know iBooks came with integrated BT. Is anyone else including some standard integrated wireless connection other than one of the flavors of 802.11 (now that IR is pretty much never used)?
Bluetooth is very new technology. It won't work perfectly w/ everything. I'd prefer this device to work w/ bluetooth, for the simple reason of me not having to care around a dongle to get it to work.
Yes RF is the more stable standard, but w/ the number of companies making large investments into Bluetooth (including Logitech) the technology will be around for awhile.
Posted Aug 23, 2005, 12:21 PM ET by Lenord
People like me who only want bluetooth want it because we have it built in to our laptops (ibook in my case) and don't want to use another RF dongle. If my ibook came with RF built in instead, I'd probably say, "If it doesn't have RF, I don't want it."
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Actually bluetooth headphones for audio won't work with your included bluetooth in your laptop...
The audio standard (A2DP i think it's called) doesn't work with almost all the current bluetooth receivers in computers.
Anybody see the logitech wireless headphones for MP3 out ANYWHERE? Every single website has them backordered or sold out. I though they were supposed to come out in July, but I can't seem to find them anywhere.
Bluetooth A2DP also does the nasty compression thing. It takes your MP3, or AAC, or even a pristine lossless encoded file, and then COMPRESSES IT before sending it over RF. In fact, the default compression scheme is SBC (Sub-Band Coding) which was designed to be low-latency, which is why it's used, and why it really does a hack job of preserving audio quality. You can hear the difference. And God forbid it's the second time you compress a given song-- may as well listen to your audio with pillows on your ears.
BT and any other wireless system that compresses audio will find their way into the junk drawer within 12 months. Guaranteed. So you better get that $150 bucks worth in the meantime.
Audio enthusiasts, and people who like to spend their hard earned dollars on quality, in general, should demand better.
For what it's worth, when we originally talked to Logitech about their line of "Music Anywhere" devices a few months back, we asked them specifically about the wireless technology involved; they told us it's actually A2DP Bluetooth.