Roku SoundBridge Radio
posted September 19th 2005 9:35AM
It's been a few months since we last heard a peep out of Roku Labs, but they're back in effect and going straight
after Bose and Cambridge SoundWorks with their new SoundBridge Radio, a WiFi-enabled Internet tabletop radio which
they're hoping will replace that clock radio by your bed (note the nice and large snooze button). $399 ain't cheap for
a fancified alarm clock, but the SoundBridge does all the usual stuff you'd expect from a regular SoundBridge, like
stream music from your PC over your home network (it supports playback of WMA, AAC, MP3, WAV, and AIFF audio files) and
tune into Internet radio stations (it comes preprogrammed with a directory of about 50 stations and you can manually
add stations yourself). Also comes with an AM/FM tuner if you can't quite complete the transition to Internet radio,
and you can set the preset buttons for any combination of AM, FM, or Internet radio stations (you can also program one
of the presets to automatically play a specific iTunes playlist stored on your PC). Should hit stores in early
November.
Click to see some more hands-on pics as well as some specs cribbed from Roku's website:
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Internet Radio – Listen to thousands of free Internet radio stations from around the world - one-touch access to talk, jazz, rock, pop or your old home town favorite! You do not need a computer to listen to Internet radio; you just need broadband and a Wi-Fi home network.
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Play digital music files (WMA, AAC, MP3, WAV, AIFF) and podcasts over your Wi-Fi home network or SD/MMC card.
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Most Compatible Player – Plays directly from iTunes, Musicmatch, Windows Media Connect, Windows Media Player 10, Windows Media DRM 10, and more.
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Large Display/Convenient Remote – Browse, select and control your music from across the room, without leaving the comfort of your sofa.
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Fast Browse – Quickly browse huge music collections by Song, Album, Artist, Genre or Composer.
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Precision-engineered sound system with patented Linear Magnetic Drive™ stereo speakers and subwoofer provides unsurpassed audio quality.
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Extremely high-powered subwoofer with Delta Tunnel™ ported design and rare earth magnetics delivers unmatched acoustic performance.
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Digital AM/FM radio tuner with built-in internal AM antenna and support for external AM and FM antennas.
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Full-function clock radio with multiple alarms - wake up to digital music, Internet radio, AM/FM radio, playlists, podcasts or a choice of several alarm tones.
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Gradual volume ramping for a more pleasant wake-up experience.
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Atomic clock updates direct from naval observatory time – no more worrying about setting the time.
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Dedicated preset buttons for quick access to your favorite playlists and radio stations.
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Vacuum fluorescent display, super bright and easy to read, shows name of song and artist playing.
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Built-in light sensor auto-dims display at night.
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Headphone jack for private listening.
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SD/MMC card slot for offline playback of digital music files.**
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One-Step Software Updates - New features will continually add to your enjoyment.
*iTunes Music Store files (”Protected AAC”) cannot be played.
**Digital rights-managed (DRM) files cannot yet be played via SD/MMC card.
Add DAB and I'll buy it.
Very nice. Not so much innovative but an obvious evolution of products. Wish they would update the Photobridge hardware someday.
A better (IMO) approach: Have a proper stereo (amp/tuner and speakers) in the bedroom, with a Squeezebox2 connected to it. Use the Squeezebox2's alarm feature. If your amplifier/tuner uses a regular IR remote, you could even use the Squeezebox2's IR blaster feature to turn your amp on at wakeup time.
Nice pics, but a review of a stereo without any mention of how it sounds?
There's an easy answer to that: this isn't a review, this is a news piece covering the announcement.
In fact, we didn't get one to review, we were only able to get a few pics during a brief press tour last week. We didn't think it'd be approprate (or fair) to evaluate the SoundBridge Radio's sound quality without getting to spend at least an hour or two with it.
My only question is does the alarm function have a "backup" to either an AM or FM radio (or buzz) in case the wi-fi network connection is lost overnight?
Nothing worse than your alarm going off and making no noise because your router tripped in the middle of the night!!!
My guess is that alarm will lockup if no wi-fi connection is detected. I hope I'm wrong, but I see that as a distinct possibility, especially in ver 1.0
According to the FAQs on the Roku web page, the alarm will default to the "buzz" if it's set to an internet function and the connection is down.
Wow, first Roku product I actually find appealing. Would make a nice upgrade to my $5 RCA alarm clock I got from big lots 3 years ago.
now that's a BIG ass...
This is not different conceptually from Linksys attempt to combine a DMA with speakers and give it a form factor of a mobile audio system (see the Linksys WMLS11B). We all know that product (which was significantly cheaper) failed big time and is now discontinued. What makes Roku think this one will do better? The fact that it is shaped like an ugly alarm clock? The fact that it costs so much more?
Also, assuming it is going to be similar to the Soundbridge in terms of its Internet capabilities, this thing will only be able to play MP3 Internet radio streams which eliminates all the ones that use WMA or Real. The bottom line is if you like it get a Soundbridge (With a media server called TVersity it will even be able to play WMA Internet radio stations) and hook it up to a stereo or some other small speaker system, it will be cheaper (the M500 could be had in BestBuy for $120 after rebates - this holiday season is likely to bring even better deals), much better designed and just as good in any other area.
Will this work over a secure network? i.e. WEP, WSP, etc?
"...if you like it get a Soundbridge (With a media server called TVersity it will even be able to play WMA Internet radio stations) and hook it up to a stereo or some other small speaker system, it will be cheaper..." Not to beat this horse, but Squeezebox2 plays WMA internet radio stations natively, offers better sound quality, support for more formats and platforms, a nicer user interface, more responsive support, and a more robust set of capabilities (turning your stereo on at alarm time with its IR blasting feature is just one example).
#11 the SB supports WEP so I suspect this will also.
#12 you're beating a dead horse: at least all of the following comments are /highly/ subjective (or for a longer discussion elsewhere): "offers better sound quality, support for more formats and platforms, a nicer user interface, more responsive support".
I think I agree that the Squeezebox 2, would be better, with more features and better sound, and maybe even better to go for a sonos, www.sonos.com, or a musica, www.olive.us instead
I think this is a hit. I'm been searching for something self contained like this. I want something portable that can moved throughout the house. Sonos is big $$$ if you factor in a few zones, and I have no desire to rig something up, provide an amp, speakers etc. My only concern are Roku products in general. I had their Photobridge product and it was buggy and slow, had to eBay it...