Kevin Pearson wrote:
Jessop wrote:
I take your point Kevin but it's an online streaming device so it goes without saying that these stations must be online otherwise the Squeezebox has no material to stream! The whole point of the Squeezebox is convenience and that is it's big selling point not to mention it''s a fraction of the size of a laptop never mind a desktop pc.It brings thousands of stations to one very convenient location and each station can be accessed at the touch of a button.By the way there is no need for your pc to be on to access the stations.The device gets the channels wirelessly through the router.Believe me, it beats the hell out of having to turn on my pc every time i want to hear the radio.On top of that i don't have to click the bookmark, load the website then start the buffering of the stream.All that for just one channel? Phew
Try browsing hundreds of channels that way and you won't be long giving up and sticking to one or two channels at the most.I wonder how many people if given the option would buy a tv without a remote if it saved them fifty dollars?They know they can walk to the tv and change the channel without the need for a remote but how many would you think would take up the offer?I'm pretty certain only an extreme minority.It's all about time, convenience and practicality.The world is too fast and life too short.
As for the cost it's probably overpriced just like cds,dvds and most other products.Having said that i think the savings on electricity over time by not having to boot up your pc every time you need to hear the radio would make up for the extra cost, eventually.
If you are perfectly content with your setup then it makes no sense for you to pay for this gadget you feel you can do without.
I support your right to choose.Good for you.
It's not that I don't like or appreciate the technology behind the device Jessop. It's just that I believe that radio stations are like restaurants. It is a verifiable fact that most people only frequent from five to ten restaurants on a regular basis and I believe the same holds true for radio stations. Once you find the five to ten stations you really enjoy it's not likely you will browse around for others after the novelty wears off. So, for me bookmarking ten stations I love is probably sufficient to take care of my personal radio needs. Not to mention the $265 U.S. price is a huge deterrent when I already own a PC that will do the very same thing. As far as th energy savings the boot up is nothing for me because my PC is on 24/7. It actually considerably shortens the life of your motherboard by turning the PC on and off so mine is always on demand already. I also have FIOS (fiber optics) and the buffering time on any station is probably less than 7 seconds.
Kevin
Ah! Good old verifiable facts. I always find it amusing when people start stating 'verifiable facts' to support their own opinion as usually the vast majority of these 'verifiable facts' are simply not...well.........................verifiable.
Would the following be considered 'verifiable facts'?
Most people who own pcs have radios as well.Many have portable audio devices too.
Most peolple do not leave their pcs on 24/7.They use the power-off button.It's there for a reason.Let the cpu cool down completely by turning off the pc when your'e not at home.
Leaving a pc on 24/7 uses considerably more power and generates more heat than if turning it off after use.
Most pc owners never experience motherboard problems unless they pour coffee on it,short it out, are attempting to overclock or handle it recklessly without being grounded.
It's not the way i would do things Kevin but I guess everyone to their own.
