DAB radio with timer record

[fray_bentos]

I'm considering getting a DAB radio as my phone is rubbish picking up FM broadcast at work (i guess i could get a small FM radio, but where would be the fun in that).

I was looking for the bug made by pure http://lifestyle.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=6013 but it seems its very old now and unavailable.

I want one i can set a timer to record a radio program of 2 to 3 hours in the evening and then listen at work - does anyone know of a model which can do this? What replaced the bug? I can find one at hifigear.com but anyone got any other places i could get one, or is £129.99 the normal prices?

Thanks.

[Alex]

Do you mean like a portable? I guess you could get a DAB/FM tuner card for your PC, record to MP3 and then transfer that to your phone - would probably work out a lot cheaper - may not be simpler though.

[Alex]

Also, if the original poster doesn't take it, there'd be a bug FS for £30 here.

[chrestomanci]

I have a bug radio, and yes it does do timer records to an SD card. It is fairly simple to setup recordings.

The main point to be aware of is that unless you transcode, the recordings will be in mp2 format, not mp3. Windows media player can play them, but a lot of standalone mp3 players can't, including most mobile phones. The file size is also bigger for the same quality. These days most broadcasts are at 128 kb/s, but sound similar to a 96 kb/s mp3.

Another option to consider would be recording DVB radio stations via a DVB capture card or USB device in your PC, or a DVB recorder that can export recordings to a PC. That way you get a much nicer EPG to set the timer with. You will still get mp2 format recordings though.

What kind of stuff are you recording? Is it specific radio shows that you want to listen to, or just background music, because if it is just background music, then I think you would probably be better off ripping your CD collection to mp3, and then burning it to one or more dual layer DVDs, and listening to it on your work PC.

If on the other hand you are an avid Radio 4 listener, and want to record all their documentaries & current affairs programs they put on in the evening, have you considered downloading podcasts from their website? Most of their factual stuff is available to download, often for years after it was first broadcast.

[fray_bentos]

Yeah it needs to be a portable as I can't add anything to the work pc, at home i could record from DVB but then the pain is having to setup some kind of auto conversion then remember to put the new files onto a memory stick or my phone every day.

I just want some new music to listen to as i have mp3's on my computer but i'm bored of them -could just buy some new cd's i guess but i like the random aspect of the radio. I was going to record Zane Lowe and other shows that are on in the evening and listen to them the next day on the bug, then do the same again each night.

I'll take a look at the link provided - chrestomanci: the sound through headphones on the bug ok? no background noise from the electronics?

[TheReaFireblade]

The Bug 2 (got one meself in the bedroom) should still be available, but it isn't a portable radio - due to both its shape, and the 'neck' being fairly long.

Something like the new Pure Digital Evoke Flow DAB Internet Radio might be a better bet:


It's the What Hi-Fi Awards 2008 winner They also have a video review of it here.
It's available from Go-Electrical for £139.90 delivered

[fray_bentos]

sorry, portable wasn't correct at all, i said it meaning not a mini-system (should have made that clearer!)

No wifi at work unfortunately or i would listen to radio online.

[hyenus]

ive got a v1 bug and bearing in mind its years old now is still great .. i wish the v2 was really v2 and they put in a decent rocker switch, 2.5mm aux input, better track display (its like msdos after 8 characters) and it would record in mp3 instead of only mp2 .. but despite this its great ... i use it for listening to audio books (have to reformat chapter file names to 8 char other wise it would get lost) as well

despite the niggles if after several years of constant use it died i would buy a second hand one (if they have stopped making them) as i havnt seen anything better .. if u can get it for 30 quid snap it up and update to latest firmware on pure's site