Grundig Digital Radio manual Internet Radios relation with the traditional radio

DIGITAL RADIO GUIDE INTERNET RADIO

An interesting example of a PC audio player is the BBC Radio Player which is a PC application that allows Internet users to download BBC radio programmes via a programme guide for up to 7 days after broadcast. BBC is now in the process of trialling an Integrated Media Player (iMP) which will allow for both radio and television programme downloads but, due to copyright restrictions, only to the UK territory. For the users' benefit, the programme guide is available a week in advance and a week behind. Users are able to download programmes as soon as they have been broadcast on TV and Radio and can watch them as many times as they like during seven days. iMP also allows users to subscribe to a series which automatically downloads each programme immediately after being broadcast.

Music download is now a feature of 3G mobile phones. Motorola and Apple joined forces to market a device combining iPod with mobile phones. For the moment, downloading songs still has to be carried out via the Internet and the user's PC, although in the near future the mobile phone could do it via 3G networks direct.

It is also worth mentioning the possibility to attach a small FM transmitter to a portable iPod player for listening on car radios. This is important, as radio listening in the car may be affected. Some people may choose to listen to their personal collection of pre- recorded files on iPods, rather than listening to local FM or AM stations. Just as commuters are catching up to the idea of satellite radio for their cars, a new wireless approach called "Roadcasting" will allow you to tune your radio to music playlists coming from other cars on the motorway.

A special category of IR terminal devices are disguised computers which look like old radios but can connect to Internet radio stations. An early example of this approach is Kerbango from 3Com (no longer available on the market). Newer Internet radio receivers include products from Reciva, Acoustic Energy, Noxon, Slimdevices, SoundBridge, Solutions and others. For example, Acoustic Energy uses a wireless broadband connection and supports Real Audio, Windows Media and MP3. Radio stations' URLs are store on a central database which can be easily updated on request to accommodate any other radio stations. Currently, more than 10,000 stations from virtually any country worldwide and of more than sixty different genres are available. Typically, the prices of Internet radios range between $100 and $200 US.

Another consumer electronics device which allows consumers to listen to Internet radio and Internet music is Streamium from Philips. The concept here is different because you need a separate PC and a broadband Internet connection. The PC and Streamium can be located in two different rooms (which is convenient because of the fan noise of the PC) and are connected wirelessly using 802.11g connection (bandwidth 54 MBps). An LCD display shows audio metadata (song titles, artist names, remaining and elapsed play time, etc.), so you do not need to have your TV turned on when listening to your music or radio. There are many other appliances in the market that, when connected to a PC, play radio or music on the home stereo or surround equipment in the living room (e.g., AudioTron from Vermont, PhoneRadio from Penguin, etc.).

6.8Internet Radio's relation with the traditional radio

The comparatively low entry barriers for broadcasters have led to a proliferation of Internet radio sites. This has increased the importance of promotion and product differentiation. However, broadcasters enjoy a significant competitive edge. They benefit from both strong brand recognition and the ability to cross-promote across Internet, radio and TV networks.

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