Acer iRhythm 900MHz Wireless Remote Tuner | List Price: $89.95
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Platform: Windows 98, Windows 2000
Brand: Acer
Binding: Electronics
Features: - Wirelessly play Internet music and MP3 files over your home stereo or headphones
- Transmits from your PC--connects to your stereo
- Listen to your own MP3 playing lists
- Includes remote tuner, base-unit transmitter, and receiver
- Optimized for broadband; hundreds of preset Internet radio stations--sort by genre
We love it [Posted on 2002-10-19]
This is great for listening to Internet Radio over your regular stereo. It sets up in minutes. The only problem is that it get noisy (Rarely though)because it works like a cordless phone. Well worth every penny!
Software Issues / No Support [Posted on 2003-08-25]
I like transmitting audio from my machine to my home stereo. My wife really likes it a lot - Austin radio is terrible - so getting a few thousand more stations is great. I bought the remote tuner though and the software always crashes. I wrote support and got no answer. I've also checked the web -- nothing. Also weekends are bad because many people are using their cordless phones in our building and so we get the loud "BBRRRRPPPP!" every couple of minutes when someone uses their phone or gets a call.
Super gadget, easy to use, multiple uses! [Posted on 2003-11-30]
The Acer iRhythm 900MHz Wireless Remote Tuner works as advertised.
Easy installation (get the software updates online), very good sound quality, a very clever device that is handsomely designed and well constructed. In addition to being able to access a (seeming) zillion internet radio stations, the remote device can also wirelessly "broadcast" your music playlists (or internet radio) from your PC to your home sound system or headphones (using the included small remote receiver). It is recommended that you also install the latest FREE versions of Windows Media Player and Real One Player. Somehow these players interface with the iRhythm Tuner and expand its capabilities. A cautionary note: The iRhythm software may tell you, incorrectly, that you have obsolete versions of Windows Media and Real One Players. This slight error does not affect the functionality of the unit and can be ignored. The unit is optimized for Broadband/DSL connections but will operate with a good 56K modem connection. If you can stream music using Windows Media or Real One Players then the device will work on your system. Summary, it is a fun and highly practical device that enables you to squeeze more audio entertainment from the internet and from your PC.
2004 review - Great if you can get it for $40 or less! [Posted on 2004-03-25]
Introduction:
I first bought a RCA pair of wireless speakers over ebay for listening to internet radio in my bedroom - that was okay, but lacked a headphone option and control of the channels I listen too -- and I was forced to hang out near the bulky speakers. Now, seeing the Acer/SonicBox thing for $40, I bought it - WORD OF CAUTION: don't get the KO version unless you don't need wireless. As long as you get the little blue pager thingee, you will be able to broadcast from the square transmitter thing 'up to 100 feet'. For me wireless was the whole purpose. Summary:
It works pretty well even several rooms away on a different floor. In 2004 though, it looks like the manufacturer is out of business or not supporting the product and about a third of the preprogrammed stations don't seem to work for me. However, I love this product! Now I can listen to channels fro around the world from VOA to VOIran (!) Interesting Points I found:
* The RCA 900 mhz speaker/transmitters I already owned seem to work with the Sonicbox - though not in stereo. I am trying to figure out how do something neat with this.
* Pray your IRhythm works - mine worked well. I'm not sure how you'd get service or help if it doesn't work. This does seem to be the best remote internet listening choice.
* I'm still trying to figure out how to get extra stations added. I have been able to add most mediaplayer format streaming stations, but haven't had any luck with ReadAudio stations added to 'your personal Z band'. I'm not sure how to get MP3s to work.
* My PC is XP Home and seems to work fine with the tool. There doesn't seem to be much help for hacking or using this product on the web. I'm using these customer reviews as my primary help source! (Thanks Amazon for having the reviews in the first place!)
* This product is actually a pretty cheap way to make yourself a pair of wireless headphones - just plug your good headphones into the pager thingee and an audio source into the transmitter input and you've got decent stereo - though I would not agree with other reviewers that the sound is better than a good FM tuner.
* I have a CABLE MODEM (read: Broadband Connection) which makes the IRhythm a great thing to have. I don't know if I would think the product was so good if I didn't have a fast constant connection to the internet. It would be great if someone with a dial up modem could tell us all if the product is still any good -- for example, wouldn't it be cool if when you turn on the unit it was smart enough to dial up your internet provider and get you on line, even though you are in another room lying on your bed!
ALERT - the website that this hardware needs is DEAD [Posted on 2004-05-02]
HI - I wrote a review of this earlier this year - and I am still impressed by the fact you can send computer audio or any audio throughout your house...However, it looks like as of about May 1, 2004 the website that the hardware works with is no longer active. When you are deciding whether you want this, factor that into your decision. In my case, it's still good, but I can no longer control the channels. I have to set up some audio playing on the PC first and I can't change channels. Buyer beware.
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