Neil51

Hi Miss Anne,
I'd never heard of internet radios before. I have now looked into this a bit more since your advice. So, can you explain please:

1. To confirm, if I buy an internet radio, can I listen to any radio channel (in the world) that I can get via my PC?

2. How does the internet radio connect to the Wi-Fi router?

3. Does it have to be Wi-Fi, or can it be a plug-in broadband connection?

4. And this is more of a general question related to British electrical goods. Are they compatible with the electrical system in Qatar, and what type of plug adapter will I need, if any? Is it easy/comparable price to buy one in Qatar?

Thank you, and I'm sorry if my questions are very general and simple. I am a Luddite when it comes to gadgets and technology.

Oyibopeppeh

Eh by gum lad....

1) Your PC is your internet radio...you load the URL (that's the www bit) of the station you want to listen to and bob's your uncle

2) Your PC connects to the router either wirelessly or by ethernet cable

3) You can either listen directly via the speakers on your PC or stream it to a AV system wirelessly

4) UK type square 3-pin sockets, 220v/50Hz

Neil51

So, I'll still need to have my PC plugged in and on to allow my internet radio to work?
Are you saying that the internet radio plugs into the PC which is plugged in to the router? What benefit is there in buying an internet radio if that is the case?

Oyibopeppeh

You don't need a separate radio...your PC acts as the radio. Rather than tuning into, say 106.0 FM, you'll go to a web page, eg

for Classic Rock Radio, go to

http://www.classicrockradio.eu/

Neil51

I know that, thanks. But would an internet radio also do the job, and that is what my questions relate to: how they work? I'd rather not have the PC switched on since I will be working at it most of the day.

britexpat76

Virgin Radio in Dubai is quite listenable........My mate also produces the breakfast show so its not just mindless phone ins with people complaining about trivial shite in pigeon english.

As regards the OP Get an ipod/phone and a docking station and tune into radio on there. Or if its sport you like you will find almost every sport shown live in a bar.

Millhouse

An internet (or wifi) wireless is just that... wireless. It logs into your wifi router and presto- no need for the PC to be on. Router has to be on, but that's hidden away in the maids room - the radiation keeps her warm in the winter.

I just bought a docking station for the ipad... finally the useless piece of junk has a purpose and is now a wireless wireless in the kitchen. Download the app 'tunein radio' Has all the pinoy/ Chinese stations to keep the girlfriend happy too.

Miss Anne Thrope

But the OP said he didn't want to bother having his PC on. I understand that perfectly. In the kitchen, for example, you may just want to have a device that looks, sounds and behaves like a radio.

I bought one from Aldi which I would not recommend. It connected to my router ok (until it stopped recently for no apparent reason after about 5 years) but was a pain to use because it had a very limited input mechanism. Basically it had a single stream of text with all the letters, digits and main characters so you had to scroll through the full list each time to select the next character in the wi-fi password, for example. This also made it painfully slow to find and scroll through stations (which it did by country). It refused to connect to Radio 4, for some reason though it picked up other BBC and European stations. It used something called the "Receiva" gateway which seemed to be an unhelpful restriction on the stations available.

I guess newer models should be more easy to use though it appears to be still a speciality item as most people are probably quite happy to use their PC or stream through another device.

Here's what a search for "internet radio" on the Argos site throws up:

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...INTERNET+RADIO

There seems to be a very wide variation in price and they have included a couple of DAB units which are NOT what you want. I like the look of the Philips set but it is very expensive. The TV/radio unit looks alarmingly cheap though! Worth checking other retailers online also to see what's available and compare specs and prices.

Qatar uses UK plugs and 220V so no problem with appliances (unlike, say, in the US). I would buy small appliances in the UK before coming as you will get better price and selection.

Neil51

Thanks Miss Anne,
I'm glad that you can relate to my preference to get away from my PC.
Sorry to labour the point, but I just want to confirm that an internet radio will connect (remotely for a Wi-fi, or plug in if it is a plug in broadband) to my internet connection directly, with no need for the PC to be on?
Thanks

Sandboy

yes, I use this, can't get near a pc for the family and like to have the radio in the kitchen

6music and 5live all weekend

Neil51

Great, thank you for all who have helped me.
Best wishes