SoniqCast Aireo (1 GB) MP3 Player
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- Number of Songs: 380
- Usage: Music
- Main Storage Type: Built-in Memory
- Storage Capacity: 1 GB
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WASH - FM, My Own Personal Radio Station!
Pros
1.5GB SD expandable MP3 player, digital FM stereo receiver & transmitter, dual headphone jacks
Cons
Big size, 20 seconds to boot up, no voice/FM record, poor instruction manual, WiFi.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
Wirelessly listen to your MP3s in your car. It's a decent MP3 player, but could have been smaller. However, I suggest wait 4 months for the Aireo-2.
Why did I buy it?
Although my wife is too bashful to admit it, I knew she needed a new car. So recently I purchased her a Nissan Murano. She loves it and is quite content tooling around town. It came with all the optional features and upgrades such as 6CD player, GPS navigation, XM SAT radio, etc, etc. However it was missing one key feature, no MP3 playback option. All my favorite music is now on MP3 format, and there is no reason for me to change. The CD player cannot read disks with MP3s recorded on them, and there is no option to read CF or SD flash memory cards. I had pretty much given up the idea of playing MP3s in the Murano, when I came across the Aireo while trolling around the web in my never ending gadget search. As I was reading the product description in between mouthfuls of stew I realized that the Aireo was the answer to my automobile audio affliction. The main reason for my purchase was to somehow play my MP3 songs in my car. I'm happy to say that I got a lot more! I purchased it for $86 + S/H on uBid.com.
WHAT's HOT.
MP3 player.
The player has a backlight monochromatic screen that in conjunction with some very rudimentary controls, allows you to access and manipulate the various functions and setting. There are 4 menu choices: MP3 player, FM Stereo, SoniqSync and HotSpotz. Your songs can be played either in sequence, or in shuffle (random) mode. The random mode is the best because you don't know what song will play next, but you know it will be one from your music collection. It's like having your own personal radio station that plays only your favorite songs.
FM Stereo Transmitter.
This was the main reason for me to buy this unit, and it did not disappoint. The transmitter is activated automatically when you unplug the headphones. This feature allows you to play your MP3 songs directly on your radio. The player wirelessly transmits the sound over your choice of FM frequencies, and plays the sound over that selected frequency on a nearby radio (typically in a car). You can select the frequency on the Aireo in 0.1 MHz increments. The best way to do this is find a frequency in between popular radio stations, where nothing is being broadcast. Manually tune your car radio to the same frequency, and then enjoy wireless playback of your MP3s over your car speakers. Imagine driving down the road while listening to your very own private radio station, only playing songs from your personal play-lists! Very convenient and kewl!
***Legal Disclaimer****
Transmitting over FM is prohibited by law in most countries. Especially in the US where all the airwaves are owned by monopolies like Clear Channel Communications. However the transmission area for the Aireo is approximately 15 feet. So feel free to run your own renegade radio station. However, please be careful!
FM Stereo Receiver.
The digital FM receiver allows you to scan through the various FM stations in your area. You can preset up to 14 stations into memory. And the radio has amazingly good reception. Usually radio signals start to fade near my buildings elevator shafts. However the Aireo kept playing clearly.
1.5GB HDD & SD flash memory card slot.
The Aireo has an internal hardwired 1.5GB hard drive. I think it is a microdrive because it is exactly the size of a compact flash card. It is permanently installed inside the unit and cannot be removed without destroying the unit. I know because I tried :) I opened up the unit almost instantly after receiving it, because I would rather use my Lexar 2GB and 4GB high-speed CF cards from my digital camera.
Upgradeable Firmware.
As soon as I installed the Sonicsync software on my PC, it prompted me to upgrade the Aireo firmware by downloading the latest version. The process was very simple and automated. After it was installed, the GUI on the player changed. Upgradeable firmware allows the manufacturer to add new capabilities and features (is: FM and Voice recording) to existing Aireo players.
SoniqStart.
This feature automatically turns the Aireo on when the car is started, and return to standby when the car is turned off. In order to use SoniqStart, the Aireo must be connected to the cigarette lighter charger, and must be in the standby mode. The Murano has a cigarette lighter plug in the glove box. This allows me to leave the Aireo in the glove box connected to the cig-lighter plug, and automatically listen to my music when I start the car. I never need to even tough the Aireo. This truly makes it convenient to drive while listening to your music collection.
Battery Performance.
SoniqCast rates the internal lithium battery at 7 hours of continuous use. I was listening to it the other night around 11pm. I fell asleep, my wife took the headphones off my ears. But she couldn't figure out how to turn it off. So the player kept playing till 5am. When I woke up, the player still seemed to have plenty of charge leftover.
WHAT's NOT.
Size.
IMHO, 2.8 X 4.5 X 1 inches, is just too big for an MP3 player with only 1.5GB storage (and no CF slot). I have a smaller and sleeker multifunction device in my TREO 600, with a 1GB SD card loaded with MP3 songs. The good news is that Soniqcast is releasing the new Aireo 2 in 2Q05. This unit will have all the functionality of the Aireo 1, 20GB HDD storage and a better interface, smaller size and sleeker design. If I had known this, I would have waited. I think the new Aireo 2 will be a serious contender and should take some market share away from the venerable IPOD.
SonicSync.
This is the software that allows you to manually or automatically sync your customized playlists from Windows Media Player, with your Aireo. However, I do not use playlists! I have organized my music in separate folders in the order that I like. SonicSync does not allow me to Sync specific folders. Sonicsync can also be set up to sync with Audible.com, again, for which I have no use.
HotSpotz.
This uses the internal WiFi capability to hunt and connect to local WiFi hotspots. It then connects to Audible .com to download some of your favorite genre of music. I have no use for this as almost all my favorite songs have already been made, and I already own them on CDs and MP3s. This feature may be useful for someone younger than I, or for someone who is obsessed with hearing the latest beats.
Wireless Networking.
I had trouble setting up and connecting to my home wireless network. I thing this interface should have been made easier, or at the least explained better in the instruction manual. It also kept freezing up my whole computer to a point where I could only do a hard reboot. After much tinkering with the various settings, I finally got it to connect to my D-Link wireless router. And even then I could not connect because of the various firewall and other security setting within WinXP SP2. I did not want to mess with those settings, so I just gave up on wirelessly networking the Aireo.
Equalizer.
The 7 band equalizer allows you to customize the sound while using headphones only. However it is disabled when using the FM transmit function. I think it could have been useful to minimize noise from certain types of FM interference.
The BOTTOM LINE.
This is an excellent solution for wirelessly listening to your MP3s in your car. It's a fairly decent standalone portable MP3 player, but it could have been smaller. If it is not urgent, I suggest you to wait 4 months for the Aireo 2.
SPECIFICATIONS. Taken from SoniqCast.com
Size 2.8" x 4.5" x 0.9"
Weight 6.8 oz
Capacity: 1.5 Gig hard drive
Power: DC 5V
LCD Display: 128 x 64 pixel resolution blue LED backlit display
Battery Life: up to 7 hours of continuous playtime
Playback formats: MPEG audio Layer 3 (MP3), Windows Media Audio (WMA)
Connectivity: USB
Signal to noise ratio: Up to 96dB (headphones)
Channel Separation: Up to 75dB (headphones)
Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz
Harmonic distortion output: 0.1%
Operating system/firmware: Upgradeable
Headphone out: 2 - 1/8" stereo mini-jack, 100mW
Included Accessories:
- Stereo behind the neck headphones
- USB cable
- AC power adapter
- Deluxe carrying case
- Documentation and Support (on player)
- User manual and quick start guide (on player)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Although my wife is too bashful to admit it, I knew she needed a new car. So recently I purchased her a Nissan Murano. She loves it and is quite content tooling around town. It came with all the optional features and upgrades such as 6CD player, GPS navigation, XM SAT radio, etc, etc. However it was missing one key feature, no MP3 playback option. All my favorite music is now on MP3 format, and there is no reason for me to change. The CD player cannot read disks with MP3s recorded on them, and there is no option to read CF or SD flash memory cards. I had pretty much given up the idea of playing MP3s in the Murano, when I came across the Aireo while trolling around the web in my never ending gadget search. As I was reading the product description in between mouthfuls of stew I realized that the Aireo was the answer to my automobile audio affliction. The main reason for my purchase was to somehow play my MP3 songs in my car. I'm happy to say that I got a lot more! I purchased it for $86 + S/H on uBid.com.
WHAT's HOT.
MP3 player.
The player has a backlight monochromatic screen that in conjunction with some very rudimentary controls, allows you to access and manipulate the various functions and setting. There are 4 menu choices: MP3 player, FM Stereo, SoniqSync and HotSpotz. Your songs can be played either in sequence, or in shuffle (random) mode. The random mode is the best because you don't know what song will play next, but you know it will be one from your music collection. It's like having your own personal radio station that plays only your favorite songs.
FM Stereo Transmitter.
This was the main reason for me to buy this unit, and it did not disappoint. The transmitter is activated automatically when you unplug the headphones. This feature allows you to play your MP3 songs directly on your radio. The player wirelessly transmits the sound over your choice of FM frequencies, and plays the sound over that selected frequency on a nearby radio (typically in a car). You can select the frequency on the Aireo in 0.1 MHz increments. The best way to do this is find a frequency in between popular radio stations, where nothing is being broadcast. Manually tune your car radio to the same frequency, and then enjoy wireless playback of your MP3s over your car speakers. Imagine driving down the road while listening to your very own private radio station, only playing songs from your personal play-lists! Very convenient and kewl!
***Legal Disclaimer****
Transmitting over FM is prohibited by law in most countries. Especially in the US where all the airwaves are owned by monopolies like Clear Channel Communications. However the transmission area for the Aireo is approximately 15 feet. So feel free to run your own renegade radio station. However, please be careful!
FM Stereo Receiver.
The digital FM receiver allows you to scan through the various FM stations in your area. You can preset up to 14 stations into memory. And the radio has amazingly good reception. Usually radio signals start to fade near my buildings elevator shafts. However the Aireo kept playing clearly.
1.5GB HDD & SD flash memory card slot.
The Aireo has an internal hardwired 1.5GB hard drive. I think it is a microdrive because it is exactly the size of a compact flash card. It is permanently installed inside the unit and cannot be removed without destroying the unit. I know because I tried :) I opened up the unit almost instantly after receiving it, because I would rather use my Lexar 2GB and 4GB high-speed CF cards from my digital camera.
Upgradeable Firmware.
As soon as I installed the Sonicsync software on my PC, it prompted me to upgrade the Aireo firmware by downloading the latest version. The process was very simple and automated. After it was installed, the GUI on the player changed. Upgradeable firmware allows the manufacturer to add new capabilities and features (is: FM and Voice recording) to existing Aireo players.
SoniqStart.
This feature automatically turns the Aireo on when the car is started, and return to standby when the car is turned off. In order to use SoniqStart, the Aireo must be connected to the cigarette lighter charger, and must be in the standby mode. The Murano has a cigarette lighter plug in the glove box. This allows me to leave the Aireo in the glove box connected to the cig-lighter plug, and automatically listen to my music when I start the car. I never need to even tough the Aireo. This truly makes it convenient to drive while listening to your music collection.
Battery Performance.
SoniqCast rates the internal lithium battery at 7 hours of continuous use. I was listening to it the other night around 11pm. I fell asleep, my wife took the headphones off my ears. But she couldn't figure out how to turn it off. So the player kept playing till 5am. When I woke up, the player still seemed to have plenty of charge leftover.
WHAT's NOT.
Size.
IMHO, 2.8 X 4.5 X 1 inches, is just too big for an MP3 player with only 1.5GB storage (and no CF slot). I have a smaller and sleeker multifunction device in my TREO 600, with a 1GB SD card loaded with MP3 songs. The good news is that Soniqcast is releasing the new Aireo 2 in 2Q05. This unit will have all the functionality of the Aireo 1, 20GB HDD storage and a better interface, smaller size and sleeker design. If I had known this, I would have waited. I think the new Aireo 2 will be a serious contender and should take some market share away from the venerable IPOD.
SonicSync.
This is the software that allows you to manually or automatically sync your customized playlists from Windows Media Player, with your Aireo. However, I do not use playlists! I have organized my music in separate folders in the order that I like. SonicSync does not allow me to Sync specific folders. Sonicsync can also be set up to sync with Audible.com, again, for which I have no use.
HotSpotz.
This uses the internal WiFi capability to hunt and connect to local WiFi hotspots. It then connects to Audible .com to download some of your favorite genre of music. I have no use for this as almost all my favorite songs have already been made, and I already own them on CDs and MP3s. This feature may be useful for someone younger than I, or for someone who is obsessed with hearing the latest beats.
Wireless Networking.
I had trouble setting up and connecting to my home wireless network. I thing this interface should have been made easier, or at the least explained better in the instruction manual. It also kept freezing up my whole computer to a point where I could only do a hard reboot. After much tinkering with the various settings, I finally got it to connect to my D-Link wireless router. And even then I could not connect because of the various firewall and other security setting within WinXP SP2. I did not want to mess with those settings, so I just gave up on wirelessly networking the Aireo.
Equalizer.
The 7 band equalizer allows you to customize the sound while using headphones only. However it is disabled when using the FM transmit function. I think it could have been useful to minimize noise from certain types of FM interference.
The BOTTOM LINE.
This is an excellent solution for wirelessly listening to your MP3s in your car. It's a fairly decent standalone portable MP3 player, but it could have been smaller. If it is not urgent, I suggest you to wait 4 months for the Aireo 2.
SPECIFICATIONS. Taken from SoniqCast.com
Size 2.8" x 4.5" x 0.9"
Weight 6.8 oz
Capacity: 1.5 Gig hard drive
Power: DC 5V
LCD Display: 128 x 64 pixel resolution blue LED backlit display
Battery Life: up to 7 hours of continuous playtime
Playback formats: MPEG audio Layer 3 (MP3), Windows Media Audio (WMA)
Connectivity: USB
Signal to noise ratio: Up to 96dB (headphones)
Channel Separation: Up to 75dB (headphones)
Frequency response: 20Hz - 20kHz
Harmonic distortion output: 0.1%
Operating system/firmware: Upgradeable
Headphone out: 2 - 1/8" stereo mini-jack, 100mW
Included Accessories:
- Stereo behind the neck headphones
- USB cable
- AC power adapter
- Deluxe carrying case
- Documentation and Support (on player)
- User manual and quick start guide (on player)
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