There comes a time in every manufacturer’s life when they have to ask themselves the big question: are we iPod friendly or not? TerraTec have obviously done some soul-searching and decided that the answer is a resolute “yes!”, hence their latest update to the NOXON wireless media streamer/internet radio line, the NOXON 2 for iPod.
It still seems strange to me that for the outlay of a couple of relatively low-denomination notes you can pick up a portable TV card that only a couple of years ago would’ve run into the hundreds. That, I suppose, is the relentless advance of technology (and damn don’t we love it!) TerraTec were kind enough to flaunt their advances in my face send me their latest TV tidbit, the Cinergy HT Express, a slender digital/analogue hybrid tuner designed to slot neatly into the ExpressCard slot on todays latest laptops. TerraTec boast that it’s the first hybrid ExpressCard on the market, capable of receiving DVB-T signals like the UK’s Freeview as well as tuning in to home analogue whether that be fixed antenna or cable.
I confess, I’m preaching the dream but up until a month ago I wasn’t living it. The dream is, of course, distributed audio: I’m a huge fan of keeping all your music digitally on some server in your house, and streaming it wirelessly to whichever room you’re sitting in, but I’ve never had the money or time to set up such a system myself. Of course, for many DIY installers the flagship is Sonos’ incredible Digital Music System (reviewed by SlashGear last November), but there are other – cheaper – ways to enjoy your favourite albums while cooking, ironing or pooping.
TerraTec’s NOXON iRadio is one such way. A compact, 215×120x110mm box weighing just 1kg, it not only streams your digital music collection but can access thousands of internet radio stations, all played through the built-in speaker. An 802.11g WiFi adaptor takes care of wireless connectivity, as well as a standard ethernet port for network traditionalists, with control managed either by front-panel buttons or IR remote.
JP
