Hewlett Packard Digital Audio Recorder (DE100C)

Buy Cheap Hewlett Packard Digital Audio Recorder (DE100C)

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Experience a new world of digital music. HPM-^Rs digital audio recorder works with your stereo, TV, and Internet* connection to store and play your favorite music. The 40GB hard drive will store/sort up to 750 CDs. Create playlists, transfer tracks to an MP3 player/PDA, or burn music to a CD in the built-in CD-RW tray. Tune in to Internet radio stations worldwide; play videos or movie trailers on your TV. *Connect to your dial-up or broadband provider via phone line. Router required for broadband.
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Technical Details

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 "What can I say - I love mine so much I bought one for my Dad" 2008-05-29
By Alpha (Lake Monticello, VA)
I personally have not had one moment of trouble with my DE100C - nor the one I bought for my father. It's a tremendous convenience having my entire music library (over 400 CDs) in one location and searchable.



There are some great web sites with information for upgrading and enhancing this unit. It's a breeze to upgrade and improve. Mine now has a 1 ghz processor, 256 mb of RAM and a 160 GB drive (all very inexpensive upgrades). My fathers just has the memory upgraded - but both work great.



There is a good Yahoo group that supports these and you can find a lot of helpful and knowledgeable people there. I try to offer my .02 as well...



If you're looking for a nice digital entertainment center without breaking the bank, you'll like the DE100C (or it's sister the DE200C). Fun, easy to use and it's a wonderful convenience. Sound quality is great. The menus attractive. Overall I couldn't be more satisfied.

 "Not Recommended" 2002-09-21
By
This product is not worth the cost. It does not connect to the internet efficiently. Wireless is not available. Keyboard doesn't connect which makes editing playlist painful. Although there are 3 USB ports, they don't seem to work. Networking doesn't seem to work behind a firewall. You can't add drivers via the CD because it doesn't understand a data CD.

HP Support is unhelpful. I sent e-mail asking about attaching a Lynksys Wireless Ethernet. The response was - we can't help you on third party wireless solutions - just HP. So I responded - what is HP's solution. Answer - "We don't have one"!

I recommend you buy a dedicated PC - it functions better and more reliable.

 "Wish I could recommend this more..." 2002-02-24
By J. Ogle (Knoxville, TN USA)
I've had my HPDEC since Christmas. At first it worked great, but about a month later it really started to have problems. It started locking up during its nightly updates and requiring cold boots to recover. Then one day it quit coming up altogether. It would sit at the "Starting Up" screen and go no further. :( I scoured the HP Technical Support site but they had no information on how to fix it so I called HP Tech Support. They put me on hold for almost an hour (at my expense, they don't have an 800 number), and finally got to talk to a technician who told me these "secret" way to reset it:

1) During a cold startup, hold down the 'CD' button to reset to try to reinstall the last patch.

2) If that doesn't work, hold down the 'CD' button to get to the '5 seconds' screen, then press and hold 'CD','Library',and 'Record' until a screen comes up saying restoring to Failsafe version. This restores the OS and software to the original factory-installed version. You'll have to go through audio/network setup again, but it DOES NOT erase your saved music, as that is stored safely on a different disk partition.

I had to perform Step 2 about twice a week for the next three weeks till I got fed up and unplugged my network cable (which is the only way to stop the nightly updates). That seemed to work until the power went out last week and I had to do it yet again. Ugh. Can't say I'd call this this thing STABLE by any means... I really like it otherwise, about the only other really annoying thing is it should allow you to hook up a keyboard since entry of song/cd info through the remote control is PAINFUL.

 "DE100C not ready for prime-time." 2002-02-13
By P. Grace (Belmont, CA USA)
Wow--I bought one, and it has been the WORST consumer electronics experience of my lifetime.

The device does not read CD's when you plug it in and start it up. You have to reset it, but the instructions on how to do so are wrong.

Although you can put in on a local area network, and download music to it, you cannot upload music from it.

Even when downloading it takes from minutes to hours to "post" the downloaded music in your library. (No, you can't find them in your "Recent Downloads" file either.)

When you shut it off, the hard drive continues running 24x7 unless you really shut it down (hold the power switch for 5 seconds) If you have an energy star monitor attached to the unit (it's internal display is really not usable) the monitor will not go to sleep.

When ripping CD's to the hard disk, the machine plays out of the hard disk, but you can't play anything except the tracks being ripped. (unlike a Tivo or ReplayTV where recording and playback are understanbly not tied together)

Every morning the unit powers itself up to check for updates, but it never powers down.

Downloading to a Compact Flash card (by the approved SanDisk SDDR-31) just does not work. "No portable device found".

The unit requires Audio CD-R or CD-RW royalty-paid media, but only low-speed media is writable.

I burned an Audio CD-RW sucessfully, but the unit refused to erase it afterwards. "CD is not writable".

Calls and EMails to HP support are the most ridiculous thing imaginable (I saved them) Support does not read the question, they merely supply an answer that has some of the same keywords as your question--Like the answer to my question about erasing CD-RWs was two-fold: A: "You can't use data CD-RW, you have to use Audio CD-RW" (Since I burned it, they should have known it was Audio media--I told them it was. B: The DE100C does not Erase media (then what does the "Erase CD-RW" function do?)

Anyway, I strongly urge people NOT to buy this. For its incredible lack of functionality, it's WAY overpriced. I'm taking mine back shortly. I'll just buy a dedicated laptop for less.

 "Pretty good first try...." 2002-01-13
By Allan Gobin
The good stuff:

1. Very intuitive on-screen menu system. Simple and effective.
2. Built in modem for Internet access. No need for network connection.
3. Built in Internet radio...if you listen to radio.
4. Built in Ethernet network. Allows MP3 uploads but no downloads.
5. Large hard-drive: 40G
6. CD writer. Allow you to create CDs of MP3 selections.
7. Fast MP3 ripping to hard disk.
8. Very stable software.

The negative stuff:

1. Offers ONLY MP3 compression format with the best MP3 quality of 256bps. While this quality level will be adequate for most people. Audiophiles (like myself) should expect to lose about 10-15% of CD quality. (Because MP3 compression is similar to JPEG compression, expect the lost to be overall detail, especially in the high-end.) The new Compaq unit offers the max MP3 quality of 320bps but falls short in other areas. I have already requested of HP to offer an uncompressed format or at least the higher 320bps option. Since they are using Real Network jukebox software, which already offers this, it should be easy.
2. No backup option. BEWARE, if that hard-drive crashes you will lose everything on it. I am planning on figuring out a way to backup the drive. It took a lot of work to get all my music into it in the first place.
3. Only able to download music to a very limited number of MP3 portable players e.g. RIO.

Actually, besides the sound quality, which I have already admit would be more than satisfactory for most people. I have no complaints about the unit. I actually bought a Krell DAC to use with the unit, which helps a lot. The onboard DAC is standard fare...but plug it into a good DAC via the coaxial out digital port and it will become much easier to live with if you are an audiophile.

FYI: this unit is feeding a Krell DAC and power amp connected to B&Ws.


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RADIOSHARK2 - Am/fm Radio Recorder

Buy Cheap RADIOSHARK2 - Am/fm Radio Recorder

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It's never been safer to go back in the (air)waves - or more fun. To put it simply, radio SHARK 2 adds the enjoyment of AM/FM radio to your computer, both Mac and PC. But that's only the beginning. radio SHARK 2 can record AM and FM radio broadcasts in real time. You can record while you listen, or you can set up recordings to occur later, or according to a repeating schedule. You can record while you listen or you can set up recordings to occur later to a repeating schedule. You never have to miss a favorite show again. Recordings are saved to your hard disk and can be added automatically to your iTunes library for listening on your iPod. Griffin's Radio Shark software keeps track as you listen. You can pause the broadcast and come right back to where you left off, moments or even hours later. Radio Shark's on-screen radio tuner looks, feels and works just the way you expect a radio dial to work. There's nothing to learn and no monthly fees. Along with the usual fare of AM/FM talk shows, call-ins, top-forty and easy listening, you get to browse the ever-expanding world of Internet Radio. You get to sample great music and sounds from all over the world via Cyberspace. It's just like listening to Radio. Plug the radio Shark Fin into your computer's USB port, load the software and start tuning in. You can pick it up as you go.
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Technical Details

- 87.5 to 108.0 MHz FM Tuning Range
- 100kHz FM Frequency Steps
- 50Hz - 15kHz FM Frequency Response
- 530 to 1710 kHz AM Tuning Range
- 10kHz or 9kHz AM Frequency Steps
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 "Nonexistent AM reception" 2009-09-28
By GarryW (Alameda, California USA)
Word on the street is that this unit and its predecessor (RadioShark "1", I guess) are essentially identical in terms of hardware, and that if you had problems with the old model, you'll have problems with this one too.



That said -



I bought a RadioShark "1" off of eBay for the purpose of recording AM sports broadcasts. However, as others have noted, the AM reception is essentially nonexistent, for both the "1" and the "2". The device might work if the radio station's commercial antenna were poking in your window and zapping this thing directly with a few thousand watts, maybe making it glow a bit. But not otherwise. I live next to a major city. I could partially pick up 1 station. I threw the thing away (without bothering to test the FM.)

 "been needing one of these for years!!" 2009-09-25
By of boxers and mutts (new orleans)
i live in new orleans, home of the famous WWOZ 90.7, and its on that station that ive heard some of the best music in my life. so needless to say im loving it. so for installation, i had to do it twice, but im terrible with manuels, reason i gave it a 5 is cause i was able to get it installed in less than 15 minutes. i love it, i can rewind and record, the music ive recorded so far was very easy to get in my windows player, very very cool. as far as reception goes,, yes it could have a better antenna, but as others mentioned, this thing wasnt described as a high power radio,, so if you need more reception, get yourself a fm indoor antenna,

the only bad thing i can say about it, and i knew it before i bought it, is you have to have your computer on to use it, i would love to have a portable player that records and you can transfer the music to you computer later(any suggestions?), until i find something to those specs this will have to do.

if you want to hear great music, check out wwoz in new orleans on saturday mornings!! they have a website and are heard all over the world, cause they rule. wwoz, new orleans saturday mornings from 7am till noon, and check out their schedule during the rest of the week, you will not be sorry.

 "Radio Shark" 2009-09-14
By Anthony C. Parker (Albuquerque, NM)
What a great idea! It works well except for lower NPR type frequencies where I can't seem to get good reception even with the unit 15 ft away from the computer.

 "The Shark 2 beastie" 2009-09-09
By P. Robinson (AU)
I finally managed to enable it's features but it took a lot of work.



The FM reception from the Shark works well where I live (Christchurch New Zealand). I haven't tried all the available FM stations but have tuned in ten of the twenty or so FM stations we have here. The AM is bad. All the frequencies I tried sounded horrible. Reminded me of MW searches when I was a kid. Crackles only with occasional voices and music drifting in then disappearing.



The radioShark software is crazy. It recognises the hardware but won't provide sound to the computer. So I can tune stations (and hear the tuned station by plugging headphones into the 3.5 which I thought was for external aerial?) but nothing to the computer via the USB. Very odd.



So I decided to install the supplied Snaptune One. Supposedly it was supplied on the install CD along with iFill for Mac/Windows and Proxi for Mac. I opened up the extras folder on the CD looking for Snaptune but no, no extra software, just the radioShark manual in pdf.

Strangely the manual mentioned the wonders of Snaptune. I think if Griffin can remove software from an install CD then surely they could update the manual, not to mention the packaging.



I then visited Griffin support. After a quick search for `Snaptune' the response

was:



"Unfortunately, our friends at Snaptune have had to call it quits. Because the Snaptune One application for radio SHARK 2 depended upon Snaptune's server, the application will no longer function. While we are as disappointed as anyone by Snaptune's demise, Griffin included this application as a freebie with no warranty." - Oh well - I've purchased a lemon.



I then did a search for any software that might enable the features of this thing and Snaptune kept being referenced. So I downloaded and installed and the Shark suddenly sprang to life.

Lovely sound through my PC speakers, time-shifting, scheduling, leave it running for a few hours and it even starts differentiating songs from dialog and ads. Nice touch.



Quite a ride.



So, my experience:



Hardware - 50% okay, FM is loud and clear, AM is really bad.



Supplied software - can't get it to fully work. It recognises the hardware but doesn't send sound to my PC.



Manual - inaccurate and outdated with its reference to software that isn't available.



Packaging - also inaccurate because it references the same software.



On-line support - also inaccurate "Snaptune One won't work because the SHARK 2 is dependent upon Snaptune's server, so the application will no longer function."



Well Snaptune does work and works very well.



I guess I'm happy(ish) with the Shark 2 because it's now doing the job I purchased it for. I just can't see the logic of my having to come up with a tailor-made solution to get it to run properly.



If you do purchase it, download Snaptune One.



Paul Robinson.

 "Great product" 2009-07-01
By A. Peck
Excellent product, would recommend to anyone looking to record radio or delay radio to sync up with sports cable broadcast.


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