Internet radio device

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An Internet radio device (IRD) is a hardware device that receives and plays audio from Internet radio stations or, optionally, a user's PC or other embedded media servers (usually via UPnP protocol).

1 General information
2 Internet Radio Receivers
3 Receivers database
4 References
5 External links

General information

The devices which are currently on the market mainly support the most common streaming (media) format such as:

MP3 (MPEG1 Audio Layer 3) streaming
Windows Media Audio (WMA)

Some other units also support RealAudio and less common formats such as:

These devices usually have:

Broadband connection: an Ethernet and/or Wi-Fi network interface, with TCP/IP support for access to the Internet
USB port, where the user can connect an external MP3 player like iPod or external harddrive for MP3 files.
LCD display, remote control.
Built-in amplifier/speaker, or AUX-out port, that can be used to connect to a HiFi or similar audio device.
rechargable batteries for mobility with internal charger integrated.
Favorite streams & contents can be saved as presets.

Some devices also have:

SD or even SDHC card, which can be used for the following functions:
- Playback music files from the card.
- Upload (and synchronize) music files to the card.
- Scheduler to determine what is being played from the card.
- Fallback in case stream is not available.
XLR output connectors.
(MP3) stream encryption.
Possibility to be built in a 19 inch rack.

Internet radio devices can be divided into several product categories:

Products which are mainly targeted at listening to music stored on a local network. These devices are usually called network music players. These devices are usually sold with server software in order to play the music from the network. Examples of such devices are the Slim Devices Squeezebox, Roku SoundBridge and the Philips Streamium WACS7500 and SLA5520. Some of these devices also have the ability to listen to Internet radio stations. As some of these devices may not have an integrated loudspeaker, they need to be connected to an audio system in order to listen to the music.

Standalone products like the Squeezebox, Terratec Noxon iRadio^[1], Grace Digital Audio Radio^[2],SoundBridge Radio^[3], Streamit, Freecom MusicPal[[1]], the Phoenix WiFi IP Radio ^[4] or the Philips NP1100 devices which are targeted at users who do not want to be dependent on a computer (or computer knowledge) for their Internet radio listening. Most products include a dynamically updated stations list. There are variants of these devices with and without integrated speaker(s). The Streamit device offers dial-up capability. The Philips NP1100 comes also with the Rhapsody music subscription services, allowing you to enjoy all the collections provided by Rhapsody without a PC.

Wireless Internet Radio and Media Players like Sonowave Internet Radio Player ^[5] or Philips WAS6050. Sonowave is a device made specifically for those who enjoy listening Internet Radio from their personal computer. SonoWave is a small portable radio that connects to a computer wirelessly, providing access to any music on the PC or to thousands of internet radio stations. The Philips WAS6050 has specificly designed for locations in a house where spaces are limited but still a good and decent sound quality is needed, like kitchen.

They generally support:

Playlist formats: M3U, PLS and ASX playlists formats.
Audio Stream Protocols: SHOUTcast, Icecastand MMS / MMSH - Microsoft Media Streaming Protocol / over HTTP.