The WM201 can pick up internet radio wirelessley, but also lets users listen
to music stored on PCs.
Setting up the device is easy as long as you are connected to a broadband
connection. Connecting involved entering the
WEP
or
WPA
key into the radio. If the radio is to be placed close by the router, it can be
connected using the network cable supplied.
To stream music from the computer, a small application needs to be installed.
It can play MP3 and WMA files, including those bought from online music stores.
Switching on
the
radio by pressing the scroll wheel in the middle automatically makes the
radio scan for stations, and this is where it gets a little bit confusing. All
the functions are controlled by the one scroll button in the centre of the
radio. However, this we found it hard to tell which way to navigate and when to
push the button in.
This led us to scroll through to the Uruguayan radio section instead of the
one for Britain. The small screen centred beneath the wheel was little help: it
may be bigger than average for such a device but the tiny text didn’t do much to
ease the scrolling confusion. There is a remote control, but you still need to
use the screen.
When we finally worked our way around to British stations we were able to
pick up a decent 540 stations in the UK There is of course also the array of
other global stations, and there are 12 presets so you don’t have to go through
the process of tuning using the scroll wheel each time. Handily, it can also
access recorded programming such as the BBC's Listen Again service.
Sound quality from the radio and streamed music was amazingly clear, and the
device is capable of quite high volume levels without a problem. Overall, the
quality lives up to what we have come to expect from Roberts.
Although the radio keeps pace with the looks and quality of an iconic Roberts
mode, the scroll wheel is very confusing. That said, the sound quality goes some
way to make it more worth the £200 price tag.
Vista compatibility: Yes
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