Comments on: Kogan DAB+ Digital Radio: WiFi, iPod Dock and USB Slot (Review)

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 20:33:20 +0000

For those who want to dim the screen Im sure it could be acomplished fairly easily. Unfortunatly you will have to open it up which will probably void your warranty, but some might be happy to give it a go. I havent done it myself but in my experience there is usually a pot (variable resistor) on the back of the display that you simply turn up or down using a screw driver. There should be only one pot. That should up or down the brightness. There may be mains voltages present inside the box so make sure you take care and if you arent sure dont try. If you open it up but arent sure take a photo and let me know and I will try to spot something. If it does work please post back to let others know.

By: Simon Howson

Simon Howson — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:56:14 +0000

I received this digital radio last week, and really like it. I bought it when they had a $50 off sale for 1 hour on 5th of December!

I have a set of amplified computer speakers plugged into the output jack so I can listen in stereo.

I agree that the screen is too bright because I tend to fall asleep listening to the radio and don\’t turn it off. I guess I should just use the sleep function, but I do wish the screen brightness could be changed.

The only other issue isn’t related to the radio itself but the fact the broadcasts use quite low bitrates. For example the easy listening station in Adelaide Cruise 1323 broadcasts at just 48 Kbps, when at least 64 Kbps would be better, and 80 Kbps preferable. The codec used is AAC, which is the latest and greatest lossy codec for lowbitrates.

Generally ABC talk stations (NewsRadio, Radio National, Local Radio) are broadcast at 48 Kbps, while 80 Kbps is reserved for Classic FM, Dig Music, and ABC Jazz.

By: Shark

Shark — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:02:19 +0000

Can anyone report on the quality of audio when connected to a home hi-fi via the headphone jack, playing IPOD and Internet Radio?

I am considering this unit instead of an IPOD docking unit (with audio output jack) to connect to my Hi-Fi, I use internet radio on the PC a lot so I’m leaning towards this unit if it will handle the IPOD – HiFi connection ok.

Thanks

EDITOR: plugging it into a proper sound system with decent speakers would be a really smart way to use this Radio

By: Cam2919

Cam2919 — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:20:16 +0000

Hi All,

Has anyone bothered to question wether or not 99% of the DAB+ radio and DAB Radio alarm clock designers seem to be clinically insane or just plain stupid.

Most of the designs I’ve seen and read about are absolutely shocking and look like throw backs to the early 1980’s Dr.Who shows (no offence Tom Baker – Legend!). Not having dimable screens, small speakers, menu systems to confuse rocket engineers and are all in all basically just old crap.

Be nice when one day customers can get decent, well designed products that are simple and intelligent to use and don’t look like a kid’s toy!

By: Aidan

Aidan — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 21:32:16 +0000

The part about the warning this accessory is not made to work with iphone refers to the fact that if a call comes in whilst the iphone is int he dock it makes a mad buzzing through the speakers very annoying. Might wait and get one that is made for iphone obviously the components are old stock now

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:48:32 +0000

Why do most DAB+ radios have screens which you can’t dim the display?!.
This is a major downside to anyone wanting to use one as a bedside clock radio.
ARGH!.
Mark.