BBC Radio on a Pocket PC

[Dextro]

Hello all,

Okay, so I listen to BBC Radio stations over the web on my computer a lot and want to become portable.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/

First of all, I want to know if this is possible on a Pocket PC (people have been talking about using various programs but I was wondering if this was possible with just using the Real One Mobile player).

Also, I want a non-expensive Pocket PC with Wi-Fi. Which is the best one to get?

Thanks for your help guys! Also, if some of you with your cool Pocket PCs could try out the above link and let me know if it works on your Pocket PC.

Dextro

[Menneisyys]

Hello all,

Okay, so I listen to BBC Radio stations over the web on my computer a lot and want to become portable.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/

First of all, I want to know if this is possible on a Pocket PC (people have been talking about using various programs but I was wondering if this was possible with just using the Real One Mobile player).


Yes, it may be possible if your device isn't under a firewall / in an otherwise restricted local area network (including being connected to the internet via ActiveSync). That is, it must directly connect to the Internet and must be at least in a DMZ ( Demilitarized Zone; see for example http://compnetworking.about.com/cs/networksecurity/g/bldef_dmz.htm on this.)

You can download the RealOne player from, say, http://www.realnetworks.com/industries/mobile/operators/products/player/ppc/index.html

According to, say, http://www.pocketpcmag.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=12215 , BBC streams can be played on a Pocket PC. (I haven't tested this myself.)

You may also find BBC links at http://www.radioshowlinks.com/display.aspx/cid/c110 - this page also has a PDA-optimized version.






Also, I want a non-expensive Pocket PC with Wi-Fi. Which is the best one to get?

If you want absolutely teh cheapest, get a Dell Axim x30 Mid. If you want something better and ugradable at a much higher (but still not too expensive) price point, get a Dell Axim x50v if you're American.

If you're European (because of the taxes), instead of the x50v, you may want to have a look at the Pocket Loox 720. It costs almost the same as the x50v here in Europe and its capabilities may fit your needs better.

[Noel]

Hi Dextro
Although I haven't tried it, Real One for PPC is available here:
http://www.realnetworks.com/industries/mobile/operators/products/player/ppc/
Because I use WMP I can access a huge range of UK radio stations ( including BBC ) on my PPC using this service:
http://www.radiofeeds.co.uk/pda/wmp.asp
Hope this helps!

Cheers!


Noel

[GSmith]

The Axim X30 is generally regarded as a low-priced non-VGA Windows Mobile device. One drawback currently is that I don't think it will be upgradable to WM5. But that's not a problem if it does what you want it to do.

The Real One Mobile player is the only player that plays Real Audio files, as far as I know. You may want to investigate BBC podcasting ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/downloadtrial/ ) with the list of feeds available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/downloadtrial/subscribe.shtml

Using FeederReader ( www.FeederReader.com ) , you can subscribe to the feeds and it will download new audio files directly to your new Pocket PC whenever they become available over WiFi, cell phone, or other internet connection. I think overall this would be a much better experience than streaming.

Greg Smith
Author, FeederReader - Pocket PC *direct* RSS text, audio, video, podcast
www.FeederReader.com - Download on the Road