Comments on: Vtech IS9181 Wi-Fi Internet Radio Review http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/ Gadget reviews and news by Julie Strietelmeier and friends since 1997 Sun, 27 May 2012 00:39:26 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Bill Kuch http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-123090 Bill Kuch Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:41:34 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-123090 Dawsonite, Coincidently, I had to update the time on my unit after a prolonged power outage today and it worked automatically via the Internet. The only thing I had to change manually is unselecting the daylight savings time checkbox. As for the remote, if you have a Harmony remote, it has the template for the IS9181. Dawsonite,

Coincidently, I had to update the time on my unit after a prolonged power outage today and it worked automatically via the Internet. The only thing I had to change manually is unselecting the daylight savings time checkbox.

As for the remote, if you have a Harmony remote, it has the template for the IS9181.

]]> By: Dawsonite http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-123086 Dawsonite Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:08:45 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-123086 I like and recommend the radio, but the unit shipped to me without the remote control! The on-line seller (pcrush.com) at first passed the buck and told me to contact Vtech directly, but then offered a $20 discount. Better alarm features (dedicated buttons, snooze) would be nice. My only problem (beside the missing remote) is that I cannot get the radio to get time from the internet and must set it manually (I run Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit SP1). Has anyone else run into this? I like and recommend the radio, but the unit shipped to me without the remote control! The on-line seller (pcrush.com) at first passed the buck and told me to contact Vtech directly, but then offered a $20 discount. Better alarm features (dedicated buttons, snooze) would be nice.

My only problem (beside the missing remote) is that I cannot get the radio to get time from the internet and must set it manually (I run Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit SP1). Has anyone else run into this?

]]> By: Edward http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-69295 Edward Thu, 08 Jul 2010 21:09:06 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-69295 Don't buy this radio!!! I bought mine from ebay (new) and was told by Vtech that they would provide NO support or warranty for this product. I guess ebay is not an approved seller for this piece of crap. This "clock radio" has no sleep function. Also the favorites that you save will only work once. To listen to a station you must go through the menus and select it from scratch. BUYER BEWARE!!! Don’t buy this radio!!!

I bought mine from ebay (new) and was told by Vtech that they would provide NO support or warranty for this product. I guess ebay is not an approved seller for this piece of crap. This “clock radio” has no sleep function. Also the favorites that you save will only work once. To listen to a station you must go through the menus and select it from scratch. BUYER BEWARE!!!

]]> By: Diane http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-55649 Diane Thu, 11 Feb 2010 02:42:06 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-55649 Bill, Thanks for your review. This was EXACTLY the radio I needed. I am not a big tech person & needed something VERY easy to set up & not too complicated to use on a daily basis. I wanted a Wi-Fi Internet Radio that sounded better than your average bedside alarm clock radio but didn't need the super sounding stereo system like I have in my living room. It does have settings with less bass like for 'Pop" "Rock" "Classical". I did not experience any distortion from the speakers, sound was good. Also I didn't get the gaps while it buffered that the computer does. The only time there was a second of a break in the music was when I was setting the clock while I was listening to the radio & then there was just a sec. There was no big delay when changing stations either, maybe a sec or two to click through the stations. Also if you want a full function clock radio...as in someone mentioned no sleep timer....this is not something I needed. I have a clock radio on my other bedside table. I don't even know since I haven't read about that in the instructions if it even has a dual alarm clock. I think it just has 1 alarm & no snooze button. I think they should have just built it to include all the clock radio functions but FYI if that is important to you. The light is not too bright when you are trying to sleep....that can be adjusted from high to low & the VTech logo that is bright blue when you are using the radio, turns off when you turn off the radio. Someone mentioned that but maybe they changed it since mine does allow you to adjust the brightness of the screen. Also when you have the radio off the screen goes back to displaying the time in larger numbers. I do wish there was a separate screen where you could see the time in large numbers as you were listening to the radio. It does show the time in the top left corner while the radio is playing but it is small & can't be read across the room. I like the weather feature. Mine has a button on top that says WEATHER, not info. I would have liked a larger remote, not the credit card sized thin remote. Lighted remote would be sweet too to see at night or in dimly lit rooms....but more features/higher price. The menu's are very user friendly & intuitive. I would have liked a button on the box & the remote that said "genre" & "locations" for example so if I did not want to go back through the menu's I could click & access it a bit quicker. Portability is a plus too. This is small & easy to take to the kitchen or anywhere throughout the house. I like the style & size of the unit. It does not take up your whole bedsize table like a boombox would. Also compared to other Internet Radios, you couldn't touch the price for features this has. I did not want to spend over $200 for a bedroom radio. Amazon has it for $137.90 w/ free shipping right now, so that is what sold me on it! I am so glad I read your review, which I agree with all of it by the way. If your reading this & looking for the same things I was, this is a great radio & I am VERY happy with it. Bill, Thanks for your review. This was EXACTLY the radio I needed. I am not a big tech person & needed something VERY easy to set up & not too complicated to use on a daily basis. I wanted a Wi-Fi Internet Radio that sounded better than your average bedside alarm clock radio but didn’t need the super sounding stereo system like I have in my living room. It does have settings with less bass like for ‘Pop” “Rock” “Classical”. I did not experience any distortion from the speakers, sound was good. Also I didn’t get the gaps while it buffered that the computer does. The only time there was a second of a break in the music was when I was setting the clock while I was listening to the radio & then there was just a sec. There was no big delay when changing stations either, maybe a sec or two to click through the stations.
Also if you want a full function clock radio…as in someone mentioned no sleep timer….this is not something I needed. I have a clock radio on my other bedside table. I don’t even know since I haven’t read about that in the instructions if it even has a dual alarm clock. I think it just has 1 alarm & no snooze button. I think they should have just built it to include all the clock radio functions but FYI if that is important to you. The light is not too bright when you are trying to sleep….that can be adjusted from high to low & the VTech logo that is bright blue when you are using the radio, turns off when you turn off the radio. Someone mentioned that but maybe they changed it since mine does allow you to adjust the brightness of the screen. Also when you have the radio off the screen goes back to displaying the time in larger numbers. I do wish there was a separate screen where you could see the time in large numbers as you were listening to the radio. It does show the time in the top left corner while the radio is playing but it is small & can’t be read across the room.
I like the weather feature. Mine has a button on top that says WEATHER, not info. I would have liked a larger remote, not the credit card sized thin remote. Lighted remote would be sweet too to see at night or in dimly lit rooms….but more features/higher price. The menu’s are very user friendly & intuitive. I would have liked a button on the box & the remote that said “genre” & “locations” for example so if I did not want to go back through the menu’s I could click & access it a bit quicker. Portability is a plus too. This is small & easy to take to the kitchen or anywhere throughout the house. I like the style & size of the unit. It does not take up your whole bedsize table like a boombox would.
Also compared to other Internet Radios, you couldn’t touch the price for features this has. I did not want to spend over $200 for a bedroom radio. Amazon has it for $137.90 w/ free shipping right now, so that is what sold me on it! I am so glad I read your review, which I agree with all of it by the way.
If your reading this & looking for the same things I was, this is a great radio & I am VERY happy with it.

]]> By: trido http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-40922 trido Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:09:58 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-40922 Also needs headphone jack audio out,My son says he has the RCA jack to female adapter cable I can use but Vtech should have a headphone jack preferably on front. trido Also needs headphone jack audio out,My son says he has the RCA jack to female adapter cable I can use but Vtech should have a headphone jack preferably on front.

trido

]]> By: trido http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-40920 trido Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:07:07 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-40920 Well my Vtech has arrived so far I really like it. The display is great. I found one anoying thing to me ,I have been taking radio back and fourth home to work. I find I have to RE ENTER my WEP passcode ever single time. Seems Vtech doesnt save Network settings. Wonder if a firmware update can fix this? Or can this model even do updates. Overall it is a keeper. Trido Well my Vtech has arrived so far I really like it. The display is great.

I found one anoying thing to me ,I have been taking radio back and fourth home to work.

I find I have to RE ENTER my WEP passcode ever single time.
Seems Vtech doesnt save Network settings.

Wonder if a firmware update can fix this?
Or can this model even do updates.

Overall it is a keeper.

Trido

]]> By: Bill http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-40598 Bill Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:53:14 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-40598 >trido, Good question. I'll presume it's their own, because you can get an account on their web site and search for additional stations which are then downloaded to your IS9181. Bill >trido,

Good question. I’ll presume it’s their own, because you can get an account on their web site and search for additional stations which are then downloaded to your IS9181.

Bill

]]> By: trido http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-40581 trido Mon, 10 Aug 2009 23:00:20 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-40581 what music portal does Vtech use is it Reciva or maybe their own? thanks trido what music portal does Vtech use is it Reciva or maybe their own?

thanks

trido

]]> By: Bill http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-40466 Bill Sun, 09 Aug 2009 13:55:57 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-40466 >Rick, The buffering varies, but I've never seen it take more than 5 seconds when selecting a new Internet radio station. The display steps through the percent of buffering when you select a station. Once connected it is very rare that the station drops out on the stations I normally listen to. I cannot say it won't drop out categorically, because I haven't tried all 1000+ stations :-) The IS9189 doesn't have access to any subscription services such as XM/Sirius, etc. For me that wasn't an issue. There's plenty of variety on the Internet and if I get bored with that, I have access to all the tunes I have spread on the various computers in my house. Since writing this review, I've become more aware of the other Internet radios available and I believe this is the best choice. The sound is excellent, the price is right and it actually looks good. Bill >Rick,

The buffering varies, but I’ve never seen it take more than 5 seconds when selecting a new Internet radio station. The display steps through the percent of buffering when you select a station. Once connected it is very rare that the station drops out on the stations I normally listen to. I cannot say it won’t drop out categorically, because I haven’t tried all 1000+ stations :-)

The IS9189 doesn’t have access to any subscription services such as XM/Sirius, etc. For me that wasn’t an issue. There’s plenty of variety on the Internet and if I get bored with that, I have access to all the tunes I have spread on the various computers in my house.

Since writing this review, I’ve become more aware of the other Internet radios available and I believe this is the best choice. The sound is excellent, the price is right and it actually looks good.

Bill

]]> By: Rick http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-40456 Rick Sun, 09 Aug 2009 06:58:51 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-40456 The reviews and the radio looks great. My only concern or issue with this is the buffering. How long does it take till it connects with a pre-set station. I heard other WIFI radios like the Tangent take an average of 25 seconds to 2 minutes to connect, and some have trouble holding on to connections. And is it capable or compatible to download SiriusXM or Live 365 if your a subscriber? Otherwise this would look like the radio to pick up. The reviews and the radio looks great. My only concern or issue with this is the buffering. How long does it take till it connects with a pre-set station. I heard other WIFI radios like the Tangent take an average of 25 seconds to 2 minutes to connect, and some have trouble holding on to connections.
And is it capable or compatible to download SiriusXM or Live 365 if your a subscriber? Otherwise this would look like the radio to pick up.

]]> By: David http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-40173 David Wed, 05 Aug 2009 06:07:41 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-40173 Sorry for the grammar boo-boos. I'm clearly way too tired to be writing LOL. Sorry for the grammar boo-boos. I’m clearly way too tired to be writing LOL.

]]> By: David http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-40172 David Wed, 05 Aug 2009 06:06:27 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-40172 I think the weather app is neat, but really not that useful. I have much better weather information on my iPhone, but I still like that it's there. I've written to VTech for an answer about Firmware Updates, but I haven't heard back yet. I have had two previous such radios, as I said, and one was by my bed, and I liked to listen to talk shows as I fall asleep (they put me to sleep, so I like a sleep timer). This one is not by my bed, so it's not crucial to add it, but since I know they easily can, I would like them to. My other two radios have had at least two firmware updates each, and each have had profound improvements. On the one radio, besides having the sleep timer added, they added many more levels of backlighting control, because it was a bit bright. They can truly fix anything that it needs. Having said that, the VTech is really very, very good out of the box, and that's why I am pleased to have chosen it. I didn't know that earlier versions were labeled differently. That's interesting. David I think the weather app is neat, but really not that useful. I have much better weather information on my iPhone, but I still like that it’s there.

I’ve written to VTech for an answer about Firmware Updates, but I haven’t heard back yet.

I have had two previous such radios, as I said, and one was by my bed, and I liked to listen to talk shows as I fall asleep (they put me to sleep, so I like a sleep timer). This one is not by my bed, so it’s not crucial to add it, but since I know they easily can, I would like them to.

My other two radios have had at least two firmware updates each, and each have had profound improvements. On the one radio, besides having the sleep timer added, they added many more levels of backlighting control, because it was a bit bright. They can truly fix anything that it needs. Having said that, the VTech is really very, very good out of the box, and that’s why I am pleased to have chosen it.

I didn’t know that earlier versions were labeled differently. That’s interesting.

David

]]> By: bill http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-39834 bill Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:56:27 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-39834 >David, I'm glad you like the IS9181. This seems to be a sleeper product or Vtech marketing all got fired! I didn't even think about about a sleep timer. I've never used one on all the other A/V products I have. Guess, due to my age, I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow :-) I have no inside info, but I think your guess is correct for updating the firmware. As you say, they can download My Stations so it should be no problem to download firmware. I believe there will be changes because you may have noticed that, as mentioned in the quick start guide, some early units have a weather button and in our units it is labled the info button. That leads me to believe Vtech could add other small apps to the unit in addition to the weather. >David,

I’m glad you like the IS9181. This seems to be a sleeper product or Vtech marketing all got fired!

I didn’t even think about about a sleep timer. I’ve never used one on all the other A/V products I have. Guess, due to my age, I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow :-)

I have no inside info, but I think your guess is correct for updating the firmware. As you say, they can download My Stations so it should be no problem to download firmware. I believe there will be changes because you may have noticed that, as mentioned in the quick start guide, some early units have a weather button and in our units it is labled the info button. That leads me to believe Vtech could add other small apps to the unit in addition to the weather.

]]> By: David http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-39833 David Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:38:29 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-39833 NW, the Roku Soundbridge has been out for an eternity. It shouldn't even be in your short-list. There are far, far better choices out there. NW, the Roku Soundbridge has been out for an eternity. It shouldn’t even be in your short-list. There are far, far better choices out there.

]]> By: David http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-39831 David Fri, 31 Jul 2009 18:37:09 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-39831 Bill, I just got my VTech IS9181, and it's my 3rd WiFi Internet Radio. I think it's just about the best, all around unit of its kind out there, and I highly recommended it for its capabilities and price compared to the competition. Two things concern me greatly, that I wonder if you've noticed yourself. 1) There is no Sleep Timer. This is a big, big oversight by VTech, but they could add one via a firmware update (my AE WiFi Internet Radio did just that!) 2) HOW will they do firmware updates? I see nothing in the menus to facilitate this. That is highly unusual. There's always a "check for firmware updates" option. I guess will somehow be accomplished via the site, the way you can add stations to "My Stations". I hope so, anyhow. Aside from yours and the one I posted on Amazon, there are no reviews of this unit out there yet, which is rather surprising. Only product hype and announcements can be found, but no in-depth reviews. Bill, I just got my VTech IS9181, and it’s my 3rd WiFi Internet Radio.

I think it’s just about the best, all around unit of its kind out there, and I highly recommended it for its capabilities and price compared to the competition.

Two things concern me greatly, that I wonder if you’ve noticed yourself.

1) There is no Sleep Timer. This is a big, big oversight by VTech, but they could add one via a firmware update (my AE WiFi Internet Radio did just that!)

2) HOW will they do firmware updates? I see nothing in the menus to facilitate this. That is highly unusual. There’s always a “check for firmware updates” option. I guess will somehow be accomplished via the site, the way you can add stations to “My Stations”. I hope so, anyhow.

Aside from yours and the one I posted on Amazon, there are no reviews of this unit out there yet, which is rather surprising. Only product hype and announcements can be found, but no in-depth reviews.

]]> By: Bill http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-39677 Bill Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:49:46 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-39677 >MW I didn't really compare it to anything else. Everyday I use it, I like it more. I should also point out that Vtech had a special promotion when I purchased the IS9181, so I got it for $174.99 with free shipping. Compared to comparable products, it's relatively inexpensive and as I mentioned, the stereo sound is good enough for my ears. >MW I didn’t really compare it to anything else. Everyday I use it, I like it more. I should also point out that Vtech had a special promotion when I purchased the IS9181, so I got it for $174.99 with free shipping. Compared to comparable products, it’s relatively inexpensive and as I mentioned, the stereo sound is good enough for my ears.

]]> By: NW http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-39667 NW Mon, 27 Jul 2009 22:41:19 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-39667 Thanks for the information. Did you compare the VTECH with the ROKU Soundbridge radio before you made your purchase? Thanks for the information. Did you compare the VTECH with the ROKU Soundbridge radio before you made your purchase?

]]> By: Bill http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-39175 Bill Fri, 17 Jul 2009 03:57:53 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-39175 >anthonymonti We cannot get satellite reception because I don't have the correct exposure to the southern sky. As for moving to a place without radio reception, it's the grandkids fault :-) They now are less than 10 minutes away. Bill >anthonymonti

We cannot get satellite reception because I don’t have the correct exposure to the southern sky. As for moving to a place without radio reception, it’s the grandkids fault :-) They now are less than 10 minutes away.

Bill

]]> By: anthonymonti http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-39151 anthonymonti Thu, 16 Jul 2009 17:24:29 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-39151 Why would you move to a place that would deprice you of such amnenties as RF modulation? Then again, do you have a Sky there? :-)~ Why would you move to a place that would deprice you of such amnenties as RF modulation?

Then again, do you have a Sky there? :-) ~

]]> By: Joel Massey http://the-gadgeteer.com/2009/07/14/vtech-is9181-wi-fi-internet-radio-review/comment-page-1/#comment-39053 Joel Massey Wed, 15 Jul 2009 02:52:32 +0000 http://the-gadgeteer.com/?p=17717#comment-39053 I really like my IS9181. I agree with most everything on this review. I live in an area where there are lots of FM stations and setup was easy. The alarm issue doesn't annoy me as much as the folder issue because that my PC media library is set up for compatibility with iTunes, WMP, WMC and AVERmedia, so nested folders are a necessity to keep everything working together. My solution, play digifiles from my iPhone. That limits my musical selection, but there you go. I really like my IS9181. I agree with most everything on this review. I live in an area where there are lots of FM stations and setup was easy. The alarm issue doesn’t annoy me as much as the folder issue because that my PC media library is set up for compatibility with iTunes, WMP, WMC and AVERmedia, so nested folders are a necessity to keep everything working together. My solution, play digifiles from my iPhone. That limits my musical selection, but there you go.

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