TiVo and other digital video recorders or DVRs have been around since 1999. But digital radio recorders or DRRs?
Compared to what it took to assemble the first TiVo devices, developing a digital radio recorder would seem like a fairly simple process. Perhaps what was lacking was an economic boost to interest electronics manufacturers because there was certainly no rush to put a digital radio recorder in the hands of the listening public.
Griffin technology and SHARK radio
But in 2004, Griffin Technology introduced its Radio SHARK, a digital radio recorder that not only turned any Mac or PC into an AM / FM receiver; allowed the listener to record radio transmissions in real time.
Like TiVo, the Radio SHARK digital radio recorder had a time-lapse function that allowed the user to pause during a live broadcast to go back to a previous segment and catch up if it had been interrupted, and it also allowed users to people schedule the recording for a later time.
But the Radio SHARK digital recorder is not limited to recording; it had a station preset function that could lock the user’s favorite stations with a click of the mouse; and made it easy to scan and tune new stations.
The SHARK digital radio recorder radio was connected to the PC through its USB port, from which it was powered, and it resembled the dorsal fin of the shark that gave it its name. The fin was the antenna of the digital radio recorder and could simply be moved to provide the best reception. And any streams saved on the Shark digital radio recorder radio could be transferred to an iPod or MP compatible with audio swap files for later listening.
Radio SHARK 2
The SHARK radio digital radio recorder developed a following, so Griffin Technology continued to develop the concept and discontinued it in late 2006 in favor of the SHARK 2 radio digital radio recorder. Upgrades to the SHARK 2 radio include a USB extension cable, allowing the receiver to be positioned up to eight feet from the PC; a more powerful radio receiver chip; an on-screen tuner that faithfully mirrors a traditional radio dial; and the addition of Internet radio to the AM / FM menu. Internet radio opens the possibilities of your digital radio recorder to international broadcasting.
The Shark2 digital radio recorder radio also has software that provides users with all the instructions they need to master time delay recording, station selection and tuning, and an optional antenna extension for those living in low reception areas. And, at 49.95, seeded from the original SHARK Radio Digital Radio Receiver’s $ 69.95, it’s very attractively priced!