Acer iRhythm K.O. Wired Remote Tuner

by Acer

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 1 x 4 inches ; 1.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005KB1I
• Item model number: KO
• Batteries: 4 AA batteries required. (included)
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes
• Date first available at Amazon.com: May 31, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

The innovative Acer iRhythm K.O. wired remote tuner allows you to hook your PC into your home stereo to listen to Internet radio stations or MP3 files. The iRhythm combines the convenience of having an unlimited choice of Internet radio stations and MP3 playlists with your expensive surround sound speaker system. For Internet radio stations, a broadband Internet connection (DSL, ISDN, or cable modem) is highly recommended.

The iRhythm K.O. consists of two hardware pieces--a base unit and a remote control. The base unit connects to your PC via a USB port, as well as through the PC's audio output. You can then connect the iRhythm K.O. to computer speakers or a home stereo in the same room as your PC. With the iRhythm K.O. remote control, you can control the iM Tuner software and easily change radio stations or switch between songs on the MP3 playlist.

The iM Band features Internet radio stations composed of 25 genres covering everything from Top 40 country to college radio and even police scanners. Each genre consists of 32 radio stations. There is a list for broadband connections and one for narrowband connections, giving you 800 stations to choose from.

Don't worry if your favorite Internet radio station is not listed in the iM Band. In addition to the 25 genres, you can create your own channel on a Z-band with your favorite Internet radio stations. You can also put your MP3 playlists on the Z-band.

The Acer iRhythm K.O. requires a PC with an available USB port running Windows 98, 2000, or Me. You'll also need to have Windows Media Player 6.4 or later or RealPlayer 7.0 or later installed. The unit is powered by four AA batteries (included).

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Glorified remote control, April 16, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Acer iRhythm K.O. Wired Remote Tuner (Personal Computers)

"You can then connect the iRhythm K.O. to computer speakers or a home stereo in the same room as your PC."

The above statement is a bit misleading. The iRhythm has no audio processing built in whatsoever, and the only connector available is a USB connector for the remote control receiver (one half of the transmitter/receiver pair). You can connect your speakers or home stereo to your computer sound card output using the supplied cable. I imagine most people who buy this device will already have speakers hooked up to their computer. Note that to get your computer sound out of your living room stereo, you will likely need to run an audio cable between each. From the manual: "Q:If I don't want to run a wire from my PC to my stereo, what else can I use? A:There are a variety of radio frequency transmitters that operate over 88-107Mhz, 900MHz, or 2.4GHz that plug into your PC and transmit to your stereo." In that case, additional equipment would need to be purchased.

As a wireless remote control for your PC's *existing* audio system, the iRhythm is not bad, but only works with the supplied software, and custom configuration appears to be limited to station presets and playlists. There appears to be a rich, though not exhaustive, set of internet stations to choose from, and this list is being regularly updated.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars iRhythm remote not functional, March 27, 2003

By 

Richard G. Hough (Pembroke Pines, Fl USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Acer iRhythm K.O. Wired Remote Tuner (Personal Computers)

I was really excited about the possibility of having internet radio available away from my computer. I enjoy listening to the radio at night while I go to sleep but the local stations [are not good]. I found out about and bought the iRhythm remote system and a stereo with an aux input so I could use it. The iRhythm remote was [inexpensive] but the stereo was not. Unfortunately the remote does not work well at my location. I can get a signal if I prop up the receiver within 12 feet of the sending unit but it has a lot of static. This makes it virtually useless for me. I also have trouble opening the software and I am not sure whether it is a server problem on the net or what. Sometimes it works sometimes not. I will say that I have Windows XP home, and that is not supported by iRhythm but I do not think that is the problem. I still want remote internet radio and will buy the first thing that comes out that looks like it will work. Maybe the Philips MC i250? Fingers crossed here.