Home > Consumer Reviews > D-Link DSB-R100 USB FM Radio with MP3 Software

I had this thing for 2 weeks - and it actually did what it was advertised to do - receive and play FM radio through your pc. However, the way the Antenna connects to it's base absolutely stinks!!! They use an RCA plug connected to the extendable antenna via a very, very thin piece of steel. I move the antenna around a few times and that steel snapped, and there's no way to fix it.

If you buy this - it will work, but don't move it too much.

This is a great product, if you wanna listen to FM @ work.
The software worked fine on both XP and 2000.The software is bit confusing, but if you are a tech junkie you shouldn't have any problem.A bit advice for future buyers, make sure that you always select "line in" under volume control settings of options menu.

I wanted an FM tuner that I could use to schedule and record shows on my local Jazz stations and NPR. Car Talk, This American Life, etc. You know, time shift the radio like a VCR does for the TV. This product _should_ have done the trick. But no, the software is minimal and has no capabilities to record more than one timed show. This product can be replaced with a simple FM receiver from Radio Shack.

I sent email to D-Link offering to code this up for them. How hard can it be? If I had the protocol spec I could certainly do it in no time. No response. This thing is sitting on the shelf along with all the other failed products that _should_ have worked.

Okay, so I only listen to KCRW in santa monica, and I can usually just turn off the software interface once the radio is on -- but does the interface have to be so hideous?
Hardware wise, the radio can pick up signals semi-competently. I've found plugging in my own antenna array helps. Your mileage may vary.

I can't say I understand the negative reviews. At thirty bucks this prouduct has exceeded my expectations and performed as advertised. The reception is as good as any other small fm radio in my house (clean stereo reception, decent ability to pull in stations). The software installed flawlessly on a Win 98 machine and is very intuitive to use. The timer feature works great. The only weakness is the mp3 software. I prefer more options but this is easily solved by using another program to convert to mp3. In my case I use the free version of MusicMatch. Bottom line is that this product has been an inexpensive, high quality solution for recording fm broadcasts.