About a year ago people started posting about TimeTrax and I didn't get it. It was a $100 box that let you record Sirius on your computer and I was like WTF?!?! I can already record Sirius on my computer with a $3 cable from Radio Shack and some free software just as well. I just got one in the mail and holy shit was I wrong. It's the coolest Sirius toy I've seen yet. It's cooler than the S50 and I'm not kidding. Let me tell ya what this really is. It's the Napster of Sirius radio, no exaggeration.

It's a small box that you hookup to your computer and your compatible Sirius radio. From their software, you choose your Sirius stations right on your computer screen and you listen over the computer speakers. The software is sorta like a TIVO that lets you record Sirius straight to MP3. Ok so thats cool and all, but wait till ya hear this. It doesn't record one big MP3, it records the individual songs as separate MP3s. Each MP3 is named with both the artist and title info. it even sets the MP3 tags correctly. You can tune into a station and let it rip each individual song. You'll have a hard drive full of MP3s in no time. It can search for your favorite artists and much much more.

You can also record long shows as one big MP3 if you'd like. This will work well for talk shows. Since it's programmable I'll be able to set it to record the roundtable before I leave for NYC and when i get home, I'll have an hour long MP3 of our show. :)

You tapers out there are going to want this. Check out their site for more info. www.TimeTraxTech.com (http://click.adbrite.com/mb/click.php?sid=25599&banner_id=10192063&cpc=&ssc=55d0adbae521e3f6479c4ef5b288072c)

Read the rest of this thread to see the software in action.

UPDATE: Timetrax now works with the Sportster radio too!!!

http://www.sternfannetwork.com/media/timetrax/timetraxhardware.jpg

Hooking it up was easy. It plugged right into my Sirius unit from the Jeep. I removed three screws and radio separated into two parts. One half of it plugged into the TimeTrax unit and the other half isn't needed. Thats basically it. Just a couple self explanatory cables and you're done. Theres a power cable, a USB cable, an audio cable with two 1/8" male jacks, and the antenna. I used a Sirius car antennae because of the long cord and tossed it out the window. I downloaded the software from their site and installing it was automated and simple. After a reboot all of the drivers were automatically installed. Another reboot and the software was able to interface with the Sirius unit. Here are some screen shots

This is the channel listing. It shows every Sirius channel and exactly whats playing. You can flip through the listen to anything.

http://www.sternfannetwork.com/media/timetrax/channels.gif



This is the main screen and it's busy recording MP3s.

Timer Schedule - every customizable programmable recording
Split Trax - records the songs as individual songs
Perfec Trax - skips incomplete songs and makes sure all of your MP3s are complete
Grab List - list of your favorite artists and albums. You can set the software to look on all stations for your favorites and record them.
Filter list - artists and albums you want skipped

http://www.sternfannetwork.com/media/timetrax/main.gif



Here the configuration page. From here you can decide how the MP3s will be named and where they'll be stored. There are 5 different audio formats that you can record to. (mp3, wav, wmv, ogg, and vox)

http://www.sternfannetwork.com/media/timetrax/config.gif



You have complete control over the audio quality. Here are the MP3 options.

http://www.sternfannetwork.com/media/timetrax/mp3options.gif



It took a couple minutes to figure out what everything was, but I was able to start ripping MP3s without reading an directions. This things got alot of potential. I'm going to activate a second Sirius radio and use this in my office all the time.

I highly recommend this thing. It's got cool factor and made recording Sirius painless. Think TIVO + CD MP3 Ripper meets Sirius radio. Even if you don't' tape Howard every day, you'll get alot of use of it.

NOTE: I don't know why, but while doing this writeup the TimeTrax software crashed my laptop twice. It was the first time I've even gotten the blue screen of death on this machine. Though it's an issue, it's not enough to scare me away. It's a little bug and the software automatically checks for updates when you start it up.

saved for mp3s

thats great man. i am huge taper and i have to transfer and load stuff to my ipod every night.... therefore i am always like a day behind with my listening.


this will speed things up considerably.

cool mutt..r u able to choose the quality of the recordings too?

Crap. My unit isn't included on the compatibility list -- which means $169.99, a new Sirius subscription, and a "grab bag" receiver (i.e., one of the five units that is compatible).

Hope I can find a compatible unit subject to the current rebate . . .

Time to go ashopping.

that will come in handy

Why can't you just log into Sirius on the web and record through your soundcard?

Why can't you just log into Sirius on the web and record through your soundcard?

I guess you could but I it's doubtful Howard will broadcast over the web. Also, this little gizmo breaks songs into MP3's and tags them correctly. Maybe your computer could do that. No way I could figure out if mine could. This sounds like a much better solution and a lot simpler.

I gotta say, buying the right Sirius product is not easy. Always a new gizmo and hard to get one product to work everywhere I want it to.

That sounds awesome.
You can use "Total Recorder" software to do almost the same thing. Well it wont id the tags automatically and it probably wont be as conveniently setup just for sirius, but it can split the mp3s for each song automatically (using lame.dll encoding). I use it for recording radio, streaming radio or converting old lp's and tapes..

I have a factory install unit in my car and so this is a no go for me. What are people with similar situations doing?

I ordered one because I love my Tivo. Besides that, I figure that there's going to be so much shit between the two channels, I want to be able to get it all without being glued to the radio all of the time. The tech guy is really cool. I had alot of problems at first and they got back to me every day until we figured out it was a faulty reciever. I'm waiting for them to send me a new one. I can't wait.

I gotta say, buying the right Sirius product is not easy. Always a new gizmo and hard to get one product to work everywhere I want it to. [/B][/QUOTE]

I agree, deciding what to buy is difficult. I'll probably just go with a home unit, capture it and listen later. I assume most units will have an audio out jack (headphones) that I can plug into a computer. That's what I've been doing for the last month. Bummed about the lack of streaming, I was hoping to listen at work. I'm a Mac user so this product won't work for me.

Thanks for the heads up.

I just bought one.

I have a factory install unit in my car and so this is a no go for me. What are people with similar situations doing?

Is there an audio out jack?
You could pull your car up as close to your house as you can and get a really really long wire and run it into your sound card and use total recorder. :D

I thought that if you had a Sirius subscription that you could also listen to all the stations over the web. I have seen that Sirius offers a free 3 day online trial. Does that not include Howard?

I thought that if you had a Sirius subscription that you could also listen to all the stations over the web. I have seen that Sirius offers a free 3 day online trial. Does that not include Howard?

No Stern online via sirius satellite online

Why can't you just log into Sirius on the web and record through your soundcard?

not all the channels are there, I don't know about you but sound quality on the streamer sucks for me, but most importantly, you'd have to slit the mp3s and name them all yourself.

This is like a CD MP3 Ripper & a TIVO for Sirius.

updated my 1st & second post with more info. just finished using it and it's very cool.

Mutt---- Can you record multiple stations at once?

Crap. My unit isn't included on the compatibility list -- which means $169.99, a new Sirius subscription, and a "grab bag" receiver (i.e., one of the five units that is compatible).

Hope I can find a compatible unit subject to the current rebate . . .

Time to go ashopping.

what units r compatible? and mutt i dont think ur graphics were up before so now i have my answer about bitrate choice..thanks.

Will this timetrax system work without the home kit on the S50?

Thank you for your great explanation on how this works because I love my TIVO and I am a real newbie with all of this satellite stuff. I'm still waiting for my home kit from Ultimate Electronics. They say tomorrow....but I just saw on the Sirius Store site shipping 1/05/06. They are really stressing me out about missing the first broadcast.

so do we know yet if subscribers will be able to hear a stream online?

that would be huge for those of us with car units.

this thing sounds great. i would love to record howard and move it to my ipod

I've had my TimeTrax Sirius for about a month, I bought it to be able to record Howard and put it on my IPOD to listen to at work.

I too had a crashing problem like you described, but after working with their excellent tech support (also mentioned somewhere else in this thread) we figured out that updating my sound card drivers solved the problem.

I echo everything you say in your review - the interface is slick, it has far more features than I'll ever use, and it Just Works. I originally thought I'd just use it for recording Howard, but I now record TONS of music MP3's with it now, and they're all tagged and show up properly in my IPOD with artist & song name. I highly recommend TimeTrax - if you want to record Howard, this is the way to do it.

I've had my TimeTrax Sirius for about a month, I bought it to be able to record Howard and put it on my IPOD to listen to at work.

I too had a crashing problem like you described, but after working with their excellent tech support (also mentioned somewhere else in this thread) we figured out that updating my sound card drivers solved the problem.

I echo everything you say in your review - the interface is slick, it has far more features than I'll ever use, and it Just Works. I originally thought I'd just use it for recording Howard, but I now record TONS of music MP3's with it now, and they're all tagged and show up properly in my IPOD with artist & song name. I highly recommend TimeTrax - if you want to record Howard, this is the way to do it.

Now you're talking. iTunes compatibility is huge for me. I've got recording Howard taken care of with the S50, but for music this would be great. I'm loving 74 Sirius Blues and 25 Little Steven's Underground Garage.

When splitting the files, does the software ID and name them correctly?

I NEED to get this! Can it record multiple channels at the same time?

No, it's limited to whatever the receiver can output, so just like any other Sirius radio, it records one channel at a time. But you can give it a list of artists or songs that you like (which you can add to all the time) and it will record only those artists or songs. You can also give it a list of artists you DON'T want it to record, and it won't record those. Then just click Record, let it sit overnight, and you'll have a directory of MP3's from only your selected artists.

But by far the greatest thing is that you can set it to not record anything less than say, one minute long - which means it doesn't record commercials!! So when it's on a talk station, it records the show, and skips the commercials!

This would be perfect if it was compatible with more recievers,,I've got a starmate replay so I'll have to look for another option for recording http://www.SternFanNetwork.com/forum/images/smilies/Sad/traurig007.gif

I have two Starmate Replays, and an Orbiter...

This device is really tempting... I know I'll end up buying it soon!!! (I'll just deactivate the Orbiter, and activate the compatible receiver).

When splitting the files, does the software ID and name them correctly?

Yes, the files are named with the artist, filename, whatever you want - you can configure to name it however you like.

I thought that if you had a Sirius subscription that you could also listen to all the stations over the web. I have seen that Sirius offers a free 3 day online trial. Does that not include Howard?

Howard is not offered on the streaming version of Sirius.

Mutt---- Can you record multiple stations at once?

As I mentioned previously, it records one channel at a time, limited by the receiver.

what units r compatible?

I think it works with the Sirius Connect only right now, but I read on their support site that they are working on other radios.

I don't really see the point of it. I think that the way I'm going to go is to keep my Sirius connected to my Mac and kick off Sound Studio 2.2.4 and record the whole show then rip it to AAC and listen to it on my iPod.

I'm tempted to get a 12 volt power supply and hook up my mobile Sirius in the house and use the FM transmitter around the house so I can wear my old FM headset.

it really sux that sterns not streaming over the internet. I am in my car about 5 minutes a day. I bought the lifetime membership and I have a fixed radio meaning it is not portable, so I can never listen to it in my house. Makes me want to ebay my membership away.

Fuck man you have to have Windows 2000 or XP and and a little more drive space than I have.

This might be a good excuse to get a new computer.

wait, wait, wait

What about some kind of an alarm or auto change channels?????

Like Wednesday @7pm Record Raw Dog

Wednesday @10pm Record Stern

Thusday @5pm Record Hard Attack

How will you make the Sirius Unit physically switch channels for those times and dates.

Right now, I have auto-record software for my computer but it will only record time/date and not channels.... I have to have my unit on the channel before it starts to record though

Fuck man you have to have Windows 2000 or XP and and a little more drive space than I have.

This might be a good excuse to get a new computer.


With all this stuff comming out, Drive space is Crucial

My main Rig, I have 2 - 300 GIG Drives and and 2- 36GIG Drives in RAID 0

= 672GIG --- Never thaught Id have that much drive space like this

wait, wait, wait

What about some kind of an alarm or auto change channels?????

Like Wednesday @7pm Record Raw Dog

Wednesday @10pm Record Stern

Thusday @5pm Record Hard Attack

How will you make the Sirius Unit physically switch channels for those times and dates.

Right now, I have auto-record software for my computer but it will only record time/date and not channels.... I have to have my unit on the channel before it starts to record though

The TimeTrax software does that. It has a scheduler built into it and you can tell it what channel to record, and when. You can tell it to record every day, M-F, every Wednesday, weekends only, whatever. So you can have it set up to do exactly what you asked above, and leave it for a couple weeks and it will automatically switch channels at the right time and record them all automatically. It's pretty cool.

I was going to try to post an image here of the scheduler screen, but I am a technical idiot and don't know how to do it. But you can see it on the screen shots they have on their web site:

http://www.timetraxtech.com/tt_features_screenshots.asp

i've had it for a couple months now. i've had plenty of problems with it too.

right now i can make an file but i can't hear it. i'm burnt out on trying to get it to work. i did start with an earlier software version and i know the latest is working well for most.

like most software, it will work for most and then there are those lucky souls like me.

i'm sure they can help me out with this problem but frankly i'm sick and fucking tired of buying things that need to be tweeked. i buy something and then spend hours screwing around and posting for help.

it is a great idea though. i'm listening to mutt and the gang on the round table now. if only i could hear the shows i tape.

here is their official forum. http://www.satelliteguys.us/forumdisplay.php?f=38

read up and then decide.

Is the Streamer GT compatible? Also, email me if you think you will record the 1st week of the show. I will be out of town on business on meetings all day. let me know if u can share the 1st week of the show!

I gotta get this

is it mac compatable at all?

I'm loving 74 Sirius Blues and 25 Little Steven's Underground Garage. I just watched the Yahoo coverage and saw Little Steven being interviewed at Howard's Hard Rock party. He plugged that channel, the Springsteen channel, and the upcoming Sopranos season (he stated that there will be a 2/3-size season AFTER this coming season!).

Is there an audio out jack?
You could pull your car up as close to your house as you can and get a really really long wire and run it into your sound card and use total recorder. :D

man, that shit is ghetto. http://www.SternFanNetwork.com/forum/images/smilies/Characters/hello-my-brotha.gif

Crap. My unit isn't included on the compatibility list -- which means $169.99, a new Sirius subscription, and a "grab bag" receiver (i.e., one of the five units that is compatible).
Mine is incompatible, too. I'm still within my 30-day return policy...hmmm.

TimeTrax Recast SIRIUS
Available for download now
Our Price: $44.99

Using Recast, you can now record from any of the following sources:

XM PCR Radio
XM Direct Radio
XM Online Streaming
SIRIUS Connect Radio (Models Alpine SIR-ALP1, Pioneer SIR-PNR1, JVC SIR-JVC1, Kenwood SIR-KEN1)
TimeTrax is currently only compatible with the above sources. If your radio or online streaming source is not listed above, TimeTrax will not currently work with your audio source.


TimeTrax Connect Sirius
Usually Ships in 5 to 7 Business Days
Our Price: $99.99

The following Sirius Radios are Compatible with TimeTrax Connect Sirius

Alpine SIR-ALP1
Pioneer SIR-PNR1
JVC SIR-JVC1
Kenwood SIR-KEN1

TimeTrax Connect Sirius includes a TimeTrax Software license and everything you need to connect your Sirius Connect Radio to your PC via the USB Port.


TimeTrax Complete Sirius (with Sirius Connect Radio)
Usually Ships in 3 to 5 Business Days
Our Price: $169.99

*Due to market availability, TimeTrax will send you one of the following Sirius Connect Satellite Radio receivers: SIR-KEN1, SIR-JVC1, SIR-PNR1, or SIR-ALP1. All of the aforementioned models are compatible with TimeTrax

is it mac compatable at all?

Attention Mac users:

http://www.rogueamoeba.com/audiohijack/images/ah2_parts_full.png

Run the line out from your Sirius radio into the Mac and set Audio Hijack to record it, then upload to iTunes or iPod. Simple. :doh:

So this thing records in the house or in the car?

I read some people's comments and I'm alittle afraid. I really want something reliable to time record the shows.

Well all I can tell you is that it works perfectly and reliably for me. I plug in the channel and time in the scheduler, and I end up with a directory full of MP3's from the recording. Some people may have problems, but certainly not me.

it records in your house, but it uses a car radio. when you get it you'll want to pick up the right radio. it's perfect for my office.

Damn...I want one of these. I wonder if Hanukkah Harry will bring me one?

http://www.leenite.org/jonisland/hharry/hhttlpic.jpg

So here's my question..... do I have to Pay for ANOTHER sirius subscription on top of the one I'm already paying for?

I have a starmate replay......... so the sirius "connect" counts as another radio which needs it's own account? RRRRRRRRRRRIGGGGGGGGGGGGGHTTTTTTTTT?

Any answer to this? Do I have to have a seprate account?

You need a separate subscription yes - but you can get a discounted one ($6.99/month) because you already have one with them.

I'm gonna take the plinge and order this right now. I gotta have this. Not only do i wanna have every Stern show for my collection, but since I'm also a professional DJ this sound s like it's going to come in really handy with all the songs. Not that I don't get all my music for free pretty much anyway.

OHHH YEAH!!! Just ordered it. Hope to be making awesome mp3's of the Stern show. Can't wait for all the other stuff I'll be getting.

I really want this, and could get it for xmas........but I dunno......it's just too damn expensive... if they offer some kind of special I'll pick it up.

How is the audio transfered to the pc? Is it via a usb? I would hope its a digital transger.

I had been thinking about picking up a Starmate just for purposes of staying hooked up to my computer and using Total Recorder, but it sounds like this package makes a lot of sense. Once I got the radio and a home kit, it isn't that much more for the $169 Timetrax package that comes with the compatible receiver.

So you can also listen live through your computer, right? Does the software just record exactly what you'd hear on your speakers/headphones? For example, is it possible to record Sirius while you listen to something different on Media Player or will that screw things up because it records whatever goes through the soundcard?

I'm hoping that because there's no lightup display on the Connect receivers that are compatible, it would prevent the issue of heating up I've heard can happen with some models. If that's the case this is probably the best idea all around, because I'll often be leaving the radio on all day and/or all night.

I see the disclaimer that says they can't guarantee which SiriusConnect model they send you. Does it matter, or all they all they some other than which brand of sound system they're designed to work with? I assume no issue because you're using your computer as the controller?

So you can also listen live through your computer, right? Does the software just record exactly what you'd hear on your speakers/headphones? For example, is it possible to record Sirius while you listen to something different on Media Player or will that screw things up because it records whatever goes through the soundcard?

It records whatever goes into your Line In - so you can tell it to record from the Line in, mute the Line in on the playback mixer, and listen to something else at the same time. So yes - you can record the Sirius radio without listening to it, and even play something else on Media Player at the same time.

I'm hoping that because there's no lightup display on the Connect receivers that are compatible, it would prevent the issue of heating up I've heard can happen with some models. If that's the case this is probably the best idea all around, because I'll often be leaving the radio on all day and/or all night.

I leave mine going almost all the time, and no, it doesn't get warm like my S50 does.

I see the disclaimer that says they can't guarantee which SiriusConnect model they send you. Does it matter, or all they all they some other than which brand of sound system they're designed to work with? I assume no issue because you're using your computer as the controller?

I think it's because they are originally meant to connect with various models of car stereos - Kenwood, Alpine, etc. but they all work the same, as far as I know.

Just the answers I was hoping for. Thanks!

Mine arrived two days ago and I've been taping. Works great. Since its just audio -- which is relatively processor nonintensive -- you can even set up an old computer if you don't want to leave it up on your main one.

Haven't done this yet, but I'm sure you could run the free Windows Media encoder software to create a live audio stream for yourself that you could listen to from anywhere the internet (work, travel, etc.). Even a high quality 160Kbps upload from your house is way below most broadband upstream connections these days.

[QUOTE=Mutt][B]Hooking it up was easy. It plugged right into my Sirius unit from the Jeep.

So, it looks like this only works with Sirius units designed to go in a car, is that right? ON the time-trax site, it says "Due to market availability, TimeTrax will send you one of the following Sirius Connect Satellite Radio receivers: SIR-KEN1, SIR-JVC1, SIR-PNR1, or SIR-ALP1. All of the aforementioned models are compatible with TimeTrax"..and when you look at these "receivers", they are all the grey boxes that look like they get mounted in the trunk of your car (as opposed to a portable Sirius player).

I'm considering getting sirius, but I know that in order to sell the idea to my wife, the box will have to be something that looks like a radio or an ipod, not an ugly grey metal box that is designed to be in the trunk of a jeep.

Do I understand this product correctly?

Man this thing looks TiTs!
If someone that has this could just confirm that it will do what I'm looking to do with it I would be appreciative. (I only read the first post's of this thread)

I currently have a "Sirius Orbitor" in my work truck, the thing is a couple years old and still works OK, but needs replacing. I still like it better than the SIR-PNR1/Pioneer head unit i put in my personal truck, only because it displays more info and is easier to navigate. With the "Orbitor" In the work truck, I installed a head unit that has a 3.5mm "AUX" jack on the face of the unit so I didn't have to use the FM modulator and could easily move the unit to the house stereo system, or just take it off quickly if I quit my job. :D

Now I do keep a laptop in my work truck, I got it mounted at a nice angle and use it for MS streets & tips/ watching broadcast TV/ playing games/ watching DVDs and a few things that are actually job related. When I watch TV or a DVD on the laptop I hook up that same 3.5mm jack on the face plate of the head unit to the 3.5mm jack on the laptop for surround sound..works great.

So what I want to know is that if I buy one of the "TimeTrax Complete Sirius (with Sirius Connect Radio) (https://www.timetraxtech.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=52000) ".. can I just use the laptop and the 3.5mm jack to listen to Howard in the work truck? I think from what I read I should be good and have a nice display/ easy way to navigate.. not to mention record till my hearts content. The more I think about it.. this was prolly a stupid question... I cant see why it wouldn't work from what I read, but I'm still not 100% sure .(I'm gonna get one of those 300 gig external hd's if all is good)

Hi kids,

OK, I see there are some units with software to record the Sirius broadcast. They all look like nice packages, providing you have correct unit and want to spend the money on getting it. I'm not saying they are not worth the money, but here is an alternative.

I bought an MP3 player a few years back that I haven't used since the summer. I remember that this unit, iRiver iFP-390T/256MB Memory, has an FM Tuner in it and it will record an FM station. MINT!!! Then using the iRiver software, transfer it to my PC in MP3 format. Oh, yea, I can get 4 hours and 20 minutes onto this unit in one sitting if needed.

I have used it to record several Round Table, Meet the Shrink, and some other great content.

I realize this is not as easy as the TimeTrax or simular products, but its all FREE for me. Utilizing products I already own and have the cabability to make it all happen. Even while driving in the car if I like.

I found this nice MP3 Editor. You can download WavePad for free, don't know if this will last forever.
http://www.nch.com.au/wavepad/

Thought I would share.......

Fuck man you have to have Windows 2000 or XP and and a little more drive space than I have.

This might be a good excuse to get a new computer.

Do you have a commodore 64?

I gotta say, buying the right Sirius product is not easy. Always a new gizmo and hard to get one product to work everywhere I want it to.

I agree, deciding what to buy is difficult. I'll probably just go with a home unit, capture it and listen later. I assume most units will have an audio out jack (headphones) that I can plug into a computer. That's what I've been doing for the last month. Bummed about the lack of streaming, I was hoping to listen at work. I'm a Mac user so this product won't work for me. [/B][/QUOTE]

I too am a Mac User (10.3.9) and was super disappointed to find out that once U become a subscriber U can stream the music but NOT
TALK...such as H.Stern. I have an inexpensive
Mac application called "wiretap" that permits me to record radio from the iTunes radio section that
records music or talk as an Mp3 file storing it in the Library section of iTunes.
I was hoping to record the entire show then
burn a CD of it or just store it on the Mac.
but Sirius is screwing people by essentially requiring us to get two different radios on for the car and one for the home. Booooo

Definitly gonna get one of these babies within the next couple months!(to coincide with when i get a new laptop)

I will be adding an additional sub for the timetrax CONNECT tuner (in addition to my S50 sub)

not sure whether or not i want the package that comes with a SIRIUS CONNECT tuner.....if i can get a discount on the JVC or Pioneer ones at my work for less than $70, i'll just get the $99 timetrax package, if not, ill go with the $169.99 package http://www.SternFanNetwork.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

About a year ago people started posting about TimeTrax and I didn't get it. It was a $100 box that let you record Sirius on your computer and I was like WTF?!?! I can already record Sirius on my computer with a $3 cable from Radio Shack and some free software just as well. I just got one in the mail and holy shit was I wrong. It's the coolest Sirius toy I've seen yet. It's cooler than the S50 and I'm not kidding. Let me tell ya what this really is. It's the Napster of Sirius radio, no exaggeration.


http://www.sternfannetwork.com/media/timetrax/timetraxhardware.jpg


Thanks Mutt, you rock. I love SFN and I love threads like this, all the data, the good and bad, the heads up, and how to's, the spec's (Thanks NWSG for that list of compatible units.)

I am a little concerned however that Mutt is listening to Tim McGraw.

What's up with that?

its fine you can record streaming audio on your computer but Howard will NOT be streaming.
Sirius is not permitting it.....that's the issue.
You can record all the music U want as they do
permit streaming of music but that's all!
Get it?

its fine you can record streaming audio on your computer but Howard will NOT be streaming.
Sirius is not permitting it.....that's the issue.
You can record all the music U want as they do
permit streaming of music but that's all!
Get it?

This is not streaming audio. It is an actual radio that plugs into your computer. It does not use up any Internet bandwidth, and you can record anything Sirius broadcasts - INCLUDING Howard.

Okay...from what U offered it looks like it designed for a Windows computer...at least the software.
Is it? I have Mac OS X operating system.
I have USB and Firewire.

I agree, deciding what to buy is difficult. I'll probably just go with a home unit, capture it and listen later. I assume most units will have an audio out jack (headphones) that I can plug into a computer. That's what I've been doing for the last month. Bummed about the lack of streaming, I was hoping to listen at work. I'm a Mac user so this product won't work for me.

I too am a Mac User (10.3.9) and was super disappointed to find out that once U become a subscriber U can stream the music but NOT
TALK...such as H.Stern. I have an inexpensive
Mac application called "wiretap" that permits me to record radio from the iTunes radio section that
records music or talk as an Mp3 file storing it in the Library section of iTunes.
I was hoping to record the entire show then
burn a CD of it or just store it on the Mac.
but Sirius is screwing people by essentially requiring us to get two different radios on for the car and one for the home. Booooo

Get an S50, the really great thing about it is the ease of moving the unit between home dock and car. Just take the head and pop it in (that's what she said) like an iPod. Nothing to hook up.

iPod with ears

Time Trax Technologies, which created a stir late last year when it introduced products that let satellite radio subscribers record programming to PCs, has followed up with a product that turns iPods into MP3 repositories for satellite radio.

DockTrax is an iPod docking station that connects to a USB port on any PC. When an iPod is inserted into the cradle, Timetrax software can schedule recordings of XM or Sirius programs and download them to the iPod as MP3 files.

TimeTrax says it has taken measures to prevent peer-to-peer file sharing, embedding the serial number of the user's satellite radio receiver onto each file.

DockTrax, which is available at www.timetraxtech.com, costs $200 and comes bundled with TimeTrax software, an XM or Sirius receiver and cradle. It will be at stores later this year.

http://www.jsonline.com/bym/tech/news/feb05/303606.asp

Its still for Windows only.....

Its still for Windows only.....

It's a different product... They announced it a year ago. Just wondered if it's still in the works. Now that would be fucking great.

That's a great concept, too bad Sirius music quality sucks ass...

I have iTunes...its free....100%
On the radio section there are over 100 radio stations with very high quality audio....most
have no commmercials...from All over the world
I record music from Music 1 out of London,
U find it on "international" section. I use "wiretap" for Mac. When U stop recording a song...it moves
as an MP3 file for use on my i pod.

A few big warnings about this product:

(1) They are so overly fixated on software piracy, they actaully require you to install it on a computer connected to their server 24/7 every week of the year via the internet. (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=49862) Seriously. It sounds crazy, but if you read that link, the guy from TimeTrax admits it.

(2) If you own a computer with the Audigy soundcard, its not only going to crash, but crash your entire OS. Their answer: you should downgrade your audio card drivers. (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=49957)

(3) You have to know a show will come on advance to record it. If you begin listening to a show, it won't let you record the show you're listening to. Instead, when you hit record, it flashes a "waiting for the next song" message up, and does nothing until the next show comes on.

These guys have an interesting product ,and I applaud them for putting it out, but they have loads to learn about designing a workable product (their customers pay $100+ for their software). Not regarding technical issues, but just basic judgment about what features to enable.

i'll stick with Total Recorder for $12 and toggle the Starmate on and off with my programmable remote.

A few big warnings about this product:

(1) They are so overly fixated on software piracy, they actaully require you to install it on a computer connected to their server 24/7 every week of the year via the internet. (http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?t=49862) Seriously. It sounds crazy, but if you read that link, the guy from TimeTrax admits it.


we don't want to specify exactly what is going back and forth, but it is part of a larger effort to fight piracy of our software.

Gee, you have to pay money to use their product and 1) You cannot use it when you want to and 2) To use the product you must connect to their server. While connected the server has full access to your computer, but they won't tell you what it is doing. I think I will just stick with downloading music. I can take the one minute it takes to id the song.

Just take the head and pop it in (that's what she said) Hey now! :hump:

I too am a Mac user. I already have a RadioShark - I've been recording Howard's terrestial show.

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/radioshark/

I plan on using a Sirius units ability to broadcast FM and the RadioSharks ability to record FM to get Howard's Sirius show onto my iPod.

If that doesn't work well I plan on using Audio Hijack Pro and a direct line in. I haven't used Audio Hijack before... does it automatically add new recordings to iTunes?

Any other comments?

Thanks,
Chris

For all u Mac users out there go to:
ambrosia.com
WireTap pro is an inexpensive software for Mac
OSX that will record streaming audio but unfortunately Howard will not be streaming
on Sirius as their music does.....Howard needs to get this changed. It should not be so difficult to listen to a talkradio show

hey Mutt.. i thought i read somewhere that you might be giving these things or TimeTrax might be giving these out to people who post the most in FileSharing... is that true?

I too am a Mac user....
I haven't used Audio Hijack before... does it automatically add new recordings to iTunes?

Chris -
I don't own an iPod, just some macs. Audio Hijack Pro is great. it has many scripts linking it directly to iPods and iTunes. Several recording formats, timer, silence monitor (detects dead air), etc.
I'll attempt to add some include some screen caps.



http://img133.imagevenue.com/loc24/th_da2e2_AHPro_RecordingOptions.jpg (http://img133.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=da2e2_AHPro_RecordingOptions.jpg)http://img131.imagevenue.com/loc24/th_4c942_AHPro_RecBin.jpg (http://img131.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=4c942_AHPro_RecBin.jpg)http://img121.imagevenue.com/loc24/th_899d1_AHPro_Input.jpg (http://img121.imagevenue.com/img.php?loc=loc24&image=899d1_AHPro_Input.jpg)

Chris -
I don't own an iPod, just some macs. Audio Hijack Pro is great. it has many scripts linking it directly to iPods and iTunes. Several recording formats, timer, silence monitor (detects dead air), etc.
I'll attempt to add some include some screen caps.

That is pretty cool. I'll probably try out my FM bridge using the RadioShark first. Then I'm sure I'll try the demo of Audio Hijack to compare... I bet I'll end up with Audio Hijack.

Thanks,
Chris

(1) They are so overly fixated on software piracy, they actaully require you to install it on a computer connected to their server 24/7 every week of the year via the internet. Seriously. It sounds crazy, but if you read that link, the guy from TimeTrax admits it.

There was a lot of talk about this in several forums. It basically sends their server a "hey, I'm here" message every 30 minutes or so. If it doesn't connect, it keeps working. It does need connectivity to start up however. In the support forum they said this is to support an interactive service that is coming in a future version.

(2) If you own a computer with the Audigy soundcard, its not only going to crash, but crash your entire OS. Their answer: you should downgrade your audio card drivers.

Gee, this sounds to me like a problem with sound card drivers. If an application works fine with most sound cards, but with the drivers of a certain sound card cause your OS to crash, all fingers point to buggy sound card drivers. After all, the driver is the software that has kernal level access, not the software. And only kernal level software can cause a catastrophic crash like that. I can hardly see how you can fault a third party software vendor for faults in your hardware's drivers.

(3) You have to know a show will come on advance to record it. If you begin listening to a show, it won't let you record the show you're listening to. Instead, when you hit record, it flashes a "waiting for the next song" message up, and does nothing until the next show comes on.

Not true at all. Unclick the "PerfecTrax" checkbox and this does not happen - just click Record and it starts recording, not only from that point forward, but for as long as the show has been playing or as long as TimeTrax has been running. This is a feature, not a bug. Read the documentation.

These guys have an interesting product ,and I applaud them for putting it out, but they have loads to learn about designing a workable product (their customers pay $100+ for their software).

$44.99, according to their web site.

Great information. I'm investigating and purchasing this week. Being a new member, I'd like to comend you on an excellent web site and boards! I'll make this a daily stop after work and keep my comments to a minimum until I get a feel for the land and inhabitants.
On another note, is the opinion that Stern won't air over the internet factual or conjecture? I'd hate to think I can't get the show from my desk while I'm in the office, and there's no way I can get a Sirius signal to my office.

Great information. I'm investigating and purchasing this week. Being a new member, I'd like to comend you on an excellent web site and boards! I'll make this a daily stop after work and keep my comments to a minimum until I get a feel for the land and inhabitants.
On another note, is the opinion that Stern won't air over the internet factual or conjecture? I'd hate to think I can't get the show from my desk while I'm in the office, and there's no way I can get a Sirius signal to my office.

As of right now, Stern will NOT be on the streaming Sirius.

If you're in a reasonable sized city, and it has ground repeaters, you may be able to pick up Sirius without an outdoor antenna. I know I can pick it up with the antenna just sitting on my desk.

I still think its better to Lobby Stern for
streaming...he wants this thing to be a sucess and the only way it can be is through streaming, not asking people to get two radios...its nuts....when
the capability to stream Stern like they stream
muscic is just a matter of pulling a switch at Sirius....that would increase the audience demographics that they are selling to advertisers.

I purchased Time Trax and after a few fustrating hours,it decided to work.Now that I am up and running the system works great.Sirius plays songs you will never hear on old fashioned radio and I am finding classics from when I was a kid. The options are endless. Over the first night of operation, the Time Trax device recorded and labeled all 170 songs.No more worring about downloading songs(and probably a virus).This software will record more of a variety of songs than you could even imagine
http://www.SternFanNetwork.com/forum/images/smilies/tongue.gif

A few big warnings about this product:

(3) You have to know a show will come on advance to record it. If you begin listening to a show, it won't let you record the show you're listening to. Instead, when you hit record, it flashes a "waiting for the next song" message up, and does nothing until the next show comes on.



this isn't true. I explained in my descript ion that there is a "perfec trax" setting. when check it skips incomplete songs, uncheck it to record immediatly reguardless of whether on not the song has already started

hey Mutt.. i thought i read somewhere that you might be giving these things or TimeTrax might be giving these out to people who post the most in FileSharing... is that true?

Yep, I'll be giving one away this week. Please submit your nominations for best file sharing posters
http://www.sternfannetwork.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=1323413#post1323413

I too am a Mac user. I already have a RadioShark - I've been recording Howard's terrestial show.

http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/radioshark/

I plan on using a Sirius units ability to broadcast FM and the RadioSharks ability to record FM to get Howard's Sirius show onto my iPod.

If that doesn't work well I plan on using Audio Hijack Pro and a direct line in. I haven't used Audio Hijack before... does it automatically add new recordings to iTunes?

Any other comments?

Thanks,
Chris

What a great idea. I use a RadioShark too. I also have a Timetrax unit that I'm very unhappy with. The RadioShark tagging and recording is rock solid and doesn't need the internet connection. If you really want to hear the truth about Timetrax, instead of reading their moderated/censored forum go to
http://openforums.mail-drop.org/viewforum.php?f=2

My computer doesn't have a line-in (barebones system with integrated audio and no open slots). Is this thing simply unusable with no line-in or do you simply miss out on a few features?

If no line-in simply means I'm not able to listen to one channel simultaneously while recording another (for example) then I wouldn't care. This would be for recording to mp3 while I'm at work. If that isn't possible without a line-in then this is a non-starter for me. Does anyone know?

My computer doesn't have a line-in (barebones system with integrated audio and no open slots). Is this thing simply unusable with no line-in or do you simply miss out on a few features?

If no line-in simply means I'm not able to listen to one channel simultaneously while recording another (for example) then I wouldn't care. This would be for recording to mp3 while I'm at work. If that isn't possible without a line-in then this is a non-starter for me. Does anyone know?

You need a line-in, unless you're recording from XM Online, in which case it records the streaming feed.

Do you have any USB ports? There are lots of external sound cards that plug in your USB port that have line in ports.

It absolutely doesn't work if you don't have a line in. That's where the audio signal is recorded from. I think a regular radio like a Starmate with an FM out signal and a RadioShark unit would work best for you. It would be stone cold reliable, less expensive, and the radio can be used without a computer let alone a constant internet connection. I run 2 RadioSharks and I can assure you they make great FM mp3's and wma's. They sound lousy to listen to live as a radio and the AM sucks, but the files they produce of an FM signal sound great and the record scheduling is excellent.

mutt after reading many posts etc and wondering how i was going to listen to howard at work..... my time trax showed up last night ..........i am real grateful .........its the bomb ...and i can not thank you enough..............live free or die

I hope your Stern recordings don't cut off too often in the middle of the show for Timetrax users. There's a big difference between recording 3 minute songs and 5 hours of talk radio. A few froze up efforts and you might not think it's so great. If anyone want's my TT, I'll dust it off and sell it cheap. You would have to get another antenna and buy their software though. I need stable, predictable Stern recordings and wish TT users well in achieving that goal.

I hope your Stern recordings don't cut off too often in the middle of the show for Timetrax users. There's a big difference between recording 3 minute songs and 5 hours of talk radio. A few froze up efforts and you might not think it's so great. If anyone want's my TT, I'll dust it off and sell it cheap. You would have to get another antenna and buy their software though. I need stable, predictable Stern recordings and wish TT users well in achieving that goal.

Do you have an alternate way to record the shows? If so I'd like to know. I really want to listen to stern but I need a way to record the shows so I can listen to them on my time.

This is the setup I use. Starmate radio with a Radio Shack 12v power supply tuned to channel 100. A double male stereo cable that runs from the radio to the line in jack on my pc. Super Mp3 Recorder Pro off CNet (best program for daily scheduling I've found, $30.00). Set the scheduler to record Howie every day. That's it, you're done. I use the same program to record Carolla off the KLSX internet feed every day on my laptop. They sound great, they are guaranteed to record the shows unless you have a power outage or something. I'll take my Starmate for $50.00 over a TT unit that may or may not manage to record the whole 5 hours without hanging and can't be used to record any other source of media. My Starmate doesn't hang or require a 24/7 internet connection to run.

WOW, this sounds like an NSA set up to listen to
terrorist broadcasts or something. Should anyone need to go through all this to listen to a radio
show? Howard just needs to say, hey, I should have some pull here, and I want subscribers to
be able to hear on their Mac or PC. DONE

I don't mean to be rude but hooking a radio up to a computer using a cable and running a software program is complicated for you?

Yeah, just to listen to a talk radio show.
I love Howard but.......REALLY.....come on.
Sirius just needs to stream it for podcasting
for paid subscribers and its done. Let's not
go nuts on this.....pls. :o

I listen mostly at work and on my commute. I like the files loaded on an mp3 player so I can pause when I need to, fast forward through commercials etc. That's especially true of Carollas show which seems like it's half commercials. The internet feed usually replaces them with the sound of birds chirping or whatever. You would go insane if you couldn't zip through them. Also, our internet connection is so bogged down at work that streaming media doesn't work very well. Of course, I have to listen to shows a day late, but they're still funny to me :) It would be a nice option if HS was offered over the net to subscribers but don't hold your breath waiting for that option.

if the Stern show is loaded with screaming commercials like the FM show was, it will be
a ripoff. I will say, Thank God, they dumped
FoxNews feeds and the Right Wing hosts such
as O'Reilly, Hannity, Snow et al. Keep these
asses on AM where they belong

This is the setup I use. Starmate radio with a Radio Shack 12v power supply tuned to channel 100. A double male stereo cable that runs from the radio to the line in jack on my pc. Super Mp3 Recorder Pro off CNet (best program for daily scheduling I've found, $30.00). Set the scheduler to record Howie every day. That's it, you're done. I use the same program to record Carolla off the KLSX internet feed every day on my laptop. They sound great, they are guaranteed to record the shows unless you have a power outage or something. I'll take my Starmate for $50.00 over a TT unit that may or may not manage to record the whole 5 hours without hanging and can't be used to record any other source of media. My Starmate doesn't hang or require a 24/7 internet connection to run.

So this gives you like one big file?

The Consumer Electronics Convention in Las Vegas has been going on all week. I am sure
Sirius has shown new second generation products and they will be on the market in the next
4 weeks or so. I think I will just wait and see
what they produce. I am sure they will be better than the first gen. producsts ;)

i will post my what happens monday with tt

So this gives you like one big file?

Yes. Which is exactly what I want.

Yes. Which is exactly what I want.

*shrug* unclick "splitrax" on TimeTrax and it does the exact same thing. Works perfectly for me, I don't know what you're always ranting about. I've recorded 2-hour concerts with it.

*shrug* unclick "splitrax" on TimeTrax and it does the exact same thing. Works perfectly for me, I don't know what you're always ranting about. I've recorded 2-hour concerts with it.

What are your thoughts on this device since you have one?

Also, what is the possiblity that Sirius finds a way to stop the use of this device?

*shrug* unclick "splitrax" on TimeTrax and it does the exact same thing. Works perfectly for me, I don't know what you're always ranting about. I've recorded 2-hour concerts with it.

What do you mean what I'm always ranting about? Like I said earlier, I have a Timetrax. I have found it to be unstable, unreliable and wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I'm far from alone with this evaluation. I choose to use a less expensive, reliable method to record Stern. Recommend TT all you want, I couldn't care less. http://openforums.mail-drop.org/viewforum.php?f=2 for uncensored TT forum. Try giving this link on the official TT forum and see how long before they delete it.

What do you mean what I'm always ranting about? Like I said earlier, I have a Timetrax. I have found it to be unstable, unreliable and wouldn't recommend it to anyone. I'm far from alone with this evaluation. I choose to use a less expensive, reliable method to record Stern. Recommend TT all you want, I couldn't care less. http://openforums.mail-drop.org/viewforum.php?f=2 for uncensored TT forum. Try giving this link on the official TT forum and see how long before they delete it.

Not to hate on that site too much but there's hardly any people participating on that site. I can't really form an opinion based upon a couple of posts on some website. The sample is just too small. Sounds like one person's place to bitch rather than a larger problem.

I would love to get this hooked up for the 1st show!
Talk about having an istant classic. Sounds like a must have for your digital song library too. Reminds me of the old days of pausing the cassette recorder until the DJ stopped talking to record "Calling Dr. Love" and "Sweet Home Alabama" off of 99X.

Unfortunately, it's the only place you can complain about the software. If you complain on the TT official forum, it gets deleted. And since nobody knows about the open forum site, you don't get much participation. Fwiw, the software may have evolved enough since I and many others were their involuntary beta testers. I haven't bothered with it for months. For one thing, I'm not willing to use software that requires a 24/7 internet connection to work. And don't shit yourself, TT software goes down very quickly if you lose the connection and it doesn't come back by itself. I also use my radio on my boat which is pretty hard to do with TT. I wanted reliability and flexibility so the TT unit had to go.

So you're complaining that your TimeTrax crashes, even though you're running an old version and haven't used it for months? And that you can't get it to work on your BOAT? It might just be me, but I don't really think TimeTrax was intended for use on a boat, in a car, or anywhere other than on your PC at home.

You say you haven't used it for months, you complain it doesn't work, you complain it needs an Internet connection (despite the fact that this is stated as a requirement on the web site when you BUY the thing), then you complain that the "free" forum that is filled with so-called digruntled people doesn't have enough people participating. Perhaps this is because there aren't that many disgruntled people? Then you spend all your time on this board writing about how crappy it is and how it doesn't do what you want - when you freely admit that you don't even use it, and haven't for months!

I'm sorry, it just REALLY sounds to me like you've got some sort of agenda happening here.

So you're complaining that your TimeTrax crashes, even though you're running an old version and haven't used it for months? And that you can't get it to work on your BOAT? It might just be me, but I don't really think TimeTrax was intended for use on a boat, in a car, or anywhere other than on your PC at home.

You say you haven't used it for months, you complain it doesn't work, you complain it needs an Internet connection (despite the fact that this is stated as a requirement on the web site when you BUY the thing), then you complain that the "free" forum that is filled with so-called digruntled people doesn't have enough people participating. Perhaps this is because there aren't that many disgruntled people? Then you spend all your time on this board writing about how crappy it is and how it doesn't do what you want - when you freely admit that you don't even use it, and haven't for months!

I'm sorry, it just REALLY sounds to me like you've got some sort of agenda happening here.

For the THIRD time, I'm suggesting an alternative. I don't give a shit what you or anyone else does. And you can still go to TT's official (censored) forum http://www.satelliteguys.us/forumdisplay.php?f=38 and see lots of complaints. Still looks buggy and unreliable to me.

For the THIRD time, I'm suggesting an alternative. I don't give a shit what you or anyone else does. And you can still go to TT's official (censored) forum http://www.satelliteguys.us/forumdisplay.php?f=38 and see lots of complaints. Still looks buggy and unreliable to me.

In what way is it censored if there are complaints there?

In what way is it censored if there are complaints there?

Good question. Watch the board for awhile. When someone finally loses patience with TT's miserable tech support (both on the TT forum or waiting for a support ticket to be answered for weeks at a time) they demand a phone number/refund whatever. These submissions are quickly removed and have been many, many times. The censoring has been discussed ad nauseum on Sirius Backstage forums. Bottom line, get a little too critical and you're history. I'm done posting on this subject. I've given alternatives. I'm sure there are a few people who love their TT's. Good luck and good day sir :)

Hey guys. I've been lurking around reading about this TT debate for a while now. The technology sounds great, but I don't like hearing about some of the issues with it. Anybody planning on getting one of the Sporster compatible TT when it comes out? I'm more torn on this issue than before now that my unit is compatible.

How much did Mutt get paid to endorse this product? I have it and I gotta say I'm disappointed with it. For the product to work, Timetrax's servers must be up and running all the time and in the three weeks I've had it they've gone down TWICE!!!! It updates itself over the net every ten seconds with your registration info to make sure your not using pirate software. So when their servers go down, the program goes down. Until they make some sort of patch where the program works regardless. I would not recommend it. How come Mutt didn't state that in his write up? Besides that the software itself is buggy. The channel changer doesn't work very well. Sometimes you have to click and click and click and click to get it to change the channel. AND the time recorder is not always reliable. If I had to do it all over again, I'd get a regular Sirius unit and record using using regular recording software.

Hey guys. I've been lurking around reading about this TT debate for a while now. The technology sounds great, but I don't like hearing about some of the issues with it. Anybody planning on getting one of the Sporster compatible TT when it comes out? I'm more torn on this issue than before now that my unit is compatible.

Sportster compatible? Hmmm...interest rising...

How much did Mutt get paid to endorse this product? I have it and I gotta say I'm disappointed with it. For the product to work, Timetrax's servers must be up and running all the time and in the three weeks I've had it they've gone down TWICE!!!! It updates itself over the net every ten seconds with your registration info to make sure your not using pirate software. So when their servers go down, the program goes down. Until they make some sort of patch where the program works regardless. I would not recommend it. How come Mutt didn't state that in his write up? Besides that the software itself is buggy. The channel changer doesn't work very well. Sometimes you have to click and click and click and click to get it to change the channel. AND the time recorder is not always reliable. If I had to do it all over again, I'd get a regular Sirius unit and record using using regular recording software. This was the antipiracy thing I talked about above.

Its bullshit. If it loses connectivity, it shuts down the entire program. Sometmes, like you described, its because their own damn servers go down. Which happened today. If their servers go down during Stern's first show and everyone gets knocked offline, ruining their recordings, their reputation is going to scream straight for the heart of the shitter.

The whole thing is kind of insane. There is zero reason to require permanent connectivity to get the product to work.

They have to ignore subscribers concerns about it.

There are only a few complaints on their support forum, but notice that they are new. This is because they've been deleting comments/questions about it on their support forum. I got a nasty threat to get banned from their support guy for asking about it on their support forum.

Got to be the weirdest software company I've seen in terms of paranoia, refusal to budge and software service. Their product should be incredibly simple once they got channel control and digital info extration mastered, which they did. Its the easy stuff and paranoia that are messing with their product.

Hey guys. I've been lurking around reading about this TT debate for a while now. The technology sounds great, but I don't like hearing about some of the issues with it. Anybody planning on getting one of the Sporster compatible TT when it comes out? I'm more torn on this issue than before now that my unit is compatible.

I was going to shut up but fwiw, this sounds like it would take care of many of the problems I have with TT. Their software doesn't run the radio (as much). But there's no way in hell I'd pre-order. Give them like 6 months to work out their bugs (if you're lucky). They might go belly up by then anyway.

You know, while I'm thinking about it, I want to say something else. Please don't confuse reports given based on a couple days experience with this device with some kind of extensive research. I used it for months recording 5 to 6 hour blocks of talk radio programs before I finally disconnected it. If you don't mind occasional failures it's probably going to suit you fine. If you feel you really need successful recordings of the stuff you schedule, it's not the thing to use imo.

for some reason mondays show did not record with tt,all i got was a error report saying my system came back from a serious situation

This was the antipiracy thing I talked about above.

Its bullshit. If it loses connectivity, it shuts down the entire program. Sometmes, like you described, its because their own damn servers go down. Which happened today. If their servers go down during Stern's first show and everyone gets knocked offline, ruining their recordings, their reputation is going to scream straight for the heart of the shitter.

The whole thing is kind of insane. There is zero reason to require permanent connectivity to get the product to work.


If you lose connectivity, does it only disable the recording, or are you completely unable to operate the radio through your computer? For example, is it possible to still record with Total Recorder as a backup?

If you lose connectivity, does it only disable the recording, or are you completely unable to operate the radio through your computer? For example, is it possible to still record with Total Recorder as a backup? Not with the radio connected to TimeTrax. It shuts down. So any time the connection is lost to their home servers for any reasons, like downtime from their servers (which happned against just yesterday), their ISP goes down, your ISP goes down, your home LAN gets unplugged for a few seconds, or your computer has some temporary issue, and boom, it goes down.

Their piracy paranoia causing 24/7 internet access -- thereby killing product reliability -- is a major issue. So far, they've refused to budge from customers demanding simple operation without this crazy requirement 24/7.

If you go over to that forum, the TimeTrax staff guy went off on my for saying they've shot their product in the foot for piracy reason. He then proceeded to admit that they did this for piracy reasons.

They've also got some competence issues with just the simple things re their software, like the GUI and basic recording functions. Thought the core functions of their hardwarr, controlling it and extracting the ditigal title/song data, is fine.

The problem for them is, if a reasonable competitor came around now with a simple product that just controlled a Sirius radio and recorded a simple audio file (there is open source stuff out there that blows away TimeTrax recast for timed audio recording), they'd steal most of their "hundreds of thousands of customers" in a month.

Hundreds of thousands of free downloads maybe. Paying customers? I don't believe that for a second. There would be a class action lawsuit by now.

has anyone placed a new order with timetrax recently? they mention on their site that they are experiencing a high volume of order but i was unable to find any sort of timetable on order fulfillment. anyone have recent first-hand experience?

i placed an order last week and recieved the unit in 3 days

More lambs to the slaughterhouse...

More lambs to the slaughterhouse...

if it turns out that you're a nub and it works fine for me, i'll let you know.

if it turns out that you're right and not just spewing hate, i'll let you know.

for some reason mondays show did not record with tt,all i got was a error report saying my system came back from a serious situation
That sucks. I wouldn't get a tt anytime soon.

if it turns out that you're a nub and it works fine for me, i'll let you know.

if it turns out that you're right and not just spewing hate, i'll let you know.

I really hope it does work for you. I wouldn't have bought it myself if I wanted a doorstop. If they ever get the bugs out (and lose the 24/7 internet requirement), I'll have the radio turned back on. Please give it a thorough test though, like a week of successful Stern recordings before you report that I'm full of it.

well the real deal is first getting my order out of 'pending' status. i may thrash TT before i even have it.

since i posted a question about TT order fulfillment, i can respond with my experience in that small phase. i placed my order on 1/8 and just was notified that it has been shipped today. 1/11.

obviously that's not the gripe people here have, but i'll respond later with my experiences.

i have gotten 1 out of the 3 days recorded with tt, i'm having seriuos reservations

I ordered on Monday, January 9, 9:46PM and it shipped on Wednesday, January 11, 8:46 PM.

I should've chose overnight shipping because the expected arrival date isn't until 1/16 and I really wanted to hear Monday's show.

I understand there is a late night feed so maybe I can have everything figured out and installed by then. I'm still not quite sure how this all works since the receivers the device works with is supposed to be used with car stereos.

Does UPS even ship on MLK day?

I bought the receiver off Ebay since the site mentioned delays purchasing their "complete unit" with the receiver.

I recently wrote a piece of software for Windows that I use to record the howard stern show and automatically encode it to MP3 and load it into iTunes as a podcast (so I can sync with my iPod).

I've been using it this whole week and it's pretty handy, esp for folks on the west coast. I'm making it available for everyone to download:

http://www.redtrace.com/stern/

I'll be adding more features in the coming weeks...

Greg

i have gotten 1 out of the 3 days recorded with tt, i'm having seriuos reservations

What is the problem?

I ordered time trax in early december. Although custumer support is only available via. email, The support team gets back to you in a resonable amount of time. The system does take so time to get recoerding properly.As a back up ,I was running another audio recored program recording on to my hard drive ,while time trax was also recording. You can do this with out any problems for back-up reasons.I have not had to many problems with crashes.

I ordered time trax in early december. Although custumer support is only available via. email, The support team gets back to you in a resonable amount of time. The system does take so time to get recoerding properly.As a back up ,I was running another audio recored program recording on to my hard drive ,while time trax was also recording. You can do this with out any problems for back-up reasons.I have not had to many problems with crashes.

So do you like the device? Would you recommend it to someone?

how much space does it take up to record the 5 hour howard show?

I think TimeTrax is a good investment and would recommend it. Now that a full week has expired since howard started,I have all shows recorded on my computer. You can adjust what quality you want it to be for file size matters,if you plan on putting it into a mp3 player. I use a Dell Dj with 15 gigs and It fits tons of howards past and present shows.The first week I did have to use some editing software to get each individual show to start and end at the precise time,being howard does not usually follow the schedule provided to well.But with a little time and some free software I seperated his Show,the aftershow,superfan roundtable,all into seperate files. This makes it easier to tag each show to your liking and for easier browsing though each show.I'm hoping the more familiar I get working with TimeTrax, I may not have to go through the extra steps. As a bonus tohaving howard at my fingertips, Sirius plays great music and if you want an Mp3 collection,there is nothingbetter.You can set TimeTrax to record 24 hours a day with up to 10 channel changes.Just alone this is an awsome feature .No longer need to download songs and put your comptuer at risk for problems.If you are looking for a song, chances are its playing on sirius.I record songs at 320 kbps,music sounds great and I have already recorded 1000 plus songs.Sometimes the dam dj interffers with the beginning of the song.That would be onle of the downside to recording songs from TimeTrax.The other downside,or some people could see it as,is that you have to have timetrax running on your desktop ,with audio playing anytime you are recording.Yes you can just lower your speakers but If you want to watch video or listen to something else,you hear both audio signals.For myself I Have a media center compter which records T.V. to my harddrive(like Tivo)so this feature does iterferre with watching programs but that is little to pay to be able to have howard anytime. Hope this helps out . :cool:

Five hour show at 256 kbps approx 550 mb
Five hour show at 128 kbps approx 300 mb
Five hour show at 64 kbps approx 140 mb
Five hour show at 16 kbps approx 35 mb

If file size is a cosideration, Time Trax also will record at 8 kbps.
I have read howard only streams at 64 kbps. Anybody know If recording at higher than 64 kbps would actually improve quality or just increase file size?

Sounds like TT worked out some bugs since I gave up on it. Fwiw, if you use a RadioShark to record, when you drop it to the systray, it mutes the sound but still does all scheduled recording. Having to mute the audio on the computer is inconvenient (for me), especially if you're recording 6 hour blocks. I use my line in for my mp3 player to listen to previous recordings. Plus I want to hear all the normal sounds Windows makes when using the computer. Or hear the audio on any sites I visit that have videos or whatever. You don't realize how important having audio is until you have to mute it all the time.

I agree, The volume control is a nuisance. Most likely it is something I am not aware of how to shut off.I guess i will email customer support.

Executive summary: I own a copy of Time Trax Recast, but I have given up on using it and cannot recommend it to anyone.

Long version: I've been time-shifting Howard's show for years. I record Howard's "east coast feed" beginning at 3AM Pacific time (I live on the west coast). When I'm ready to leave for work, I copy the recorded .MP3 files onto my iRiver MP3 player, unplug the player from the computer, and I'm good to go. I get better "reception" than I used to get when I listened to the show on KLSX FM, plus I can easily fast-forward through the commercials. ;)

When Howard announced his move to Sirius, I signed up for a lifetime subscription. Like some of you, I saw Time Trax Recast as an ideal way to time shift Howard's show and transfer it to my MP3 player so I could listen while I rode the train to work. I ordered the Time Trax Complete bundle (SiriusConnect receiver, TTS-100 USB interface, and Time Trax Recast software). Right out of the box I had problems. First, the software itself wouldn't install. Once I jumped that hurdle, the software would not detect the radio, and would abort. I was about to send everything back when I discovered that certain third-party apps worked just fine with my receiver - proving that the radio was just fine and that the Time Trax software was at fault.

Upon researching it further at both the official support forum (http://www.satelliteguys.us/forumdisplay.php?f=38) as well as the open forum (http://openforums.mail-drop.org/viewforum.php?f=2), I saw that people are having a seemingly endless number of problems with Recast - it does everything from blue screening your PC to crashing your network router to recording "silent" .MP3 files. And, as if the bugs weren't bad enough, there is a serious design flaw: If their servers (or your Internet connection) go down, you're completely fucked! Your legitimate, paid-for copy of Recast will cease to operate if it cannot "phone home" to the Time Trax servers on a regular basis. If your Internet connection hiccups in the middle of recording Howard's show, your recording will abort and you'll miss it. This is completely unacceptable to me and, I suspect, to many other people.

So I decided to cut my losses and stopped using Recast altogether. I now use a time-shifting application I wrote myself. Sure, I could use an app such as Total Recorder, but those apps lack either a scheduler or the ability to control the Sirius receiver (or both), making them less than ideal for recording Howard. AFAIK, there's nothing on the market today that reliably records shows of arbitrary length from Sirius and controls the Sirius tuner, allowing unattended recording from more than one channel. So I wrote my own, and I've really enjoyed time-shifting Howard this first week without having to worry about my PC blue-screening or my recording being ruined because my ISP had a little hiccup.

Bottom line, I cannot in good conscience recommend Time Trax Recast. Although I have had no issues with their TTS-100 hardware interface, they do not sell it separately; you can only buy it as part of a bundle with the Recast software. If I had known then what I know now, I would have bought a SARI interface (http://www.rush2112.net/) and saved myself a lot of time, money, and aggravation. If you've already taken the plunge, however, all is not lost: there are various third-party apps either already released or currently in development that also work with the Time Trax TTS-100 interface, so your investment is not completely wasted.

Five hour show at 256 kbps approx 550 mb
Five hour show at 128 kbps approx 300 mb
Five hour show at 64 kbps approx 140 mb
Five hour show at 16 kbps approx 35 mb

If file size is a cosideration, Time Trax also will record at 8 kbps.
I have read howard only streams at 64 kbps. Anybody know If recording at higher than 64 kbps would actually improve quality or just increase file size?


I dont think any MP3 should be encoded at 16kbps. The minimum should be at least 22kbps. My Creative MP3 player wont play anything less then 22k

So I decided to cut my losses and stopped using Recast altogether. I now use a time-shifting application I wrote myself. Sure, I could use an app such as Total Recorder, but those apps lack either a scheduler or the ability to control the Sirius receiver (or both), making them less than ideal for recording Howard. AFAIK, there's nothing on the market today that reliably records shows of arbitrary length from Sirius and controls the Sirius tuner, allowing unattended recording from more than one channel. So I wrote my own, and I've really enjoyed time-shifting Howard this first week without having to worry about my PC blue-screening or my recording being ruined because my ISP had a little hiccup.


Any plan on making the app you wrote available to others who are having problems with Recast. I would like to test it out.

Thanks,
Snay

TT would sue him if he did. They have threatened to sue people on more than 1 occasion. They'll probably threaten to sue me for posting this reply :)

I agree, The volume control is a nuisance. Most likely it is something I am not aware of how to shut off.I guess i will email customer support.

Can't you just select the Mute check box in TimeTrax Recast? I thought this would allow playback of other audio and Mute just the Sirius.

Can't you just select the Mute check box in TimeTrax Recast? I thought this would allow playback of other audio and Mute just the Sirius.

It doesn't mute while it's recording (I think you would just record dead air). I could be wrong but I think it uses the computer's sound card whereas something like the RadioShark uses its own recording device. If I want, I can record two programs at the same time on the same computer. One through my line in off the TT and one off my Starmate with the RadioShark which is kind of cool, like a dual tuner Tivo

Any plan on making the app you wrote available to others who are having problems with Recast. I would like to test it out.

Sure!

I've put a copy here (http://www.geocities.com/slothkills/vyasa_test.zip) if anyone is interested in checking it out. It's still very much a work in progress, but I've used it successfully to record Howard for the last several weeks with good results.

Let me know how it works for you.

What is the problem?


it must be the connectivity issue it shuts down

Anyone with Timetrax units who want to ditch their software and use a better, more stable program please go to http://www.rush2112.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=144 and download the SiriusRecorder (Version 1.27). This package not only has a much better interface, but has web connectivity and soon will have streaming capability. And it doesn't require an internet connection to work.

GREAT
I started using it last week and have been loving it !!! The program has a lot of features
Full Channel Listings with full information
Preset buttons
Genre pages
internal fully functional web server w/ template based cgi's
RSS publishing to a directory or through the webserver
Web based remmote control
and streaming is being added
and last Alex is a big stern fanastics, so it has a recording scheduler with Outlook style calendar interface.

SiriusRecorder is available here (http://www.rush2112.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=142) and it is a free download maybe jeff can try it and do a comprensive review
the program is really the nuts for us that are adicted to computers as well as HS

http://pages.preferred.com/~dcounts/hs/screencapture1.jpg

I tried it with my TimeTrax Sirius setup, and it doesn't work - it doesn't find the radio.

I asked TimeTrax, and they said that it will only work with the Sirius interfaces that were shipped for the first couple of months - they changed the firmware after that and most of the interfaces out there won't work with this software.

So give it a try, but for most people, this software won't work.

I tried it with my TimeTrax Sirius setup, and it doesn't work - it doesn't find the radio.

I asked TimeTrax, and they said that it will only work with the Sirius interfaces that were shipped for the first couple of months - they changed the firmware after that and most of the interfaces out there won't work with this software.

So give it a try, but for most people, this software won't work.

Stay tuned, Sterniac....

Sterniac

curious .. when you tried it , did you turn the power off to the TT unit first, then turn
it back on ?? also appox when did you get your TT unit ?
l8r

if it turns out that you're a nub and it works fine for me, i'll let you know.

if it turns out that you're right and not just spewing hate, i'll let you know.

the topic of this thread seems to have morphed a little. but i thought i would describe my sirius + TT setup and experiences.

the biggest problem i have had to deal with is not with TT, but with sirius. i have had the absolute worst time ever getting a signal. so once i got my hardware from TT, i spent several days finding where i can place my antenna for a signal.

living in socal, my antenna should face north and or east. my condo faces south and west. i'm on the bottom floor and am not able to mount an antenna anywhere.

so i had to order a 50-foot antenna extension. i got that setup and still wasn't able to find a sweet spot to get a signal for more than 2 hours a day.

so what i have to do, each night before i got to bed, is string my antenna out a window, over my patio wall, across a sidewalk and place the antenna pod on top of the fence surrounding the pool. i have to place tape over the crack in the sidewalk where i have fed the antenna so people walking down the sidewalk don't trip and rip my antenna out.

then i go inside and launch TT to get my howard recording setup from 3 am - 8:30 am for the east coast feed.

then when i go to work each morning i have to back out all my antenna work because of the condo rules and if i get caught with that out i would be in trouble. and i bet the gardeners would weed wack my antenna in 30 pieces at some point.

all told, my usage with TT (v1.6) has been acceptable. aside from some UI quirks, it works as i expected it to. i don't experience crashes with the application or my computer. i have not had an issue with it needing constant internet access.

granted it's only running about 9 hours at a given time.

what is the best way to record from a starmate to an mp3 player? i am a newbie to sirius so any help is appreciated.
also would rather not spend a lot of money.
thanks for the help

Anyone with Timetrax units who want to ditch their software and use a better, more stable program please go to http://www.rush2112.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=144 and download the SiriusRecorder (Version 1.27). This package not only has a much better interface, but has web connectivity and soon will have streaming capability. And it doesn't require an internet connection to work.

Hmm...I don't know if I'm missing something here. Is this program designed for use with a Timetrax like device? Or, can you use it your Sirius reciever just plugged into your computer through the mic input/soundcard?

bump

Drill

it is a similar type program, it will work with any/most serial, usb type interfaces that connect to the current Sirius radios
including most of the TT interfaces although they made some models that are not compatibile.

it performs the same funcitions plus a lot more
it requires that you have a radio and an interface and windows .net
so it does require a "device" in addion to your radio although if you are technicly inclined you can make a cable , a few people have done that.
this weekend I made a small web page using some of the featurres
http://sirius.satradiodot.com/sirtracker.gif
http://sirius.satradiodot.com/sirius1
http://sirius.satradiodot.com/siriusrecorder
not sure if I answered your question or made it worse
l8r

[b]Drill

it is a similar type program, it will work with any/most serial, usb type interfaces that connect to the current Sirius radios
including most of the TT interfaces although they made some models that are not compatibile.

That's not what I found. It is NOT compatible with most TimeTrax interfaces, except for the few they sold in the first month or two.

Sterniac, that is NOT True!!!

it will work with the current timetrax units...

cycle power on the tt unit, and get the version info

use hyper terminal, at 9600

type V

and email me the result

or use my demo
with a command line if "/TT /debug"

mitch
www.rush2112.net

I wanted to add to this discussion that after much personal frustration with the TT Recast software, I decided to try SiriusRecorder. I am so glad that I did. SiriusRecorder has everything I was looking for at the ultimate price - FREE.

INSTALLATION / SETUP

I installed the SiriusRecorder program, turned off TT Recast and started SiriusrRecorder. I did not have to do anything else. It was so simple. My SiriusConnect radio was instantly recognized, and I was listening to H100 WITHOUT AN INTERNET CONNECTION !!! Free at last, free at last.

The hardward I used was the JVC SiriusConnect and connection box both of which I purchased from TT in very late December 2005

SIRIUSRECORDER

I cannot say enough good things about this program. While it is FREE, you could never guess that from just looking at the installed version I am using. In my opinion, it seems more professional looking than what I had been using, and with what I think is a much more user intuitive interface.

Where to start ... SR has easy access controls on top, menu choices along the left (sort of an MS Outlook feel to it), channels / content in the main window area. It is one of those programs with a lot of features, but NO need to read a manual to figure them out. They are right where you expect them to be.

The recording / tag controls are excellent. The satellite "signal strength" indicator actually moves suggesting it works. With TT Recast, my signal strength was inexplicably "stuck" at 3 bars (never less, never more). That was true with the supplied auto antenna and remained true with a roof mounted Terk outdoor antenna O purchased separately. Others were also complaining about this issue, but I did not see an explaination posted by TT for it.

One of the BIG issues for me is the TT Recast requirement of a continual Internet connection to listen to satellite radio. HOW RIDICULOUS and in my opinion, unnecessary. I became aware of this soon after installing the TT Recast software, but believed from posts by TT representatives that changes were being made. Unfortunately, those changes to date seem to be merely "relaxing" the Internet connection requirement to authenticate the product from every few seconds to about 20 minutes or so. Neither is acceptable to me.

In my opinion, the free SiriusRecorder is so much better, that there is no need to spend anything on TT Recast. With the current TT Recast license you are only gettingt one year of product support and updates. I know I will NOT be paying TT anything for "continued support and updates" after one year. In my opinion, it would be a further waste of my money.

heynow!

SiriusRecorder has everything I was looking for at the ultimate price - FREE.

It would be nice if you would donate a little to the developer though. Big HS fan, in fact the show was the reason Alex wrote the app.

for the record Bill what year/month did you purchase your TT interface?

contrary to what some people are trying to sell, I havent heard of anyone using the "few they sold in the first month or two"
even trying the app, not saying they havent just never heard from them

The hardward I used was the JVC SiriusConnect and connection box both of which I purchased from TT in very late December 2005

I did send a totally voluntary donation and a thank you note to the developer the first day I tried SiriusRecorder. As I posted at the time on another bulletin board, I had the feeling of being a "kid at Christmas" since the program did everything I was looking for in controlling and recording with my SiriusConnect. Timeshifting the programs I like to a more convenient time became easy. In my situation, SiriusRecorder was SO much better than what I had been using before in every possible way.

I was especially elated to no longer be tied to the stupid Internet connection required by TimeTrax Recast (which I understand according to posts at the support board monitored and "CENSORED" by TT support staff is to perpetually authenticate and/or validate the TT Recast software I had PAID for). It did not matter that I had "activated" the installed software with TT online (providing them with their supplied unique registration/activation numbers). An continual Internet connection was still required by that product to fully function.

I also did not like the way it appeared to me TT support staff removed posts from their "discussion forum" that were critical of the TT Recast product, the Internet connection requirement, and/or the way the product functioned. In my opinion, that "discussion forum" must be intended to be more of a marketing tool than a legitmate place for PAYING customers to offer open feedback on the product, since censorship (deletion of posts there) seems to be a regular occurrence.

heynow!

I just read a post made yesterday at the TT discussion board by TT staff that indicates "The software will still try to communicate to the timetrax data center, however currently there are no features activated in the software that require this connection".

Why is it still trying to communicate with the TimeTrax "data center", since it is no longer required for TT Recast to fully function? What data is being gathered from user systems and stored in the TimeTrax "data center"?

I did not like my personal experience with the TT Recast product, and after trying both, I much prefer SiriusRecorder.

You should use your own judgment and experiences to determine which is better for you.

for the record Bill what year/month did you purchase your TT interface?

Right around the time I started bitching about it :) Last September. Heynow, you're observations are spot on.

Will this work with the S50?

Will this work with the S50?

No

I have had the TimeTrax unit for about 6 months, and it is great! It has an infinite amount of settings that you can play with, or use the defaults right out of the box. But there is a point here that has not been addressed here. The settings in the Filename Format box can be set to: %t - %d - %n - %a - %s - %r
These settings will force the software to sort the recordings to the drive and folder that I choose, so that they are stored in order of;to: Station(%t) Datestamp (%d) Counter (%n)
Artist (%a) Song (%s) Record start (%r)

You can set them in any order you choose, but I chose these because then the recordings are put into my TimeTrax Recording Folder like this:

Howard 101 - 200603,30_2021 - 002 - FERRALL - 888-Stern-101 - 20060330_2001.mp3 18,961 KB MP3 Format Sound 3/30/2006 9:21 PM 03/30/2006 9:21 PM 3/30/2006 9:21 PM

The last three time/datestamps are set inmy file window options in my browser, and let me see the Date Modified, Date Created, Date Accessed


Instead of putting dashes in between the options, if you put forward slashes (/) the software will put the recorded files in subdirectories instead! It is all up to the user! Which is great.

Like I said it is the best thing out there for recording anything, Talkradio or even songs, all sorted into seperate folders according to any one of infinite adjustments, that are all configurable by the user! Excellent product. AAAAAAAAAAAAA++++++++++++++++

can you do this with the S50?

I wonder how much longer your Timetrax will work now that they're belly up? Great endorsement, Mutt.

There is an open source and better alternative to TimeTrax.

http://www.rush2112.net

This guy has developed a USB interface that easily attaches to a SIR-ALP1. He has a demo program showing how it works and there is another program Sirius Recorder which works with it and allows you to schedule recordings and control your radio from the web (anywhere in the world).

i tried rush2112, not shabby. the sir-alp1 can be had for cheap on craigslist or ebay these days.