Psion WaveFinder review

Strange as it may seem, you're not looking at a reject from The Jetsons cartoon but - allegedly - the embodiment of a revolution!

The Psion WaveFinder is a digital radio receiver which, when connected to your PC, promises interference-free reception at a quality that's comparable to CD. Along with brilliant sound, digital radio also carries multimedia information too, so it's quite possible to look at biographies and pictures of artists as their tunes bang out. Future plans are even more exciting, with video promised - thanks to the massive amount of data that can be sent in a digital radio signal.

The Psion's styling is outlandish, as is its translucent blue plastic. Indeed the whole package is a radical departure from the conventional black rectangular hi-fi boxes. The aerodynamically-shaped WaveFinder is essentially an intelligent aerial for picking up digital audio broadcast (DAB). It's actually your PC that does all the clever decoding, interpreting the digital signal.

Setup was simple. Load up the software and then attach WaveFinder's USB connector to the PC. The ample 2.5m cable allows it to be placed for the best reception. Mount it vertically for optimal signal pick-up.

The reception wizard automatically scans for digital broadcast transmitters which host a set of radio stations. As it's doing this, the WaveFinder springs into life and pulsates with colour. This hypnotic effect also serves a practical purpose, indicating the signal strength. In London I managed to pick up four 'multiplexes' of stations: BBC National DAB, Digital 1 Network, CE London and Switch London. In the BBC multiplex you'll find all the regular BBC stations. Stations like Core broadcast as digital only, so you won't find this on analogue radio using FM, MW or LW.

To listen to a broadcast, just click on the radio station's logo displayed in the Wave map window. The quality of sound is unflinchingly clear, free from crackles and other audio imperfections. This is due to the digital format and the high frequency at which it is broadcast. WaveFinder also uses clever error correction techniques to eliminate interference, giving crystal clear sound.

The software is very simple to use, with the added benefit of allowing you to record your favourite broadcasts as MP3 files. If you have a modem connection you get a broader range of services, which allow you to jump to artists' web sites to buy tracks, for example.

You may baulk at the £254 price tag - but this is actually cheap compared to hi-fi digital tuners, which cost more than double this. The Psion WaveFinder is a ground-breaking product that makes digital radio accessible. So, if you can live with its styling and fancy taking a step into a brave new world, here's your opportunity. If, on the other hand you're the prudent sort, it'd be sensible to wait for digital radio to mature before buying into it.