Post by Oscar Bravo on Oct 25, 2018 10:49:17 GMT 2
Model : TIVDO V-115 Portable DSP Receiver and MP3 Player / Recorder
Country Of Manufacture : China
Firmware Version Tested (both samples) : V1.2
Serial Number (approx.) of Test Sample # 1 : 1707T1152014xx (Manufactured in July 2017 ?)
Serial Number (approx.) of Test Sample # 2 : None (missing)
PC Board Marking (First Sample) : SWR-710 2014.11.20
PC Board Marking (Second Sample) : SWR-710S 2017-4-20
PRO :
- Uses the DSP Receiver IC AKC6951/6955 Instead of the Silicon Labs Si473x
- Direct Keyboard Entry For Frequency and MP3 Files
- 9 SW Band Presets
- All Buttons Have Very Good Tactile Response (uses separate Tac Switches unlike the cheaper V111 model)
- Large Easy to See LCD that is readable even without backlight In use
- SW and FM Sensitivity OK Average Even With It's Limited 15 inch Telescopic Antenna (which swivels and rotates)
- SW Selectivity Wide Enough For Decent Audio (Unlike the narrow Degen DSP Pocket Sets)
- AGC Much Improved Over Most Si473X Based Receivers (Except the tested Tecsun PL-380)
- Audio Quality (with Internal Speaker) Excellent For Size with It's Powerful Additional Amplifier and Micro "Sub-Woofer" (see con)
- Audio Mute Function
- FM Stereo With Headphones (Records In FM Stereo As Well)
- Memory Channels Auto Sort in Frequency Order (Separate Memory Channels for MW / SW and FM) (see con)
- Electronic Volume Control Allows for Fine Very Low Adjustments for Decent Night Time Use
- Up To a 90 Minute Sleep Timer (Adjusted in Menu's)
- Scan and Seek Function that includes Auto Memory Store Feature
- Excellent Built In "Off-Air" MP3 Recorder With 3 Quality Levels
- Tilt Stand Attached on Carrying Strap (remember the Sony ICF-SW1)
- Lock Button (does not lock power button)
- MP3 Player That Works Properly With No Skipping or Other Gremlins (see con)
- Uses Common BL-5C Lithium Ion Battery (most new samples include a 1000 mah capacity battery)
- Includes a Short 2.2 Foot Micro USB Cable and BC-5L Battery (our test samples came with a 1000 mah)
- Click "Locking Type" Micro SD card slot
- Extremely Low Cost "Bargain"
CON :
- Weak Signal Reception Hampered By Circuit Noise And Other Spurious Signals (All Bands Including FM)
- Local AM (MW) Break Through Into entire SW Band With Both Test Samples (using attached whip antenna)
- Reported To Have SW Bleed Through Issues In Area's With Local Strong FM Broadcast Stations (NOTE : We Did Not Experience This At Our Testing Location)
- Limited Dynamic Range (SW Signal Overloading with Too Long Of Clipped On External Antenna)
- MW Sensitivity Only Fair (Has Short Loopstick Antenna, See Internal Picture Above)
- No Tuning Knob
- No SSB Mode
- No Frequency Slewing Tuning Once a Memory Channel is Entered
- No Signal Strength Indicator
- No External Antenna Jack
- Somewhat Limited Short Wave Coverage. SW Starts at a Weird 4750 kHz and goes up to 21.850 kHz (no Gaps)
- Only Way to Store Memory Channels Are In Frequency Order (Auto Sorting)
- Headphone Jack Audio Output is "Shrill" and Hard On The Brain Afterwhile
- Indifferent Battery "Charger" Indication (see text)
- MP3 Player Has No Shuffle Mode
- No AA Battery use possible
- Uses the "Radio" non-standard MICRO-USB Jack
- Microprocessor / Firmware "Bug-A-Boos" (see text)
- Odd 5v Charge Current Adapter Requirement (500 to 1000 ma current output rating ONLY)
- Whip Antenna at a Short 15 Inches and Is flimsy (sample # 2 arrived with broken whip antenna)
- No Carrying Case or USB Charger Included
- Poor "Chinglish" Owners Manual That is Also Printed on Very Thin paper in Tiny Fonts
Country Of Manufacture : China
Firmware Version Tested (both samples) : V1.2
Serial Number (approx.) of Test Sample # 1 : 1707T1152014xx (Manufactured in July 2017 ?)
Serial Number (approx.) of Test Sample # 2 : None (missing)
PC Board Marking (First Sample) : SWR-710 2014.11.20
PC Board Marking (Second Sample) : SWR-710S 2017-4-20
PRO :
- Uses the DSP Receiver IC AKC6951/6955 Instead of the Silicon Labs Si473x
- Direct Keyboard Entry For Frequency and MP3 Files
- 9 SW Band Presets
- All Buttons Have Very Good Tactile Response (uses separate Tac Switches unlike the cheaper V111 model)
- Large Easy to See LCD that is readable even without backlight In use
- SW and FM Sensitivity OK Average Even With It's Limited 15 inch Telescopic Antenna (which swivels and rotates)
- SW Selectivity Wide Enough For Decent Audio (Unlike the narrow Degen DSP Pocket Sets)
- AGC Much Improved Over Most Si473X Based Receivers (Except the tested Tecsun PL-380)
- Audio Quality (with Internal Speaker) Excellent For Size with It's Powerful Additional Amplifier and Micro "Sub-Woofer" (see con)
- Audio Mute Function
- FM Stereo With Headphones (Records In FM Stereo As Well)
- Memory Channels Auto Sort in Frequency Order (Separate Memory Channels for MW / SW and FM) (see con)
- Electronic Volume Control Allows for Fine Very Low Adjustments for Decent Night Time Use
- Up To a 90 Minute Sleep Timer (Adjusted in Menu's)
- Scan and Seek Function that includes Auto Memory Store Feature
- Excellent Built In "Off-Air" MP3 Recorder With 3 Quality Levels
- Tilt Stand Attached on Carrying Strap (remember the Sony ICF-SW1)
- Lock Button (does not lock power button)
- MP3 Player That Works Properly With No Skipping or Other Gremlins (see con)
- Uses Common BL-5C Lithium Ion Battery (most new samples include a 1000 mah capacity battery)
- Includes a Short 2.2 Foot Micro USB Cable and BC-5L Battery (our test samples came with a 1000 mah)
- Click "Locking Type" Micro SD card slot
- Extremely Low Cost "Bargain"
CON :
- Weak Signal Reception Hampered By Circuit Noise And Other Spurious Signals (All Bands Including FM)
- Local AM (MW) Break Through Into entire SW Band With Both Test Samples (using attached whip antenna)
- Reported To Have SW Bleed Through Issues In Area's With Local Strong FM Broadcast Stations (NOTE : We Did Not Experience This At Our Testing Location)
- Limited Dynamic Range (SW Signal Overloading with Too Long Of Clipped On External Antenna)
- MW Sensitivity Only Fair (Has Short Loopstick Antenna, See Internal Picture Above)
- No Tuning Knob
- No SSB Mode
- No Frequency Slewing Tuning Once a Memory Channel is Entered
- No Signal Strength Indicator
- No External Antenna Jack
- Somewhat Limited Short Wave Coverage. SW Starts at a Weird 4750 kHz and goes up to 21.850 kHz (no Gaps)
- Only Way to Store Memory Channels Are In Frequency Order (Auto Sorting)
- Headphone Jack Audio Output is "Shrill" and Hard On The Brain Afterwhile
- Indifferent Battery "Charger" Indication (see text)
- MP3 Player Has No Shuffle Mode
- No AA Battery use possible
- Uses the "Radio" non-standard MICRO-USB Jack
- Microprocessor / Firmware "Bug-A-Boos" (see text)
- Odd 5v Charge Current Adapter Requirement (500 to 1000 ma current output rating ONLY)
- Whip Antenna at a Short 15 Inches and Is flimsy (sample # 2 arrived with broken whip antenna)
- No Carrying Case or USB Charger Included
- Poor "Chinglish" Owners Manual That is Also Printed on Very Thin paper in Tiny Fonts
Our Conclusion : Decent "Low Cost" Pocket Set !! (but Buyer Beware)
For what it is, the lightweight 7.2 ounce near pocket TIVDIO V-115 receiver is a sheer bargain and is just plain fun. Always excellent to see a SW receiver that include a built in "off air" recorder for capturing signals for the archive. However don't expect to receive a $ 100. receiver for $ 25. either. But the receiver performance is improved over the Degen Si473x "Off Air" record pocket sets we have tested over the years (say the tested Degen DE1125 / DE1126 etc.). Wider SW Bandwidth and AGC are more usable as where with the Degen pocket sets it was a total disaster on Short Wave (but not that it's perfect here either). The Tecsun PL-380 is still the better performer, however it does not have a built in "Off Air" MP3 recorder / player either.
For what it is, the lightweight 7.2 ounce near pocket TIVDIO V-115 receiver is a sheer bargain and is just plain fun. Always excellent to see a SW receiver that include a built in "off air" recorder for capturing signals for the archive. However don't expect to receive a $ 100. receiver for $ 25. either. But the receiver performance is improved over the Degen Si473x "Off Air" record pocket sets we have tested over the years (say the tested Degen DE1125 / DE1126 etc.). Wider SW Bandwidth and AGC are more usable as where with the Degen pocket sets it was a total disaster on Short Wave (but not that it's perfect here either). The Tecsun PL-380 is still the better performer, however it does not have a built in "Off Air" MP3 recorder / player either.
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