DAB
How does DAB work?
Coverage
More stations
Subscription charges
Radio you can read
DAB hardware
 DAB
or Digital Audio Broadcasting is a digital radio technology that offers
interference-free near CD-quality sound, a greater choice of stations
that are easier to tune, as well as data information such as song title
and artist, displayed on a DAB radio digital display.
How does DAB work?
DAB works in a very similar way to MP3 files that you create on your
home PC, the audio signal is digitally encoded along with any data
information before transmission and then decoded by a digital radio at
the other end. Because everything is encoded digitally, it is less
susceptible to interference. Any interference that is picked-up en route
is filtered out by the DAB radio.
Unlike analogue radio stations, DAB stations do not use individual
frequencies; DAB services are combined into what's known as a
"multiplex". A multiplex is then split down into channels, thereby
allowing for more stations to transmit on less radio space.
There's no need to remember station frequencies as all stations tuned
in on a DAB radio are selected by their name via the LCD display on a
DAB radio. In addition to this, stations are on a set frequency, so if
you travel up and down the country with your DAB radio, there's no need
to retune to your favourite station.
Coverage
At the moment, 85% of Britain can currently receive and enjoy DAB radio
stations. As long as you are within a coverage area, you can expect to
enjoy clean, crisp digital radio. Just as with analogue radio, you will
pick up different radio stations in different parts of the country. The
indoor aerial supplied with your DAB radio should work fine; however, if
you have problems with regular FM radio signals you may need an external
aerial for improved reception. To check to see which DAB radio stations
are available in your area, visit www.ukdigitalradio.com and use the
postcode coverage checker.
More stations
There are currently around 80 conventional FM and DAB-exclusive radio
stations transmitting over DAB, with more popping up all the time as new
transmitters are switched on. Depending on your location and aerial
strength, you should be able to pick up around 50 channels on your DAB
radio. The great thing about DAB radio is that there is something for
everyone--not only will you get your FM favourites, you'll also find
stations dedicated to everything from alternative and hip-hop to spoken
word and sports.
Subscription
charges
There are none--DAB radio stations are free, all you pay for is the
hardware to receive DAB transmissions.
Radio you can read
One of the many great features that DAB radio offers is the ability to
receive textual information. All DAB radio sets have a small LCD screen
that can display information encoded in the radio transmission. This
could be the current song title being played, news information, station
contact details or even special promotions.
DAB hardware
There are four types of DAB hardware categories to choose from:
portable, in-home, in-car and PC. The most popular, and cheapest, of
these are portable DAB radios--many of which look like classic portable
radios of yesteryear, such as the very popular
Pure Evoke-1 from Pure Digital. In-home DAB radios are designed to
fit in alongside your existing Hi-fi separates and some DAB radios such
as the
Sony ST-D777ES ES tuner offer AM/FM tuning in addition to DAB.
Currently, DAB radios are considerably more expensive than analogue
radios; however as coverage increases and more products become available
prices will drop. |
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