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Wednesday, 29 January 2014
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Nedbod10:26 AM
Nedbod: Apologies the repeat of Neverwhere was on BBC RADIO 4 not BBC R4 EXTRA. So it least it was available nationally in Stereo !!
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Willie Bone8:13 PM
Mark & Nedbod, I think Digital 2 will be the litmus test for the future of DAB in the UK.
If all channels carried are to be original DAB rather than DAB+ on Digital 2, DAB+ will be a non-starter.
It does look very much like that the Republic Of Ireland may change direction in the short term and go for DAB+. Tests are already taking place for DAB+ on a multiplex in Ireland with the test signal coverage area recently extended..
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michael11:12 PM
Had DAB+ compliance been stipulated from the outset, only compatible receivers would have been marketed. The networks could now be upgraded without riots in the streets. BUT with the marketing hype and so many DAB-only receivers purchased, switching to DAB+ is inconceivable for years to come. Movers and Shakers should bite the bullet and maximise the current DAB-FM options so as to minimise operator duplication costs and optimise listener options. 3G and 4G may enhance options for those who can afford the subscription costs. Dr Pryde's unexpected move to Vodafone may well transfer valuable BBC marketing wisdom to the private sector. Hmm... The good news : MIddle-Kingdom radio will be free-to-listen on shortwave for many moons yet...
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Saturday, 1 February 2014
@ Michael : Well look at it this way, there were no riots when DAB superseded the FM waveband or when AM & SW wave bands became defunct, so why would there be a riot over DAB + ruling king if it was for the greater good of society?
As for DAB only receivers becoming useless overnight, a simple 50 % trade in deal could easily be arranged and funded by joint venture by BBC licensing fees, government, and independent commercial radio.
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MikeB9:16 PM
Alvin Pritchard: DAB radios have been selling a steady 2m (or just under) for the past couple of years, and there were 8.5m sets sold by the end of 2008. Since the majority of those are not DAB+ compliant, saysing your going over to DAB+ is not likely to be popular. As so often in technology, perfection is the enemy of the good.
And why should the licence fee, tax payers money and commercial interests stump up to subsidise a technology which mosts people are unaware of, and are unlikely to get any great benefit from. Since the government mandated last year that all DAB sets must be DAB+ compatable, perhaps we'll see a change when these newer sets have become the majority (in much the same way that DVB-T2 will be standard on TV's).
Personally, I think most people have more pressing matters on their minds. I know I'm happy overall with DAB, and customer surveys tend to back that up.
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Sunday, 2 February 2014
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michael10:39 PM
DAB is currently an optional complement to FM/AM in many areas. It has not yet superseded FM and/or AM. Many are still content with FM and AM. For DAB or DAB+ to be accepted in lieu by the vast majority, indoor, portable and mobile coverage will have to be provenly equal to FM/AM hitherto on affordable radios - ie not just "we are confident that it is". The issues which have necessitated considerable delay in the planned switchover are indicative of technical and investment concerns, issues which have been extensively debated on this and other websites. The progressive demise of SW is regrettable, of little concern to most listeners in the UK, but highly significant to millions in the Third World whose choice is increasingly limited to local stations and RCI. ( Perhaps one day DRM will revive SW to some degree. India, for example, is currently investing heavily in DRM.)
If DAB+ were to be adopted, a better-than 50% trade-in would be a good idea - not least from the viewpoint of political parties with an interest in election success...
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Tuesday, 4 February 2014
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Roger M11:56 AM
Ormskirk
It is regrettable that so few DAB radios are being sold with DAB+ capability, despite them being in the digital switchover specs. As ever it will probably be up to the BBC to lead the way towards DAB+. It is highly unlikely that there will be a great public anger about not being able to use their DAB sets immediately if the BBC take the lead, as they wouldn't turn off the current DAB for DAB+ immediately. It will just be a case of having DAB+ when they change their radio. This was the case with FM, where it took many years for AM only radios to be abandoned. Even now those 50 year old AM radios are still usable.
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Roger's: mapR's Freeview map terrainR's terrain plot wavesR's frequency data R's Freeview Detailed Coverage
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michael8:28 PM
That would be the preferred and obvious transition, but duplication costs might be an impediment, as they are now where unnecessary duplication on AM, FM and DAB is counter-productive.
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Mark9:24 PM
Roger M: On You and Yours the BBC spokesperson confirmed that they will not be switching to DAB+ because 10 million sets would not be able to receive their services.
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