All posts by Michael Rogers
Below are all of Michael Rogers's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.
MIkeC : I was hoping for more specific tried-and-tested recommendations. My first Freview and FreeSat receivers were Technomate. Their basic functions still work. I will certainly look at their current models, but need to be sure any new receiver will "do the business".
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Quote from me above : "I might try a domestic DAB radio with antenna on the roof-rack. Away from home it might work some of the time..."
Boldly trembling, this day I purchased a SONY XDR-S40DBP - because it claims to include futuristic DAB+ and because it includes legacy FM :-). Homeward bound, I lodged it in the the car door grip with the telescopic aerial against the window and compared reception with the unimpressive FM car radio. Both were about the same until, near home, we hopped over the escarpment. FM continued most of the time, distorted at low-signal. The DAB thingy then sounded more like a naval bombardment. I was impressed that the telescopic aerial inside the car delivered DAB most of the way. I will need to open it, voiding the guarantee, to solder in a coax for a 225MHz aerial on the roof to get a fairer comparison. I suspect I may need a lattice tower on the roof rack to get coast-to-coast DAB. I am sure Highways would readily demolish any low bridges which might blunt the experiment...
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Big can of worms ! The crud would still be covered by the licence fee; programmes worth watching would cost extra. Would the BBC derive enough additional revenue, or would some viewers stick with the crud, whilst others discover quality programmes offered by commercial channels and yet others prefer to spend their money on a celestial subscription ? The BBC could, instead, reduce quantity and focus on quality in order to balance the budget.
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""michael: The multiplexes have their own page.""
Thanks, Brian. That page is bookmarked now!
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" Or, if you have an Android or Apple iOS mobile device - and most people do - you can use the RadioPlayer App. "
No 3G/4G signal here, but maybe one day... Listening on a wifi device works fine. What is the range of costs per hour for listening on a mobile device? Is unlimited download available as for internet services? That would be brilliant!
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It will be "interesting" to hear how many internet radios no longer receive BBC radio in the New Year. And again when the BBC again changes parameters as obliquely promised :- "Is the BBC likely to change formats again? We don't plan to any time soon. But we'll continue to review things so we can offer the best formats for the best listening experience." My internet radio died some time back, not be replaced. It was expensive, but neither listener-friendly nor reliable. I use an older laptop instead, which is content to follow me around the mansion with stations unknown to DAB.
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All citizens of the EU, should all be entitled to view all television programmes on identical terms, whether free-to-view or subscription. Tivu, FranSat, TNT etc all offer no-cost free-to-view cards to viewers registered to a legal domicile in the target country. If you wish to watch from another EU member country a viewing card is not available and only selected free-to-view programmes and channels are available, as Corin indicates. This blatent discrimination contravenes fundamental EU principles governing free movement of people, goods and services. The EU is very selective in enforcing compliance with Directives, a notable example being The EU's "broadcasts without borders" directive.
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Monday 20 October 2014 10:59PM
You are very brave to ask, Brian! I have cancelled my long-standing WotSat subscription as it has all but scrapped FreeSat and FreeView receiver reviews, perhaps you could collate reviews of current and new receiving equipment. I would, for example, be very interested in a good-but-affordablle multi-sat receiver which allows recording by timer on all satellites. ( I bought and returned a Humax after discovering it would only detect signals from 28E. Apparently an unmentioned menu combination does allow reception from other satellites, but not timer-recording.) Any recommendations from group members would be most welcome, of course.