Just Sharing This Dab+ testing with Soundwaves+

[william-1]

New Digital tests you can use to see if your Dab radio is Dab+ compatible ?

Sound Digital test DAB+ "Sound Waves+" | News | WorldDAB"sound-waves+"

These all working here with Dab+
The Roberts Stream 83i
Roberts Classic Dab2
Pure Evoke 2S (Ok after a software upgrade)

The Philips AE5200 however does not

The new National Multiplex is on 216.928 MHz id= SDL National

SoundWaves in Dab @ 80Kbps MP2 Mono

SoundWaves+ in Dab+ @ 32Kbps Codec AAC Stereo

Running the Dab+ transmission through my HiFi it sounds very good with that low bit rate

The tests are currently taking place on VHF Block 11A ahead of the commercial launch of the new Sound Digital multiplex
- also known as SDL National or Digital 2.

 

[PaulR]

Still looks pretty low bit-rate to me.

Are any of them in stereo?

 

[william-1]

New Digital tests you can use to see if your Dab radio is Dab+ compatible ?

Sound Digital test DAB+ "Sound Waves+" | News | WorldDAB"sound-waves+"

These all working here with Dab+
The Roberts Stream 83i
Roberts Classic Dab2
Pure Evoke 2S (Ok after a software upgrade)

The Philips AE5200 however does not

The new National Multiplex is on 216.928 MHz id= SDL National

SoundWaves in Dab @ 80Kbps MP2 Mono

SoundWaves+ in Dab+ @ 32Kbps Codec AAC Stereo

Running the Dab+ transmission through my HiFi it sounds very good with that low bit rate

The tests are currently taking place on VHF Block 11A ahead of the commercial launch of the new Sound Digital multiplex
- also known as SDL National or Digital 2.

Yes if you read through my post you will see "Sound Waves+ in Dab+ @ 32Kbps Codec AAC Stereo"
When they play music we will see how good AAC Stereo really is.

 

[Laser]

All of the standard DAB stations will be in Mono which is a real let down. The DAB+ will also be in a low bit rate 32Kbps.
We should take a leaf out of what The Netherlands has done. Most music services are 64Kbps which does sound good. Rather than jam as much as possible in and not think of the quality. Bring back AM!!

 

[timo_w2s]

Signal in Maidenhead is not great and I can't get a lock on the indoor aerial. The other national and local multiplexes come in OK, even the London 3 mux.

I have a rooftop aerial but the cheap DAB receiver I have doesn't have an external socket and sticking the bit of wire for an aerial into the DAB aerial outlet didn't improve any signals. Since the radio only cost £20 8 years ago I'm not complaining. I plan to get a new DAB+/Internet radio with a proper aerial connector eventually.

 

[PaulR]

Yes if you read through my post you will see "Sound Waves+ in Dab+ @ 32Kbps Codec AAC Stereo"
When they play music we will see how good AAC Stereo really is.

Ah yes I see.

So all the DAB are in mono? Pathetic.

And I know DAB+ is more efficient than DAB but is it that much better so that 32Kbps in stereo is equal to or better than 80Kbps DAB mono?

 

[william-1]

If you are using a telescopic aerial on a FM/Dab radio reduce the height of the aerial to 2 feet / 61cm for better Dab sensitivity then extend the aerial when you switch to FM,

Nearly all current BBC are in 128Kbps MP2 on normal Dab with the exception of R3 192kbps R5 64-80 kbit/s Mono,
BBC National DAB - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Why DAB radio in the UK is broken, and how to fix it | TechRadar

I think only 3 commercial Dab stations are in stereo Classic FM 160Kbps,The Arrow 128Kbps & Absolute 112Kbps the rest are in 64 to 80Kbps Mono it is a joke

The BBC originally tested Dab in MP2 @ 320Kbps & thought is was fantastic then the bit rates & quality gradually came down until we ended up with a very inferior service when compared to VHF/FM Band II transmissions.

Dab+ may go the same way if the current tests are anything to go by 32Kbps in AAC is probably the same as 192Kbps in MP2 ?

As mentioned in post#4 Music channels in 64Kbps in AAC Dab+ like the dutch sounds like a better proposition maybe we can then here Music on Planet Rock in Stereo via a Dab radio

 

[william-1]

The Dab+ transmission here in West Essex has become distorted this afternoon I was hoping that the technical staff would have picked this up by now the other transmission is ok just the Dab+ Sound Waves that was fine yesterday on all my Dab+ radio's let's hope that it is sorted out soon as it is a poor advert for Dab+ atm

 

[AndyX]

The lineup for the new multiplex is:
The full line-up is:

• talkRADIO
• talkSPORT2
• Virgin Radio
• Share Radio
• Mellow Magic
• Magic Chilled (new)
• Absolute 80s
• Kisstory
• heat radio
• Planet Rock
• Sunrise Radio
• Awesome Radio
• UCB2
• Premier Christian Radio
• Premier Praise!
• Panjab Radio
• Fun Kids
• Jazz FM

 

[william-1]

Excellent News 18 radio stations confirmed for new DAB multiplex

 

[william-1]

The Dab+ transmission here in West Essex has become distorted this afternoon I was hoping that the technical staff would have picked this up by now the other transmission is ok just the Dab+ Sound Waves that was fine yesterday on all my Dab+ radio's let's hope that it is sorted out soon as it is a poor advert for Dab+ atm

Problem sorted now it is good to complain sometimes.

 

[2cvbloke]

To me it's a case of too little, too late, if they did the upgrades sooner, then maybe more people would take up DAB+, but, DAB has done the damage, and it's analogue FM or internet streams for me, as those two technologies work, and sound a lot better...

 

[william-1]

It looks like there are a few more Stereo Radio Channels than a few months ago,

Dab Radio updated 6th February 2016 (West Essex)

DAB Radio Station Genre Bitrate (All Codec in MP-2 except where stated)
BBC National DAB Multiplex - Channel 12B (225.64MHz)
BBC Radio 1 Pop Music 128Kbps Stereo
BBC Radio 1Xtra Other Music 128Kbps Stereo
BBC Radio 2 Pop Music 128Kbps Stereo
BBC Radio 3 Classical Music 192Kbps Stereo
BBC Radio 4 Varied Speech 128Kbps Stereo/80Kbps Mono at times
BBC Radio 4 Extra Varied Speech 64 to 80Kbps Mono
BBC Radio 5 Live News 64 to 80Kbps Mono
BBC Radio 5 Live Sport Xtra Sports 64Kbps Mono
BBC Radio 6 Music Rock Music 128Kbps Stereo
BBC Asian Network Varied Speech 64Kbps Mono
BBC World Service Varied Speech 64Kbps Mono

D1 National Commercial DAB Multiplex - Channel 11D (222.064MHz)
Talk SPORT Sport 64Kbps Mono
Absolute Radio Rock Music 80Kbps Mono
LBC Varied Speech 64Kbps Mono
Classic FM Classicical Music 128Kbps Stereo
Planet Rock Rock Music 80Kbps Mono
BFBS Radio Pop Music 80Kbps Mono
Capital XTRA Pop Music 128Kbps Stereo
Premier Christian Varied Speech 64Kbps Mono
UCB-1 UK Christian Religion 64Kbps Mono
Absolute Radio 80's Pop Music 80Kbps Mono
KISS Pop Music 80Kbps Mono
Smooth Extra Easy Listening 80Kbps Mono
Radio X Rock Music 80Kbps Mono
Magic UK Pop Music 80Kbps Mono

London 1 Multiplex - CE Digital - Channel 12C (227.36MHz)
Main Transmitter: Croydon (power 2.5kW)
Absolute Radio 90's Pop Music 80Kbps Mono
Absolute Radio Rock music 112Kbps Stereo
KISS Pop Music 112Kbps Stereo
Kiss Fresh Pop Music 64Kbps Mono
Kisstory Dance Music 64Kbps Mono
Capital Pop Music 128Kbps Stereo
Magic London Pop Music 112Kbps Stereo
Smooth Radio Easy Listening 128Kbps Stereo
heat radio Pop Music 80Kbps Mono
The Hits Pop Music 80Kbps Mono
Heart London Pop Music 128Kbps Stereo

London 2 Multiplex - Switchdigital - Channel 12A (223.93MHz)
Main Transmitter: Crystal Palace (power 2.1kW)
UCB -2 Religion 64Kbps Mono
Kerrang Rock Music 64Kbps
Panjab Radio Other Music 64Kbps Mono
LBC London News Varied Speech 64Kbps Mono
BBC London Varied Speech 128Kbps Stereo
TalkSPORT London Sport 64Kbps Mono
Spectrum Radio Other Music 64Kbps Mono
Absolute Radio 70's 70's Music 64Kbps Mono
Absolute Radio 00's Pop Music 64Kbps Mono
Radio Sputnik Talk 112Kbps Stereo
Jazz FM Jazz 80Kbps Mono
The Arrow Rock Music 128Kbps Stereo
Mi-Soul Soul Music 64Kbps Mono
Sout Al Khaleej Arabic music 64Kbps Mono

London 3 Multiplex - DRg London - Channel 11B (218.64MHz)
Main Transmitter: Croydon (power 2.5kW)
Ahomka Radio uk Varied Music 64Kbps
Lyca Radio 1458 Varied Speach 64Kbps Mono
Lyca DIL SE 1035 Varied Speech 64Kbps Mono
Polish Radio London Pop Music 96Kbps Mono
Chill Other Music 64Kbps Mono
Fun Kids Children's 80Kbps Mono
Absolute Classic Rock Rock Music 64Kbps Mono
Premier Gospel Religion 80Kbps Mono
Gaydio Music 80Kbps Mono
IBC Tamil Cultures 64Kbps Mono
The Wireless Music 64Kbps Mono
Share Radio Finance 64Kbps Mono
Voice of Islam Religion 64Kbps Mono
Matryoshka Radio Russian Music 128Kbps Stereo

Essex Multiplexes Now Digital channel 12D 229.072MHz
BBC Essex Local News 128Kbps Stereo
Capital Chart Music 128Kbps Stereo
Radio Essex Pop Music 64 Kbps Mono
Pop Up radio Talk 64Kbps Mono
Gold Oldies 128Kbps Stereo
Heart Essex 128Kbps Stereo
Smooth Essex 128Kbps Stereo

Herts Beds & Bucks Now Digital Channel 10D 215.072MHz
BBC 3CR Local News 128Kbps Stereo
Bob Home Counties 80Kbps Mono
Connect FM 64Kbps Mono
Heart 4 Counties Pop Music 128Kbps Stereo
MKFM Pop Music 64Kbps
Smooth 4 Counties Easy Listening 128Kbps Stereo
Sunrise Radio Asian Music 64Kbps Mono

D2 National Commercial DAB Multiplex Channel 11A 216.928MHz"Testing phase"
Sound Waves 80 Kbps Mono
Sound Waves+ 32Kbps Stereo Codec AAC (Dab+ Tests)

This list was compiled by William-1 as nothing on the Internet is up to date.

 

[william-1]

Update to above list:-
London 2 Multiplex - Switchdigital - Channel 12A (223.93MHz)
Absolute Radio 00's Pop Music 64Kbps Mono has gone now.

 

[rolfw]

Tnanks for the list, did a test on my Evoke 2s and receiving the test channel with existing software, so happy now. Must test my little Pure Move 2500 which I use in the van, this one should be OK, as it's newer than the Evoke.

 

[Analoguesat]

Tut - they arent doing themselves any favours with some of these changes:

The new multiplex covers less of the population than D1, so Absolute 80s, Premier Christian Radio and Planet Rock will lose parts of the UK from its broadcast area, including parts of the South West, South East, East Anglia, Wales and Scotland.

 

[william-1]

Nearly all Dab radio's sold after 2012 are fitted with the relevant chip for HE-AAC v2. DAB+ so a gradual change over to Dab+ is on the cards from this year as they can get more channels using less frequency they will save a packet & hopefully some better quality radio in stereo,

I bought the Roberts Stream 83i in July 2012 & that plays the Dab+ AAC Stereo transmission ok so it must have the correct chip in it but no Dab+ logo on the set,

The Grundig that I bought in 2010 does not have the chip but I did notice that the newer version released in 2012 did have the Dab+ logo,

So this is a guide as to when the industry changed over so that all receivers sold World Wide after 2012 may meet the new specifications.

 

[william-1]

Sound Digital: full station list announced | a516digital

Stations launching on Sound Digital are:

• talkRADIO
• talkSPORT2
• Virgin Radio
• Share Radio (replaces TalkBusiness in the original bid for the licence)
• Mellow Magic
• Magic Chilled (new) DAB+
• Absolute 80s (moving from its current slot on Digital 1)
• Kisstory (moving from its slots on various local DAB services)
• heat radio (moving from its slots on various local DAB services)
• Planet Rock (moving from its current slot on Digital 1)
• Sunrise Radio
• Awesome Radio (new - from Asian Sound Radio)
• UCB2 (the recently renamed station, moving from its slots on various local DAB services)
• Premier Christian Radio (moving from its current slot on Digital 1)
• Premier Praise! (new)
• Panjab Radio
• Fun Kids (existing London DAB frequency remains) DAB+
• Jazz FM DAB+

 

[william-1]

Virgin Radio start date announced
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2016 DIGITAL RADIO , NEWS


A new version of Virgin Radio will launch on the new Sound Digital DAB multiplex after Easter, on Wednesday 30th March, featuring former Radio 1 presenter Edith Bowman at breakfast.

 

[Pride Of Cucamonga]

New Digital tests you can use to see if your Dab radio is Dab+ compatible ?

Sound Digital test DAB+ "Sound Waves+" | News | WorldDAB"sound-waves+"
.

Does DAB and DAB+ on the same multiplex mean DAB+ doesn't offer any improvements in modulation? i.e. still using same modulation as 20 years ago?