UK DAB worst in the world

[PaulR]

Take a look at http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/worldwide_dab for information about how the UK "has the worst implementation of DAB in the world" because we use a bit-rate of 128kbps on average. This compares with the best in Estonia (!!!) at 256kbps.

This means that UK DAB is barely, if at all, better than MP3 files and probably not better at all than a good FM signal.

I was interested in getting a DAB receiver at one time but think I'll stick with what I've got now.

PaulR

 

[rolfw]

Had the same thoughts, tried it a while ago, but found FM as good and more reliable.

 

[jimbo]

Shame that it's poor because the ideas, like the info screen etc. are quite interesting.

Agree about the FM signal though.

 

[easysat]

"has the worst implementation of DAB in the world" because we use a bit-rate of 128kbps on average.

Reminds me of the old joke about the cloth merchant who tries to sell his goods by telling you "never mind the quality, feel the width."

 

[DaDragon]

Was looking around Stockport the other day and wandered into Richersounds.They were selling a Panasonic DAB radio with FM included for £59.95,walked out and checked in as many other local stores as possible and saw the same unit for£84-£124.I went back and guess what!!?,they'd sold out!!.I saw one in the window and said "why can't i have that one?".After a bit of umming and arring i got them to sell it for £50 cash.I found it really quite good,it downloaded 61 channels in a couple of seconds and although the aeriel has to be just right for reception performs quite well.On the back is an "F" conector for an external aeriel so i connected some satellite coax to the "F" connector and the other end to a spare output on my TV booster and "Bang",the signal went through the roof,so the signal is now stable and i think it's a good £50 well spent!
If the reception does go pear shaped(which i doubt)then i can use the FM stations.One more thing i did was to change the battery connections,it takes 6,1.5volt
batteries and would cost me nearly 8 quid to buy,so i got an old smoke alarm and cut out the 9volt connector,soldered it in to the battery bay and it costs just 2 quid for a
9volt battery!!!.Now when i'm at home i can use the mains adaptor and when i want to take it outside i can use the cheap battery power!!
Regards DaDragon.

 

[alfin]

As another alternative to DAB try the digital (not DA stations on the Freeview box.
No extra aerial required. All the BBC stations plus a good selection of commercial stations are present. It is worth it just to listen to Radio Five in decent quality.

Just a note on the batteries. Get rechargeables, cheaper in the long run after the initial outlay.

 

[PaulR]

DaDragon

Have you tried comparing the quality of the FM stations against their DAB alternatives? With the single possible exception of Radio 3 I'd bet that you find the DAB signal to be rather thin and also in mono.

PaulR

 

[DaDragon]

PaulR,
Have not compared them as yet but will give it a go when i am a bit lost for something to do,i have noticed that some of the DAB's are mono like you say,but is this how they are transmitted ( the penalty for narrow bandwidth)or is this the way the receiver interprets a shit signal?!!!All the best mate.
Regards DaDragon.
PS do you think i got me a bargain though?£50.

 

[moyhim]

I wudnt mind the Rewindable BAD radios such as the pure Bug, so i can fix up the audio when watching footy on foreign channel
but for that price, I dunna think so £100 +

 

[PaulR]

Re Mono - This is because the amount of bandwidth available is so litle that there just isn't enough space for a stereo transmission.

PaulR

 

[martinw01908]

DAB is definately inferior to VHF FM. I'm surprised they are pushing such a rubbish system on us and marketing it as an improvement to "outdated analogue radios".

Sound quality on DAB is truely awful, its just about suited to a portable with a small speaker and thats about it. No Hi-fi sound!

 

[spiney]

As with DTT, there's a good reason for this, which is that the "engineers" who implemented these things completely mucked then up!

COFDM modulation - used for DAB and DTT - is nothing to do with better transmission standards, it's all about patents and "protecting" European manufacturing.

 

[c.barber]

DAB is definately inferior to VHF FM. I'm surprised they are pushing such a rubbish system on us and marketing it as an improvement to "outdated analogue radios".

Sound quality on DAB is truely awful, its just about suited to a portable with a small speaker and thats about it. No Hi-fi sound!

When I listen to stations on DAB (I get Digital 1, BBC, NOW Norwich) I have it plugged into my hi-fi, and its sounds great! All thats needed is a little less treble and more bass on the dials

 

[PoloMint]

When I listen to stations on DAB (I get Digital 1, BBC, NOW Norwich) I have it plugged into my hi-fi, and its sounds great! All thats needed is a little less treble and more bass on the dials

But how does that compare to an FM broadcast played on the same Hi-Fi?

 

[c.barber]

I would say its almost exactly the same. I live about 6 blocks away from a BBC Suffolk transmitter, and I would say that with Radio Suffolk which is always crystal clear stereo, sounds almost exactly the same as the DAB stations

 

[PaulR]

COFDM modulation - used for DAB and DTT - is nothing to do with better transmission standards, it's all about patents and "protecting" European manufacturing.

Hmmmm. I was under the impression the COFDM (Coded Orthoganal Frequency Division Multiplex) was all about giving the receiver the best possible chance of decoding a usable channel from multipath signals. The channel is effectively split into a multitude of mini signals, most of which get through to the the receiver.

I'd be interested to find out how this ties in with patents and "protecting" European manufacturing.

PaulR