Andy C:

Simon Barker:

Meanwhile my DAB reception of Radio 4 cracks up if it rains a bit too hard.  There's a technology that didn't need inventing.

When it was first rolled out DAB was touted as being CD quality. Unfortunately, the UK has stuck with the DAB system rather than DAB+ -which appears to be the norm in several european countries- and is poorer quality. Aside from the usual digital problems such as audio hiccups when the signal strength drops or you're in a fringe reception area, I have also noticed a number of DAB stations are now broadcasting in mono and sampling rates appear to have dropped. Certainly not what we were promised all those years ago!

Saying that, I've now found out a number of commercial stations have changed or are in the process of changing over to DAB+. Downside is this means my DAB PCI card in my computer will no longer work (as won't most earlier DAB radios). Not sure about DAB car radios but I would assume if they are marketed to europe as well they should be capable of DAB+ reception.

Two things about DAB+: the better error correction plus the more efficient audio compression format should give better reception. I await the results with interest!

Andy C:

Simon Barker:

Meanwhile my DAB reception of Radio 4 cracks up if it rains a bit too hard.  There's a technology that didn't need inventing.

When it was first rolled out DAB was touted as being CD quality. Unfortunately, the UK has stuck with the DAB system rather than DAB+ -which appears to be the norm in several european countries- and is poorer quality. Aside from the usual digital problems such as audio hiccups when the signal strength drops or you're in a fringe reception area, I have also noticed a number of DAB stations are now broadcasting in mono and sampling rates appear to have dropped. Certainly not what we were promised all those years ago!

Saying that, I've now found out a number of commercial stations have changed or are in the process of changing over to DAB+. Downside is this means my DAB PCI card in my computer will no longer work (as won't most earlier DAB radios). Not sure about DAB car radios but I would assume if they are marketed to europe as well they should be capable of DAB+ reception.

Two things about DAB+: the better error correction plus the more efficient audio compression format should give better reception. I await the results with interest!