Discussion
DAB was a cock waving waste of (our) money exercise by the bbc so they could be "first" with digital radio by rushing ahead of the MPEG standards, bringing immature tech to market and now like said many countries have implemented superior systems as the tech comes of age, leaving the now clunky DAB like a baird television set.
aren't we supposed to have DVB (inc. radio) on a microchip on a cellphone by now? Hows that coming along? Surly a Hybrid DVB/internet receivercapable of switching between sources to maintain service would be a clever way of going forwards? Given smartphones are global platforms whose manufacturers wouldn't waste their time with UK-only DAB, and are likely to form the hub of in car AV systems soon with perhaps little more than a dock/mounting option in new cars, it's difficult to see what future DAB has but for being the baby of a socialist broadcasting regime that isn't subject to market forces or common sense.
aren't we supposed to have DVB (inc. radio) on a microchip on a cellphone by now? Hows that coming along? Surly a Hybrid DVB/internet receivercapable of switching between sources to maintain service would be a clever way of going forwards? Given smartphones are global platforms whose manufacturers wouldn't waste their time with UK-only DAB, and are likely to form the hub of in car AV systems soon with perhaps little more than a dock/mounting option in new cars, it's difficult to see what future DAB has but for being the baby of a socialist broadcasting regime that isn't subject to market forces or common sense.
swamp said:
Not sure why so many people are dismissing mobile internet radio in cars...
Yes for normal 'linear' streaming radio, it would suck as the service would drop out all the time. But unlike DAB and FM, Internet radio stations could be a lot smarter. Songs and playlists can be pre-loaded, and with 4G speeds you could have one hour's playtime for ~10 seconds download time. The odd travel report, news and weather could be inserted periodically, if you like that sort of thing.
Would not be so good for listening to live sport though.
Interesting thread this! Yes for normal 'linear' streaming radio, it would suck as the service would drop out all the time. But unlike DAB and FM, Internet radio stations could be a lot smarter. Songs and playlists can be pre-loaded, and with 4G speeds you could have one hour's playtime for ~10 seconds download time. The odd travel report, news and weather could be inserted periodically, if you like that sort of thing.
Would not be so good for listening to live sport though.
I think this post starts to get to the crux of the matter - the issue is not what technology to use for broadcast radio, but to consider how the current and predicted technologies will alter how we consume entertainment and information material in the car.
I think this is already changing enough to render DAB radio obsolete as it is currently envisaged - however it could be a very good technology for broadcasting content that by its very nature needs to be live or near live. Traffic updates, news, even live sports commentary.
Music does not need to be live or near live but does need to be good quality and also there needs to be loads of choice. This will be better catered for by a combination of pre-loaded music and music that is downloaded and buffered when the 3G or 4G network is available.
This approach could also work for the majority of broadcast radio shows, for example it does not matter for the majority of the content of a typical breakfast show if it is live or delayed by 15 mins or possibly more.
Separate the time critical stuff from the non time critical stuff, put each on its appropriate network, and we have a way forwards.....
Interesting times ahead, and lots of it good IMO.
Cheers,
Jerry
The coverage of DAB is much maligned IMHO. I drive all round the country and apart from in the mountainous areas (where FM doesn't work either) find very few problems with losing reception. HOWEVER, it's necessary to shell out on a decent antenna to achieve this - I have one of these:
http://www.blaupunktdirect.co.uk/antennas-aerials/...
Clearly it's not cheap and there's further cost in getting it fitted, but it made an enormous difference for me. There's no way 3G coverage could come close.
The antennas fitted by car manufacturers may be a bit of a mixed bag. If your reception is poor, a decent replacement might make a lot of difference.
http://www.blaupunktdirect.co.uk/antennas-aerials/...
Clearly it's not cheap and there's further cost in getting it fitted, but it made an enormous difference for me. There's no way 3G coverage could come close.
The antennas fitted by car manufacturers may be a bit of a mixed bag. If your reception is poor, a decent replacement might make a lot of difference.
Don't understand....
I have an analogue radio I never listen to as it full of BBC s
te, songs I cant understand and The Public speaking to Jeremy Vine about God knows what st.
I have a DAB radio I never listen to as it's full of adverts and "Bangin' toons" for the kids.
But I also have a 20GB hdd in my car and it is pre-loaded with all the music I like in the form of MP3s. I have approximately 1 weeks worth of continuous listening with no repeats and all of music I actually like if I so choose. And no annoying dick head DJ's or public ringing in about how their neighbour's dog ate their begonias and "SOMETHING MUST BE DONE"!!!
The only reason ever to listen to radio is for weather and traffic updates but I don't even need those now as my satellite nav does it automatically for me.
And if I'm not sat in traffic I prefer to listen to the noise car makes anyway.
Radio? Why bother in any form?
I have an analogue radio I never listen to as it full of BBC s
te, songs I cant understand and The Public speaking to Jeremy Vine about God knows what st.I have a DAB radio I never listen to as it's full of adverts and "Bangin' toons" for the kids.
But I also have a 20GB hdd in my car and it is pre-loaded with all the music I like in the form of MP3s. I have approximately 1 weeks worth of continuous listening with no repeats and all of music I actually like if I so choose. And no annoying dick head DJ's or public ringing in about how their neighbour's dog ate their begonias and "SOMETHING MUST BE DONE"!!!
The only reason ever to listen to radio is for weather and traffic updates but I don't even need those now as my satellite nav does it automatically for me.
And if I'm not sat in traffic I prefer to listen to the noise car makes anyway.
Radio? Why bother in any form?
BigBen said:
Pablo68 said:
Radio? Why bother in any form?
The problem with this approach is you are less likely to ever hear any new music, fine if you are happy that all the best music has already been produced, but not that likely to be true.Pablo68 said:
Radio? Why bother in any form?
As said previously, boyse7en said:
The point of radio (to me) is that it is live, so can provide me with information (news, traffic, weather, etc) and also that the presenter chooses the tracks so I can be entertained, surprised, or disappointed, by the music on offer. I want to hear music that is new, artists I've never heard of, old favourites I'd forgotten.
And on top of that there are some interesting discussions on stations like R4, and sport. It's a bit like saying 'Why watch TV when you have all those DVDs?'
Pablo68 said:
Don't understand....
I have an analogue radio I never listen to as it full of BBC ste, songs I cant understand and The Public speaking to Jeremy Vine about God knows what st.
I have a DAB radio I never listen to as it's full of adverts and "Bangin' toons" for the kids.
But I also have a 20GB hdd in my car and it is pre-loaded with all the music I like in the form of MP3s. I have approximately 1 weeks worth of continuous listening with no repeats and all of music I actually like if I so choose. And no annoying dick head DJ's or public ringing in about how their neighbour's dog ate their begonias and "SOMETHING MUST BE DONE"!!!
The only reason ever to listen to radio is for weather and traffic updates but I don't even need those now as my satellite nav does it automatically for me.
And if I'm not sat in traffic I prefer to listen to the noise car makes anyway.
Radio? Why bother in any form?
But all your MP3s are completely sI have an analogue radio I never listen to as it full of BBC s
te, songs I cant understand and The Public speaking to Jeremy Vine about God knows what st.I have a DAB radio I never listen to as it's full of adverts and "Bangin' toons" for the kids.
But I also have a 20GB hdd in my car and it is pre-loaded with all the music I like in the form of MP3s. I have approximately 1 weeks worth of continuous listening with no repeats and all of music I actually like if I so choose. And no annoying dick head DJ's or public ringing in about how their neighbour's dog ate their begonias and "SOMETHING MUST BE DONE"!!!
The only reason ever to listen to radio is for weather and traffic updates but I don't even need those now as my satellite nav does it automatically for me.
And if I'm not sat in traffic I prefer to listen to the noise car makes anyway.
Radio? Why bother in any form?
t.hairyben said:
Given smartphones are global platforms...
GSM was the only mobile 'phone standard that stuck (and even then they almost managed to cock it up by spreading it over originally three, and now four, frequency bands). Everything before and after has been a mish-mash of incompatible 'standards'. There are five different versions of the iPhone 5S because of this.Beta v's VHS has nothing on what is going on with communication standards at the moment.....
Team Rock Radio is my new favourite station - it has NO adverts and is on the internet or DAB - plays decent rock/metal and has not turned to ste like Real XS did after all the staff left and went to Team Rock Radio!
It is so good I am considering buying a DAB radio for the car, as I only get it about 85% of my travels streaming over my phone.
te like Real XS did after all the staff left and went to Team Rock Radio!It is so good I am considering buying a DAB radio for the car, as I only get it about 85% of my travels streaming over my phone.
Transmitter Man said:
Anyone happen to know how Team Rock is funded if not by commercial advertising?
Getting on a DAB multiplex is circa £12-22K per month depending on contract and you're're tied in for two years unless rules have changed.
Phil
It is owned by the same group that publish Metal Hammer magazine etc, and they do have the odd advert for subscriptions, so maybe the magazine marketing budget subsidises it?Getting on a DAB multiplex is circa £12-22K per month depending on contract and you're're tied in for two years unless rules have changed.
Phil
Emeye said:
It is owned by the same group that publish Metal Hammer magazine etc, and they do have the odd advert for subscriptions, so maybe the magazine marketing budget subsidises it?
Is it not a number of magazines? Regardless it's an awesome station. Getting dab in my car for it alone...
Merry said:
Emeye said:
It is owned by the same group that publish Metal Hammer magazine etc, and they do have the odd advert for subscriptions, so maybe the magazine marketing budget subsidises it?
Is it not a number of magazines? Regardless it's an awesome station. Getting dab in my car for it alone...
Pablo68 said:
Don't understand....
I have an analogue radio I never listen to as it full of BBC ste, songs I cant understand and The Public speaking to Jeremy Vine about God knows what st.
I have a DAB radio I never listen to as it's full of adverts and "Bangin' toons" for the kids.
But I also have a 20GB hdd in my car and it is pre-loaded with all the music I like in the form of MP3s. I have approximately 1 weeks worth of continuous listening with no repeats and all of music I actually like if I so choose. And no annoying dick head DJ's or public ringing in about how their neighbour's dog ate their begonias and "SOMETHING MUST BE DONE"!!!
The only reason ever to listen to radio is for weather and traffic updates but I don't even need those now as my satellite nav does it automatically for me.
And if I'm not sat in traffic I prefer to listen to the noise car makes anyway.
Radio? Why bother in any form?
Because not everyone is an angry old man.I have an analogue radio I never listen to as it full of BBC s
te, songs I cant understand and The Public speaking to Jeremy Vine about God knows what st.I have a DAB radio I never listen to as it's full of adverts and "Bangin' toons" for the kids.
But I also have a 20GB hdd in my car and it is pre-loaded with all the music I like in the form of MP3s. I have approximately 1 weeks worth of continuous listening with no repeats and all of music I actually like if I so choose. And no annoying dick head DJ's or public ringing in about how their neighbour's dog ate their begonias and "SOMETHING MUST BE DONE"!!!
The only reason ever to listen to radio is for weather and traffic updates but I don't even need those now as my satellite nav does it automatically for me.
And if I'm not sat in traffic I prefer to listen to the noise car makes anyway.
Radio? Why bother in any form?
Transmitter Man said:
Anyone happen to know how Team Rock is funded if not by commercial advertising?
Getting on a DAB multiplex is circa £12-22K per month depending on contract and you're're tied in for two years unless rules have changed.
Phil
<cynic>Getting on a DAB multiplex is circa £12-22K per month depending on contract and you're're tied in for two years unless rules have changed.
Phil
funded by the government / BBC or some other body to encourage the 'take up' of dab.
</cynic>
Surely no commercial organisation would run a radio station without adverts - no matter how much money their magazine advertising was bringing in.
It just doesn't make sense.
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