BMW now fitting DAB as standard, plus retrofit to older cars

[bennyboydurham]

Wills2 said:

They need to do this as they are planning to switch off the analogue signal in a few years time, was planned for 2013 now planned for 2017 (so I've read) TBH I can't see them doing it then either as millions of cars still won't have it.

I work in the broadcasting industry and I'll bare my arse in the street if FM gets turned off in 2017. It won't happen for probably a decade or two.

[Wills2]

Yeah I agree, as I said it just doesn't seem practical does it?

However the fitment of DAB is in preparation for this, when ever it happens.

Feel free to keep your arse in your pants.

[bennyboydurham]

Wills2 said:

Yeah I agree, as I said it just doesn't seem practical does it?

However the fitment of DAB is in preparation for this, when ever it happens.

Feel free to keep your arse in your pants.

I will, thanks. I'd rather like DAB, if only to listen to 5 Live without having to put up with crappy AM. There doesn't seem to be a decent, cheap solution though for my E65.

[DennisCooper]

Hi,

The government have NOT announced when the switchover will happen - they're due to make a decision and announce that towards the later stages of this year. With the broadcast frequency spectrum being re-jigged around, the move over to Digital Radio will happen 'relatively' quickly and not take say 4 years like the TV switchover took. So I doubt it'll be 10 years or so away, and I'd say most likely it will be over a period of a couple years. That said, this being the UK and the usual sloth like approach to change, it might well take ages!

Contrary to popular belief FM will not be 'switched off' - instead, just a handful of local broadcasting stations will remain using it. All the major radio stations will move over to Digital Radio. AM transmissions will be switched off though. For the car, nowadays I don't think many will miss LW or SW !

Older car's will be affected more of course, as their oem audio systems don't have the capability of digital radio internally, so it'll be aftermarket solutions. Within this industry (I'm within the car audio sector) there's lots of products coming out with Digital Radio capability. The easiest ways are with new single or double DIN head units, as they have built in digital receivers. Those who 'insist' on keeping their oem head unit will need to use one of the readily available 'interface' type devices/solutions - usually piggybacking into the existing antenna input.

For me, I'm probably going to bypass getting Digital Radio/DAB into my BMW E39. I have an aftermarket head unit and via forthcoming 4G mobile data/signals, will probably just use the Tune In radio app and stream radio to my head unit that way. No need for drilling holes, adding extra boxes, choosing antennas etc. The only downside is that I have to indirectly pay monthly via the mobile company in order to have access to 4G.

Cheers, Dennis!

[tjlazer]

I still mourn the passing of the in-car tape deck, not sure I'm ready for this kind of change. The kitchen is dab tastic but the car will forever remain a retro slab of yesteryears mix tapes under my watch!

[beanbag]

mc_blue said:

I'm surprised the "USB Audio Interface" £75 option isn't standard to be honest.

Because it's not £75. It's a con. You need to add the £500+ bluetooth option as a requirement for the £75 USB option. For that reason I didn't spec it in my BMW and simply installed an equally capable and hidden £85 parrot.

[steve_bmw]

can I retro fit dab into a 2003 z4?

[James P]

mathmos said:

What they don't make very clear is that the retrofit has an additional aerial inside your windscreen that re-broadcasts the DAB signal to your radio....bit like the itrip for your iphone/ipod. Not exactly fully integrated IMO.

While we're giving this a breath of life.

This is correct and DAB is just another preset on the FM band. You then have to navigate between stations using a small remote with only a bleep to tell you that the station has changed altohugh the display will catch up.

Also I have just had to have the unit replaced after only a year as it simply stopped working.

If you're not in warranty you can get a similar unit from the same manafacturer that will work though the radio unit controls (not sure have far back they are compatible though) that looks much easier to use.

[Jon1967x]

Any car with an FM radio can have one of the DAB radios that transmit as an FM station fitted. The only downside is the quality can be patchy in my experience.

If you have a line input on the stereo then its better. Our Z4 does this and it works fine, and as we also have the USB, I use that to power the unit.

[Ranger 6]

James P said:

...If you're not in warranty you can get a similar unit from the same manafacturer that will work though the radio unit controls (not sure have far back they are compatible though) that looks much easier to use.

AutoDAB I think - when it's working is it any good?

[V8 Animal]

Is this still available as I've just bought a E89 Z4 and would like it.

[V8 Animal]

Is this still available as I've just bought a E89 Z4 and would like it.

[Craikeybaby]

I've jsut fitten an Aplie EZI-DAB-GO to my E87, was very easy to install - small box/film antenna on the windscreen, aux & USB power cable under door seal, then passenger seat to plug in to aux/12v under the armrest.