Online buying guide for DAB Radios
October 27, 2007
For convenience, Digital Audio Broadcasting is shortly known as “DAB Radio”. This new concept was conceived by an association of upcoming manufacturers as well as broadcasters. BBC has obtained the credit of “the UK’s first broadcaster”. BBC started digital broadcasting of audio signals during the year 1995.
Why to choose DAB?
Though you enjoy music through your FM radio, you might face lots of disturbance in FM reception as it uses ‘multi-path’ interference. This issue usually arises while the audio signals get bounced off due to the interruption of huge buildings and hills. If you buy DAB radio, it always broadcasts audio signals with the support of processors. These processors play an essential role to not only filter the interference but also to rectify the signal errors. DAB has featured with strongest reception by combining even delayed signals.
DAB Technology
MPEG and COFDM are 2 vital technologies used in DAB radio for broadcasting digital audio signals. These two technologies have to be used for converting all the analogue signals into digital signals. Therefore listeners can enjoy their favourite music program or talk show in digital audio quality. Corruption in data transmission due to the fluctuations in weather condition can be reduced to a maximum extent in DAB broadcasting. Analogue signals are digitalized in DAB Radios to support digital broadcasting.
Distinct DAB Types
DAB radios are classified into three namely:
• Table-top DAB Radio
These type of radios can be placed anywhere in a table top or shelf of your living room. You can get table-top DAB at affordable prices.
• Portable DAB Radio
If you want mobility, portable DAB radios are best choice. You can carry them wherever you want to use them. They can function effectively by getting power through batteries.
• Clock DAB Radio
Unique clocks are featured with DAB access. But you have to pay more to buy these clock DAB radios in the UK market.
Mind blowing Features of DAB
Features of DAB is similar in all brands. You can easily know about all the features of DAB radio by checking the product manual or product description completely. The following are the brief summary of vital features of DAB radio.
• Digital Stations
Customization of personal favourite digital station is an important feature. DAB Radios permit you to program your most liked stations and you can set them. This facility reduces the risk of searching a particular station repeatedly.
• RDS
RDS stands for “Radio Data System”. As the name indicates you know some details about broadcasting like the name of the station, traffic updates etc. This information will be shown on the display. When you have this advantage in your DAB radio, your FM station will tune to the strongest signals automatically.
• Pause and rewind option
Latest models of DAB Radios have come with pause and rewind option. You may need these functions while you listen to live broadcasting. While you listen a live broadcasting, you may get disturbed by calling bells or mobile rings. At that time you can use the pause option after completing all your tasks, you can play and enjoy. There is no chance to miss anything.
• EPG
EPS is an acronym of “Electronic Program Guide” which is an essential feature mostly available in plasma and LCD televisions. Now you can enjoy the same feature even in DAB Radios. If you have this option in your DAB Radio, you can know the list of programs yet to be broadcasted for the next 7 days. Depending upon the list of programs, you can set your schedules.
• USB
If you have a USB connector, you can simply download contents or software for periodic updations.
• Embedded CD Player
A CD player is embedded within a DAB Radio so that you can play CDs.
• Built-in Clock
As built-in clock feature is available in DAB Radios, users can set alarms and know the current time.
• External Interaction through Line-in
DAB Radios manufactured recently, has come with line-in feature, which is helpful to interact or connect with other external devices like CD player, iPod etc. All your favourite radio programs can be recorded with this useful feature.
Benefits over AM / FM Radios
DAB technology has the ability to broadcast even 10 radio programs with a single frequency. Sound reproduction is done by DAB receiver though the signals received from broadcasting are too weak. The DAB receiver has the potential to filter out interference that has happened due to poor power lines or stations. When signal reception is blocked or interrupted due to natural barriers, those signals will be enhanced by multiplexing them. Getting digital audio is not only the service of DAB, but it also offers details about the title of the song with station name, images etc.
Reasons for the popularity of DAB
There is no need to create awareness about DAB technology. It is because people are aware of Digital Audio Broadcasting. The following are the basic reasons for getting popularity among the UK people.
• Audio Quality
People are mainly impressed by DAB Radios as they offer impressive audio quality. Listeners can enjoy realistic sound effects without any distortions.
• Stay Tuned for ever
If you tune a digital station in one area, you can move around anywhere with the same frequency setting. Signals won’t get faded or interrupted.
• DAB Receiver
The usage of DAB receiver is essential to access DAB technology. You can choose either fixed DAB receiver or portable DAB receiver. Certain high end model DAB radios are designed with small screens.
• Cheap broadcasting cost
The broadcasters are very interested to offer DAB access as the cost of digital broadcasting is cheap. Frequencies which are used for FM reception can also be used for DAB stations. Therefore broadcasters are also happy to spread out this DAB technology.
• Wide Coverage
DAB access is completely covered in the UK. It is simple to check the access availability online. You just have to give your postcode to confirm whether your area is DAB-enabled or not.
• Easy to Record
As DAB broadcasts digital signals, it is simple to record them. Recording digital signals is easier than recording analogue signals. With the support of EPG option you can set ‘record’ program in advance.
• Accessory
No need to spend huge amount to get DAB access in your FM Radio. You should spend little pounds from your pocket to buy a DAB Radio Receiver. DAB radios can broadcast even FM signals.
• Digital Stations
There are totally more than 40 digital stations in the UK. You can choose your favourite digital station as you like. Those stations are ‘easy-to-find’ ones.
• Designs
Elegant designs are used in DAB radios. People get attracted while they look stylish with light colour coatings.
