DAB Fails to Live Up to Promises

Amazingly, DAB radio has been with us now for 15 years. Initially we were promised hi-fi quality reception, more stations and amazing graphics. Well, we got more stations but only at the expense of quality. Bit rates have been cut to the extent that many internet radio stations prduce sound quality equal to that of DAB, plus there are 1000s more stations. And those enthusiasts after the best sound quality have long since migrated back to FM. The trouble is that FM is scheduled to be switched off in 2015.

So what does the future hold for DAB?

The proliferation of broadband, potential for improved quality and massive choice of stations means that DAB shouldn't really get a look in where internet radio is an option.

The only real area where DAB could have things its own way is with in-car radio. However, after 15 years there is still no vehicle that is supplied with a DAB radio as standard, and retrofitting options are restricted as no vehicles come with an installed DAB aerial. Given how long it takes vehicle manufacturers to change standards, the vast majority of vehicles being driven in 2015 will still have FM radios. So unless thinsg change dramatically in the near future it is very difficult to envisage FM being switched off when planned, leaving probably in excess of 30 million vehicle owners without radio. And if we see broadband becoming available in vehicles at reasonable cost during that time where will that leave DAB?

BBC HD Bandwidth

Last August (2209) the BBC introduced new encoders for it's HD satellite service. This caused the bitrate for the service to drop from 16 to 9.7Mbps (some say to make it easier for the BBC to simulcast its HD Freeview channel)..The BBC maintains that the new encoders produce at least as good, if not better, picture quality, however many viewers have reported a drop in picture quality and have petitioned the BBC - via the government's website (http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/BBCHDPQ/) for tehr einstatement of pre August 2009 bitrates. Despite the BBC's denial, the BBC Trust is looking into the complaint and the petition is open until 29 July 2010 if you would like to add your name.