Comments on: Changing the dial http://www.techcentral.co.za/changing-the-dial/14313/ South Africa's technology news leader Wed, 16 May 2012 18:39:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: justaprogrammer http://www.techcentral.co.za/changing-the-dial/14313/comment-page-1/#comment-9015 justaprogrammer Wed, 02 Jun 2010 10:31:18 +0000 http://www.techcentral.co.za/?p=14313#comment-9015 I think a lot of these criticisms are generic and in some cases relate to DAB's strengths. I love the fact that DAB is a single frequency service - and I love the fact that they multiplexes can be geographically localised or national. I have to 'fess up that I brought Psion's Wavefinder 12 years ago while in the UK, and wish I could use it in SA! I am not going to refute the opinions stated above now, but I would love DAB to come to our shores, via Sentech (yea right) or DSTV. I think a lot of these criticisms are generic and in some cases relate to DAB’s strengths. I love the fact that DAB is a single frequency service – and I love the fact that they multiplexes can be geographically localised or national.

I have to ‘fess up that I brought Psion’s Wavefinder 12 years ago while in the UK, and wish I could use it in SA!

I am not going to refute the opinions stated above now, but I would love DAB to come to our shores, via Sentech (yea right) or DSTV.

]]> By: Robert Dillware http://www.techcentral.co.za/changing-the-dial/14313/comment-page-1/#comment-7786 Robert Dillware Wed, 12 May 2010 15:07:25 +0000 http://www.techcentral.co.za/?p=14313#comment-7786 DRM should also be considered for South Africa! DRM should also be considered for South Africa!

]]> By: ITCrowd http://www.techcentral.co.za/changing-the-dial/14313/comment-page-1/#comment-7777 ITCrowd Wed, 12 May 2010 13:00:42 +0000 http://www.techcentral.co.za/?p=14313#comment-7777 A number of things wrong with this article. Analogue AM and FM transmissions will categorically _not_ be switched off in the UK in 2015 and the UK will not migrate completely to digital audio broadcasting (DAB) technology for many reasons. DAB does not make efficient use of frequency spectrum compared to analogue and cannot allow "an order of magnitude more radio stations to be licensed" whether in rural areas or elsewhere. You make some good points about DAB+ - but this standard is not compatible with plain vanilla DAB and so the arguments for adopting DAB+ are irrelevant when talking about DAB. Here are 24 excellent reasons which explain the problems with the adoption of DAB in the UK - I suggest that you read them: 1. Existing FM radio coverage is robust with close to universal coverage 2. No alternative usage is proposed for FM or AM radio spectrum 3. FM/AM radio already provides substantial consumer choice 4. FM is a cheaper transmission system for small, local radio stations 5. Consumers are very satisfied with their existing choice of radio 6. Sales of radio receivers are in overall decline in the UK 7. ‘FM’ is the global standard for radio in mobile devices 8. The large volume of analogue radio receivers in UK households will not be quickly replaced 9. Lack of consumer awareness of DAB radio 10. Low consumer interest in purchasing DAB radio receivers 11. Sales volumes of DAB radio receivers are in decline 12. DAB radio offers poorer quality reception than FM radio 13. No common geographical coverage delivered by DAB multiplexes 14. Increased content choice for consumers is largely illusory 15. Digital radio content is not proving attractive to consumers 16. Consumer choice of exclusive digital radio content is shrinking 17. Minimal DAB radio listening out-of-home 18. DAB radio has limited appeal to young people 19. DAB multiplex roll-out timetable has been delayed 20. Legacy DAB receivers cannot be upgraded 21. DAB/FM combination radio receivers have become the norm 22. DAB carriage costs are too high 23. DAB investment is proving too costly for the radio industry 24. DAB is not a globally implemented standard http://grantgoddardradioblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/digital-economy-act-2010-smokescreen.html ITCrowd A number of things wrong with this article.

Analogue AM and FM transmissions will categorically _not_ be switched off in the UK in 2015 and the UK will not migrate completely to digital audio broadcasting (DAB) technology for many reasons.

DAB does not make efficient use of frequency spectrum compared to analogue and cannot allow “an order of magnitude more radio stations to be licensed” whether in rural areas or elsewhere.

You make some good points about DAB+ – but this standard is not compatible with plain vanilla DAB and so the arguments for adopting DAB+ are irrelevant when talking about DAB.

Here are 24 excellent reasons which explain the problems with the adoption of DAB in the UK – I suggest that you read them:

1. Existing FM radio coverage is robust with close to universal coverage

2. No alternative usage is proposed for FM or AM radio spectrum

3. FM/AM radio already provides substantial consumer choice

4. FM is a cheaper transmission system for small, local radio stations

5. Consumers are very satisfied with their existing choice of radio

6. Sales of radio receivers are in overall decline in the UK

7. ‘FM’ is the global standard for radio in mobile devices

8. The large volume of analogue radio receivers in UK households will not be quickly replaced

9. Lack of consumer awareness of DAB radio

10. Low consumer interest in purchasing DAB radio receivers

11. Sales volumes of DAB radio receivers are in decline

12. DAB radio offers poorer quality reception than FM radio

13. No common geographical coverage delivered by DAB multiplexes

14. Increased content choice for consumers is largely illusory

15. Digital radio content is not proving attractive to consumers

16. Consumer choice of exclusive digital radio content is shrinking

17. Minimal DAB radio listening out-of-home

18. DAB radio has limited appeal to young people

19. DAB multiplex roll-out timetable has been delayed

20. Legacy DAB receivers cannot be upgraded

21. DAB/FM combination radio receivers have become the norm

22. DAB carriage costs are too high

23. DAB investment is proving too costly for the radio industry

24. DAB is not a globally implemented standard

http://grantgoddardradioblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/digital-economy-act-2010-smokescreen.html

ITCrowd

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