So two more DAB stations are pulling out of the broadcast format and manufacturers are suddenly scared to make any more DAB radio sets according to a report in the Daily Mail Today. In terms of quality, it's no big surprise that it's happening, because you might as well be listening to a pretty low bitrate mp3. The old FM analogue signal still delivers a far superior and richer sound experience (Albeit with a tiny bit of hiss in the background) compared to the 128kbps signal than the Digital Audio Broadcast has to offer (Kerrang radio last time I checked was 64kbps and was in mono).
Where I thought that DAB might swing it however was with in-car entertainment. The quality doesn't really need to be quite so spectacular, as the background noise of the car would disguise it's shortcomings somewhat. The amount of choice in channels would make even long journeys more bearable. So why were the manufacturers so quick to dismiss DAB and cease producing in-car players so long before now? In the beginning, there were several models available. Now you'd be classed as extremely lucky if you saw even one in the shops anymore. Would this not have been an ideal niche to ensure it's success?
Am I right or wrong? Maybe someone else can share an opinion. I bought an in-car DAB player last year and barring a couple of areas I've driven through, the coverage is pretty good more or less everywhere. So what's gone wrong?
My opinions come with no warranty whatsoever, but are totally open-source, so you can reverse engineer or decompile them as you see fit. All other rights reserved.
"Freedom" in the west consists of: Freedom of speech, freedom of opinion and freedom of movement. So why is it then, that people want to know what youre saying, what you think of them and where you are going?
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