Advantages of Digital (DAB+) vs FM Radio Broadcast

Ok you’re already experiencing high quality stereo sound from your current FM radio. Probably not to different to that which you will enjoy when your favourite station transmits in digital (DAB+) from May 2009?

But that would mean you are one of the lucky listeners who receives your FM signal in an ideal reception area.

In reality FM is susceptible to a range of transmission problems, resulting in fluctuating reception and annoying interference. Perfect FM reception relies on line of site transmission and must be within the reach of the allotted signal strength. (The allowable output power your station can transmit) These issues are caused by a myriad of circumstances.

Some of these are: Multipath – your tuner receives reflected signal from an adjacent building (structure) at the same time as it receives the direct signal from the transmitter resulting in a fluttering or fading reception. Co-Channel interference is when two stations transmit on the same frequency and overlap causing garbled reception. And then there’s Noise interference in the form of hiss or background static.

Digital transmission will have some reception issues as well, but these have proven to be less of a problem than those associated with the FM band.

And let’s not forget about all the addition features and their benefits you will have access to with your digital radio. You are going to have excellent sound quality, most likely better reception and a host of new features and experiences. I think many of you will be making the choice to upgrade to a digital tuner as soon as they become available around Christmas 2008.

Good luck and enjoy the experience