DAB

How does DAB work?
Coverage
More stations
Subscription charges
Radio you can read
DAB hardware

DAB or Digital Audio Broadcasting is a digital radio technology that offers interference-free near CD-quality sound, a greater choice of stations that are easier to tune, as well as data information such as song title and artist, displayed on a DAB radio digital display.

DAB works in a very similar way to MP3 files that you create on your home PC, the audio signal is digitally encoded along with any data information before transmission and then decoded by a digital radio at the other end. Because everything is encoded digitally, it is less susceptible to interference. Any interference that is picked-up en route is filtered out by the DAB radio.

Unlike analogue radio stations, DAB stations do not use individual frequencies; DAB services are combined into what's known as a "multiplex". A multiplex is then split down into channels, thereby allowing for more stations to transmit on less radio space.

There's no need to remember station frequencies as all stations tuned in on a DAB radio are selected by their name via the LCD display on a DAB radio. In addition to this, stations are on a set frequency, so if you travel up and down the country with your DAB radio, there's no need to retune to your favourite station.

At the moment, 85% of Britain can currently receive and enjoy DAB radio stations. As long as you are within a coverage area, you can expect to enjoy clean, crisp digital radio. Just as with analogue radio, you will pick up different radio stations in different parts of the country. The indoor aerial supplied with your DAB radio should work fine; however, if you have problems with regular FM radio signals you may need an external aerial for improved reception. To check to see which DAB radio stations are available in your area, visit www.ukdigitalradio.com and use the postcode coverage checker.

There are currently around 80 conventional FM and DAB-exclusive radio stations transmitting over DAB, with more popping up all the time as new transmitters are switched on. Depending on your location and aerial strength, you should be able to pick up around 50 channels on your DAB radio. The great thing about DAB radio is that there is something for everyone--not only will you get your FM favourites, you'll also find stations dedicated to everything from alternative and hip-hop to spoken word and sports.

There are none--DAB radio stations are free, all you pay for is the hardware to receive DAB transmissions.

One of the many great features that DAB radio offers is the ability to receive textual information. All DAB radio sets have a small LCD screen that can display information encoded in the radio transmission. This could be the current song title being played, news information, station contact details or even special promotions.

There are four types of DAB hardware categories to choose from: portable, in-home, in-car and PC. The most popular, and cheapest, of these are portable DAB radios--many of which look like classic portable radios of yesteryear, such as the very popular Pure Evoke-1 from Pure Digital. In-home DAB radios are designed to fit in alongside your existing Hi-fi separates and some DAB radios such as the Sony ST-D777ES ES tuner offer AM/FM tuning in addition to DAB. Currently, DAB radios are considerably more expensive than analogue radios; however as coverage increases and more products become available prices will drop.