Analogue to Digital Question

[southstandandy]

Apologies if this sounds obvious to some, but when the Digital to Analogue switch over finally happens will this affect stand alone radios for FM and AM -ie will I need to replace mine with a DAB radio, or will my existing radios remain unaffected. Any advice appreciated, Thanks.

 

[Everest]

2015 was the provisional target for radio switchover.
But there has been talk of it being delayed for a couple of years (and even not at all)

 

[skipper734]

If you mean 2012 Digital TV switch over, no affect on radio at all. Digital Radio is virtually a BBC financed initiative, I don't think it has had the impact or success they wanted. Stereo FM is pretty good now so I think DAB radio will slowly be abandoned.

 

[beorhthelm]

if it goes ahead, there wont be any signal for old radios to pick up, so they'll be usless (except AM?). the cost and inconvienience of this has not gone unnoticed and things have been delayed. but also there are basic problems like digital radio constantly cutting out when travelling, so it seems like they might just bin the switch over.

 

[SICKASAGULL]

When the switchover happens if you have freeview will you still have to buy a new set?

 

[R. Slicker]

When the switchover happens if you have freeview will you still have to buy a new set?

No, Freeview is digital TV, if it is working now, you are fine.

 

[seagullondon]

is there gonna be a massive rush for freeview boxes when the switchover comes around? I suspect so. We still watch 3 out of the 4 tv's here with the old anaolgue aerial

 

[clapham_gull]

is there gonna be a massive rush for freeview boxes when the switchover comes around? I suspect so. We still watch 3 out of the 4 tv's here with the old anaolgue aerial

No such thing really as a "digital aerial"...

 

[clapham_gull]

Digital Radio is virtually a BBC financed initiative.

Not sure that's entirely true or isn't at least going forward. It has been argued that they picked the wrong system though or were a bit ahead of their time. Better technology is now available, but I think it would leave all the current radios incompatible.

I've got three DAB radios cos I listen to radio a lot, but the quality is probably better when I can be bothered to use my Pure DAB to pick up stations via the internet. Don't really listen to music so it doesn't really bother me.

However, I don't rely on the DAB signal to wake me up. The DAB/FM in the bedroom turns onto DAB first, but switches over to FM just after - to ensure I wake up.

 

[mcshane header]

We're all switched off from analogue here in Aberdeen and we still get AM and FM signals just fine through a normal non digi radio.

 

[Everest]

We're all switched off from analogue here in Aberdeen and we still get AM and FM signals just fine through a normal non digi radio.

That's because TV and radio are separate. They were never going to be switched off at the same time.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

DAB is a 1980's technology , DAB+ would be a better option but could also be obsolete with the massive take up of listening to radio via mobile devices and web connected radios. A decision will be made when Digital penetrates the 75% listening barrier on when to switch off analogue which could be years away. The main reason the Government want an early switchover is so that the radio spectrum used by AM and FM can be sold off for lots of cash.

 

[beorhthelm]

The main reason the Government want an early switchover is so that the radio spectrum used by AM and FM can be sold off for lots of cash.

never understood this part myself. why not sell the bandwidth which the DAB has been moved into instead? also, they cant be expecting to get much from AM surely, its not alot and gets alot of interference, cant see what you could use it for other than low quality radio. is AM even included in the switch?

 

[Mammoth]

If you mean 2012 Digital TV switch over, no affect on radio at all. Digital Radio is virtually a BBC financed initiative, I don't think it has had the impact or success they wanted. Stereo FM is pretty good now so I think DAB radio will slowly be abandoned.

Digital Radio involved a consortium of BBC and independent broadcasters, notably gcap media (now heart) who own intellectual property inside each DAB set. That's why there was a rush to create output (ie planet rock, BBC extra channels) a few years ago.

FM won't be switched off until DAB works reliably within cars. The broadcasters know it, and more importantly so do the advertisers. It's where most people do their listening.