4.12.2023 Media industry
DAB+ Radio. What is Digital Radio Broadcasting?
Krzysztof Fiedorek
w wydaniu polskim
illustration: bing.com/createThe latest generation of Digital Audio Broadcasting technology, known as DAB+, uses digital audio encoding to transmit radio signals. Unlike analog radio, which uses amplitude modulation (AM) or frequency modulation (FM), DAB+ uses digital frequency modulation (DFM). DFM allows for transmitting more data using the same amount of bandwidth, providing higher sound quality and better resistance to interference.
Advantages of DAB+
Higher sound quality. DAB+ offers better sound quality than analog radio. DAB+ can transmit audio at resolutions up to 24-bit/96 kHz, delivering clarity and detail unavailable with analog radio.
Better interference resistance. DAB+ is more resistant to interference than analog radio. This means cleaner and more audible sound in areas where signal interference occurs.
More features. DAB+ allows broadcasters to offer additional services, such as:
- text accompanying audio
- subtitles
- weather information
- traffic information
- news updates
Disadvantages
Hardware requirements. To listen to DAB+ radio, you need a DAB+ receiver. DAB+ receivers are available on the market but may be more expensive than analog radio receivers.
Availability. DAB+ is still in the implementation phase in many countries, including Poland. Not all radio stations offer DAB+ yet, and DAB+ coverage may be limited. According to Poland’s National Broadcasting Council:
- 94% of new cars in Europe come with built-in DAB+ digital radio
- in Poland, this percentage is 92%
DAB+ is a technology with great potential that could change the way we listen to radio. Whether it will become a universal radio standard will impact radio’s future as a medium.
Improving DAB+ receiver availability and expanding DAB+ coverage are the main challenges facing this new technology today. If successful, DAB+ could paint the future of radio in entirely new colors.
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