4.12.2023 Media industry
DAB+ Radio. What is Digital Radio Broadcasting?
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Digital radio broadcasting technology, compared to traditional analog radio, provides higher sound quality, better resistance to interference, and more additional features during transmission. However, it’s not without drawbacks and raises concerns among broadcasters.
Poczytaj artykuł
The 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.
COMMERCIAL BREAK
New articles in section Media industry
Equality and Diversity in Media: European Broadcasting Union Report
KFi
European public media are increasingly focusing on diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) as the foundation of their operations. Public broadcasters in Europe are implementing diversity strategies - both in content and within their teams. The findings from the report are clear: although progress is visible, many challenges remain.
How the Media Talk (or Stay Silent) About Climate. Reuters Institute Report
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Although climate change is becoming increasingly noticeable worldwide, the media have failed to maintain growing interest in the topic. The report "Climate Change and News Audiences 2024" shows that audience engagement with climate topics has remained almost unchanged for several years.
Clickbait Uncovered. How Online Headlines Evolved Over 25 Years
Krzysztof Fiedorek
Researchers from the Max Planck Institute analyzed 40 million headlines from the past 25 years. They are getting longer, more emotional, and negative, with a clear influence of clickbait style. Even reputable media use strategies and tricks to grab attention.
See articles on a similar topic:
YouTube vs. Television. The 50+ Generation Shifts to Computers
Krzysztof Fiedorek
For years, so-called "silvers" were primarily associated with traditional media like television. However, research by IQS for SilverTV and Lifetube shows that this view is outdated. The report’s findings clearly demonstrate that YouTube is becoming the new “television.”
Digital Press Reading Habits
Bartłomiej Dwornik
What time of day do we most often reach for e-newspapers and e-books? According to a study by Legimi, peak times are between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. It’s time to dismiss the notion that weekends are our favorite reading days.
Numbers Stations in Radio. For Puzzle and Cryptography Enthusiasts
Krzysztof Fiedorek
They broadcast seemingly meaningless strings of numbers and letters, sometimes short, encrypted messages. Some even play music between coded transmissions or broadcast propaganda. For over a hundred years, number stations have puzzled radio enthusiasts and mystery hunters. What do we know about them?
Milgram Experiment 2023. AI Can Encourage Violence
KrzysztoF
Researchers from SWPS University replicated the famous Milgram experiment, in which participants were instructed to inflict pain on another person under the authority’s command. This time, the authority was a robot. It’s the first study showing that people are willing to harm another person when a robot commands them to do so.