Fed up with all that hiss and fade from your home or car radio? Annoyed when the quality of reception varies from place to place while you’re driving? Then you should consider replacing your old analogue set with a DAB Digital Radio.
DAB stands for Digital Audio Broadcasting. Because it’s digital as opposed to analogue, DAB radio sets come with built-in processors that filter out interference and boost the signal, so you can enjoy your listening wherever you are and in any weather conditions. The reception is superior even to FM radio, which tends to lose its quality when signals bounce off buildings or other tall structures.
Like the analogue sets they’ll eventually replace, DAB tuners come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes and specifications. You can purchase anything from a portable handheld model that fits in your pocket, to a home radio with alarm clock, to a combined FM/DAB tuner. Manufactures also produce DAB-integrated Hi-Fi systems for the home, as well as in-car DAB tuners and adaptors. There is even a kit available which lets you easily convert your present car stereo to DAB.
To get the best from your DAB digital radio you need a DAB aerial. For your home system an external aerial is recommended, while in-car systems come with aerials that you can attach to your windscreen.
As well as eliminating noise and interference, DAB digital radio offers other benefits. Its digital nature means that ordinary data can be transmitted, too. Most units come with a small built-in LCD screen that displays information about programmes, such as the name of the track you’re listening to, sports results or the latest news headlines, making the whole experience interactive and more enjoyable.
Home radios can be mains or battery powered and most sets have a headphone socket. Hi-Fi systems come with remote controls and (depending on the model) will play CDs and MP3s with track titles and artists’ names displayed on the screen. Some of these also have on/off timers and internal memory, so you can store your favourite stations once and find them anytime you turn the set on.
Some models also pick up a broadcast E.P.G. (Electronic Programme Guide), which provides free information, listings for up to seven days in advance and the facility to programme the set so it will automatically record your favourite shows. On top of that, DAB is a very flexible service, able to offer dedicated sports, news and music channels.
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