Available DAB receivers for PC

Ricky327 · 08-06-2004, 08:44 AM

http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/dabreceivers.html#pccard

Will be trying one out soon and hopefuly its good enough to get rid of the HU

Confused · 08-06-2004, 09:36 AM

I've got a Wavefinder sitting at home waiting for me to finish coding AIMEE, and put it back in the car.

So far, AIMEE is the only software that will give you decent control of a DAB radio, of those listed on that page.

The quality of DAB radio isn't brilliant, as the BBC have crammed too many stations on each multiplex, and therefore have sacrificed the quality of each station. Most stations are 128kbps MP2, and sound worse than a good FM signal.

Garry

riddle14 · 08-06-2004, 10:11 AM

what is DAB? it looks like its UK specific?

Confused · 08-06-2004, 12:41 PM

DAB is Digital Radio, only it's not particularly good.

The technology is capable of 256kbps MP2 per station, which isn't too bad quality, however as I said, the BBC has put more stations on each multiplex, and therefore the quality of the stations has come down, so it is anywhere between 64 and 128 for most stations, and a couple are at 160, and a couple at 192.

DAB is UK/Europe specific, but the US has a much better alternative, which is XM.

Garry

riddle14 · 08-06-2004, 02:42 PM

ah i see, thanx

Ricky327 · 08-06-2004, 07:59 PM

The quality of DAB radio isn't brilliant, as the BBC have crammed too many stations on each multiplex, and therefore have sacrificed the quality of each station. Most stations are 128kbps MP2, and sound worse than a good FM signal.

Thanks for the info...hmm kinda dissapointing then

I didnt know much about it but the way they described the technology as if its a million times better than a normal radio. I hope new station appears with a much higher bit rates, forget the BBC

Confused · 08-07-2004, 01:41 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Ricky327

The quality of DAB radio isn't brilliant, as the BBC have crammed too many stations on each multiplex, and therefore have sacrificed the quality of each station. Most stations are 128kbps MP2, and sound worse than a good FM signal.

Thanks for the info...hmm kinda dissapointing then

I didnt know much about it but the way they described the technology as if its a million times better than a normal radio. I hope new station appears with a much higher bit rates, forget the BBC

Yeah, it was being touted as better than sliced bread, and it's still being promoted.

Unfortunately the BBC basically "own" DAB radio, and therefore, it's up to them who gets what, and they have so many stations on there, that anyone else wanting to go on DAB has to share with everyone else, so unless loads of the stations decide to not go on DAB any longer, then no one will get any more bandwidth to themselves.

I really want a technology like XM to be brought over to this country, however as the BBC has invested so much money in DAB, they're not going to give that up and move onto a better medium such as XM

Garry

SlashEMc2k · 05-14-2005, 12:41 PM

I have a Sony XAV-7W this support XM only prob is I`m stuck in the UK any one know any convertors so I can convert DAB to XM

Just a question if anyone knows..
Thanks

Evo · 05-16-2005, 05:15 PM

Well after blowing up one Wavefinder

and having the other blow itself up I finally gave up on them.

I have found an alternative USB DAB radio called the Trinloc MP3 Recorder for just £99.

I have one now and can report good sound qaulity and software and drivers that work on XP SP2

Couple this radio with a Blaupunkt Autofun DAB car aerial with amplifier and thats a working mobile DAB solution.

Also remember to get the SMA to BNC converter to make connecting the Blaupunkt aerial easier, however you will need to fit the BNC connector supplied with the converter to the aerials coxial. (Not difficult)

Aerial and DAB radio available from the following links:
Trinloc USB DAB Radio
Blaupunky Car Aerial with amplifier
SMA to BNC Converter (See bottom of page)

Now I just need some plugins to get it working with the best Carputer front ends. Apparently DABBar will support the Trinloc next release.

Hope this helps some of the other Brits on the forum.