I've heard this too - from a DJ on a local radio station in Oxford, so it could be true!
It certainly sounds way too early - for starter's there's absolutely no way the government could expect everyone to convert to digital in just 2 years. With Sky, it's not that hard - they just have to persuade everyone to swap one receiver/dish for another. But with radio, everyone would have to replace their hifi/car stereo/walkman/kitchen radio etc!
It would surely cost a fortune, and so 2003 is far too soon. Personally, I own at least 3 different types of analogue radio, and I'm just a student!
MG
MikeG
I don't think it will happen yet. The government says that Analogue will be switched off by 2010 so I assume that means radio too.
SU
SpiringUnhacked
mark posted:
I've heard this too - from a DJ on a local radio station in Oxford, so it could be true!
It certainly sounds way too early - for starter's there's absolutely no way the government could expect everyone to convert to digital in just 2 years. With Sky, it's not that hard - they just have to persuade everyone to swap one receiver/dish for another. But with radio, everyone would have to replace their hifi/car stereo/walkman/kitchen radio etc!
It would surely cost a fortune, and so 2003 is far too soon. Personally, I own at least 3 different types of analogue radio, and I'm just a student!
Yeah, my radio alarm clock would be rendered useless! Off topic, Asa, you need to change the graphic with the coloured bars on it - it says TV Home - 3pm 15/7/01 on it - this is advertising the relaunch which has now happened! When will Crossover be integrated into the site?
DAB receivers are far too expensive at the moment. The cheapest one is £300 and you need a computer to operate it!
Also, as has been said. A lot of ILR aren't actually digital yet! Especially a lot of the smaller ones.
If DAB radio's come down in price then it may just happen but they can't come down until a subsidy is arranged. They need someone to fund the system.
JA
jase
Not strictly true about the DAB receiver. The Videologic 501 is a hifi separate receiver at £299, and it is an excellent unit (I have one ) -- it does not need a separate computer (although it does need an amp and speakers obviously). It kicks seven shades of crap out of FM reception, although it must be said that FM is *better* than DAB in terms of sound quality if you have a good aerial, something very few people have.
No way will DAB replace FM this soon. DAB is not even available to 30% of the populous, and until you can get a DAB radio for less than a tenner I can't see it dying any time soon (although I'd guess that AM could go within 6-7 years, provided that DAB becomes cheap; it will be possible to get a portable DAB receiver for less than £100 later this year...)
RW
RW
I've been keeping an eye on developments in DAB for at least ten years, and especially compared to the explosion in Digital TV, it has moved along incredibly slowly.
I would expect FM broadcasting will continue for another 20 years or so; DAB has been going for nearly six years already and only now are we starting to see affordable receivers. Personal radios or portable radios fact that although DAB may offer better sound quality and reception, in terms of choice it offers...well, more of the same.
If the government finally gets off its behind and approves the BBC's new for the bedside are still probably a few years away yet. The main problems at the moment are the excessive price of receivers and the digital services, there will at last be some interesting new stations starting on DAB, and MAYBE that will stir some interest in it amongst the public, but I wouldn't bank on it.
) -- it does not need a separate computer (although it does need an amp and speakers obviously). It kicks seven shades of crap out of FM reception, although it must be said that FM is *better* than DAB in terms of sound quality if you have a good aerial, something very few people have.