Digital radio is an alternative method of broadcasting to analog radio.
Digital radio, also called Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB), is an alternative solution to the traditional analog radio signal. It uses a different method of transmitting information and therefore has many advantages over analog transmissions, including better quality service, more choice for listeners and lower costs for broadcasters. In countries such as the UK, TV transmissions are also being switched from analog to digital.
History
Digital radio was developed relatively recently by a group of manufacturers and broadcasters. While analog radio was first used commercially during the 1920s, engineers began researching digital radio in the early 1980s. According to independent electrical retailer Homevision UK, the development of digital radio was headed by the British Broadcasting Corporation. They made their first digital broadcast in 1995. The service has been growing steadily in popularity and, in August 2010, a total of 12 million digital radio receivers have been sold.
Significance
Digital radio is part of a wider campaign to switch media transmissions from analog to digital signals. In the UK, television signals are also being changed to digital, and the BBC now has five radio stations that are exclusive to digital listeners. Since the inception of DAB digital radio, DAB+ has also been introduced. This form of digital radio allows better broadcasting quality at lower bit rates than standard DAB digital radio.
Geography
As of 2010, 30 countries around the world use digital radio transmissions, including the UK, Canada, China and Australia. Other countries are testing the system, while some don't use it at all. In the UK, the digital signal covers 85 percent of the country. Due to the way information is sent in packets to digital radio transmitters (instead of through radio waves like normal analog radios), transmitters can provide large areas with uninterrupted digital signal, improving the coverage in mountainous or remote terrain.
Benefits
Digital radio offers many benefits over analog radio. It provides a better sound quality and is not affected by interference from buildings or bad weather. Digital radio receivers also display relevant information for listeners, such as the station being listened to and the title of the song playing. As the information packets used to transmit digital stations take up less space than analog radio signals, broadcasters can send out multiple signals on the same frequency. This reduces costs for service providers and gives consumers a wider choice of stations.
Potential
In some countries, digital is replacing analog as a new method of service transmission. In 2012, analog television signals will be turned off in the UK, leaving viewers reliant on digital television. More countries around the world are showing interest in the system and, with the introduction of DAB+ digital radio, there is potential for a higher-quality, more efficient service. Although the UK digital switchover is expensive, using a digital service will save broadcasters money in the long term.
Tags: analog radio, digital radio, also being, analog digital, around world
