When can I expect the price of digital radio receivers to come down

Asks Peter Smith

A. Prices are unlikely to fall for another two years - as the industry is still (relatively) in its infancy and although the BBC pioneered research and development into digital radio in the early 1990s (with its first digital broadcasts in 1995) most people are only now beginning to realise what digital radio is and that new equipment is needed to receive digital signals.

�

Add to this the fact that up until recently the same radio stations have been available in analogue format as in digital, so many people have seen little point in investing in new equipment to receive the same stations. And as with all things, increased demand will bring down production costs and only then will prices begin to fall on the high street.

�

Q. When will analogue radio be switched off

A. The government is yet to announce a date although some industry insiders believe it will not be until around 2020 - which gives you plenty of time to buy the new equipment and by then it will be a lot cheaper.

�

Q. What equipment will I need to receive digital radio

A. You will have to have a digital receiver to pick up digital signals (and most digital receivers will have an aerial attached) but once you've shelled out for this all your channels are free - you do not have to pay a connection or subscription fee as with digital TV. All digital receivers (or radios) should be DAB complaint. Different equipment is available for portable, home and in-car use.

�

Q. Where would I buy a digital receiver and what names should I look out for

A. You can now buy a digital receiver from any high street hi-fi retailer. Recommended product manufacturers include Arcam, Cymbol, Goodmans, Tag MacLaren, Sony, Technics and Videologic.

�

Q. How much would I have to pay for a digital receiver

A. It really depends on what time of machine you're after as prices vary for portable, home and in-car systems. But as a guideline the following prices are current (March 2002):

�

Portable digital (DAB) receivers

�

Videologic DRX-601EX

Retail price: �499

Videologic launched the first portable digital receiver in the UK in January 2002. It is a great looking radio - with a wood finish and aluminium dials (similar in looks to a trendy Roberts radio) and comes complete with remote control and phono inputs for CD or minidisk connections.

�

In home digital tuners/receivers

�

Technics ST-GT 1000

Retail price: �499

This is the cheapest digital home tuner on the market and comes with combined DAB/FM/AM reception and two rotary dials for selecting multiplexes and stations. It can be operated by remote control.

�

Arcam DT81

Retail price: �650

Arcam was one of the first manufacturers to launch a digital tuner in the UK, and the DT81 is a replacement for its earlier Alpha 10 model. It comes complete with remote control; dot matrix vacuum florescent display (VFD), which can display up to 20 characters (for the name of the station); and 16 presets for storing your favourite channels.

�

Sony STD777ES

Retail Price: �699

This receiver, available in brush gold only, is part of Sony's ES range of digital equipment and comes complete with remote control, 99 channel presets and combined DAB/FM/AM/LW reception.

�

Arcam DT26

Retail price: �999

This is the big brother to the DT81 and is very easy to use with a rotary selector, station presets, headphones and remote control.

�

Cymbol C DAB 1

Retail Price: �999

This is a really stylish looking radio (very sleek and compact) and comes complete with remote control, 20 character display and presets for storing your favourite stations.

�

Tag Maclaren Digital Audio Tuner

Retail price: �2300

This is probably the most expensive tuner you can buy - it is a high-end tuner complete with remote control and combined DAB/FM/AM/LW reception - and exquisite sound quality!

�

In-car digital receivers

�

Grundig 530 DAB Combined Unit

Retail Price: �299

This is cheap and easy to use and works with other Grundig digital products.

�

Blaupunkt D-Fire Boot Box

Retail Price: �299

The D-Fire can be connected to existing Blaupunkt products (including the Toronto RDM 128) to pick up digital signals.

�

JVC KT-DB1500

Retail Price: �599

This is a boot box that connects with a range of head units (14 in JVC's product range) and features a CD or cassette and full AM/FM tuning - plus 18 channel presets.

�

Clarion DAB947R

Retail Price: �799

This is combined boot box and head unit that has an easy to use and read dot matrix display screen and can be used in conjunction with a CD or minidisk changer.

�

If you have any other Internet & Technology related questions please click here

�

By Karen Anderson