What is the future for radio?

[sp1214]

I heard recently that DAB digital radio has not met expectations and is likely to be consigned to the scrap heap. What is the alternative now analog is being phased out?

[Postdog]

Anologue isn't being phased out. Unlike TV, there is no planned wind down. DAB simply enabled more stations to exist and the ability to listen to some outside their usual geographic area.

[zinnie]

The reality is that DAB offfers no real advantage over the established FM ....so why would people scrap their existing sets. Like many people I thought that when the 'great digital switchover' comes in 3 years it included radio ...but it does not !!!! ...FM is expected to last at least another 10 maybe 15 years. ...also ,I also thought that DAB offered better sound quality than FM , but it does not. !!! is it any wonder that it is dying.

[Bigeye74]

The codec governs the sound quality in DAB. This can only get better as time roles by.

[ACtheTROLL]

I doubt that "propper" radio will be replaced any time soon

everyone talks about quality .... but can you actually hear the difference? I doubt that few over the age of twenty can

I know I'm heading rapidly towards "old git" status ....
but it seems that much of the yoof tunez I hear can only be replicated accurately by using the boot of a ford escort as a woofer

I've always had good hearing ... and I actually prefer the "warmth" that a little background gives.
just like a poster printed in only primary colours.... digital sound sounds "sterile" (to me).

if it weren't for radio7 I doubt I'd bother

for me the only chance of replacement will be streamed audio transmitted to internet players via a blanket WiFi

but only if the battery lasts more than 20 minutes ... the receiver is small enough to carry without a shoulder strap
and the price comes down to under �15 (which is what my last tranny cost)

[zinnie]

Hi 'AC the TROLL' ......being 'an old git' myself I appreciate every thing you said ...and if you are a Radio7 listener(personaly I am not ..but have friends that are) then I can see a benefit to DAB .......but to 'the great british public' I don't see the benefit .....and if there is no audience then there is no advertising ..and no money no stations. Yes, there will always be local public stations, but they are already there and I can't see them investing in new technology with no benefit (although as 'Bigeye74' says new codecs are emerging)....Yes,of course 'in time ' it will change ...but not for a good few years yet

[sp1214]

Thanks for the replies. I have learnt something new today.

[Bigeye74]

Its all about channel bandwidth. DAB is very efficient when it comes to squeezing more channels into a set bandwidth. As bandwidth equals money DAB rules the waves. I like the kind of colour vinyl adds but i don't own the airwaves.