The DRDB (Digital Radio Development Bureau) produces a monthly news bulletin designed to keep all those in the DAB digital radio chain informed and updated on the latest developments in the industry.
Product News
PersTel DR101: Korea based manufacturer, PersTel, has launched the world's smallest DAB digital radio measuring only 8.5cm x 7cm x 3.5cm. The DR101 has DAB and FM radio reception, while a second unit, the DR201 which is due out soon, adds an MP3 music player to the mix.
Both units are supplied with full accessories, including mains adaptor, stereo earpiece, carrying case and batteries. Battery life from the products is approximately 6 hours using 2 AA alkaline batteries. In areas of weak signal strength, it may be necessary to extend the telescopic antenna, but in most cases excellent reception is obtained with the antenna retracted.
The DR101 is available now in the UK (priced at £169) and Canada. The UK model delivers Band III DAB services, and can receive all DAB transmissions in the UK. PersTel plans to launch Dual-Band products for the European market early in 2003.
PersTel digital radio products use Texas Instruments chip technology.
For more information see the website www.perstel.co.uk
Grundig DigiBoy: Grundig has long had a presence in the in-car DAB market, but December sees the launch of a new portable digital radio. The DigiBoy is a battery operated DAB only portable radio priced at £99. It looks and feels like a tradition tranny measuring 220mm x 147mm x 28mm and weighing just 550 grams. It comes with an external mains adaptor for home listening, and batteries will deliver up to 10 hours continuous use. Like all DAB digital radios, the DigiBoy has a display screen for scrolling text and station selection, and this one also comes with time display functionality. The DigiBoy boasts a simple five button operation, stereo headphone output, and analogue line out. The Grundig DigiBoy will available from high street retailers across the UK from late December. JVC: JVC has announced the launch of its new in-car DAB Box, the KT-DB1000. The updated DAB tuner unit features higher performance and better reception. It is compatible with many existing JVC head units and retails for around £200.
Facts and Figures
- People who buy an EVOKE-1 DAB digital radio often come back for more. One on-line retailer reports that 14% of its customers who've taken delivery of an EVOKE have re-ordered a second unit.
- Sales data for August and September show the EVOKE-1 to be the top selling DAB product in its launch month, while the Blaupunkt Woodstock DAB52 tuner was the best selling in-car digital radio for the period.
The BBC launches its newest digital radio network, BBC 7, on Sunday, December 15. The fifth and final national DAB station from the BBC is a mix of the best in BBC comedy, drama and books, as well as brand new daily live kids' radio. BBC7 will broadcast 18 hours a day from 7am to 1am.
To celebrate the launch of BBC 7, the BBC is asking radio listeners to cast their votes for the greatest comic of all time. Everyone who votes for the winning comic will enter a draw to win a digital radio.
Marketing News
The DRDB's new radio promotional campaign launched November 18 on national and regional analogue stations across the UK.
Top recording artists including Paul Young, Blak Twang, John Otway, Tim Deluxe and Liberty X talk about their latest musical works in a series of 60 second, documentary style interviews. With the premise that only DAB Digital Radio can do justice to the works of music's best, the promotion concludes, "When so much goes into making the music, shouldn't you get the most out of it? DAB Digital Radio."
The campaign runs for five weeks and will carry a generic promotion for DAB digital radio receivers from £99, along with a drive to a new consumer website from the DRDB and a consumer information line (see below)
Entries to the DRDB's retailer incentive competition have started coming in. £500 will be given away to one retail staff member at the end of November, with more cash prizes on offer in December, January, February and March. The big prize at the end of March is a Ford Puma car. All retailers have to do to enter, is to sell a DAB digital radio.
The DRDB's consumer information line is now up and running. Those interested in finding out more about digital radio can call 08707 747474.
The DRDB's new consumer website goes live in early December. Its unique station finder allows consumers to type in a post code and bring up a complete list of all commercial and BBC stations available to them, with a coding system to indicate strength of reception, a description and a URL link to each station.
www.digitalradionow.com is a non-techy, fun and friendly site with Digital Station of the Week and Digital DJ features, plus a full list of all products, prices and retailers, as well as regular competitions, news and updates on the expanding world of DAB digital radio.
Technology
Frontier Silicon, makers of SoC devices and RF baseband modules has announced the launch of the world's first super-integrated single-chip digital TV and DAB digital radio solution. The new chip is called Logie and will enable a new generation of highly integrated, flexible and cost effective digital consumer electronics products.
It is anticipated that Logie will be incorporated into products such as low cost digital TV set-top boxes allowing users to receive digital terrestrial television and DAB digital radio, as well as products offering any combination of digital entertainment technology in a single box, such as DTT, analogue TV, DAB digital radio, DVD, and Digital Home Cinema Audio.
In-Car News
Ford has become the first automotive manufacturer to make available the latest in-car digital radio technology for its vehicles.
From January, 2003, Ford will offer the Blaupunkt Woodstock DAB 52 digital radio as a dealer-fitted accessory in all its UK model cars. Many Ford dealers around the country will have a DAB digital radio unit available for motorists to try before they buy.
Later, Ford intends to offer the Woodstock DAB 52 as a Europe wide option
Multiplex News
- The Radio Authority is to add a new local multiplex licence to its current programme of digital radio development. The Authority intends to advertise a local multiplex licence for Cambridge in May 2003.
- MXR, the digital consortium comprising Chrysalis, Capital Radio, GMG, UBC Digital, Soul Media and Ford Motors, has added to its digital radio portfolio by winning the licence for the Yorkshire region.
The Digital Radio Development Bureau is funded and supported by BBC, Digital One, EMAP Digital Radio, CE Digital, MXR, Capital Digital and Now-Digital. The DRDB's task is to ensure digital radio's wide accessibility and swift adoption in the UK with consistent and effective marketing.
If you have any news you would like included in the next DRDB news bulletin, please email mandy@drdb.org
If you do not wish to receive future copies of this news bulletin please email mandy@drdb.org
Mandy Green
Press and Publicity Manager
DRDB
The Radiocentre
77 Shaftesbury Avenue
London W1D 5DU
020 7306 2636
07973 184995