User guide

6
02
What is Digital Radio?
DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) is the next generation of radio.
DAB was developed in Europe by a consortium of broadcasters and manufacturers.
DAB uses digital compression techniques to transform the source material, i.e. music
and speech, into digital code before it is transmitted. The code consists of electronic
‘ones and zeros’ called binary digits or bits. The binary code is then multiplexed or
grouped together to create a superior signal, when compared with the older analogue
system, with the following key benefits:
Near CD quality sound.
Because DAB is binary coded, the receiving equipment is only expecting to receive a
series of ones and zeros, so any other interference is ignored, resulting in very high
quality audio.
Interference free reception.
Analogue systems suffer from an effect called ‘multipath distortion’. This is caused
because waves do not behave in an orderly fashion, but bounce and reflect off
buildings etc. DAB sees this as an advantage and uses the direct and reflected signals
to actually reinforce the end result.
No need to re-tune.
A single DAB frequency can be used to cover the whole of the UK, so solving many of
the problems experienced with the earlier analogue system. DAB can automatically
tune-in all of the available stations in your area.