DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting):
Have you heard? Digital Radio Is On a Roll - Major Developments Announced at CAB
Convention
TORONTO, Nov. 16 /CNW/ - If you were to sum up the future of digital
radio, or "DAB", you might say that the numbers look extremely promising.
These days, DAB is on a roll, with more and more proponents believing that
Digital Audio Broadcasting will make dollars and sense.
A consortium of all major commercial and non-commercial broadcasters is
forging ahead under the name Digital Radio Roll Out Inc. At the Canadian
Association of Broadcasters Annual Convention in Calgary (Nov. 12-14), Calgary
stations began a test broadcast in the new format which promises to replace AM
and FM over the next decade. With current market coverage including Vancouver,
Toronto, Windsor, and Montreal, DAB is now available to over 35% of Canadians,
establishing this country as a world leader in the field. Talk at the
conference has indicated that Ottawa is next in line to be added to the market
list, with Rogers leading the way. Steve Edwards, Vice President of Corporate
Engineering & technology for Rogers Media, stated that "as part of our ongoing
commitment to DAB, an Ottawa launch is our next priority. We've started
technical planning. Our on air target is next year's CAB convention with
approximately 17 Ottawa area stations participating".
Both audio receiver manufacturers (e.g. Pioneer, Arcam) and auto
manufacturers (e.g. General Motors) were in attendance, speaking in extremely
positive terms about the future of DAB. A roundtable discussion highlighted
the host of new revenue opportunities that will be afforded to broadcasters by
the new technology.
A major new web site, www.digitalradio.ca was launched at the CAB
convention. It promises to serve as the central hub linking all DAB stations
in the country. Consumers will be treated to technology updates, new product
information and dealer locations, exclusive artist profiles, contests, a
monthly e-zine, and comprehensive links to their favourite DAB radio stations.
DAB has numerous advantages over both current analogue transmission and
the more recent audio streaming via the world wide web. "Digital" offers both
outstanding CD quality sound and portability. It will lead to host of data
display services for the consumer including song credits, traffic and weather
information, advertising supplements, and a good deal more. All the while the
listener is treated to interference-free reception. DAB's "point to multi-
point" capabilities serve to illustrate the Web's "point to point" limitations
and afford digital radio stations the opportunity to play to a much wider
audience. |
