DAB radio

[jackcrompton]

I have two DAB radio sets, purchased in the UK. I am interested to know how widespread DAB is in France. I know that I won't be able to pick up any English radio stations, but there is plenty of good stuff on French radio. Anybody with any experience?

Thanks.

Jack

[Martin963]

This has been covered before,  but in essence DAB has not taken

off in France and there was talk of it being switched off soon. 

It only covered the very big towns like Paris/Nantes/Marseille.

In addition it uses the L band (1500 MHz approx) unlike the UK which

uses Band 3 (around 220 MHz).   Very very few UK sets are L

band capable (although a few are). 

If you want lots of French radio use Fm or (better) satellite (Astra 1 or Hotbird)

[jackcrompton]

Disappointing - but thanks!

Jack

[Martin963]

In some ways it is disappointing;  however the failure of DAB in

France allows them to start afresh with the new technologies and coding

systems that are now available.

The UK is saddled with technology that - whilst revolutionary at the

time - is now looking very dated.   Witness the fact that

more and more stations are broadcasting in mono on DAB - yes you read

that right - MONO - because the lack of spectrum capacity and the

inefficient coding means that to add stations you have to cut bit rates

for the ones already broadcating.

It's very unfortunate that the UK will now suffer for some years with

this situation (as existing DAB radios cannot be upgraded to the new

coding available) and no-one is going to be happy if they're told that

their existing DAB radio will stop working to make way for the "new"

radio system.....

[Ford Anglia]

A bit like governemnt telling everyone they'll have to have new TVs then?

[Martin963]

Well at least with the digital switch over on TV situation you can buy

an adaptor so that legacy equipment still functions.  It's the

prospect of completely binning DAB radios that is going to make for an

interesting marketing challenge in the next few years. 

[Catalpa]

Absolutely fascinating. Thanks for that info. I've never been an early adopter if I'm paying with my money - only if someone else (company) was paying. With DAB, we moved to France anyway so it never became relevant.