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DIGITAL RADIO GUIDE TERRESTRIAL TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS - DAB
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Figure 4.3: Conceptual diagram of the outer coder and interleaver
For generic audio coding, a subset of the MPEG-4 High Efficiency Advanced Audio
Coding v2 (HE AAC v2) toolbox - chosen to best suit the DAB system environment
- is used. Some additional tool specifications have been applied to optimise
performance for the broadcast environment of DAB digital radio.
More details can be found on the WorldDAB websites at www.worldDAB.com
.
4.2.7 Types of Receivers
A selection of DAB digital radios has been on the market since 1999 in models for the
home, the car and the PC. Handheld radios also entered the market in 2003 with
competitively priced models for radio listeners on the move. Stations can also be
accessed using a PC equipped with a suitable receiver/decoder card.
Availability of DAB digital radios varies from country to country where DAB is available.
Department stores, independent retailers, supermarkets and multiples in most major
cities in the UK carry a wide range of receivers representing a mature retailer market
scenario. In the UK there are nearly 150 products in the market rising to around 200
products by the end of 2005. In Germany, Belgium, Nordic countries and Singapore, DAB
is becoming available via specialist stores, independent retailers and some department
stores in small quantities, and in Italy through manufacturers’ catalogues. In Spain and
France, receivers can be ordered and delivered on demand.
Prices of digital radios were high at first, but as with most new technologies, over time,
prices have fallen dramatically. Receiver prices vary from country to country, so it is
impractical to present specific price points within this guide. However, DAB digital radios
can now be found retailing from €60. A price guide is available from the WorldDAB
Project Office, on request, on the WorldDAB website, www.worlddab.org/dabprod.aspx.
Models delivering additional features have also been developed, with rewind, pause,
record functionality and Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) already integrated in some
models.