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| DAB
("original flavour") |
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| DAB+ |
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| Radio Numérique Terrestre - DMB-Radio |
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| DMB TV |
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| Band III |
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| L-band |
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United Kingdom
Digital Radio
The UK is the world's most successful and longest-established market in DAB receivers. Currently all broadcasting uses the "original flavour" DAB standard. All broadcasting takes place in VHF Band III and is likely to remain that way. Some test transmissions have taken place in L-band but these have now ceased.
Given the number of receivers already in use, a wholesale migration to DAB+ does not seem likely any time soon. Nevertheless applicants for some of the most recent local DAB multiplexes to be advertised proposed to provide a service of Podcasts for download and it was proposed that these would use DAB+. If you want to future-proof your purchase, then you should consider a radio that will receive DAB+. However, the most important question to ask yourself is "Will I want to take my DAB radio abroad with me?" If your answer to this question is "yes" then you should definitely consider a DAB+ receiver, otherwise it may not work in some countries.
If that weren't enough to consider, France has chosen DMB-A for its digital radio services, which Wohnort understands will be marketed as "DMB Radio". Radios for this variant are not widely available at the moment, even in France, as the services have not been launched yet. Therefore if you go to France regularly and would like a receiver you can be sure will work there, it might be best to wait until some DMB-A receivers reach the marketplace. If you only require a receiver that will in this country right now, then a Band III classic "original flavour" DAB receiver will work for you.
Radios that only receive "original flavour" DAB are commonplace in the UK stores. DAB+ receivers are hard to find and even harder to identify. digicomparison's DAB+ Receivers page lists those models that are available in the UK, and also lists those models that have been made in special versions for the UK that will NOT receive DAB+.
Digital Television
 
Like DAB, the UK has a mature market in digital television receivers. DVB-T is used for terrestrial broadcasting, DVB-S for satellite. Two recent variants of these standards are beginning to be introduced: DVB-T2 and DVB-S2. These are able to squeeze more data into a transmission and are there more suitable for high-definition broadcasting. One of the UK television multiplexes is being re-engineered for DVB-T2 after switch-over and will be used for terrestrial HD broadcasts. Receivers for this began to appear in 2010.
The UK has two instantly-recognisable brands to assist in the selection and purchase of a suitable receiver. Freeview for terrestrial. Freesat for satellite television. Neither requires a subscription. If you buy the appropriately-branded receiver for your choice of terrestrial or satellite, you can be confident that it will work in the UK.
Sky is the UK's pay-TV provider for satellite television. To receive their broadcasts, which are encrypted, and to make use of Sky's proprietary Electronic Programme Guide, a "Sky Digibox" is required. Receivers are available from retailers who can also arrange the installation of a dish and enroll you for a subscription scheme of your choice.
Because these receivers are so widely available and easily identifiable, digicomparison will concentrate on receivers designed to be used with computers. These USB stick devices have the advantage of being portable and convenient to use when travelling abroad.
USB Sticks for DVB
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When comparing internet retailers, remember to include the cost of delivery in your calculations.
Retailers with low headline prices can often have higher delivery charges. Comparison websites usually list the lowest headline price first, but the best deal may be lower down the list.
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I'd be grateful to receive additional information and corrections.
carey@wohnort.org
© 2010 wohnort media
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