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Digital radio "doesn't get perfect reception"

By Hani Megerisi

Posted on 31 Mar 2010 at 11:04

The UK's advertising watchdog has swatted away claims that digital radio is interference-free.

The offending advert, which was produced by the The Digital Radio Development Bureau (DRDB), claimed that analogue signals suffered from bad interference and the service faded out in certain areas. The ad featured a voice being continuously cut-off by crackling interference, stating digital radio provides “crisp” and “clear” sound in comparison.

Three complaints were lodged with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), claiming the ad was misleading because digital radio also suffers from interruptions.

We considered that the claim gave the misleading impression that listeners would never experience any interruption to a (digital) signal when that was not the case

The DRDB refuted the claims, stating that “a digital radio was not subject to the background hiss and interference that might be audible with an analogue radio.” It also claimed that digital radio wasn't subject to interference from pirate stations, as pirates couldn't afford the costly equipment required for digital broadcasts.

However, the group conceded that digital radio also suffered from coverage blackspots, with some areas of the country unable to receive certain stations.

The ASA upheld the complaints on the grounds that digital signals could drop out “whilst travelling… [and] when entering a built-up area or walking between tall buildings”.

“We considered that the claim [made in the ad] gave the misleading impression that listeners would never experience any interruption to a [digital] signal when that was not the case,” the ASA adjudication read.

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User comments

DAB has poor reception

I have a small non-portable DAB radio at home that plugs into my hi-fi. Sometimes during the day I recieve excellent recption. However, at other times the signal just completely dissapears. It almost always happens around 6-8pm, and randomly at other times of the day too. So anyone who claims that DAB doesn't suffer from atmospheric related problems (rather than ones caused by the receiver itself moving) is dreaming.

By richardcrawshaw on 31 Mar 2010

I've really enjoyed using my portable digital radio, and the signal at my house seems good. However, when on the move (say when using it in the car) the signal is rubbish - presumably radios made specifically for cars are able to handle this? It also eats AA batteries, although with rechargables this is less of a problem.

By piphil on 31 Mar 2010

Digita TV isn't perfect either

I think we've been sold a pup.

By Lacrobat on 31 Mar 2010

I'm unable to receive radio 1 on my DAB and I live just outside Belfast!

FM it's perfect.

By a_byrne22 on 31 Mar 2010

surely we can all agree

Radio 3's wonderful wide dynamic range sounds a million times better in analogue. Like the demise of CRT TVs and vinyl HI-FI, digital takes us a step forward in convenience and 2 steps back in sound/picture quality. I'm not happy.

By gavmeister on 31 Mar 2010

DAB receivers vary

Some seem to be really sensitive, others less so. Of my various DAB sets, the best at sucking a signal from just about anywhere is a Pure Move. Worst? It's a toss up between a Roberts MP23 and a Pure Highway. And of course the latter is designed for in-car use.

By PaulOckenden on 31 Mar 2010

Digital radio "doesn't get perfect reception"

Simply another of those evidenced-based statements which make you wonder why the UK is being railroaded into DAB-only transmissions...

By JohnGray7581 on 31 Mar 2010

Depends on how you use it!

I have a DAB radio in the upstairs of the house. Reception with the provided aerial was OK most of the time, but short peeps and longer burbles were commonplace. Connecting an external aerial (a simple dipole in the loft) made a hell of a difference. Now the reception is 5 & 9 (+ 40)!

By BornOnTheCusp on 31 Mar 2010

DAB Reception

DAB reception is patchy in my house. An external aerial fixed that for my main radio and I can now receive Edinburgh and Ayrshire multiplexes as well as the Glasgow multiplex I am supposed to receive. I notice my portable radio suffers from burbling when the microwave is switched on.

By Art_Garfunkel on 1 Apr 2010

dab

bring back analogue signals all is forgiven

By shady on 1 Apr 2010

Digitisation will always lose audio detail

As with all A-D and then D-A converters, each step results in sampling and averaging, which throws away the full range of the orginal analogue sound. Just compare mp3 files created at 48 and 256 kps. Human ears deserve better than this.

By MJHeld on 1 Apr 2010

Poor Reception

Well, I'm still waiting for Worcestershire to get a signal at all (the contract was awarded almost 3 years ago!). When I have used DAB, it has been good at times, though somewhat difference in tone balance to good FM transmissions. The problem is, if you move the signal breaks up - with analogue, you could still hear the program albeit with more inteference, but you knew what was going on still. Anyone want to buy a Sony DAB radio? I'm sticking to good old FM!

By Thompson9100 on 2 Apr 2010

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