What's Hot in DAB! - Email Newsletter N.17

What's Hot in DAB!

The World DAB Forum Newsletter N.17 - November 2002 _________________________________ -------------------------------------------Contents: RETAIL NEWS WORLDDAB GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRODUCT NEWS WORLD NEWS MANUFACTURERS' NEWS TECHNOLOGY NEWS JOINT DRDB/IMDR VISIT TO HONG KONG AND KOREA FURTHER NEWS Retail News Ford becomes the first automotive manufacturer to make the latest in car digital radio technology available for its vehicles from January 1, 2003. The Blaupunkt Woodstock DAB 52 digital radio will be offered as a dealer-fit accessory. Dave Challis, Aftermarket Retailing Manager for Ford says: "The sound quality and programming capabilities of in-car digital radio are simply stunning. Each Ford dealer will have a DAB digital radio unit so that motorists can try before they buy." Ford's commitment to DAB Digital Radio is further demonstrated by its membership in the MXR consortium. MXR operates regional DAB multiplexes in the UK reaching a potential 13 million people. For more information, please contact Dave Challis at mailto:dchallis@ford.com. Top ____________________________________ WorldDAB General Assembly
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The 8th General Assembly meeting of the WorldDAB Forum was held in Copenhagen on October 10th and 11th in partnership with the Danmarks Radio Digital Radio launch. More news coming soon! Top ____________________________________ Product News Goodmans: Mass market manufacturer Goodmans has announced the world's first mass-market DAB Digital Radio product range. The first two products launch in the UK in November, with more to come in the New Year. The GPS280 is a personal stereo with AM/FM/DAB and CD. It is both mains and battery operated making it the first truly portable DAB receiver to be commercially available and is priced at around 129 GBP. Also available in November is the GCD200 ACTIVE, a personal CD player that delivers AM/FM and DAB. This product comes with a pair of tiny speakers and also operates via headphones for mobile listening. It is priced at around 159 GBP. Early in 2003, Goodmans will add to their DAB range with an in-car product and a tuner. For further information, please contact Michelle Monckton on: 832 or via Email: oncktonm@albaplc.co.uk. Alternatively, please visit the website: http://www.goodmansdigital.co.uk , or see the press release at http://www. worlddab.org/pressreleases/Goodmans-Launch-oct02.pdf Top ____________________________________ World News Canada: On November 4, RadioShack Canada Ltd becomes the first major retail chain in Canada to carry a full line of DAB Digital Radio products for the home and portable markets. DAB will feature in 250 RadioShack stores around the country with products available immediately including the hand-held PersTel DR101 at $299 (Cdn)
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and the DR201 at $399 (Cdn). Coming soon is the DAB PCI card from Modular Technology. Digital Radio Roll-Out Inc, the Canadian DAB marketing board, has put together a demonstration DVD that will be on display at stores around the country. A travelling DAB demonstration show will also be staged at high traffic malls in Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and Windsor. For further information on DAB Developments in Canada, please contact Duff Roman at mailto: duffr@chumlimited.com. Top _____________________________________ Manufacturers News ELANsat: Taiwanese OEM manufacturer, ELANsat has made further DAB announcements this month following the launch of two new stand alone and portable OEM DAB products in September. In late November, ELANsat has a new DAB module coming to market, combining base band and RF circuits and capable of receiving both analogue and DAB digital radio. The module can also be connected to a computer's USB for data application. For further information, please contact Vivian Lai at ELANsat Technologies Inc. mailto:vivian@elansat.com GyroSignal: Following the announcement of the Gyro-1111 DAB receiver module in July, GyroSignal, an OEM manufacturer based in Taiwan, now launches the Gyro 1112 module, designed to fulfil the fast increasing demands on the DAB datacasting markets. This new module offers plug and play convenient installation on PC Windows based systems while providing high quality digital sound, as well as wireless data receiving capabilities. For further information, please contact Allen Tseng at mailto: allen_tseng@gyrosignal.com , +Top __________________________________________ Technology News

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Frontier Silicon, makers of SoC (system-on-chip) devices and RF baseband modules have announced the launch of the world's first super-integrated singlechip digital TV and DAB digital radio solution. The new chip is called Logie and will enable a new generation of highly integrated, flexible and cost effective digital consumer electronics products. It is anticipated that Logie will be incorporated into products such as low cost digital TV set-top boxes allowing users to receive digital terrestrial television and DAB digital radio, as well as products offering any combination of digital entertainment technology in a single box, such as DTT, analogue TV, DAB digital radio, DVD, and Digital Home Cinema Audio. For further information please contact Sarah Tobin at mailto:sarah. tobin@frontier-silicon.com EPG launches: Three leading UK media companies have agreed to launch the world's first DAB digital radio Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) network. Capital Radio Group, UBC Media Group and Chrysalis Radio will launch the EPG in London and on regional multiplexes around the UK. It will carry all Capital and Chrysalis Radio services. Future Capital Digital and MXR multiplexes will also carry the service. The potential audience at launch is over 22.5 million. Listeners to Capital Radio and Chrysalis Radio's DAB digital stations can access exclusive text, graphical and interactive programme-related content directly from any EPG-enabled DAB digital receiver. The EPG also provides a schedule of future programmes, enabling listeners to quickly and easily listen to or record their favourite shows. Software upgrades for a number of existing PCbased DAB receivers will be available free of charge, and portable EPG-capable devices are expected from 2003. For further information please contact Giacomo Shimmings at mailto:giacomo. shimmings@unique.com If you know of a DAB Digital Radio Electronic Programme Guide either currently operating or testing outside the UK, please contact the WorldDAB Project Office, at mailto:cooper@worlddab.org Top _________________________________________
Joint DRDB/IMDR Visit to Hong Kong and Korea
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Representatives from the DRDB, Digital One and the German DAB industry body, the IMDR, visited the Far East for the Korean Electronics Show and the Hong Kong electronics show in October. Interest in DAB digital broadcasting is high in the Far East and the team identified a total of 15 companies manufacturing equipment, with six of these being new to the market. These are largely in addition to the ten manufacturers already in the UK market this quarter. Low cost volume manufacturers in China in particular see DAB as an opportunity to make more technical equipment with higher margins. The team met with seven companies in Korea and seventeen in Hong Kong in order to determine the status and issues facing manufacturers of DAB receivers. For more information on this event, Klaus Schindewolf at the IMDR mailto: schindewolf@zvei.org +49 (0)69 6302-249 or Nick Flaherty at the DRDB, mailto:nick@drdb.org +44 (0) 2635 Top _________________________________________ Further News ICM Analytics and Coleago Consulting are proposing a scenario planning study for the world-wide DAB community. The study will, among other things, capture recent developments in the international DAB sector; capture impacting developments in other digital media area; develop three or four possible scenarios for DABs development to the year 2012; develop scenario-based, multiple DAB forecasts for different country markets. The company is offering World DAB Forum members a 10% discount on participation in this study. Please contact Birgit Neunert at mailto:birgit. neunert@icmanalytics.com for more information.

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What's Hot in DAB!

The World DAB Forum Newsletter N.12 - May 2002 _________________________________ -------------------------------------------Contents: SWEDISH STUDY COMPLETED TURKEY BACK ON AIR NEWS FROM GERMANY - Niedersachsen - Car & Sound Show PRODUCT NEWS - Videologic - Kiiro - Blaupunkt - Modular Technologies WORLDDAB TECHNICAL WORKSHOP- Update SINGAPORE DAB CONFERENCE SWEDISH STUDY COMPLETED Special adviser to the Swedish Ministry of Culture, Henrik Selin, has submitted his initial report on DAB digital radio in Sweden. This is the first in-depth study of DAB digital radio in Sweden. Mr Selin's report accepts that a terrestrial system of DAB via Eureka 147 is likely to be the main distribution platform in Sweden. The report identifies the problems inherent in the roll out of DAB, some of which are distinctive to Sweden while others are endemic to DAB across Europe. One such problem is the fact that digital radio in Sweden is limited to the public broadcaster. Commercial and community radio both need and wish to be involved but are restricted by a lack of legislation serving the private sector. Another problem perceived by Mr Selin is the absence of a harmonised framework in the EU for analogue switch off. But, as in the rest of the world, Mr Selin sees the main problem for DAB in Sweden as a lack of receivers at reasonable prices. He believes that small countries, like Sweden, are low on the agenda for manufacturers when it comes to launching receivers on a large scale. A Parliamentary Committee will look at adapting existing legislation to address issues such as frequency allocation, licensing, distribution coverage and additional services. A WorldDAB delegation will meet with the new commission on June 12. The full report can be accessed by visiting the following URL: http://www.kultur.regeringen.se/propositionermm/sou/pdf/sou2002_38a.pdf. There is an English summary on pages 13-18 in Section A.
Top ____________________________________ TURKEY BACK ON AIR The Turkish Radio-TelevisionCorporation (TRT) has launched Eureka 147 test transmissions in the capital, Ankara following the approval of regulatory procedures for frequency allocation. Serving a potential audience of approximately 2 million people, TRT is currently broadcasting two stations on the Ankara multiplex. These are Radio 3, a classical music station, and Radio 2 playing popular Turkish music. There are plans to transmit Programme Associated Data to support these stations. http://www.worlddab.org/dabworld/dabworld_frame.htm Top _____________________________________ NEWS FROM GERMANY - Niedersachsen The German state of Niedersachsen is proposing a package of financial support for DAB aimed at extending the services on offer. The State feels that the simultaneous transmission of existing stations on DAB is not an attractive enough proposition to prompt consumers to take up digital radio. The NLM would like to see the development of new programming, along with accompanying data services all of which would be exclusive to the digital medium. The proposition is that commercial stations should co-operate to produce a joint programme, with the NLM providing financial support for the technical distribution of the services. To keep up-to-date with the latest DAB news in Germany please visit the IMDR (Digital Radio Marketing Initiative) web site at http://www.digitalradio.de - Car & Sound Show, Germany At the end of April, Europe's biggest mobile technology show was held at Sinsheim, Germany. Manufacturers of in-car DAB digital radios were out in force to demonstrate their latest products. The Blaupunkt Woodstock DAB52, the world's first in-car radio with DAB and MP3 was on display (see below). Grundig plans to launch its new Allixx series DAB player in the Autumn and dealers and consumers were treated to a preview at the show. Also on display were receivers from Kenwood and Pioneer. Along with the various manufacturers, broadcaster Digital Radio Southwest was on hand to explain the benefits of DAB to visitors to the show. DRS currently serves 75% of the Baden-Wuerttemberg area and there are at least 23 radio stations available digitally in the region. To visit the Car & Sound official web site see: http://www.schall-

messen.de/messenSinsheim/carsound/indexe.html Or read the full press release in German: http://www.worlddab.org/pressreleases/digitalradio_22april2002ger.pdf Top -------------PANASONIC SHOW GSM+DAB DEVICE Panasonic were at the 3GSM Cannes Event in February showing early prototypes of a fully integrated GSM+DAB platform to selected potential customers, including broadcasters, network operators and content providers. The units were also shown in private to potential customers during the CeBIT show in Hannover in March. The prototypes are based on Panasonic's high volume GD35 GSM+WAP mobile phone, upgraded with dual-band DAB receiver, rewind and audio/data storage capabilities and a fully integrated user interface. Panasonic say that work is progressing well on addressing the many technical issues that inevitably result from such an advanced platform. Panasonic stress that it has made no commitment to produce this or any variant as a commercial product, however initial feedback is very positive and they will be continuing to invest in developing this and other value-added DAB platforms throughout 2002. Top -------------PRODUCT NEWS - VideoLogic VideoLogic, demonstrated a new personal digital radio design at CeBIT. The tiny, pocket-sized device uses Frontier Silicon's Chorus FS1010 chip designed by Imagination Technologies. It delivers DAB radio reception using two AA sized batteries and is likely to be the first pocket DAB unit to go into full production. For the full press release please visit: http://www.worlddab.org/news/news_frame.htm or http://www.videologic.co.uk/Releases/Release.asp?ID=171 - Kiiro A new player in the DAB digital radio field, Kiiro has brought out the Kiiro Radi 622, an FM/AM/DAB digital radio hi-fi tuner. With a fully featured infrared remote control to set and recall its 30 DAB and 30 FM/AM station presets, the Radi 622 has an RDI optical port for future expansion, analogue audio and digital coaxial audio output. The tuner is available online from Kiiro [http://www.kiiro.co.uk ] and at independent hi-fi stores priced at 560 EUR.
- Blaupunkt Bosch reports shipping its new Woodstock 52DAB in-car receiver to the UK at the end of April. It's the first in-car unit to combine the benefits of digital radio with MP3 technology. In the UK, the Woodstock will retail for around 640 EUR. Stocks have also been shipped to Germany, Belgium Italy and Denmark, and Bosch plans further shipments to Greece, France and Singapore. For more information on the Woodstock product please visit the Receiver Archive on the WorldDAB Web Site: http://www.worlddab.org/rarchive/rarch_frame.htm - Modular Technologies A new PCI card from Modular Technologies, is expected in the UK market from early summer. Priced at around 160 EUR, the DAB card uses a Texas Instruments chip and RadioScape software. It provides full programme information via an EPG system, displays programme associated data, allows timed recordings and storage as MPEG2 files or in MP3 format for download to MP3 players. Modular Technologies plan to market the card in the UK and around the world, probably beginning in Canada and Scandinavia. For more information on the PCI Card and other Modular Technology products please visit their web site on http://www.modulartech.com or directly to http://www.digitalradio.tv Top _____________________________________ For Information WORLDDAB TECHNICAL WORKSHOP The WorldDAB Technical Workshop in Zurich on May 23 and 24 is fully subscribed and registration for this event is now closed. Top _____________________________________ SINGAPORE DAB CONFERENCE BroadcastAsia 2002 is in Singapore June 17 - 21. For a programme update and registration details for the DAB conference - Seizing Sound Business Opportunities Now!, held as part of BroadcastAsia 2002, go to http://www.asiadab.org/asiadab_conf.htm Top _____________________________________ ENDS