All posts by Richard
Below are all of Richard's postings, with the most recent are at the bottom of the page.Incidentally, I would point out to folks: how are you meant to listen to internet radio during a power-cut?? Or broadband outage?? Not easy, is it?? Also, where is the internet feed for the radio coming from?? From your broadband provider?? But what if it's one that has usage capped, or a download limit?? Or if you're unfortunate to have a long telephone line?? Or one of those awful, aluminium-jointed efforts in Milton Keynes....
DAB is simply a better, and analogous technology to traditional/FM radio. It uses a live, over-the-air broadcast, not over the internet. This means you can power it with batteries, take it outside for a picnic etc. Many people can't seem to appreciate this.
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Actually, assuming that the local commercial DAB operators that won licences 3 - 4 years ago ran into financial problems, or liquidation, would Ofcom just be able to re-tender the licence, as if it was an fm station?? Or would it need to launch a £multi-million consultation, ask the minister for a statement, launch a public inquiry lasting for 4 years, etc...
So, you can already see that, despite the BBC making an economic case to put local radio on DAB, this has only been successful in areas that have already launched. Areas that have yet to launch aren't experiencing local radio, and look unlikely to, anytime soon.
If the BBC are bringing coverage to an area for the first time, would it not be prudent to launch with a temporary line-up, including local radio, until the bureaucratic stages have been resolved??
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It would've been nice if proposals such as this had been foreseen a bit earlier. Then they could've been integrated into the switchover retuning process.
The switchover process itself has turned out quite messy some areas (think Waltham - 4 retunes/late COM power boost; Sandy Heath - 5 retunes etc. etc.). Then again, it has also been quite a drawn-out process - which means that some retunes have to be carried out just to free-up the next lot fo frequencies.
How long ago was switchover planned?? And what are the risks to STB's that are being talked about??
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Briantist: On that basis alone, MuxCo have failed!!
Closer inspection of the website shows they have some plans to launch in 2011. We shall see.
And yes, I know phones often have radio receivers built-in, so does mine. I'm just pointing out to the naysayers that DAB is more of a robust, mainstream delivery system than internet radio (only good if you're tied to a desk/table).
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R
BBC DAB now on air in Kingsbridge, Devon and Helston, CornwallSaturday 5 February 2011 2:03PM
Peterborough
Briantist: Thanks for the mini-DAB recommendation!! And the link to the BBC Project Mayflower report.
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Joe: Yes, I agree, having internet radio is an excellent alternative in cases such as yours - or where the broadcast power isn't strong enough. But I think a lot of people are just trying to write off DAB wholesale, without considering the benefits it brings.
Yes, the bitrate isn't what it once was, but if we're honest, you're not really listening for CD-quality music or news if you're in the car, or travelling or something. Functionality is more important.
But at least your local BBC station has actually lanuched on DAB - even if you can't receive it!! Mine hasn't yet (as I said above).
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R
Karen Murphy scores against the Premier League and Sky | Free sMonday 7 February 2011 2:04AM
Peterborough
You mean £20/month for sports (all-in) surely??
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Excellent news!! This wouldn't have anything to do with any planned commercial launches (for BBC local radio) would it?? Or is it just the BBC national ensemble??
What I had in mind was this:
If the BBC have a planned launch, and site in mind, and there's a commercial operator with the same site and plans, it'd make sense to enable both on the same date, surely?? (PE68EJ)
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What I would like to know is:
- why hasn't COM7 launched from Sutton Coldfield at the same time as the other transmitters??
- when might we expect other main transmitters to launch?? 'Sometime in 2014' translates as 'might as well be next Christmas.
Fortunately, I can receive Belmont, so all is well. But Waltham is not available...
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Saturday 5 February 2011 6:08AM
Peterborough
Briantist: Have you heard any news about MuxCo and their 'planned' DAB launches?? Apart from the occasional update of the website, they just seem to have died. The news is very sparse, other than a snippet to say, they were unable to launch in any of the areas they had been awarded licences, due to 'remapping', as mandated by the Digital Economy Act.
Frankly, I don't honestly believe they will launch their services. It's been 3 years since the licensing process commenced, and nearly 2 since BBC Lincs. was meant to have gone live on DAB (as part of the MuxCo ensemble).