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New DRM receivers presented

dhSeptember 19, 2005

At the IFA 2005 in Berlin, a new generation of receivers for digital radio broadcasts was presented to the public. Several manufacturers showed receivers capable of processing the most important digital radio standards.

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A lot of digital signals in the air: the display of a DRM receiver at the IFA.Image: Daniel Hierschler

It was the long-awaited moment for broadcasting stations transmitting programmes in the new DRM standard: for the first time ever, receivers were presented which, at competitive prices, are as versatile as the consumers expect them to be.

The new receivers work with DRM, DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) and FM including RDS (Radio Data System), as well as with long, medium and short wave transmissions. This is made possible with a special module developed and manufactured by the British technology firm RadioScape and the American chip-manufacturer Texas Instruments. In addition, the successor to the first ever compact DRM receiver Mayah 2010, a product of the manufacturer Himalayah was presented.

Spezialbilder Empfänger DRM Digital Radio Mondiale IFA 2005
Left: Visteon's DRM-capable car radio. Right: the prototype of a handheld by Fraunhofer IIS, showing multimedia data of a DRM transmissions. Bottom: the successor of Mayah 2010 by Himalayah.

Left: Visteon's DRM-capable car radio. Right: the prototype of a handheld by Fraunhofer IIS, showing multimedia data of a DRM transmissions. Bottom: the successor of Mayah 2010 by Himalayah.

At the receiver booth organised by the RTL Group, the new players on the DRM receiver field were present: Murphy Richards, Roberts and Sangean are manufacturers well-known already to the British market. Up to now, DAB receivers were in relatively high demand there, but with the new module, the receivers to be had so far can now be made capable to also receive DRM transmissions.

The modular construction of these receivers equals them to several DAB receivers, made manifest for example in a recording feature. Another advantage is the short time span between development and introduction to the market: the new receivers shown at the IFA are heading for the shops for Christmas 2005.

Spezialbild Empfänger DRM Digital Radio Mondiale IFA 2005
Left: a showcased receiver made by Murphy Richards - as yet, no details are known about features and functions. Right: receivers made by Roberts (above and below) and Sangean (below, the right one of two receivers of similar construction)

Left: a showcased receiver made by Murphy Richards - as yet, no details are known about features and functions. Right: receivers made by Roberts (above and below) and Sangean (below, the right one of two receivers of similar construction)

At the IFA, solutions were presented not only for in-house use, but also for radio reception "on the move". Car industry suppliers like Visteon and Panasonic presented DRM-capable car radios. It is, however, not yet clear when these receivers will be going to into mass-production.

A glimpse into the future was presented by the Fraunhofer Institut für Integrierte Schaltungen (Fraunhofer institute for integrated circuits): its DRM pocket computer works as a kind of satellite for a DRM-modified car radio. While the receiver offers listening pleasure, additional data services (e.g. the news texts from Deutsche Welle) are loaded onto the mini computer by way of short-distance-radio (Bluetooth, W-LAN), so that the "passenger can be kept informed" says Alexander Zink, head of project.

translated by Silke Bröker