In article , Serge Auckland
wrote:


At the time DAB was first put into service, and even within the first
year when take-up of receivers was exceedingly small, they had an
opportunity to change to MP3, but chose not to. Also, the choice of 48k
sampling was a mistake with hindsight, as sampling at a lower rate would
create less data, and therefore there is less data to reduce, with a
better sounding result.

I think we need to distinguish between data and information here. :-)

My impression/understanding is that the actual amount of information
content for most music tends, statistically, to be relatively low once you
go above around 10-15kHz. One that basis I am not sure that dropping from a
48ks/s to 32ks/s rate would have much effect on the amount of actual
spectral *information* to remove/keep.

My understanding at present is that the BBC tend to use 48ks/s as their
standard rate for music recordings/broadcasts, etc. (At least for radio.)
On that basis it may make sense to avoid any unnecessary rate conversions
if they can.

Sampling at 32kHz would have resulted in the same bandwidth as FM, and
have improved the DAB audio quality to match or even exceed FM.

Can you provide any actual evidence to support the above? It is an
interesting hypothesis, but I have no data on it, and am not at all sure it
is correct. so I'd be interested to see any work that sheds light on it.

[snip]

However, we mustn't lose sight of the fact that in the UK, DAB has been
a success, driven by all the new services that are available on DAB
only. In the rest of Europe, DAB has been struggling, even has failed,
as they kept the quality up, but then didn't have the capacity for new
services. Joe Public can't see the benefit of DAB just to received the
same services as on FM, so receiver sales have been lamentable. No
receivers, no possibility of additional revenue.

As I understand it, in France DAB is ready for a resurgence, but only
after Broadcasters have seen the success of the UK model, lots of new
services at, for the public at least, acceptable quality.

I have mixed feelings about the above. :-)

I have been canvassing/observing the views of some people who have no
particular interest in 'hi fi' as I've become curious about this. It does
seem to be the case that people buy DAB radios, etc, for the 'extra
stations' it offers them, and the convenience of the 'easier tuning' for
things like portable radios.

If this was what the BBC had in mind to help drive the take-up of DAB, then
it may be that their strategy is correct in those terms - despite those of
us with an interest in 'audio' regretting the levels of data reduction
involved.

FWIW I also bought a DAB 'adaptor' primarily for the World Service and
BBC7.

A year or so ago, I would have said that I'd seen no real signs of DAB
really becoming popular. However more recently, I have had the impression
that the number of people buying and using DAB recievers is growing
significantly. Not seen any reliable statistics on this, though. Anyone
know of any that are up-to-date?

Slainte,

Jim

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