In article , Keith G
writes

Hookay, pursuivant to the recent thread about Freeview digiboxes, I've now
got the Sagem (that PJO *made* me buy! :-) all nicely hooked up so that we
can view and record 'digital' simultaneously, rip to disc and do gawd knows
what else (but *not* set timed recordings from more than one digital channel
in the same session....!!).

(Gotta say it while I'm on, I thoroughly recommend these little buggers at
the knock-down price - ugly as sin but quick and zippy to use with good
onscreen graphics and perfectly acceptable 'digital' picture and sound
quality!)

One of the dubious benefits with Freeview is you get a number of Radio
stations included (like they're not oiling us up for the FM switchoff!)

Now, entirely disregarding my 'personal preferences' (otherwise we'll have
Rudi reaching for his squirrel gun, but I'll give you a clue - right now
I've got FM mono going through a pair of vintage Yank valve monoblocs and
it's so damn mellow I can slow the traffic down outside by 30%, just by
opening a window...) I've got a flurry of questions:


Anyone know when the FM switchoff is likely to be (sorry if this is already
well-known by everyone else)?

Yep!, a bloody long time yet. Nothing moves fast in broadcast circles
look at AM Long and Medium wave been around since Marconi was a lad:-))
FM I expect won't disappear for another 20 years or so, in the meantime
they will have realised just how backward and limited the current DAB
system is, and will have started something better..

I've got it bypassed, but how long does it take to bugger up the screen on a
valve (CRT) telly with a fixed 'radio station' logo?

Not too long if its on all the time but you could see if there is a
facility for blanking the screen.

Conversely, will routing the digibox through a DVDR (which needs to be
switched on) for hours at a time do any harm to said DVDR? (Heat, laser or
summat?)

Anybody know a two click way of getting the audio only (up to 6 hours
worth!) off a DVD-RAM disk to HD/CDRW?

When FM is switched off will there be any independent/pirate FM
broadcasters?

You bet!..

Does Jazz FM *ever* broadcast actual Jazz?

Sometimes late at night and Sunday PM. Apart form that Helen Mayhew is
worth listening too for her voice alone, but not quite in the Charlotte
Green (BBC R4) class:-))

Do the Freeview bitrates compare favourably with DAB broadcasts?

Yes much better in general read all about it here on Steve Greens
website..

http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/

Is 'digital radio' really *radio* at all or is it just TV with a very boring
picture?

Its the radio services...

Is that right 'digital radio' will also broadcast pictures.... ?? (getting
*really* confused now!)

Well no one knows for certain but not likely at the current bitrate
bandwidth allocations!....

If they broadcast pictures with the radio will they be wanting a TV licence
fee paid...???

Dunno..

Will they/do they use any form of 'copy protection' with digital radio
(other than the DJ or presenter gabbling over the end of the music, like
they do...)?

No..

And probably a dozen other things at a later date......!


(Questions like these need to be asked. - Enquiring minds need to know!)

Yep. Don't bother with a DAB tuner, I've flogged mine off, get freeview
or Sky even, bitrates are higher but for audio quality FM from NICAM
transmitter feeds still sounds more accurate. Providing it hasn't been
compressed to hell..
--
Tony Sayer