Digital radio questions (flurry)
 

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)?

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?

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?

Does Jazz FM *ever* broadcast actual Jazz?

Do the Freeview bitrates compare favourably with DAB broadcasts?

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

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

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

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...)?

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


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

Digital radio questions (flurry)
 

more from the 'Keith G school' of uk.rec.audio-ism:


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!)

I think the gmnt is getting carried away selling after what they got for
the 3g phone licence.

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)?

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?

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?

That depends. Does the disk contain video, and you want the audio from
it, or is it a DVD-A disc? If it contains video you could rip as normal
and use virtual dub to extract the audio to a wav file. I know of better
ways, but I'm not familiar with much windows software.

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

Aren't the frequencies being sold with the TV ones?

God knows who they think is going to buy them, by then I'm sure
internet/bluetooth will be the prefered method of transmission. There
can't be many applications for low bandwidth signals that need a meter
long aerial to pick up and can barely be used indoors.

Does Jazz FM *ever* broadcast actual Jazz?

No, but BBC4 (tv) isn't bad.

Do the Freeview bitrates compare favourably with DAB broadcasts?

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

Well, I don't think there's an mpeg2 video stream in the same way as TV.
THe picture it shows has more in common with digital teletext than normal
tv.

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

Yes, IIRC, but not proper moving images like TV. It'll be a logo of the
station, still picture of the presenter or somthing.

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...)?

nah.

--
Jim H jh
@333
.org

Digital radio questions (flurry)
 

more from the 'Keith G school' of uk.rec.audio-ism:


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!)

I think the gmnt is getting carried away selling after what they got for
the 3g phone licence.

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)?

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?

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?

That depends. Does the disk contain video, and you want the audio from
it, or is it a DVD-A disc? If it contains video you could rip as normal
and use virtual dub to extract the audio to a wav file. I know of better
ways, but I'm not familiar with much windows software.

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

Aren't the frequencies being sold with the TV ones?

God knows who they think is going to buy them, by then I'm sure
internet/bluetooth will be the prefered method of transmission. There
can't be many applications for low bandwidth signals that need a meter
long aerial to pick up and can barely be used indoors.

Does Jazz FM *ever* broadcast actual Jazz?

No, but BBC4 (tv) isn't bad.

Do the Freeview bitrates compare favourably with DAB broadcasts?

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

Well, I don't think there's an mpeg2 video stream in the same way as TV.
THe picture it shows has more in common with digital teletext than normal
tv.

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

Yes, IIRC, but not proper moving images like TV. It'll be a logo of the
station, still picture of the presenter or somthing.

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...)?

nah.

--
Jim H jh
@333
.org

Digital radio questions (flurry)
 

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

Digital radio questions (flurry)
 

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

Digital radio questions (flurry)
 

Hi Keith!

"Keith G" wrote in message
...
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?

Why not route the audio to your hifi. Then you don't need to keep the TV
turned on.

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?)

I'm not an expert but I think the laser only operates during 'play'.

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

Use a computer with a DVD-RAM drive and a CD-RW (or DVD-RW) drive.

Do the Freeview bitrates compare favourably with DAB broadcasts?

They are better than DAB. The encoding method is also better than DAB.

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

As it's just a digital datastream, the question is academic.

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

I believe it's possible but it would probably mean a further reduction of
the already dire bitrates.

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

Since there are no DAB radios capable of displaying pictures at present,
this question cannot be answered. The politicians probably haven't even
thought about it yet. However, the WWW shows pictures but your computer is
not classified as a TV receiving device (unless it contains a TV tuner
card). So I would expect that DAB radios will not be classified as TV
recievers. I wouldn't put it past TV Licencing to try and argue otherwise
though :-(

Digital radio questions (flurry)
 

Hi Keith!

"Keith G" wrote in message
...
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?

Why not route the audio to your hifi. Then you don't need to keep the TV
turned on.

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?)

I'm not an expert but I think the laser only operates during 'play'.

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

Use a computer with a DVD-RAM drive and a CD-RW (or DVD-RW) drive.

Do the Freeview bitrates compare favourably with DAB broadcasts?

They are better than DAB. The encoding method is also better than DAB.

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

As it's just a digital datastream, the question is academic.

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

I believe it's possible but it would probably mean a further reduction of
the already dire bitrates.

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

Since there are no DAB radios capable of displaying pictures at present,
this question cannot be answered. The politicians probably haven't even
thought about it yet. However, the WWW shows pictures but your computer is
not classified as a TV receiving device (unless it contains a TV tuner
card). So I would expect that DAB radios will not be classified as TV
recievers. I wouldn't put it past TV Licencing to try and argue otherwise
though :-(

Digital radio questions (flurry)
 

In article , tony sayer

wrote:
In article , Keith G
writes


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,

I think I recall people arguing that general broadcasting would end on
MW/LW as the BBC FM radio transmissions spread across the UK. This was in
the days before stereo radio or commercial radio in the UK. MW/LW is still
in use, though... :-)


in the meantime they will have realised just how backward and limited
the current DAB system is, and will have started something better..

At present this seems to be 'Freeview'. :-) Although presumably something
'better' will come along in due course.

The above arguments may not save analogue TV, though, as the bandspace
may end being used for more/better Freeview services. I'd suspect this is
likely to happen before FM radio goes. getting rid of analogue TV may well
mean the current Freeview multiplexes can be upped in power without having
to worry about interference with analogue TV reception.


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.

Or us a digital o/p from the digibox and just switch the TV off when not
needed.

Slainte,

Jim

--
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Audio Misc http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/index.html
Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html
Barbirolli Soc. http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/JBSoc/JBSoc.html

Digital radio questions (flurry)
 

In article , tony sayer

wrote:
In article , Keith G
writes


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,

I think I recall people arguing that general broadcasting would end on
MW/LW as the BBC FM radio transmissions spread across the UK. This was in
the days before stereo radio or commercial radio in the UK. MW/LW is still
in use, though... :-)


in the meantime they will have realised just how backward and limited
the current DAB system is, and will have started something better..

At present this seems to be 'Freeview'. :-) Although presumably something
'better' will come along in due course.

The above arguments may not save analogue TV, though, as the bandspace
may end being used for more/better Freeview services. I'd suspect this is
likely to happen before FM radio goes. getting rid of analogue TV may well
mean the current Freeview multiplexes can be upped in power without having
to worry about interference with analogue TV reception.


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.

Or us a digital o/p from the digibox and just switch the TV off when not
needed.

Slainte,

Jim

--
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Audio Misc http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/index.html
Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html
Barbirolli Soc. http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/JBSoc/JBSoc.html

Digital radio questions (flurry)
 

In article , Jim H
wrote:
more from the 'Keith G school' of uk.rec.audio-ism:


Does Jazz FM *ever* broadcast actual Jazz?

No, but BBC4 (tv) isn't bad.

I'd agree with both parts of that. Never heard 'Jazz FM' until last week.
To me it sounds more like "Lift Muzak FM" :- Weird to call it "FM" on
Freeview unless they're saying it means "Freeview Multiplex"...

BBC4 tv I find quite impressive. Bit like BBC2 *used* to be... ;-

Slainte,

Jim

--
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Audio Misc http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/index.html
Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html
Barbirolli Soc. http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/JBSoc/JBSoc.html