This often-rehearsed question resurfaces periodically, as radio is facing an uphill struggle against the digital giants ready to grab the dashboard. Hybrid radio is presented as a survival solution on the move, as cars remain a key driver of audio listening.
The term, meaning many things to many people, is very fashionable just now, a bit like “digital,” “convergence” and the “multimedia” mantras of some years back.
Hybrid radio is a mixture of analog radio and digital broadcast sources, like streaming, or a mash between digital radio (mainly of the local variety) and IP-served radio services.
The current orthodoxy goes that, unless good old-fashioned radio or audio also gets all the “bells and whistles” offered by known digital companies and mimics the commercial streaming services provided by the Googles of this world, radio is doomed and will be eliminated from the automotive infotainment landscape.
[Read: Hybrid Described as Radio’s Best Chance]
In the U.S. car listening remains king and accounts for more than 50% of all radio listening. According to the recently unveiled annual 2021 Techsurvey Jacobs Media and Veritone, 58% of the 40,000 U.S. respondents listen to AM/FM radio in the car, 18% to satellite radio while personal music rates some 3%. Smartphones only come in second, after cars.
But more interesting are the ranked reasons for radio’s enduring attraction: easy to listen to, familiar hosts, available for free (i.e. no money), while almost half the listeners agreed that being local is radio’s primary advantage.
Hybrid radio definitely addresses the challenge of “easy to listen to”: press a button or voice-activate your car radio and you are in business. If you leave the coverage area, an IP stream will ensure you can continue to listen to your favorite station or presenter, provided the station stream can be accessed and coordinated with the over-the-air broadcast service.
Hybrid can also paper-over the transmission gaps if your car is fitted with an analog or digital local coverage standard which is sometimes unavailable in the targeted coverage area.
And there are other positive considerations, too. Linking terrestrial broadcasting with IP ensures continuity and enhanced service, personalized and visually rich. This is all enabled by the metadata (song title, branding labels, ads, etc.) that accompany the audio on the mobile broadband connection. Above all, hybrid offers the attractive possibility of a back channel. If the hybrid receiver had, or will have in the future, an extra button for notifications: information, ads, tickets etc., these could be sent directly to your phone or email.
The two-way connectivity is the one thing radio has not been able to offer easily until now. The other is offering reliable data about who is listening to what and for how long. This is less of interest to listeners and more to advertisers and broadcasters. It is also the most valuable and remunerative information hybrid radio could provide.
[Read: Audi AG Launches Hybrid Radio in U.S. and Canada]
The proponents of hybrid radio stress that all these attributes, plus the podcasting possibility, are essential for radio’s survival and relevance on the new and flashy dashboards securing its place in the unequal battle with the apps, satellite and Big Tech services.
There are though some big caveats and questions on hybrid radio:
Are stations prepared to foot the bill for the streaming fees linked to the smooth transitioning from terrestrial to IP, not to mention the possible copyright fees incurred while the streaming runs in the background ready to pounce only when terrestrial fails?
Are broadcasters ready to share the streaming URLs and metadata and to make them available to open platforms or commercial entities, be they big patent companies or even car manufacturers?
Is the provision of podcasting essential, considering that in the latest Techsurvey, 6 out of 10 U.S. radio listeners are not bothered by this hot product still not flying after 15 years, not to mention that podcasting does not enhance radio listening but possibly diminishes the radio listening time.
If hybrid radio is the way forward, is this a U.S. and developed world project and commercial venture? According to the information released on the United Nations World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (May 17) 3.7 billion people, almost half the world population, remain unconnected to the internet.
From my own DRM perspective, the simpler question is: why hook up with IP, using extra effort and costs, analog and digital radio, when at least one digital radio standard, DRM, fulfills and satisfies already many of the aspirations of hybrid? DRM already includes SPI and what RadioDNS offers. It can connect broadcast and online, benefits from Journaline to ensure rich services, interactivity and personalized content.
A DRM receiver, in car, on a cell or in the kitchen can carry useful information: logos, maps, pictures, weather, traffic, disaster alerts and education material, addresses and ads.
DRM broadcasters can transmit on any analog frequency (AM or FM) up to three audio channels and one data channel, saving both energy, spectrum and money. One or two , or all three audio channels can be flexibly reassigned to data, so that less audio and more data is presented to users by easily programming the “four digital lanes” of DRM on one 96 kHz (FM) frequency or on an existing AM frequency. RSS feeds can be presented on DRM receivers without the need to publish and give somebody else your streaming URL and metadata information.
Does this mean that the big hybrid radio push will suddenly stop? Of course not, radio needs modern digital clothes, future proofing but also a reality check. Why reinvent the wheel when digital radio, DRM, has everything to benefit listeners and broadcasters?
If a camel is a horse designed by a committee, then hybrid is still a cute camel, not a horse yet.
MEDIUM WAVE BROADCASTS IN INDIA BY All India Radio
Indicative locations of MW DRM transmitters in India shown in map
In the list, the DRM frequency and the AM carrier is 9 kHz lower. Programme content of AM and one of the channels of DRM is the same.
Vividh Bharati Service is also known as VBS. Regional programme variants are indicated by city name after the network title.
Note : Operates in Pure DRM mode 1530-1630 hrs. (India Standard Time) every day except Sunday
Broadcasts will have local coverage during daylight hours but generally cover long distances during darkness.
for more details:https://www.drm.org/what-can-i-hear/broadcast-schedule-2/
1. Record The B'cast. It is possible to record and play back audio files to and from a USB memory stick. The function works for all modes (AM, FM and DRM) and will be stored on the USB stick under a directory named "grrec".
2.With the release of the v460 firmware it is possible to create DRM logs which can be plotted with the latest version of the DRM Log-Plotter.
GR-216 Technical data at a Glance
Frequency range, FM: 87.5 - 108.0 MHz
Frequency range, AM: 531 - 1620 kHz (522 - 1710 kHz with v421M)
Frequency range, SW: 2.3 - 26.1 MHz
Tuning step 50 kHz or 100 kHz
MW: 1 kHz or 9 (10) kHz
SW: 1 kHz or 5 kHz
Antenna FM & SW: Telescopic antenna
MW: Ferrite antenna
Active antennas on MW and SW
External Antenna sockets FM: BNC
AM & SW: BNC
Internal / External antenna switch.
Station memory slots: 60
DRM memory slots (VM): 200
Tuning system: Manual (rotary knob)
Auto-scan (Up / Down)
Preset buttons (VF)
DRM Memories (VM)
Tone controls Bass
Treble
Mid
Stereo reception: Headphones or Line Out connectors
Clock: 24 Hour clock, dual Alarm clock (radio or buzzer)
Sleep timer.
Display: Multi-function LCD.
Power supply, internal: 230V / 50 Hz AC
Power consumption Normal use: 13 Watt
Stand-by: 7 Watt
Power supply, external: 9 V DC
Power consumption Normal use: 5.6 Watt
Stand-by: 0.7 Watt
Loudspeaker 77 mm Ø
AF output power: 4 W
Measurements (without knobs): 240 mm (w)x 120 mm (h) x 150 mm (d)
Weight (total): 2155 g
Weight (230 V power supply): 705 g
Supplied accessories: 230 VAC power cord
230 VAC / 9 VDC power supply
User's manual
For more details:https://www.hobbyradio.se/en/drm/gospell_en.html
Digital Radio has capability to provide multiple services on single frequency. Now, we can select the available services which want to enjoy.Video shows how to tune digial radio in car.
Source : https://youtu.be/OEGZjpLWJxc
All India Radio updated the 2nd NXP Car Forum (on November 25th) by giving details about new transmitters, extended pure DRM transmissions, extra content and improved communication.
All India Radio is fully committed to DRM Digital Radio for all of India. AIR urged the Automotive Industry to make DRM available in all car models support and help promote the DRM migration while supporting all supporting all DRM features and bands and to start promoting DRM to customers in cooperation with AIR. “Together let’s convince the government to mandate DRM in cars”. More here
If COVID-19 has reset many parameters and changed our lives, some of the old assumptions have stayed strong.
One of these is that, despite the challenge from new platforms like internet streaming, expensive satellite and nebulous but undeniable 5G promises, terrestrial broadcasting still offers mobile reception that is both cost effective and reliable.
A recent study “Share of Ear” from Edison Research shows that listening in cars seems to be recovering after taking a hit during bleak pandemic summer months. And, at least in the United States, at home listening is now higher than pre-COVID 19. This reflects the work from home shift favored now by many companies.
Vital Services
For radio, there is more than this, however. At a recent ITU event for Africa the obvious but undeniable fact that radio reaches those parts that other newer technologies cannot was very evident.
Radio remains the most effective ways to deliver information and education in rural and remote areas, where information can educate and even save lives in emergency situations. Together with the growth of community radio, information and culture become more accessible to all.
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| Ruxandra Obreja |
ITU and African Telecommunication Union (ATU) had already planned to optimize the GE84 Plan (the ITU frequency plan) for African countries in 2018. The optimization GE84 Plan was intended not only to respond to the increasing demand in analog sound broadcasting, but also to enable and facilitate the introduction of digital radio in Band II (DRM).
Looking ahead to 2021, three frequency coordination meetings are slated to take place in order to get all 54 African administrations to adopt common technical criteria and conditions for mutual agreements. During these meetings they will also submit their frequency requirements, run compatibility analyses and mutually coordinate their stations.
Stay Competitive
Clearly, there is quite a bit of planning going on for analog — as well as for digital radio. It’s now accepted that analog radio needs to make a transition to digital broadcasting to allow radio to add new programming and features. This move will permit radio to stay competitive in the new digital entertainment and information age.
More generally, as we know, some countries and broadcasters have strongly supported the transition; others are taking a more cautious approach. And some have expressed little or no interest.
We have quite a few good examples of planning on the arduous road to digital. Pakistan has put in place a three-stage costed plan to go DRM on all frequencies. Indonesia is following suit by starting with the Band II and digital FM (DRM) and showing how the DRM can be used for the vital emergency warnings the population needs.
Germany is planning a pre-Christmas marketing campaign on all platforms to promote the already rolled out DAB+. This effort also comprises the training of employees in over 1500 stores, presumably in order to increase the sale of DAB+ receivers.
For digital radio beginners (administrations and broadcasters, manufacturers, retailers etc.) going from evaluating and potentially increasing the number of frequencies or available programs to infrastructure upgrades (in the case of DRM) is not so simple.
Act Strategically
The planning also includes, or at least should include, a content schedule for broadcasters to include on these new channels. All India Radio is currently increasing its time of pure DRM transmissions and is comprising popular music, news, and generally attractive and different content from its analog offering.
The broadcaster is also considering the allocation of the third of three programs that DRM makes possible on one current frequency, for education. And then all this activity must run in parallel with planning for receiver availability and campaigns coordination, similar to the above-mentioned one mentioned in Germany.
DRM maps out this intricate process in its latest DRM video “DRM from Broadcaster to Listener.”
The DRM video is an easy introduction to the benefit of the only all-band digital radio standard. Digital Radio Mondiale, accompanied by a clear explanation of how best to deliver local, regional national and international coverage. The steps that a country needs to consider are presented in a lively and easily understandable manner. The DRM video turns any digital radio novice into a DRM practitioner.
Source : https://youtu.be/V-DpTa5yU28
After the disruption caused by the pandemic, All India Radio (AIR) decided not only to restart transmissions in pure digital mode but also to expand DRM MW digital Radio services.
According to a recent decision of AIR, the stations with single DRM MW transmitters are to carry two digital audio channels in simulcast mode and three audio channels in pure digital mode with Journaline. All the DRM MW stations have been asked to carry out test transmission immediately, to ensure readiness and sustainability of the transmitters for regular transmission of DRM in pure and simulcast modes. This will be an opportunity to carry out field survey . In simulcast mode two digital audio channels and one Journaline (if feasible) is to be tested. In pure digital mode, three audio channels will be available with one Journaline (if feasible). Whether in simulcast or pure DRM the first channel will be News 24×7and second channel will be primary/main channel. In pure DRM the third channel will be the popular Vividh Bharati music programme.
It has further been decided that five major stations (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Rajkot), which have 2 MW DRM transmitters each, will operate one of these transmitters in pure Digital mode throughout the day.
Six more stations (Hyderabad, Vishakhapatnam, Jagdalpur, Bhawanipatna, Sambalpur and Jeypore), which have digital ready MW transmitters, have also been asked to test these transmitters for DRM digital transmissions. In fact test transmission in DRM has already started from Hyderabad and Vishakhapatnam is almost ready.
The recent DRM virtual showcase proved to be a real box of delights and new announcements demonstrating that the digital radio industry remains resilient and innovative even in pandemic times. “The best DRM IBC show with the lowest carbon footprint and best attendance” was one of the many feedbacks received. And there were lots of things to excite the over 100 participants from literally all over the world.
The highlights were grouped around some big themes like DRM in practice, extensively proven and used in the FM band; DRM and its possible major role in delivering educational content to large and remote areas in times when many students cannot attend face-to-face lessons; use of DRM in public signage which can be applied for both education, health and emergency announcements; a new and “live” way of monitoring on-air transmissions, which can be beneficial to both the engineers and the editorial staff of broadcasters.
[Read: Can Digital Radio Standards Coexist?]
While the all-band, open DRM standard is stable and well-established, technical improvements can always be implemented like the recent updating of the DRM system specification ETSI ES 201 980. Three improvements were announced by the DRM Technical Chair (BBC) and are to do with removal of some obsolete or unused modulation features and enhanced signaling when using emergency warnings. The changes, which are backwards-compatible, will make DRM’s implementation in chipsets and receivers more reliable, and add additional support for receiver text displays to be able to also support different scripts from around the world. We now know that the publication of the new ETSI version is expected early in 2021.
Around that time a DRM medium-wave pilot to be run by the BBC for the Middle East is also expected to start, as out of the 468 million people tuning to the BBC worldwide, we were told by the BBC representative that a quarter are still doing so on AM. And shortwave, a bit of a blast from the past for some, is not forgotten in places like Russia, China, and many other countries, as the demand for SW digital transmitters is quite healthy. As mentioned by the Ampegon representative the demand is mainly now for bigger capacity transmitters, above 25 kW going to 50 kW, able to cover wide areas with good analog and digital sound and delivering big energy savings. In its new factory Ampegon is working on satisfying these demands.
Improvements were also announced at the level of professional monitoring all these transmissions. So RFmondial announced the upgraded HTML5 GUI in its DRM/AM Monitoring and Measurement Receiver Family RF-SE and the possible software update of older versions. A new exciter version was also unveiled by the German company. Their German colleagues at Fraunhofer IIS also completed the picture with end-to-end implementations offering solutions (content server and multimedia player, data services like Journaline and Emergency Warning Functionality), services for supporting DRM field trials and rollout, as well as unique expertise.
But the DRM Showcase was not all about better hardware. It was also about technical innovation. And the one that elicited most of the questions was the extended DRM multiplex for FM, an idea that benefited from the input of Nautel and RFmondial engineers. This solution allows one analog FM transmission (200 kHz) and four DRM channels (two in each of the 200 kHz guard spaces as a DRM channel only occupies 100 kHz). Or if the whole 600 kHz are used in pure DRM then up to six DRM channels (each service with up to three audio and one data services) can be offered from the same transmitter, same antenna with possible sharing of costs among several broadcasters. The individual broadcasters remain in control of their transmissions without the involvement of third-parties.
As usual, participants were also interested in what is happening in the various countries about implementing DRM. While India remains the top DRM country (alongside China), the adoption of DRM in all bands by Pakistan and its public broadcaster (PBC) was one of the big surprises of the showcase. The comprehensive three-phase costed plan to introduce DRM in FM, and medium-wave, first, in all the key areas of the country has been endorsed and praised since the “DRM—Advanced Radio for All” by top Pakistani officials.
Indonesia and its public radio (RRI) representative also presented its five FM transmitters which went on air over the last few months and the excellent results of the Emergency Warning Functionality demonstrated on a DRM FM transmitter in Jakarta in August. The recent tender for digital DRM transmitters in SW, MW and FM in Brazil was welcome news and the expectation is now that a locally produced SW DRM transmitter will be soon transmitting from the key public broadcaster central site.
Africa always gets a mention though South Africa has really scored a first with its policy announced two months ago that it recommends both DRM and DAB as a way to digitize radio in the country; a true torch-bearer for other African countries so reliant on AM and FM radio.
Over 2.5 million of cars with DRM receivers are placing India in a class of its own. Receivers are fitted at no cost in cars from the top brands. Work is continuing to increase pure DRM hours for five All India Radio (AIR) transmitters to full day and diversify content. Possibilities are being explored to have an educational channel and invite also some private broadcasters to use the extra channels available through DRM on AIR transmitters. Six more medium-wave transmitters are to be added to the existing 35 MW DRM transmitters. One of these new batch of DRM transmitters using all the extra DRM features will be launched officially in Hyderabad very soon. The increase of the DRM presence and the general technical effort being made will stimulate the receiver production and availability.
And a good part of the DRM event was devoted to the development of receiver and receiver solutions. One trend we noticed was the extension of DRM reception to FM so that it can cover analog and AM as well as FM broadcasts. Most of the receiver manufacturers proudly announced the availability of attractive features like support for xHE-AAC codec, Journaline, Emergency Warnings. The receivers introduced in excellent videos like that of Avion (India) came in all shapes and forms; from the rich variety of Gospell (China) and its GR series and DRM car stereo, to the Indian multifunctional receivers and SDR-based solutions of Inntot (India). RF2 digital (Korea/Germany) also came up with an SDR receiver solution for analog and all DRM bands, being also a multistandard device. Cambridge Consultants (U.K.) is working on a very low-energy and low-cost solution. The same idea was embraced by Starwaves (Germany/Switzerland) which presented a “tuk-tuk” radio (stripped down but very functional). It also announced the world premiere of Starwaves W293BT receiver, available now upon orders.
So, DRM is making great strides technically, geographically and in coming up with ingenious receiver solutions. To encourage as many digital radio practitioners, stakeholders and decisionmakers to embrace and implement digital radio, DRM, the consortium launched on Sept. 9 its own new video, “DRM — From Broadcaster to Listener.”
Source :- https://www.radioworld.com/global/drm-advanced-radio-for-all
A new era begins for Brazilian radio broadcasting with the arrival and installation of a first shortwave digital radio DRM transmitter developed and manufactured in the city of Porto Alegre by BT Transmitters. The transmitter will be sited at the public broadcaster (EBC) Rodeador Park, near the capital Brasilia, to be connected to one of the huge HF antennas of EBC (National Amazon Radio is transmitted from there).
The equipment (a transmitter of 2.5 kW) will be tested on an experimental and scientific basis with the help of the University of Brasilia (UnB) and the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.
The National Radio of the Amazon broadcasts from Brasilia especially to the Northern, Amazonian region of Brazil. The signal will be also available in the neighbouring countries to the north of Brazil. This is primarily a domestic shortwave digital project aimed at the Amazon where about 7 million riverside and indigenous people live. They are far from any other means of communication as there is no mobile phone or internet coverage.
Rafael Diniz, the Chair of the DRM Brazilian Platform, thinks that: “Shortwave digital radio (DRM) for the Amazon region will ensure a new level of communication and information as Nacional’s programming is both popular and educational. It brings audio and much more at low energy cost to whole communities there. With the adoption of digital radio, one of the major problems, that of poor sound quality affecting at times shortwave, will end. Listeners will be able to enjoy DRM broadcasts in short wave with a quality similar to that of a local FM station together with textual and visual multimedia content.”
“This is a huge step forward, says Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Consortium Chair, “not just for Brazil but for the whole of Latin America. When everything else fails or does not exist, DRM will provide information, education, emergency warning and entertainment at reduced energy costs.”
Source :- https://www.drm.org/a-new-era-begins-for-brazilian-radio-broadcasting/
