First Multichip to Include DRM+

Siano Mobile Silicon, the Israeli supplier of mobile broadcast DTV solutions, has announced the launch of a new receiver chip designed exclusively for automotive and mobile consumer electronics applications. Similar to previous Siano chip solutions, the SMS4470 combines an RF tuner with a channel decoding processor, uniquely optimised for automotive and mobile devices. In addition to supporting DVB-T2 technology, the chip supports DVB-T and ISDB-T. Further, the SMS4470 supports a range of digital radio formats, including DAB+, DRM+, and the legacy FM radio. 

Read more at Advanced Television

Broadband Access Now for 3 of 4 European Households

Internet access and use is widespread amongst the EU population. 79% of the households had access to the internet in 2013 and 76% had a broadband internet connection, compared with 55% and 42% respectively in 2007. For most individuals in the EU28, using the internet has become a regular activity, with 62% of individuals using it every day or almost every day and a further 10% at least once a week. On the other hand, 21% of individuals reported in 2013 that they have never used the internet, compared with 37% in 2007. 

Digital Radio Chip For Multiple Radio Standards

New chip will include both DAB and DRM

Frontier Silicon in London has announced details of Chorus 4, its next generation digital radio chip. Chorus 4 is a single-chip solution, which integrates four previously separate chips to deliver significant cost and energy consumption savings. The chip is designed to encourage the continued advance of digital radio around the world by supporting all major global digital radio standards. 

DAB contributes to the decline of UK radio industry

After ten years British radio expert rejects DAB - again

In 2004, Grant Goddard wrote his first article predicting that the UK's implementation of DAB digital radio was headed for failure:  It was not guesswork. I had analysed radio industry data since 1980. I had worked at The Radio Authority when it implemented DAB. I had worked in Ofcom's radio division. I had seen DAB from inside and outside the regulator and the commercial radio industry. Only five years after its launch, the available evidence demonstrated that DAB was headed for disaster in the UK.

FM and Internet Might Kill DAB in Germany

Strong position for FM radio, only to be challenged by Internet radio.
DAB radio marginalized in Germany.

A report presented by the media authorities shows that analogue FM transmission still dominates some 90 years after the introduction of radio and 20 years after the start of digital radio. 94 per cent of German households not only have FM reception at their disposal but also own an average 3.5 receivers. The chance of a radio service to reach an audience is many times higher for FM than for any other mode of transmission.

British Government: No Date for FM Switch-Off

Digital radio switch-over: Minister reveals measures to aid broadcasters

The radio industry will have to wait for digital switch-over after communications minister Ed Vaizey said today that much had to be done before broadcasters could contemplate following television into an all-digital future.

As expected, Vaizey did not announce a switch-over date, with digital take-up slower than expected, accounting for just over a third of all radio listening.