What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks
DAB Radio - an expensive white elephant?
Re a recent query re DAB radio - at the moment I would advise people do nothing.
DAB will most likely prove a white elephant, overtaken by internet radio. But whether that happens or not the DAB infrastructure is so far behind making an FM switch off possible (try listening to DAB in Northumberland for example) that FM switch off is at least a decade away IF it ever happens.
There hasn't been an official pronouncement on DAB for a long time and I suspect it will remain quiet. So my advice to people re DAB in cars would be forget about it - you'll be changing cars again before any problems arise with FM. And re quality a decent FM signal is often better technically than a reduced power DAB (and much DAB is reduced power - frequently now the best signal you can get for quality radio at home is on the internet and this will only improve further).
Regards from the best county for driving in England (but you know that).
DAB will most likely prove a white elephant, overtaken by internet radio. But whether that happens or not the DAB infrastructure is so far behind making an FM switch off possible (try listening to DAB in Northumberland for example) that FM switch off is at least a decade away IF it ever happens.
There hasn't been an official pronouncement on DAB for a long time and I suspect it will remain quiet. So my advice to people re DAB in cars would be forget about it - you'll be changing cars again before any problems arise with FM. And re quality a decent FM signal is often better technically than a reduced power DAB (and much DAB is reduced power - frequently now the best signal you can get for quality radio at home is on the internet and this will only improve further).
Regards from the best county for driving in England (but you know that).
Asked on 15 November 2012 by momagic
Answered by
Honest John
DAB works in my F30 320d in South Northumberland. Needed it to listen to the Grand Prix reports on Radio 5 which is terrible on MW. Actually, since I switched over to DAB in the car I've had no trouble at all. But still take your point. There are two DAB systems and Britain still seems to be adopting the wrong one.
Tags:
technical issues
dab radio
Looking for a garage you can trust? Honest John's Good Garage Guide has thousands of reader recommended garages, plus how-to guides and tips on servicing.
The Good Garage GuideSimilar questions
The digital radio has stopped working on my Hyundai i10 (2019 model). What should I do?
I see that you are testing the Renault Kadjar as a long term test car. Have you had the same problems as me or is your press car specially prepared? The alarm constantly goes off and the DAB radio loses...
I bought a 2013 MINI Countryman auto from a dealer. The car drives fine, but the DAB radio stops working whenever I turn on the rear heated screen. Is the dealer liable for fixing this?
Elsewhere on 
.jpg)
