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DRM brings digital radio to the world but there is room for more than one digital standard in the world. This is a fact that should be encouraged and nurtured rather than be fought from a narrow, short-term and selfish perspective.
The complementary nature of DRM and DRM+ to DAB and DAB+ is obvious and there are many broadcasters and manufacturers that are thinking and planning in this way (have you checked the number of multi-standard chips, now more of the norm than single-standard?)And it is not only about manufacturers.There is no contradiction in the fact that my employer, the BBC, has been instrumental in the introduction of DAB domestically and is supporting DRM activities and broadcasting. This is a truly platform-neutral, inclusive, international and long-term position which we share and pride ourselves on.
Whether we like it or not it is true that the economics of wide area coverage are very much in favour of DRM technology. Broadcast Australia operate two DRM sites for ABC for exactly the reason that it is more efficient than a large multiplex, which was the author's correct point. Whilst the use of DAB+ is ideal for Australia’s main capital cities due to the high population density, it is probably inappropriate for the regional and remote Australia which contains the 40 % of the population. DRM allows a single local transmitter to carry local programming rather than the cost of a DAB+ multiplex where there is few other broadcasters to share costs. Also the coverage area can be considerably larger than DAB+ can ever hope to achieve.
Also there is no reason to underestimate the Indian DRM roll-out plans that will bring DRM to about 70% of its 1.2 billion population, while, even when finally concluded, the FM introduction will give access to FM to about 50% of the population.
Broadcasting is about technology but mainly content and, of course, lsiteners and receivers. But even when DAB+ was introduced in Australia, there were not more than 1,000 types of receivers to choose from...
Multi-standard receivers that offer listeners more audio choice, data, video, interactivity, emergency warning are what we all wish for. These features are not unique to one standard, are certainly available on DRM receivers, and will eventually give digital radio the edge. This is what we need to focus on, encourage and inform ourselves on. And for that I commend the effort of Fairlie Hamilton.
Ruxandra Obreja
DRM Consortium Chairman www.drm.org