Reviews related to : DAB Radios
DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) radio offers a better quality of service for those living within range of the new system. Where reception is good, DAB squeezes many more channels into the same area of the radio spectrum, and includes 'information' with the audio - allowing named stations to be located and, depending on the channel, information about programming. Some DAB radios provide facilities previously pioneered with HDD video recorders such as the ability to 'pause' a live broadcast.
In a few years time analogue channels will be phased out and DAB will be the only broadcast alternative. This will of course lead to a blip in environmental damage as millions of analogue radios become obsolete. Unlike analogue TV, there will be no option for a DAB receiver to plug into you analogue set!
This is a DAB/FM radio that comes in chrome and looks rather like a toaster. Not simply looks like a toaster but the brand is more famous for kitchen equipment like toasters.
The DualIt Lite DAB radio is 22x16x8cm, it can be run either from batteries or mains. It has a 66cm six piece rod aerial that folds out from an indentation in the top that looks exactly like the hole that you would insert bread in.
This is a top quality DAB radio, it also allows you to play CD’s using a lot loading drive. Various colours are available, mine was shiny black but most things can be done using the 32 key remote control.
The Tangent Cinque DAB radio is 23x21x12.5cm, as stated mine was shiny black that will normally show all the fingermarks but once in place you really only need to touch it to insert or remove CD's and as that is a slot loader not really even then. It looks magnificent with the black mirror finish. The rear has the various connections and an eight piece (67cm) rod aerial.
If you add Podcasts and FM radio then the title above just about covers the abilities of this, the first of – that I know – a new breed of dual radio that can cover such a wide band of features, this is the Revo Blik.
It is a maximum of 25x12x6cm, mine was white, but they also do black. The rear has a six section 55cm rod aerial, jack sockets for output to stereo speakers. A 3.5mm earbud socket and input for the power socket, the only other socket is on the right side 'Mport' that allows inputs from other sources such as an MP3 player. The centre of the front has a 6.5x2cm three line display, white on black. When in standby this will show time and date.
Using Pure Highway turns your car stereo into a DAB radio, until now there have been very few DAB car radios and this unit from Pure makes it available without spending a fortune.
In the box is a lead to go to your cigar lighter to provide the power. A rather flimsy aerial to attach to the inside of the windscreen, a bracket (much like those for Sat Nav systems) to fit the unit into, an optional line out lead and of course the DAB radio module. It is 12x7x2.5cm. When you first apply power it tunes so you need to have connected the aerial first.
It has been a while since I last took a look at a DAB radio. A new model from PURE Digital was my re-introduction to the technology.
Like numerous other devices that I have seen recently, those delivering DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) radio facilities are now adopting a multifunction approach to tempt users into making a purchase. One example of this trend to broaden the scope of a DAB device is that seen with the Chronos product from PURE Digital. This piece of kit brings together iPod dock functionality with standard DAB radio facilities in a product entitled PURE Chronos iDock.
This is not just another DAB radio. It is small and neat and for good measure it can record onto SD card, not just at the time of playing but up to around 30 minutes after playing.
It is 16.5cm tall and 10cm wide and deep. Mine was black but I know they also do white should that be more suitable for your colour scheme. It has a seven piece (55cm) rod aerial. On first switch on you need to make sure that the aerial is extended and then press the scan button, mine found 51 DAB stations in around a minute. The controls are six push buttons and a large wheel whose job changes dependant on which button you press.
Despite the traditional DAB shape this unit has a few surprises inside. The sound quality is excellent and it is extremely easy to use. In fact all in all it’s a very nice DAB radio.
Yes there was an earlier Tempus offering and it's shape and size very like others by Pure but certain features are new. It is 21x12x17cm. These are the maximum sizes the latter the height goes to the top of the snooze handle, the middle figure is from the front of the volume and tuning knobs to the rear of the power lead. My unit was in a light cherry (looking more like teak to me) wood. The right half of the front has a two line display 6x1.
Until recently DAB (Digital Auto Broadcast) radio has been something of a niche technology. Dab radios
have offered little advantage over their analogue forebears other than limited battery life,
often poor reception and higher prices. A lot has changed in the last year with DAB radio
going mainstream.
Pure Chronos II
The government want us ultimately to use digital radio services. Why? Well as with most things
government it really comes down to money. If they can persuade us to 'go digital' they
can sell off the frequencies traditionally used for radio services to the highest bidder.
This DAB radio (also has FM) is the same wedge shape and size as the recently reviewed Siesta, there are of course differences the first of which is the colouring it looks a silver grey great for a bedroom.
First the all important dimensions these are of course maximum 19x17x6cm, the 19cm width is only 3cm at the rear. Under the unit is where the power adapter enters and where the aerial wire exits. The power lead is an adequate 1.8metres, the aerial lead is a barely adequate 60cm.
Roberts Revival RD50 - DAB Style in Stainless Steel
Published in Entertainment
by petew
on Nov 22, 2007
If it's classic styling you're looking for - a DAB radio that'll looks as good as it sounds
and that can comfortably take pride of place in your home then Roberts may have something for you.
The 'Revival' range has been around for a little while from Roberts in various finishes. This
limited edition version takes style to a new level. When you take it out of the packaging
the first thing you notice is the weight - at around 1.5Kg (3lb) without batteries this is
probably the heaviest DAB radio I've seen.
One of the better names for a DAB radio as especially if you are listening to cool music you would often come near to laying back for exactly it’s name.
It is black in colour, 17x14x5cm although those the maximum dimensions with only the centre rear being 14cm as it curves quite sharply each side. There are twelve silvered buttons on the top with the speaker mounted behind them. Should you prefer to listen via earbuds there is a 3.5mm socket on the top. The front has a 6x2.5cm three line display. The top line being twice the size of the other two.
For those that like DAB radio and looking for something more comparable in size to a classic portable analogue FM radio may like
to take a look at this product from Intempo.
The Intempo TRS-01 is available in five colours : black, violet, claret, grey and blue - in a compact 205x38x105 mm (WxDxH) package weighing only 40g (excluding batteries). The unit is delivered with a mains 6V 800mA rats-lead power supply and can also be powered by battery. All the controls except volume are provided on the front surface - which also includes an illuminated LCD display. Reception is via a 60cm, six element telescopic aerial.
We're now half way through energy saving week and are taking a look at a DAB radio with
extended battery life. For anyone that's tried running DAB radios on battery know exactly
how power hungry they can be - so any improvement is to be welcomed.
The is a stereo DAB and FM radio with an output power of 3W in total.
The FM portion benefits from RDS (Radio Data System) which will identify your FM station
for you rather than have to guess. Sound quality is very good as we've come to expect
from Roberts products. Unusually the unit comes with separate bass and treble controls,
which can enhance listenning is various surroundings.
This is a DAB/FM stereo radio, an alarm clock and it also has a CD player. It has a creamy white rubberised material covering the front and top.
Certainly not a tiny unit and perhaps not the easiest to move around. It is mains operated and has a wire aerial that in some cases I found was not really that great. It is 19cm deep, 15.5cm wide and 15cm tall, while it is not that heavy there are no hand holds so you need to hold it in the palm of your hand, still it's not designed to be moved.
With not only the better reception but also certain radio stations only available on DAB now could be a great time to purchase a DAB radio, here one with a retro feel.
On first glance this looks like a Bush radio I owned very many years ago however do not let that turn you away from what it has to offer. To begin with it is stereo where a lot of DAB offerings only have a single internal speaker. It is a mains/battery offering and is 31x10x20cm to the top of the carrying handle. It has a 50cm five piece rod aerial.
If you've had enough of the 'retro' look that seems to be mandatory from many DAB radio manufacturers, and want an excellent, full feature DAB radio into the bargain then the Roberts Gemini 55 radio should definitely be on your short list.
The
is an all-in-one DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) radio, available in either glossy black or white depending on your preference.
Size is 27cm by 13cm, with a depth of 7cm and weighs in at around 1Kg. The unit comes complete with a mains adaptor. If you prefer to run from
battery then you'll need 6x'C' cells, which will add a reasonable amount to the weight.
A splashproof 'poolside' radio, although with the summer we've had so far the splash is more likely to be from up-above as everyone dashes indoors!
The unit is very well built - weighing an impressive 1Kg without batteries certainly gives a very solid feel to the product. Opening the box gives a couple of surprises. Firstly, although it can be powered from a 3V mains adaptor, no adaptor is in fact supplied. It is very clearly and seriously aimed at poolside use on battery power. Secondly the radio doesn't have built in batteries - instead it takes two 'D' sized cells.
This is a DAB/FM unit produced in conjunction with talkSPORT and I believe exclusively in Black. However don’t worry if your not a sport fanatic all other DAB and FM stations are available.
This can be used away from mains either with 6x'C' cell batteries or the Pure ChargePAK that once installed will be automatically charged while run from mains, in previous tests I got around ten hours of use between charges using one. The dimensions of the are 21x14x6cm and it weights around 1.2kilos with batteries. The left half of the front is a speaker grill the speaker behind it is around 6cm round.
This is a small DAB/FM radio with clock. Has this new offering from Alba anything new to offer an already crowded market apart from what Alba always offers lower prices.
This is a grey unit with shiny black front and sides. It is 18cm wide, 16cm deep (with power lead inserted) and 5cm tall. If weight is important the unit - minus the power brick - is around 600grams. The rear has the power brick lead input, beside this is a 3.5 earbud jack and a wire aerial (this is around 1.3metres long). The sides have no controls, the base has two rubber feet at the rear and a label saying designed in Great Britain.
DAB on the Computer
Published in Laptops/PCs/Apple
by mfereday
on June 7, 2007
Adding DAB radio features to your computer sound great but some problems still exist.
In the past I have attached a wide range of devices to the USB ports on various computer systems. These have included printers, web cams, mice, keyboards, modems, scanners, MP3 players and a number of different storage devices. To this list I can now add a standalone radio as distinct from the built-in feature sometimes found in MP3 and mobile phone devices.
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