Hi everyone,

With trials of DRM on the horison and the remote possibility of DAB2 with AAC+, I can see myself needing a new tuner before long. If such technology were to be used, would it necessitate a brand new tuner or could a firmware or simple hardware upgrade be given?

While Cambridge gear may seem budget and feeble to AV enthusiasts, as a humble student my 640T represents a significant investment, about a month's rent and I am wondering whether or not it has a future.

Regards,
TM

[Chris Muriel]

You would certainly need a new tuner for DRM and very likely also for AAC+.
DAB equipment is generally built around DAB-specific chipsets which are tailored for that purpose alone.

Chris Muriel, Manchester

[amcluesent]

While purely software based, upgradeable signal processing (using a DSP) is possible, that won't satisfy the profit motive. DAB is a 'bait and switch' affair, temping people in then requiring a costly hardware refresh.

Rather the same as 'Freeview'. After buying their digi-boxes/TVs, people will have to buy again to get MPEG4 for Terrestrial Sky, then again to get "HD" Freeview. Kerr-ching!

[mb23]

Ofcom haven't yet approved the use of MPEG4 by Sky on DTT and are set to hold a consultation on the issue shortly.

It will be a test case which will be watched with interest by DAB multiplex holders such as Digital One and prospective multiplex bidders such as Channel 4, both of which want to start using MPEG4 AAC/AAC+ broadcasts on DAB as soon as possible because of the efficiency improvements over MP2 that it provides.

It's likely that MP2 will not totally disappear overnight but an increasing number of stations will use MPEG4 AAC/AAC+, for which you will need a new tuner.

The AAC/AAC+ compatible tuners are expected to go on sale in July.