Would a DAB radio be worth it in Cork?

nesf

Going to be picking up a new radio, am just wondering whether it's worthwhile to pick up the DAB version or not. We mostly listen to RTE stations and only very rarely local stations and as far as I know all the RTE stations are on DAB in Cork. But is the quality difference worth the extra money right now or is this technology not mature yet in this country?

tbh

what kind of price difference are you talking about?

I've found that the difference between FM and DAB to be negligable (have good signal on both) and is really cancelled out by the "fussiness" of DAB - a small move on the set seems to throw the signal into conniptions. The choice is a bit better, and I like the extra info you get, but tbh if you have a decent FM signal I wouldn't be paying anymore than an extra 20-30 euro for a DAB set, any more than that and it wouldn't be worth it imo.

nesf

tbh wrote: »

what kind of price difference are you talking about?

I've found that the difference between FM and DAB to be negligable (have good signal on both) and is really cancelled out by the "fussiness" of DAB - a small move on the set seems to throw the signal into conniptions. The choice is a bit better, and I like the extra info you get, but tbh if you have a decent FM signal I wouldn't be paying anymore than an extra 20-30 euro for a DAB set, any more than that and it wouldn't be worth it imo.

Yeah £30 extra for the DAB option which isn't insane but is enough to make me ask questions about it. If it was 20 quid I'd probably just pick up the DAB out of tech loving.

c montgomery

Whats DAB?

I have an FM radio in work but can only pick up rte 1 and today fm on a good day. Would a DAB radio allow me to pick up more stations?

Thanks

The Black Oil

You'd get more RTE stations mainly, I think. I'm not sure anyone else is using DAB in Ireland.

http://www.rte.ie/radio/dab.html

http://www.rte.ie/digitalradio/faq.html

Mearings

The roll out of DAB in Ireland is half hearted in regard to coverage & apart RTE, the number of stations. There are some non RTE stations broadcast in the South East. http://www.wohnort.org/DAB/ireland.html#tests

DAB sets in the UK are now as cheap as good FM sets.

http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/sol/shop/technology/120663829_red_ne3111r_dab_wooden_radio.html?hnav=4294966717

Mearings

I should add regarding the SE tests that a DAB+ radio is required. DAB+ is a newer more efficient format than original DAB (which is the only format used in the UK). The Total Broadcast website says that Ireland will eventually adopt the DAB+ system.

http://www.totalbroadcast.net/DAB.html

Technocentral

DAB signal is way better than FM in my apartment in Dublin 6.