|
It's clear and sharp, with absolutely no interference. superelastic.co.uk, October 2002
Join the digital radio revolution
If you haven't got digital radio yet, you should. Not least because, if you've got a TV licence, you're already paying for it. The BBC has spearheaded the UK's digital radio rollout, and a large portion of the licence fee has funded it.
The BBC already digitally broadcasts Radios 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 Live, 5 Live Sports Extra, 6 Music, 1Xtra, the World Service, and local BBC stations, with more to follow. There are also plenty of commercial stations available, including talkSPORT, Virgin, XFM, and Planet Rock. Because digital broadcasting uses less bandwidth, there is space for a multitude of stations, so expect the list to grow hugely over the next few years.
The best thing about digital radio is that it doesn't suffer from interference, offering consistent pure, clear sound. And, because the binary digital signal can send all kinds of information in addition to sound, it also offers text, data, and even pictures. Most digital radios can display scrolling text, providing artist and track names for songs that are playing, news, weather, and travel updates, sports scores, and internet links. And, although manufacturers are yet to implement the feature in commercially available radios, the technology already allows for sending pictures of bands, DJs, goal scorers, and the like, to complement the audio broadcast.
You can receive digital radio via a DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) radio, digital satellite television, digital cable television, or a PC digital radio card.
Pure Digital's Evoke-1 digital radio... is the world's first sub-£100 DAB radio. And, forgetting the sound quality for a moment, the first thing that grabs your attention is the sumptuous design. Classily cased in solid maple wood, reminiscent of a retro radio set, the fascia has a cool metallic finish, with a large, clear LCD display.
Set up is a breeze, courtesy of the nifty auto tune facility. You can quickly change stations with the tuning knob, or program your favourite stations into the preset buttons. And the sound is everything you could hope for. It's clear and sharp, with absolutely no interference.
The only gripe we had was that the radio only has one speaker. If you want to enjoy stereo sound you need to listen through an external amplifier or headphones, or connect an additional speaker. A matching standalone speaker is available for £30.
With manufacturers pushing down the price of digital radio equipment, there's no time like the present to go digital. You can now pick up a digital tuner for your hi fi for under £150. Another low-cost option is to buy a PC card that slots straight into your computer's motherboard. You can pick one up for £100, and, as well as offering a fully featured digital radio service, they offer internet interactivity, plus the option to record direct to MP3.
Digital radio already covers 70% of the UK, including most major towns and cities, and will cover 85% by 2004. To check your coverage, enter your postcode at www.ukdigitalradio.com.
Untitled Document
UK DAB DIGITAL RADIO STATION FINDER
|
|
Find out which DAB digital radio stations
are available in your area. Enter your postcode and click Find:
|
|
|
|
|
 £89.99 (Including VAT)
Untitled Document
Upgrade to stereo with the ST-1 auxiliary speaker
Easily
connects to your new EVOKE-1
- Outstanding midrange 3" drive unit
- Ported for bass enhancement
- Solidly constructed maple veneered casing with metallic speaker grill
Please note that EVOKE-1 and the ST-1 auxiliary speaker are constructed using
real wood veneer. As with all natural wood products, some variation in colour
is to be expected.
|