don't bother with the dipstick...

[shreddedmeat]

Please tell me? Why oh why, in this day-and-age, do units like this only have FM radio, and not DAB? And Analogue TV? If this unit had DAB, I'd be sorely tempted! I like to be "up-to-date", and that is something that is missing with my RNS-E set-up. I gather that I need a MFSW, and they are rare in "twist" .... I would love to be able to see "craigyb's" expertise in action, again, though! Oh, excuse my ignorance (again! LOL!), but what is the significance of the blue-tooth connectivity? Is it for the benefit of those with an I-phone and who have mobile internet connectivity? ( I don't)

David

Because its cheap Chinese stuff, built to a price point? Bluetooth presumably means hands free and music streaming for those with a compatible phone?

Cheers

 

[bretti_kivi]

nowhere else on the planet is interested in DAB apart from the UK. You're the only ones, and that's why there's no units.

Bluetooth could mean anything, but for example an OBD II dongle - they're available in Bluetooth and what you'd need for Torque to show information on your Android phone.

- Bret

 

[Guest 4123]

nowhere else on the planet is interested in DAB apart from the UK. You're the only ones, and that's why there's no units.

The UK is probably only 'interested' in DAB because the government wants to raise money by selling VHF bandwidth for purposes other than radio!

RAB

 

[timmus]

The UK is probably only 'interested' in DAB because the government wants to raise money by selling VHF bandwidth for purposes other than radio!

Indeed! I think the highest quality DAB broadcasts in the UK are 128kbps, and talk radio like BBC 5Live is only 64kbps. Ok, DAB has some advantages, but a decent FM setup still sounds better.

 

[Guest 4123]

BBC R3 manages 160kbps but that's about the highest.

RAB

 

[timmus]

BBC R3 manages 160kbps but that's about the highest.

Ah yes, true. For classical music they keep the bit rate a touch higher, possible due to the greater dynamic range.
The 1970s analogue tuner that I have attached to my HiFi absolutely kicks DAB into touch!

 

[dan_b]

Interestingly through BBC Online they've been testing a "HiDef" audio stream, but it'll unlikely make it to DAB which is, as said above, generally sub-MP3-quality low bit-rate chuff.