[cma-l] CMFE supports DRM+ new trial /CMFE becomes DRM Supporter

[Jaqui Devereux]

Dear All,

For your information:

- The first time DRM+ trials in Band III started yesterday on February, 
1st 2010.
DRM German Associate Members, State Centre for Media and Communication 
(Landeszentrale fuer Medien und Kommunikation) and the University of 
Kaiserslautern are using a DRM+ transmitter with a power of 100 watts in 
VHF Band III (174-230 MHz) to determine whether the DRM+ system together 
with DAB/DAB+ are suitable for Band III.
DRM + is an enhancement to the Digital Radio Mondiale system. DRM+ has 
been approved by the European Standards Organisation ? ETSI. DRM 
provides digital sound quality and the ease-of-use that comes from 
digital radio, combined with a wealth of enhanced features: Surround 
Sound, Journaline text information, Slideshow, EPG, and data services. 
DRM on short, medium and long wave for broadcasting bands up to 30 MHz 
(called 'DRM30') provides large coverage areas and low power 
consumption. The enhancement of the DRM standard for broadcast 
frequencies above 30 MHz ('DRM+') uses the same audio coding, data 
services, multiplexing and signaling schemes as DRM30 but introduces an 
additional transmission mode optimized for those bands.
The results of the DRM+ experiment will be published in spring 2010.
See also 
<http://www.drm.org/news/detail/news/drm-associate-members-lead-drm-field-trial-in-the-vhf-band-iii/>

- At the latest board meeting, March 11th, CMFE decided to apply for 
becoming official supporter of the DRM consortium (see 
<http://www.drm.org/>). CMFE sees this as an important step to support a 
broadcasting digitalization technology, which could facilitate community 
media to join the digital broadcasting era. In a lot of countries all 
around Europe (and the world) existing radio digitalization 
technologies, as DAB, DAB+ or HD-radio, tend to neglect the specific 
demands of the existing and still fast growing community media sector. 
DRM+, a development by the DRM consortium, is still in an trial phase 
but is promising in combining affordable digital technology and adequate 
coverage  (also of smaller areas) with spectrum efficiency and a 
relatively smooth transition process.

Best regards,

Pieter de Wit

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Pieter de Wit
President CMFE
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CMFE
COMMUNITY MEDIA FORUM EUROPE

CMFE (Community Media Forum Europe) is a network of policy experts,
organisations and federations, which aim to support the role of Community
Media in Europe.

CMFE is registered in Belgium as an International NGO, business n.0822992342
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-- 
Jaqui Devereux

Director
Community Media Association

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