[cma-l] The DAB debate

James Cridland james at cridland.net
Mon Nov 17 19:53:43 GMT 2014 

Sorry for sounding like a bit of a broken record, but you say "whilst DAB
may not be on a downward spiral" - thank you for admitting you were wrong -
you also say "it certainly isn't really in the ascendancy."

Hmm. Let's see. Year on year, it has more listeners, more listening hours,
sales of DAB sets outperforming sales of radio receivers as a whole, now in
70% of new cars (according to some numbers I heard last week in an event),
increased take up in much of Europe, two new UK national station launches
in the space of three months, a second national multiplex on the way with
multiple bidders... Certainly looks like it is in the ascendancy to me.

Yes, it is wholly unsuitable for community radio right now. Utterly
unsuitable, and cripplingly expensive: two things that DAB+ won't solve, by
the way, and I don't even believe that the little muxes will properly solve
that either.

But what irks me somewhat is that you, and people like you, seek to
denigrate an entire platform for everybody because it won't work for *you*.
Either you want to be on DAB (presumably you do, otherwise you'd not
rightly complain about the suitability and pricing), or you think DAB is
entirely unsuitable for any radio broadcasting (and in which case,
respectfully, you are wrong, as the figures show). Either way, you should
pick your side.

http://james.cridland.net

On Mon, 17 Nov 2014 18:56 fantasy office <office at fantasyradio.co.uk> wrote:

> Thank you James, for your response.
>
> And respect to you for plugging the name of our station twice in your
> reply! I didn't say that 6music was only available on DAB - I said it's
> not on FM...which is rather different.
> Whilst DAB may not be on a downward spiral, it certainly isn't really in
> the ascendancy.
> But the problem is - Money! DAB is very expensive to broadcast and the
> receivers have been too expensive for too long. And now with DAB+ those
> loyal DAB listeners are going to have to re-invest!
> DAB broadcasting is far too expensive...and even with the new Ofcom
> initiative, how many additional listeners would a community station be
> able to attract, over and above what they already have on FM?
>
> The DAB/FM debate has been going on for a long time. If DAB could show a
> clear advantage, in cost, in audio quality and in added listenership
> potential, there would be no contest. However, DAB, for community radio
> as well as for some commercial stations, can offer no such benefit.
>
> I'm glad though, you agree that DAB has been poorly marketed, and that
> we should all be getting behind RADIO for all the right reasons,
> whatever platforms remain.
>
> Sorry you can't get FM in your kitchen, James. Was it built within a
> Faraday Cage?
>
>
> Phil Dawson
> FANTASY RADIO
> Devizes,
> Wiltshire
>
>
> On 16/11/2014 22:04, cma-l-request at mailman.commedia.org.uk wrote:
> > Send cma-l mailing list submissions to
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> > Today's Topics:
> >
> >     1. Re:  Superstation in Orkney ceases broadcasting
> >        (shirleyludford at btinternet.co)
> >     2.  New Field Recorder / Mic (terry mechan)
> >     3. Re:  New Field Recorder / Mic (Associated Broadcast Consultants)
> >     4. Re:  The DAB debate (James Cridland)
> >
> >
> > ----------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 1
> > Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 21:08:58 +0000
> > From: "shirleyludford at btinternet.co" <shirleyludford at btinternet.com>
> > To: The Community Media Association Discussion List
> >       <cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>,        "cma-l at commedia.org.uk"
> >       <cma-l at commedia.org.uk>
> > Subject: Re: [cma-l] Superstation in Orkney ceases broadcasting
> > Message-ID:
> >       <1416172138.46627.YahooMailNeo at web186003.mail.ir2.yahoo.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> >
> > I am so sorry to read this.
> >
> > All our best wishes go to members of the Station from all at SWINDON
> 105.5
> >
> > ?
> > ?Shirls
> > ?
> >
> > ?Shirley Ludford
> >
> > Mob:?07951 366289
> >
> > High Sheriff's Award for Services to Community
> >
> > Pride Of Swindon Award
> > Patron: Commonweal School?
> > Patron: DPAG
> >
> > Station Manager. Trainer
> > SWINDON 105.5
> > www.swindon1055.com
> >
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> >   From: James Cridland <james at cridland.net>
> > To: cma-l at commedia.org.uk
> > Sent: Sunday, 16 November 2014, 16:26
> > Subject: [cma-l] Superstation in Orkney ceases broadcasting
> >
> >
> >
> > Apparently, it fell off the air at midday today.
> > http://media.info/radio/news/superstation-orkney-ends-
> community-radio-broadcasting
> > J
> > _______________________________________________
> >
> > Reply - cma-l at commedia.org.uk
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> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 2
> > Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 21:03:53 +0000
> > From: terry mechan <terrymechan at live.co.uk>
> > To: <cma-l at commedia.org.uk>
> > Subject: [cma-l] New Field Recorder / Mic
> > Message-ID: <DUB130-DS21EC00380623AC03069FFC9A8A0 at phx.gbl>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> >
> > Am going to treat myself to an new WAV recorder for location work when
> doing my documentaries
> >
> > It will replace the Roland R-05 I have had for a few years.
> >
> > Ideally would like something with a waveform monitor to confirm levels
> when recording
> >
> > Any suggestions as to what works for you or your colleagues
> >
> > terry mechan
> > www.terrymechan.com
> >
> >
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> > ------------------------------
> >
> > Message: 3
> > Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 21:54:10 +0000
> > From: Associated Broadcast Consultants <info at a-bc.co.uk>
> > To: The Community Media Association Discussion List
> >       <cma-l at mailman.commedia.org.uk>
> > Cc: cma-l <cma-l at commedia.org.uk>
> > Subject: Re: [cma-l] New Field Recorder / Mic
> > Message-ID:
> >       <CAG9-nrZ-EoAuW1kYv+QxydkMsfenCAkq51bz6jCZZDR6bwWR
> wg at mail.gmail.com>
> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> >
> > The Zoom H4n is a nice bit of kit and has sound level metering.  I know
> it
> > is good indoors for recording voiceovers, but not sure how good it is
> > outdoors in noisy environments.
> >
> > Glyn
> >
>
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