There is a certain joy that comes from turning on your radio and having your favorite song come on. It’s only equal is the annoyance we feel when that favorite song starts to hiss and crackle due to bad service. Thankfully, radio has evolved, in large part due to the presence of social media. Now to request a song it’s as simple as a visit to your favorite stations Facebook or twitter page. In terms of different types, Analog radio still remains popular, but it’s got a stout challenger in the form of dab (digital audio broadcasting) radio. Here’s how they stack up.
Analog
Analog radio has been around for years, some of you may even be old enough to remember when this was the only form of entertainment around. In terms of technology, not too much has changed from those years past. There are still two types, AM and FM, the latter having a wider range of frequencies, and thus more stations. The drawback is there is a smaller range of listening distance, topping out at around 100 miles. AM, on the other hand, has a greater frequency range, but has a tough time transmitting music. That’s why it’s mostly talk radio on AM frequencies.
The issue with both AM and FM is that the radio waves can get lost or staticy if you go into a highly populated area.
Digital
Dab radio works by combining two different technologies to produce its broadcast system. First it compresses the information into a MPEG, then packages it together before COFDM technology ensures the signals are received. It’s the latter that makes a big difference with the quality of audio you hear, as opposed to analog. The COFDM technology eliminates the static that analog radio oftentimes has, due to the the radio signals bouncing off large buildings. This results in dab radio sounding much more clear and crisp, versus analog.
Another benefit of digital radio is the wide range of stations you can receive, which is much more vast than analog. In most cities, you’re able to receive double the radio stations, and as an added benefit you do not need to remember the exact frequency of your favorite stations. You can instead look them up by station name, making it them much easier to find.
Dab radio eliminates the hiss and snap of analog, while delivering a more robust selection of stations. Stations are easier to find with digital, and they’re also easier to remember. The choice is clear, digital is the next evolution in radio.
