Radio Sunshine tests HD radio as a DAB alternative
Starting in mid-2006, the Central Swiss broadcaster will begin a field trial of digital technology. Since it is based on FM, it is expected to be less expensive to implement than DAB.
From mid-2006, Radio Sunshine and
the media consulting firm Ruoss AG conducted an extensive field test with
High Definition (HD) Radio. This standard makes it possible, via FM
to transmit digital data together with the analog signal. So that
not only the analog program can also be distributed in digital form
but additional programs and data services can also be integrated.
switch on. In the field test, this will be Sunshine itself,
on the other hand, another program (possible examples are Swiss
Music Radio or Eviva) and an information service with a loop
of spoken contributions.
While HD technology is still practically unknown in Europe, the
in the USA: With 500 stations, HB-Radio is now ready for the market.
According to Markus Ruoss, owner of Ruoss AG and majority shareholder of Radio
Sunshine, already in operation, 3500 more have signed up.
committed. From next year, the receivers will be available on the
mass market. In Switzerland, however, they are not yet
available.
In August, the Federal Office of Communications granted Sunshine and Ruoss AG
has been granted a license for a two-year trial. It will be tested
among other things, how HD radio affects the reception of stations on
neighboring frequencies and what the costs for a conversion would be.
would be incurred. Markus Ruoss also sees the financial outlay
one of the main advantages of HD radio over the more widely publicized
Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB): Because the signal is broadcast via FM
a large part of the previous investments in the transmitter network can be
while a completely new network will be built for DAB.
must. Ruoss does not see HD radio as a replacement for the
DAB technology, which is not yet widely accepted, but as a cost-effective
Alternative for stations with a smaller budget, especially for regional
and local organizers. The radio specialist is convinced that in
There will be no standardized platforms like FM today in the future anyway
but digital programs via a variety of technologies
be broadcast. Unfortunately, however, in Switzerland obvious
Options such as HD radio are often not even examined, Ruoss regrets.
That is why he is now taking the initiative himself.
It's not cheap: for the two-year, two-stage trial
400,000 francs are budgeted for this. 100,000 francs are contributed by Sunshine and
Ruoss AG itself, sponsors are being sought for the rest. One thing is agreed
Ruoss is already working with a number of equipment suppliers such as the US Frimen Broadcast
Electronics and iBiquity Digital Corporation and the Italian
RVR company. He has also received verbal commitments from larger
organizers who want to participate, Ruoss told Werbewoche.
However, nothing is ready to be decided yet. The Association of Swiss
Privatradios is contributing CHF 10,000. A special offer
Ruoss tells the radio stations: "If you have at least 50,000 francs cash
will be switched on as a second program."
the media consulting firm Ruoss AG conducted an extensive field test with
High Definition (HD) Radio. This standard makes it possible, via FM
to transmit digital data together with the analog signal. So that
not only the analog program can also be distributed in digital form
but additional programs and data services can also be integrated.
switch on. In the field test, this will be Sunshine itself,
on the other hand, another program (possible examples are Swiss
Music Radio or Eviva) and an information service with a loop
of spoken contributions.
While HD technology is still practically unknown in Europe, the
in the USA: With 500 stations, HB-Radio is now ready for the market.
According to Markus Ruoss, owner of Ruoss AG and majority shareholder of Radio
Sunshine, already in operation, 3500 more have signed up.
committed. From next year, the receivers will be available on the
mass market. In Switzerland, however, they are not yet
available.
In August, the Federal Office of Communications granted Sunshine and Ruoss AG
has been granted a license for a two-year trial. It will be tested
among other things, how HD radio affects the reception of stations on
neighboring frequencies and what the costs for a conversion would be.
would be incurred. Markus Ruoss also sees the financial outlay
one of the main advantages of HD radio over the more widely publicized
Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB): Because the signal is broadcast via FM
a large part of the previous investments in the transmitter network can be
while a completely new network will be built for DAB.
must. Ruoss does not see HD radio as a replacement for the
DAB technology, which is not yet widely accepted, but as a cost-effective
Alternative for stations with a smaller budget, especially for regional
and local organizers. The radio specialist is convinced that in
There will be no standardized platforms like FM today in the future anyway
but digital programs via a variety of technologies
be broadcast. Unfortunately, however, in Switzerland obvious
Options such as HD radio are often not even examined, Ruoss regrets.
That is why he is now taking the initiative himself.
It's not cheap: for the two-year, two-stage trial
400,000 francs are budgeted for this. 100,000 francs are contributed by Sunshine and
Ruoss AG itself, sponsors are being sought for the rest. One thing is agreed
Ruoss is already working with a number of equipment suppliers such as the US Frimen Broadcast
Electronics and iBiquity Digital Corporation and the Italian
RVR company. He has also received verbal commitments from larger
organizers who want to participate, Ruoss told Werbewoche.
However, nothing is ready to be decided yet. The Association of Swiss
Privatradios is contributing CHF 10,000. A special offer
Ruoss tells the radio stations: "If you have at least 50,000 francs cash
will be switched on as a second program."
Stefano Monachesi
