They also had a live SW DRM demo running and I remember being impressed by the sound quality, this being the first time I'd actually heard DRM in action.
I can't help but think that, India notwithstanding, the opportunity for large scale DRM implementation has long since passed. Never say never of course, but if the 'DR' initiative had been successful things might have turned out differently.
It is an uphill battle the DRM lobby have Simon, for mainly commercial reasons. Not do much a question of which horse will win the race, more that there seem to be several different races and some are trying to cover all bases and enter them in all.
the Indians have been pumping out 20 and 40 kW MW signals of DRM for about ten years now. The biggest problem seems to be that the people who own the patent on the receiver circuitry were demanding high royalties. In Bombay, there are three differently badged receivers on the market but only one is a 'kosher' licensed one.
That is always going to be the key to the success of any platform - how easily can Joe Public tune in. If its expensive or a battle of any kind, even unfair competition, then it will fail. Worst fo all, unless the programme is in demand, there is no hope for success.
The key is, as ever, to have a popular programme that the public WANT to hear. Make it easily available (including cheap!) and only then. will a new platform be successful.
DRM quality is (or perhaps "can be") very good, better than DAB, and that may be the way forward for MW, with the band reorganised to give wider channels - 20kHz spacing would be perfect.
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