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Notice (8): Undefined variable: most_viewed_stories [APP/views/stories/probus-display.ctp, line 49]Code | Context<?php
echo View::element('probus-stories-list', array('stories'=>$most_viewed_stories, 'mode'=>'most-popular','limit'=>4));
$___viewFn = "/home/probus/domains/stagingblueplains/app-public/views/stories/probus-display.ctp" $___dataForView = array( "nextstoryurl" => "/fed24b4f", "publication" => array( "Story" => array(), "Publication" => array(), "Tag" => array(), "Tags" => array() ), "story_tagline" => "", "story" => array( "Story" => array(), "Publication" => array(), "Tag" => array(), "Tags" => array() ), "related_stories" => array( array(), array(), array(), array(), array() ) ) $loadHelpers = true $cached = false $cache = CacheHelper CacheHelper::$__replace = array CacheHelper::$__match = array CacheHelper::$cacheAction = NULL CacheHelper::$helpers = NULL CacheHelper::$base = "" CacheHelper::$webroot = "/" CacheHelper::$theme = NULL CacheHelper::$here = "/0d170854/Switch_to_digital" CacheHelper::$params = array CacheHelper::$action = "display" CacheHelper::$plugin = NULL CacheHelper::$data = NULL CacheHelper::$namedArgs = NULL CacheHelper::$argSeparator = NULL CacheHelper::$validationErrors = NULL 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JavascriptHelper::$tags = array JavascriptHelper::$_blockOptions = array JavascriptHelper::$_cachedEvents = array JavascriptHelper::$_cacheEvents = false JavascriptHelper::$_cacheToFile = false JavascriptHelper::$_cacheAll = false JavascriptHelper::$_rules = array JavascriptHelper::$__scriptBuffer = NULL JavascriptHelper::$helpers = NULL JavascriptHelper::$base = "" JavascriptHelper::$webroot = "/" JavascriptHelper::$theme = NULL JavascriptHelper::$here = "/0d170854/Switch_to_digital" JavascriptHelper::$params = array JavascriptHelper::$action = "display" JavascriptHelper::$plugin = NULL JavascriptHelper::$data = NULL JavascriptHelper::$namedArgs = NULL JavascriptHelper::$argSeparator = NULL JavascriptHelper::$validationErrors = NULL JavascriptHelper::$__tainted = NULL JavascriptHelper::$__cleaned = NULL $eHtml = eHtmlHelper eHtmlHelper::$helpers = array eHtmlHelper::$viewVars = array eHtmlHelper::$tags = array eHtmlHelper::$_crumbs = array eHtmlHelper::$__includedScripts = array eHtmlHelper::$_scriptBlockOptions = array eHtmlHelper::$__docTypes = array eHtmlHelper::$base = "" eHtmlHelper::$webroot = "/" eHtmlHelper::$theme = NULL eHtmlHelper::$here = "/0d170854/Switch_to_digital" eHtmlHelper::$params = array eHtmlHelper::$action = "display" eHtmlHelper::$plugin = NULL eHtmlHelper::$data = NULL eHtmlHelper::$namedArgs = NULL eHtmlHelper::$argSeparator = NULL eHtmlHelper::$validationErrors = NULL eHtmlHelper::$__tainted = NULL eHtmlHelper::$__cleaned = NULL eHtmlHelper::$eForm = eFormHelper object eHtmlHelper::$javascript = JavascriptHelper object eHtmlHelper::$Authentication = AuthenticationHelper object $eJavascript = eJavascriptHelper eJavascriptHelper::$helpers = array eJavascriptHelper::$useNative = true eJavascriptHelper::$enabled = true eJavascriptHelper::$safe = false eJavascriptHelper::$tags = array eJavascriptHelper::$_blockOptions = array eJavascriptHelper::$_cachedEvents = array eJavascriptHelper::$_cacheEvents = false eJavascriptHelper::$_cacheToFile = false eJavascriptHelper::$_cacheAll = false eJavascriptHelper::$_rules = array eJavascriptHelper::$__scriptBuffer = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$base = "" eJavascriptHelper::$webroot = "/" eJavascriptHelper::$theme = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$here = "/0d170854/Switch_to_digital" eJavascriptHelper::$params = array eJavascriptHelper::$action = "display" eJavascriptHelper::$plugin = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$data = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$namedArgs = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$argSeparator = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$validationErrors = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$__tainted = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$__cleaned = NULL eJavascriptHelper::$eHtml = eHtmlHelper object $eForm = eFormHelper eFormHelper::$helpers = array eFormHelper::$fieldset = array eFormHelper::$__options = array eFormHelper::$fields = array eFormHelper::$requestType = NULL eFormHelper::$defaultModel = NULL eFormHelper::$_inputDefaults = array eFormHelper::$base = "" eFormHelper::$webroot = "/" eFormHelper::$theme = NULL eFormHelper::$here = "/0d170854/Switch_to_digital" eFormHelper::$params = array eFormHelper::$action = "display" eFormHelper::$plugin = NULL eFormHelper::$data = NULL eFormHelper::$namedArgs = NULL eFormHelper::$argSeparator = NULL eFormHelper::$validationErrors = NULL eFormHelper::$tags = array eFormHelper::$__tainted = NULL eFormHelper::$__cleaned = NULL eFormHelper::$Html = HtmlHelper object $tagCloud = TagCloudHelper TagCloudHelper::$helpers = array TagCloudHelper::$base = "" TagCloudHelper::$webroot = "/" TagCloudHelper::$theme = NULL TagCloudHelper::$here = "/0d170854/Switch_to_digital" TagCloudHelper::$params = array TagCloudHelper::$action = "display" TagCloudHelper::$plugin = NULL TagCloudHelper::$data = NULL TagCloudHelper::$namedArgs = NULL TagCloudHelper::$argSeparator = NULL TagCloudHelper::$validationErrors = NULL TagCloudHelper::$tags = array TagCloudHelper::$__tainted = NULL TagCloudHelper::$__cleaned = NULL TagCloudHelper::$Html = HtmlHelper object $html = HtmlHelper HtmlHelper::$tags = array HtmlHelper::$_crumbs = array HtmlHelper::$__includedScripts = array HtmlHelper::$_scriptBlockOptions = array HtmlHelper::$__docTypes = array HtmlHelper::$helpers = NULL HtmlHelper::$base = "" HtmlHelper::$webroot = "/" HtmlHelper::$theme = NULL HtmlHelper::$here = "/0d170854/Switch_to_digital" HtmlHelper::$params = array HtmlHelper::$action = "display" HtmlHelper::$plugin = NULL HtmlHelper::$data = NULL HtmlHelper::$namedArgs = NULL HtmlHelper::$argSeparator = NULL HtmlHelper::$validationErrors = NULL HtmlHelper::$__tainted = NULL HtmlHelper::$__cleaned = NULL $form = FormHelper FormHelper::$helpers = array FormHelper::$fieldset = array FormHelper::$__options = array FormHelper::$fields = array FormHelper::$requestType = NULL FormHelper::$defaultModel = NULL FormHelper::$_inputDefaults = array FormHelper::$base = "" FormHelper::$webroot = "/" FormHelper::$theme = NULL FormHelper::$here = "/0d170854/Switch_to_digital" FormHelper::$params = array FormHelper::$action = "display" FormHelper::$plugin = NULL FormHelper::$data = NULL FormHelper::$namedArgs = NULL FormHelper::$argSeparator = NULL FormHelper::$validationErrors = NULL FormHelper::$tags = array FormHelper::$__tainted = NULL FormHelper::$__cleaned = NULL FormHelper::$Html = HtmlHelper object $session = SessionHelper SessionHelper::$helpers = array SessionHelper::$__active = true SessionHelper::$valid = false SessionHelper::$error = false SessionHelper::$_userAgent = "8611eabdb1aa7cc20f419da71363daa3" SessionHelper::$path = "/" SessionHelper::$lastError = NULL SessionHelper::$security = "medium" SessionHelper::$time = 1748712476 SessionHelper::$sessionTime = 1748724476 SessionHelper::$cookieLifeTime = false SessionHelper::$watchKeys = array SessionHelper::$id = NULL SessionHelper::$host = NULL SessionHelper::$timeout = NULL SessionHelper::$base = "" SessionHelper::$webroot = "/" SessionHelper::$here = "/0d170854/Switch_to_digital" SessionHelper::$params = array SessionHelper::$action = "display" SessionHelper::$data = NULL SessionHelper::$theme = NULL SessionHelper::$plugin = NULL $nextstoryurl = "/fed24b4f" $publication = array( "Story" => array( "id" => "1357", "publication_id" => "2", "tag_id" => "60", "headline" => "Switch to digital", "headline_home" => "Switch to digital", "headline_index" => "Switch to digital", "meta_keywords" => "digital, radio, retirement, DAB", "home_spotlight" => "/probus/files/Content/Digital_radio_carousel.jpg", "home_spotlight_mini" => "/probus/files/Content/Digital_radio_tile.jpg", "home_feature" => "", "home_tag" => "/probus/files/Content/Digital_radio_thumbnail.jpg", "index_mini" => "", "index_result" => "/probus/files/Content/Digital_radio_thumbnail.jpg", "gallery" => null, "gallery_captions" => null, "gallery_hide" => "0", "embed_spotlight" => "0", "status" => "0", "published" => "2013-06-11 00:00:00", "byline" => "", "tagline" => null, "intro_short" => "<p>Access the stations you know and love, plus many more, with digital radio.</p>", "intro_long" => "<p>Providing CD-quality sound, clearer signals and a huge variety of stations, move into the radio digital age. </p>", "body" => "<p><img src="http://probussouthpacific.org/probus/files/Content/Digital_radio_embed.jpg" alt="" width="433" height="261" /></p> <p>Have you bought a new radio in the past three years? Chances are you’re listening to digital stations without even knowing it.</p> <h2>What is digital radio?</h2> <p>An established broadcast platform in Europe, parts of Asia and the United States, digital radio began its roll out in Australia in 2009 in most capital cities, although its range is slightly limited in Canberra and Darwin.</p> <p>Basically, digital radio gives clearer signals and pitch-perfect sound and is probably the most significant upgrade to happen to radio in Australia since the introduction of FM stations.</p> <p>Digital radio works by cleaning and filtering transmissions before decoding the signal using digital radio receivers. Previously, quality of sound would suffer, as interference was caused by the signal bouncing of walls, buildings and other structures. Digital radio works to prohibit this interference.</p> <p>Plus, there are loads more stations to choose from in a variety of genres including country, classical, chill out and news.</p> <h2>Pros and cons</h2> <p>While digital radio provides close to CD-quality sound, there are some downsides to the new technology.</p> <p>As the transmission is filtered, you no longer have the option of listening to a radio where the signal is limited. While previously, you were able to tune the radio slightly to hear albeit a slightly static signal, now, you either receive signal or you don’t. There’s no in-between.</p> <p>However, digital radios are definitely easier to tune, meaning you can find the station with just a touch of a button.</p> <p>Rather than trying to find the strongest signal of a station that you wish to listen to, simply choose the station by name from a list. The radio will then lock on the appropriate frequency.</p> <p>As well as this, there’s a handy screen with all the information you need. See what song is playing, news and weather feeds, phone numbers corresponding to the advertisement, album artwork, and much more.</p> <p>Additional features on some digital radio units include the ability to pause live radio and rewind if you miss something. </p> <h2>Access it</h2> <p>While digital radio is free, it’s only free if you have the relevant hardware. This means you need a radio with a DAB+ chip in it. Most, if not all, radios that you purchase now will have this. This includes radios in new car models.</p> <p>If you’ve got an old radio unit, you won’t have access to digital stations.</p> <p>Unlike the switch from analogue to digital television, where all you needed was a set-top box converter, to access digital radio, you’re going to need a whole new unit.</p> <h2>Drive my car</h2> <p>You can access digital radio in your car, but again, only if you have the relevant hardware.</p> <p>In-car options fall into three categories – add-on accessories, DAB+ audio head units and cars already fitted with DAB+ stereos.</p> <p>An add-on receiver sits on your windscreen, much like a GPS unit, and connects to your current car radio. It works with the in-car system either through a cable if your car supports that, or via an FM transmitter.</p> <p>Another alternative is replacing the car unit altogether. This requires purchasing a new unit and then a visit to a mechanic to install it.</p> <p>A final option, and by far the most expensive, is to purchase a new car. All new models will be fitted with a digital radio unit. </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Is there a radio station that you loathe or love? Share your thoughts on our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/probussouthpacific" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page. </strong></p>", "newsletter_name" => "", "printed" => null, "created" => "2013-06-11 15:43:31", "modified" => "2013-06-11 15:43:31", "url" => "0d170854", "short_id" => "0d170854", "url_part_2" => "Switch_to_digital", "total_views" => "585", "intro" => "<p><img src="http://probussouthpacific.org/probus/files/Content/Digital_radio_embed.jpg" alt="" width="433" height="261" /></p>", "publish_sort_date" => "2013-06-11", "_status" => "Offline" ), "Publication" => array( "id" => "2", "name" => "Probus Web", "folder" => "probus", "url" => "staging.probussouthpacific.org", "microsite_cms_url" => "stagingmicrosite.probussouthpacific.org", "meta_keywords" => "", "meta_description" => "", "tag_type_id" => "3", "home_spotlight_count" => "5", "home_spotlight_delay" => "5", "home_feature_count" => "0", "index_spotlight_count" => "3", "search_spotlight_count" => "3", "most_viewed_duration" => "14", "most_tagged_duration" => "14", "list_page_size" => "25", "home_ad1" => "88", "home_ad2" => "89", "home_ad3" => "", "home_ad4" => "", "story_ad1" => "", "story_ad2" => "", "story_ad3" => "", "story_ad4" => "", "button_ad1" => "66", "button_ad2" => "67", "button_ad3" => "", "button_ad4" => "", "button_ad5" => "", "leader_ad" => "", "smtp_port" => "465", "smtp_host" => "smtp.gmail.com", "smtp_username" => "blueplains.mailer.app@gmail.com", "smtp_password" => "Qwert123$#", "smtp_type" => "ssl", "secure_widget" => "<h3>Quick Links</h3> <p> </p> <p>See <a title="PSPL Mail Outs" href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/pspl_correspondence">PSPL Mail Outs</a> for copies of letters sent by PSPL for the information of all Probus Club members. </p> <p> </p> <p>Club Management Committees can obtain contact details of Probus clubs by visiting this page. <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_directory_lookup">Directory of Probus Clubs</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Access a range of material which can assist you with membership development for your club. <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_membership_development">Membership Development Tools</a></p> <p> </p> <p>See PSPL’s latest annual report <a title="Click here." href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/about_pspl_annual_report">Click here.</a></p> <p> </p> <p>To access exclusive offers, visit the Probus <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_member_benefits_scheme">Member Benefits Scheme</a> page.</p> <p> </p> <p><span>If you want copies of reports, accounts templates or nomination forms for office bearers, you’ll find them here. </span><a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_forms">Forms and Templates</a></p> <p> </p> <p><span>You'll find all your merchandise needs by visiting the </span><a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/products/display/">Online Shop</a></p>", "created" => "2012-10-05 22:15:24", "modified" => "2012-10-06 15:18:14" ), "Tag" => array( "id" => "60", "tag_type_id" => "3", "publication_id" => "2", "name" => "Technology", "meta_keywords" => "", "meta_description" => "", "tag_head_image" => "/probus/files/TechnologyEditBlue.jpg", "tag_ad1" => "98", "tag_ad2" => "99", "parent_id" => null, "private" => "0", "priority" => null, "created" => "2012-10-05 22:15:24", "modified" => "2012-11-21 16:23:35" ), "Tags" => array( array() ) ) $story_tagline = "" $story = array( "Story" => array( "id" => "1357", "publication_id" => "2", "tag_id" => "60", "headline" => "Switch to digital", "headline_home" => "Switch to digital", "headline_index" => "Switch to digital", "meta_keywords" => "digital, radio, retirement, DAB", "home_spotlight" => "/probus/files/Content/Digital_radio_carousel.jpg", "home_spotlight_mini" => "/probus/files/Content/Digital_radio_tile.jpg", "home_feature" => "", "home_tag" => "/probus/files/Content/Digital_radio_thumbnail.jpg", "index_mini" => "", "index_result" => "/probus/files/Content/Digital_radio_thumbnail.jpg", "gallery" => null, "gallery_captions" => null, "gallery_hide" => "0", "embed_spotlight" => "0", "status" => "0", "published" => "2013-06-11 00:00:00", "byline" => "", "tagline" => null, "intro_short" => "<p>Access the stations you know and love, plus many more, with digital radio.</p>", "intro_long" => "<p>Providing CD-quality sound, clearer signals and a huge variety of stations, move into the radio digital age. </p>", "body" => "<p><img src="http://probussouthpacific.org/probus/files/Content/Digital_radio_embed.jpg" alt="" width="433" height="261" /></p> <p>Have you bought a new radio in the past three years? Chances are you’re listening to digital stations without even knowing it.</p> <h2>What is digital radio?</h2> <p>An established broadcast platform in Europe, parts of Asia and the United States, digital radio began its roll out in Australia in 2009 in most capital cities, although its range is slightly limited in Canberra and Darwin.</p> <p>Basically, digital radio gives clearer signals and pitch-perfect sound and is probably the most significant upgrade to happen to radio in Australia since the introduction of FM stations.</p> <p>Digital radio works by cleaning and filtering transmissions before decoding the signal using digital radio receivers. Previously, quality of sound would suffer, as interference was caused by the signal bouncing of walls, buildings and other structures. Digital radio works to prohibit this interference.</p> <p>Plus, there are loads more stations to choose from in a variety of genres including country, classical, chill out and news.</p> <h2>Pros and cons</h2> <p>While digital radio provides close to CD-quality sound, there are some downsides to the new technology.</p> <p>As the transmission is filtered, you no longer have the option of listening to a radio where the signal is limited. While previously, you were able to tune the radio slightly to hear albeit a slightly static signal, now, you either receive signal or you don’t. There’s no in-between.</p> <p>However, digital radios are definitely easier to tune, meaning you can find the station with just a touch of a button.</p> <p>Rather than trying to find the strongest signal of a station that you wish to listen to, simply choose the station by name from a list. The radio will then lock on the appropriate frequency.</p> <p>As well as this, there’s a handy screen with all the information you need. See what song is playing, news and weather feeds, phone numbers corresponding to the advertisement, album artwork, and much more.</p> <p>Additional features on some digital radio units include the ability to pause live radio and rewind if you miss something. </p> <h2>Access it</h2> <p>While digital radio is free, it’s only free if you have the relevant hardware. This means you need a radio with a DAB+ chip in it. Most, if not all, radios that you purchase now will have this. This includes radios in new car models.</p> <p>If you’ve got an old radio unit, you won’t have access to digital stations.</p> <p>Unlike the switch from analogue to digital television, where all you needed was a set-top box converter, to access digital radio, you’re going to need a whole new unit.</p> <h2>Drive my car</h2> <p>You can access digital radio in your car, but again, only if you have the relevant hardware.</p> <p>In-car options fall into three categories – add-on accessories, DAB+ audio head units and cars already fitted with DAB+ stereos.</p> <p>An add-on receiver sits on your windscreen, much like a GPS unit, and connects to your current car radio. It works with the in-car system either through a cable if your car supports that, or via an FM transmitter.</p> <p>Another alternative is replacing the car unit altogether. This requires purchasing a new unit and then a visit to a mechanic to install it.</p> <p>A final option, and by far the most expensive, is to purchase a new car. All new models will be fitted with a digital radio unit. </p> <p> </p> <p><strong>Is there a radio station that you loathe or love? Share your thoughts on our <a href="http://www.facebook.com/probussouthpacific" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page. </strong></p>", "newsletter_name" => "", "printed" => null, "created" => "2013-06-11 15:43:31", "modified" => "2013-06-11 15:43:31", "url" => "0d170854", "short_id" => "0d170854", "url_part_2" => "Switch_to_digital", "total_views" => "585", "intro" => "<p><img src="http://probussouthpacific.org/probus/files/Content/Digital_radio_embed.jpg" alt="" width="433" height="261" /></p>", "publish_sort_date" => "2013-06-11", "_status" => "Offline" ), "Publication" => array( "id" => "2", "name" => "Probus Web", "folder" => "probus", "url" => "staging.probussouthpacific.org", "microsite_cms_url" => "stagingmicrosite.probussouthpacific.org", "meta_keywords" => "", "meta_description" => "", "tag_type_id" => "3", "home_spotlight_count" => "5", "home_spotlight_delay" => "5", "home_feature_count" => "0", "index_spotlight_count" => "3", "search_spotlight_count" => "3", "most_viewed_duration" => "14", "most_tagged_duration" => "14", "list_page_size" => "25", "home_ad1" => "88", "home_ad2" => "89", "home_ad3" => "", "home_ad4" => "", "story_ad1" => "", "story_ad2" => "", "story_ad3" => "", "story_ad4" => "", "button_ad1" => "66", "button_ad2" => "67", "button_ad3" => "", "button_ad4" => "", "button_ad5" => "", "leader_ad" => "", "smtp_port" => "465", "smtp_host" => "smtp.gmail.com", "smtp_username" => "blueplains.mailer.app@gmail.com", "smtp_password" => "Qwert123$#", "smtp_type" => "ssl", "secure_widget" => "<h3>Quick Links</h3> <p> </p> <p>See <a title="PSPL Mail Outs" href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/pspl_correspondence">PSPL Mail Outs</a> for copies of letters sent by PSPL for the information of all Probus Club members. </p> <p> </p> <p>Club Management Committees can obtain contact details of Probus clubs by visiting this page. <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_directory_lookup">Directory of Probus Clubs</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Access a range of material which can assist you with membership development for your club. <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_membership_development">Membership Development Tools</a></p> <p> </p> <p>See PSPL’s latest annual report <a title="Click here." href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/about_pspl_annual_report">Click here.</a></p> <p> </p> <p>To access exclusive offers, visit the Probus <a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_member_benefits_scheme">Member Benefits Scheme</a> page.</p> <p> </p> <p><span>If you want copies of reports, accounts templates or nomination forms for office bearers, you’ll find them here. </span><a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/pages/club_administration_forms">Forms and Templates</a></p> <p> </p> <p><span>You'll find all your merchandise needs by visiting the </span><a href="http://www.probussouthpacific.org/products/display/">Online Shop</a></p>", "created" => "2012-10-05 22:15:24", "modified" => "2012-10-06 15:18:14" ), "Tag" => array( "id" => "60", "tag_type_id" => "3", "publication_id" => "2", "name" => "Technology", "meta_keywords" => "", "meta_description" => "", "tag_head_image" => "/probus/files/TechnologyEditBlue.jpg", "tag_ad1" => "98", "tag_ad2" => "99", "parent_id" => null, "private" => "0", "priority" => null, "created" => "2012-10-05 22:15:24", "modified" => "2012-11-21 16:23:35" ), "Tags" => array( array() ) ) $related_stories = array( array( "Story" => array() ), array( "Story" => array() ), array( "Story" => array() ), array( "Story" => array() ), array( "Story" => array() ) )include - APP/views/stories/probus-display.ctp, line 49 View::_render() - CORE/cake/libs/view/view.php, line 731 View::render() - CORE/cake/libs/view/view.php, line 426 Controller::render() - CORE/cake/libs/controller/controller.php, line 909 AppController::render() - APP/app_controller.php, line 64 Dispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/cake/dispatcher.php, line 207 Dispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/cake/dispatcher.php, line 171 [main] - APP/webroot/index.php, line 83
Switch to digital
11 Jun 2013
Have you bought a new radio in the past three years? Chances are you’re listening to digital stations without even knowing it.
What is digital radio?
An established broadcast platform in Europe, parts of Asia and the United States, digital radio began its roll out in Australia in 2009 in most capital cities, although its range is slightly limited in Canberra and Darwin.
Basically, digital radio gives clearer signals and pitch-perfect sound and is probably the most significant upgrade to happen to radio in Australia since the introduction of FM stations.
Digital radio works by cleaning and filtering transmissions before decoding the signal using digital radio receivers. Previously, quality of sound would suffer, as interference was caused by the signal bouncing of walls, buildings and other structures. Digital radio works to prohibit this interference.
Plus, there are loads more stations to choose from in a variety of genres including country, classical, chill out and news.
Pros and cons
While digital radio provides close to CD-quality sound, there are some downsides to the new technology.
As the transmission is filtered, you no longer have the option of listening to a radio where the signal is limited. While previously, you were able to tune the radio slightly to hear albeit a slightly static signal, now, you either receive signal or you don’t. There’s no in-between.
However, digital radios are definitely easier to tune, meaning you can find the station with just a touch of a button.
Rather than trying to find the strongest signal of a station that you wish to listen to, simply choose the station by name from a list. The radio will then lock on the appropriate frequency.
As well as this, there’s a handy screen with all the information you need. See what song is playing, news and weather feeds, phone numbers corresponding to the advertisement, album artwork, and much more.
Additional features on some digital radio units include the ability to pause live radio and rewind if you miss something.
Access it
While digital radio is free, it’s only free if you have the relevant hardware. This means you need a radio with a DAB+ chip in it. Most, if not all, radios that you purchase now will have this. This includes radios in new car models.
If you’ve got an old radio unit, you won’t have access to digital stations.
Unlike the switch from analogue to digital television, where all you needed was a set-top box converter, to access digital radio, you’re going to need a whole new unit.
Drive my car
You can access digital radio in your car, but again, only if you have the relevant hardware.
In-car options fall into three categories – add-on accessories, DAB+ audio head units and cars already fitted with DAB+ stereos.
An add-on receiver sits on your windscreen, much like a GPS unit, and connects to your current car radio. It works with the in-car system either through a cable if your car supports that, or via an FM transmitter.
Another alternative is replacing the car unit altogether. This requires purchasing a new unit and then a visit to a mechanic to install it.
A final option, and by far the most expensive, is to purchase a new car. All new models will be fitted with a digital radio unit.
Is there a radio station that you loathe or love? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page.