NEWS: DIGITAL RADIO DEVELOPMENT BUREAU INSISTS NO DAB RADIO CODEC UPGRADE FROM 'MP2' TO 'AAC+' UNTIL "AROUND

2013" by GRANT GODDARD

www.grantgoddard.co.uk January 2007

The upgrade of the present DAB digital radio audio codec from 'MP2' to the more efficient 'AAC+' standard will probably not happen before 2010, and could possibly be around 2013 in the UK, according to a statement issued by the Digital Radio Development Bureau [DRDB]. Although the World DMB Forum adopted the new codec last November [see issue #762] and said it expected compatible receivers can be designed and broadcast services able to be introduced as early as 2007, the UK radio industry has no immediate plan to update the existing MP2 codec, whose technology dates back to the early 1990s. The DRDB statement said that the UK will probably add the optional new high efficiency audio codec at some point in the future, but the market will dictate when that happens and its introduction will be gradual. The 'market' refers to the owners of the existing 47 DAB multiplexes, all but one of which are controlled by combinations of the UKs largest radio companies GCap Media plc, EMAP plc, UTV plc, Chrysalis plc, Guardian Media Group plc, Scottish Media Group plc and UBC Mdia plc who collectively use 84% of commercial radio multiplex reach to broadcast stations that they own. The impact of the new codec would be to more than double the number of stations that could be carried on each multiplex, offering opportunities for stations not owned by these groups to compete with them. The DRDB statement explained: Broadcasters will not turn off MP2 broadcasts in favour of the higher efficiency [AAC+] audio codec until: firstly, it is economically sensible for them to do so i.e. when the majority of DAB products in homes (not on the market, but actually sold and in someones home) are capable of receiving both audio standards; [and] secondly, Ofcom changes the regulation to allow them to do so. Although the DRDB acknowledges that new AAC+ receivers could appear by early 2008, it argues that no stations are expected to be broadcasting in the optional new audio standard at this point and that dual standard products will be significantly more expensive than existing sets, so it anticipates that MP2only products will continue to be sold during this time and beyond. However, Morphy Richards has already launched its 27024 DAB/DRM receiver which the companys Martin Robinson noted has been designed to be as future-proof as possible and, in the event of the implementation of the AAC+ codec for DAB and also DRM+ being rolled out, we would be in a position to allow future upgrades to allow the current radio to receive these transmissions. The DRDBs determination to persevere with the MP2 codec appears increasingly at odds with the policies of other countries. Earlier this month, France started DAB tests in Paris using the AAC+ codec, while Switzerland is processing 18 applications to launch DAB services using AAC+. DAB radios sold overseas will need to be compatible with both the old and new codecs, making it unlikely that manufacturers will continue producing MP2-only receivers solely for the UK market.
News: Digital Radio Development Bureau Insists No DAB Radio Codec Upgrade From 'MP2' To 'AAC+' Until "Around 2013" page 2 2007 Grant Goddard

The DRDB statement acknowledged: If high efficiency audio codec products continue to infiltrate the UK market over the following years, the DRDB estimates it will be 2010 before such products make up a significant number of sets in the market. However, at that point, the installed base of MP2 products would still be significantly higher than that of dual-standard products. The DRDB forecasts: Beyond 2010, it is possible there will be an increase in high efficiency audio codec broadcasts. This would lead to a situation where MP2-only radios would continue to receive the existing package of stations, while dual standard radios would receive these along with any new services broadcast in high efficiency audio. The DRDB also foresees that there could be a period of simulcasting when existing stations broadcast in both the MP2 and AAC+ codecs, the impact of which would be that they consume all available multiplex capacity. The DRDBs shareholders include the BBC, GCap Media, EMAP, UTV, Chrysalis and the Guardian Media Group.

[First published in 'The Radio Magazine' as 'No DAB Upgrade Until 2013', #772, 24 January 2007]

Grant Goddard is a media analyst / radio specialist / radio consultant with thirty years of experience in the broadcasting industry, having held senior management and consultancy roles within the commercial media sector in the United Kingdom, Europe and Asia. Details at http://www.grantgoddard.co.uk

News: Digital Radio Development Bureau Insists No DAB Radio Codec Upgrade From 'MP2' To 'AAC+' Until "Around 2013" page 3 2007 Grant Goddard