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In short, what does the broadcast market need from DRM?
•
A mix of familiar and innovative content;
•
Services provided fromwell known broadcasters and
networks;
•
Appropriately priced receivers with suitable
functionality;
•
Ready access to transmission capability with
minimum infrastructure costs;
•
A clear route for migration to this new technology.
Key recent developments
The past few months have seen significant progress on the
standardization and regulatory fronts, laying the foundations
for regular, long-term DRM transmissions.
In January 2003, the International Electrotechnical Committee
(IEC) gave the DRM on-air system its highest stamp of
approval – International Standard. A recent change in Rules
of Procedure by the International Telecommunications Union’s
(ITU) Radio Regulations Board (RRB) cleared the regulatory
path for broadcasters who want to use the DRM system for
the medium-wave/AM and long-wave frequency bands in
Regions 1 and 3. (Regions 1 and 3 include Europe, Africa,
the Middle East, Asia and Australia/New Zealand.) The
procedural change allows for digital modulation on a provisional
basis to any broadcaster who wants to use current
assignments in these AM bands for digital broadcasting in
Regions 1 and 3.While this procedural change does not cover
Region 2 (North and South America), DRM anticipates
decisions that will include Region 2 in the future.
Through the DRMBroadcasters’Group, a growing commitment
to beginning regular DRM services is being seen.This covers
not only a group of major international broadcasters, but also
a number of national AM broadcasters who will, or have
already, begun digital transmissions.
FromVT Merlin’s perspective, we have established short wave
DRM capability at our Rampisham transmission site.Two high
power SW transmitters are equipped to provide DRM
transmissions and these have been used for a number of
months for test and pilot broadcasts. A third transmitter is
undergoing conversion now and we are planning further
transmitter modifications at our other UK sites. We are also
installing a new DRM-ready high power medium wave facility
at our site at Orfordness, in South East England. We expect
this to be operational in June 2003, providing digital MW
coverage of Western Europe on 1296 kHz.
The software receiver project discussed above has made great
progress; we have already sold over 300 licences and expect
to sell at least 1700 this year. Over 200 users are participating
in the web forum, exchanging news and information on the
(very encouraging) performance of DRM!
Towards DRM’s Inaugural Broadcasts: June 2003
The DRM consortium is now completing final preparations for
its inaugural broadcasts event in Geneva, at the WRC03. In
the first instance, creating a critical mass of broadcasters to
begin services is vital. On 16 June leading broadcasters from
around the world will simultaneously begin their DRM
broadcasts. These transmissions will mark the start of daily
DRM services as distinct from the tests and trials we have
seen until now.Over the next few weeks the DRM Press Office
will be making announcements about the broadcasters
involved and giving further details about theWRC 03 activities
that have been planned.
The work on DRM receivers and chip development seen to
date gives very good cause for optimism that consumer
receivers can reach the markets in the next few years.
It has very quickly become clear to the international
broadcasting community that this new DRM technology is set
to make a dramatic impact on the future of AM broadcasting.
It will offer competitive quality on AM frequencies, while
retaining the huge benefits of reaching audiences via LW, MW
and SW that broadcasters have relied on for over 80 years.
Further information
A number of sites contain useful further detail on DRM
developments and information for broadcasters wishing
to participate
he DRM consortium website, providing in-
formation on members, latest news, audio samples and
links to other related sites
software receiver project website; the re-
ceiver can be purchased and full information is provided
on available transmissions
EU/DRM project for system testing
and evaluation; gives results and information on system
performance gained during wide programme of field tests
information on EU/DRM project to
create a remotely controlled monitoring system for DRM
transmissions
German project to develop new data
services on a DRM platform, for long, medium and short
wave broadcasting
European project to create low-cost DRM
decoding chipsets for the volume receiver industry
VTMerlin Communication’s website
with further information about its Digitalisation Programme
Transmitter converted for DRM at
VT Merlin’s Rampisham Transmitting Station
