Features - DAB Press release

DAB RECEIVER

Digital from start to finish: VDO Dayton presents three new radio combinations for DAB reception (from 8th October 2001)

VDO Dayton is once again intent on providing optimum in-car sound and is therefore offering two new CD tuner (CD 4502, CD 4802) and one cassette tuner (CR 4402) combinations, enabling CD-quality radio reception when combined with the MD 4000 DAB receiver. It is not just the radio signals which are transmitted digi-tally, but the devices themselves process the data in completely digital form. This creates a perfect sound chain between transmitter and speaker which turns the radio programme into an acoustically pure experience with outstanding sharpness and sparkling sound. In addition, the Digital Audio Broadcasting technology allows for a series of additional intelligent functions which are made available with these three new tuner combinations from VDO Dayton.

Now that digital technology has long since established itself as the standard in the audio field with the victory march of the CD, it has also begun to conquer the ether with Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB). For as the radio network of the future, this procedure is clearly superior to conventional systems. While the VHF range is increasingly growing short of available frequencies, audio bandwidth is limited and the level of interfering signals from all types of electrical equipment is constantly rising, digital transmission of programmes guarantees high-quality and absolutely interference-free radio reception in crystal clear CD quality.

However, since the digital network in Europe is still in its infancy and there are still gaps in some parts of Europe, VDO Dayton has ensured that the old and new radio worlds are intelligently linked: thus the tuner together with the MD 4000 DAB receiver automatically searches for the strongest signal and on leaving the DAB area independently switches to the corresponding FM programme without loss; hence annoying interruptions in reception will in future be a thing of the past and the highest quality is always guaranteed. Here the DAB tuner uses all the ease-of-use features of the VDO Dayton devices, for example listing all available DAB stations in alphabetical order. But digital radio not only ensures the optimum sound experience. The new technology also enables increased information flow. For with their radio programmes, the stations also transmit so-called Programme Associated Data (PAD), which, just like video text on television, offer background and additional information such as name and performer of the current music title or, depending on the station, news-in-brief, stock market prices or weather reports. These PAD texts are displayed with up to 128 characters on the attractively designed VFD multicolour display with its unique 3D look.

The altogether three elaborately designed tuners are built like PCs with signal and computer processors. Here VDO Dayton is placing its faith in an uninterrupted digital processing chain from CD, MP3 file, digital CD or MP3 changer and DAB receiver to the preamp output. Thus the background noise and interfering frequencies of analogue paths are avoided from the start. In addition, the new devices sparkle with intelligent equalizers, well-though out sound processors, future-oriented MOSFET technology and – with an output of 4 x 55 watts – more than enough power for perfect "brain vibrations“.