Digital radio promises CD sound
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.BRITAIN'S 3 million satellite and cable TV homes could be experiencing something new by the end of this year - digital radio giving CD-quality sound, writes Steve Homer.
As most people feel FM radio leaves a lot to be desired, this could be good news for British music lovers. DMX (Digital Music Express) will have 30 channels ranging from non-stop heavy metal to non-stop opera beamed from Atlanta, Georgia. The system, designed for the cable TV system in the United States, will launch on selected UK cable operations this March.
Users will need a special 'tuner' to decode the signal. No prices are available, but in the US the system is rented out for about dollars 12 (pounds 8) per month. Later this year, BSkyB will carry DMX.
As DMX only plays uninterrupted music, listeners will need to use a special remote control to find out what they are hearing. When this is pointed at the tuner, details of the song, aria or track are displayed in a panel on the remote control.
There is a danger that pirates will make perfect copies. But as single tracks, arias and movements are played, bootlegging is difficult.
Sound quality should be as good as a CD player. However, because it is necessary to be linked to a cable system or satellite dish, DMX will be no use in the car or outside. High-quality listening there should eventually be made possible by digital audio broadcasting (DAB), a system that the BBC is working on.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments