A little DAB will do ya

The local radio industry was out in full force for the Vancouver launch of digital audio broadcasting on May 11. Uncharacteristic unanimity ruled the day as all stations showed their support for the new platform.

The star-studded press conference kicked off with Larry & Willy's (99.3 the FOX) enthusiastic but typically twisted explanation of digital. "Other morning personalities providing their unique perspectives included Terry & Tara (103.5QM-FM), Darren B. Lamb and Janice Thomson (Z95.3), and Rick Cluff (CBC Radio One)."

The glitterati also included General Managers from all of the local stations introduced by Chris Pandoff (99.3 the FOX). Topping it all off was a performance by Tal Bachman.

The performance was recorded to DAT then aired immediately afterwards on CBC digital with stunning clarity. Demonstrations of the new receivers (Arcam in-home and Pioneer in-car) put on by manufacturers were, to say the least, impressive. Out in front of the hotel, a DAB Bug was being used to showcase in-car units as interested parties were whisked through downtown Vancouver.

With the addition of Vancouver to a list including Toronto, Montreal and Windsor, DAB is now available to approximately 35 per cent of Canadians, establishing this country as a world leader in the field. DAB is the technology of choice currently available to approximately 350 million people worldwide. While the U.S.A. is pursuing a different approach, digital is enjoying tremendous success overseas. DAB is available to 80 per cent of Belgium, 80 per cent of Sweden and 60 per cent of the United Kingdom.

In Canada, the initiative is being driven by Digital Radio Roll-Out ( DRRI) Inc., a joint initiative of CBC, CHUM Limited, Radiomutuel Inc., Rogers Broadcasting Limited, Corus Entertainment Inc., Standard Radio Inc., Telemedia Communications Inc., WIC Radio Ltd., Cogeco Radio-Television Inc., Power Broadcasting Inc., Okanagan Skeena Group, Golden West Broadcasting Ltd., CIRC Radio Inc. and Rawlco Communications Limited.

DAB, based on Eureka 147 technology, has numerous advantages over both current analog transmission and the more recent audio streaming via the World Wide Web. "Digital" offers both outstanding CD quality sound and portability. It will lead to host of data display services for the consumer including geographic positioning, traffic and weather information, advertising supplements, song credits and a good deal more. All the while the listener is treated to interference-free reception. DAB's "point to multi-point" capabilities serve to illustrate the Web's "point-to-point" limitations and afford digital radio stations the opportunity to play to a much wider audience.

The promise is evident. Now the industry has to prove that "a little DAB will do ya."