DRM
Existing analogue short-wave, medium–wave and long-wave transmission resulted in poor sound quality because of static interferences and fadings. As the listeners tolerance for AM noise decreased in recent years, it was obvious that somehing has to be done to revitalize broadcasting below 30MHz.
In 1998. a small group of pioneering broadcasters and manufacturers joined forces to create a universal digital system for AM broadcasting below 30 MHz, i.e. short wave, medium wave and long wave.
The idea was to create a non-propriatery, evolutionary, global standard which would be market driven and consumer oriented and capable of spreading the AM digital technology around the world.
As a result the DRM ( Digital Radio Mondiale) organization was established on March 5th 1998.
Recognizing its importance, RIZ joined the DRM organization in 2000., as a Class A member.
From a broadcaster's point of view digital AM offers:
- Cost saving, especially in targeting long distance audience, since digital AM transmitters require less power than standard AM to reach the same target
- Continuous use of existing transmitting equipment
- More effective use of existing frequency planning
- Opportunities for added-value services with data, text, etc…
The benefits for listeners of digital AM are:
- FM like sound quality with AM reach
- Improved reception quality
- Easy tuning selection by desired frequency, station name or program
- More diverse program content: associated text information, station name, record title, singer's name...
For more details contact: www.drm.org.
