Digital Radio Mondiale is a system which promises to re-invigorate the use of the broadcasting bands below 30 MHz. It offers a dramatic improvement in audio quality, not only improving the audio bandwidth and signal-to-noise ratio, but also countering the effects of selective fading and audible interference from other stations. It is also designed to support various features that will make receiver operation more user-friendly.

This article describes the basic “mechanics” of DRM and its features, which include station identification, alternative frequency lists and support for time-varying frequency schedules – of particular importance in HF broadcasting..

Implementing a new technology around the globe is not straightforward. History provides us with few examples of a successful roll-out on day one of a global launch – with perhaps the exception of some new electronic toys. To penetrate new markets, even on a small scale, is a challenge for any organization involved in bringing a new product to market. Multiply this by the vast range of different market conditions that a new technology – with global aspirations – will face, and it becomes a serious issue.

This article talks about some of the challenges facing the launch of Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) and the route that is now being planned to enable the implementation to be a successful one. It focuses particularly on the end listener, and the issues that will be faced by DRM in getting this new digital service to the consumer.

Teletext is about 25 years old and is currently being brought into the digital broadcasting environment by the DVB project. This article looks at some of the key issues involved in offering teletext and subtitling to DVB viewers.

EBU members – within the framework of the N/WTM project group – recently carried out tests on four watermarking systems, from a subjective, objective and robustness viewpoint. This article offers a brief summary of the results of these tests.