DAB+

[organum]

Is DAB+ a software update for my 2012 E300?
It certainly has DAB but some stations have disappeared.
Thanks

 

[Mike Smith]

I think DAB+ is different hardware.
But I may be wrong.

 

[CowleyStJames]

You can upgrade DAB receivers to DAB+ via a firmware upgrade.
The new version came out in 2009 so you may be able to get yours upgraded.
Ask dealer if a firmware upgrade is available

 

[Botus]

I read certain ones can have DAB+ turned on in software, (affecting C and E class models after a certain build - but don't know when)

a given DAB device its not necessary missing the hardware for DAB+. Chipsets were in play from before 2005, but most didn't bother to use the good chips, and ate up stock of garbage cheapies

Since Feb 2016 and the UK restructuring of digital radio services, we currently have side by side broadcast of BOTH old DAB and better DAB+ signals

This introduced the ability for >100 channel reception, which crashes all those C and E class units as they can't understand a world of more than 99 channels (when the radio finds enough). A patch to resolve that bug was available I think Oct 2016 and they probably noticed it could do DAB+ at the same time. (I guess after someone pointed out it has a good chip why not use it. At that rate makes you wonder how they get the engine to actually start in the morning ???)

its very much like going from MPEG2 to MPEG4 video compression. DAB is early adopter bandwidth heavy rubbish. DAB+ uses much better compression leading to more channels with a far more robust signal, using a dual validation setup (for want of the right words) leading to far better resistance to signal dropout and interference

DAB will die fairly soon

 

[organum]

Thanks all
On re-checking the radio DAB+ stations are working so my assumption that an 8 year old car would not be compatible was not correct. I guess, as has been pointed out, that at some point the dealer must have done an update.
Thank you again for your comments and help.

 

[sonic]

My E350CDI 2011 vintage dose not have DAB, but it does have the 49 metre shortwave band. We used to listen to the BBC world service when driving round Europe on holiday. But the BBC turned off their European shortwave transmitters about 5 years ago.

 

[Botus]

My E350CDI 2011 vintage dose not have DAB, but it does have the 49 metre shortwave band. We used to listen to the BBC world service when driving round Europe on holiday. But the BBC turned off their European shortwave transmitters about 5 years ago.

OH Sorry, I read it does have DAB.... still might be helpful to other owners out there

have you checked to see if there's an update? I think this should do DAB+. One wild search return I found a month back says its all in the device you just need to tick a menu option hidden inside the device's firmware

I wonder if the other element that came about with the 2016 Oct software updates re. a hardware change on the antenna amp, was an improved design to cope better with UK DAB and DAB+ info being broadcast

 

[sonic]

OH Sorry, I read it does have DAB.... still might be helpful to other owners out there

have you checked to see if there's an update? I think this should do DAB+. One wild search return I found a month back says its all in the device you just need to tick a menu option hidden inside the device's firmware

I wonder if the other element that came about with the 2016 Oct software updates re. a hardware change on the antenna amp, was an improved design to cope better with UK DAB and DAB+ info being broadcast

Thanks for that, I never thought to check to see if it was upgradable. I will get it checked at the next service.

 

[Alfie]

We offer a replacement tuner that will support DAB+ if anyone needs it!

This same system can be installed into cars without any DAB and gives full factory look and feel for DAB and DAB+

Email your vin for a quote. Sales@comandonline.co.uk