Going Digital

[carnut13]

The Govt. has announced that all radio broadcasting will be digital by 2015. What will that do to the Comand systems in our cars? will radio be dead or will there be a fix? MB Dealer replacement of units at a huge cost?

Opportunity for Alfie!

 

[rf065]

The Govt. has announced that all radio broadcasting will be digital by 2015. What will that do to the Comand systems in our cars? will radio be dead or will there be a fix? MB Dealer replacement of units at a huge cost?

Opportunity for Alfie!

Products already available.

http://www.radio-now.co.uk/revo_in-car_dab_digital_car_radio.htm

Russ

 

[st13phil]

Actually, what they've announced is that the DAB network is to be complete by 2015 (but the big question over that is "where's the money coming from?"), not that the analogue radio services will cease in 2015.

 

[MercStraight6]

From what I've heard; DAB reception is still very patchy in vehicles.

 

[carnut13]

Products already available.

http://www.radio-now.co.uk/revo_in-car_dab_digital_car_radio.htm

Russ

is this going to work seamlessly in Comand? I dont think so but of course hope to be wrong.

See this

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/...ia/5552937/FM-radio-switched-off-by-2015.html

So it looks like "old" cars are going to hve a problem:Comand is particularly at risk as its so proprietory and expensive to change

 

[Miffy]

I am sure someone will bring out a Car DAB tuner that will rebroadcast on a low power FM frequency, much the same way that some tune the FM into their Ipod adapters so even if they do shut down Analogue FM radio, it will be far from the end of Comand etc

 

[carnut13]

I do hope that this will not be a problem but the replies so far seem a bit complacent to me.

Im sure the Motor Manufacturers wont see this as a problem, more an opportunity, so dont expect them to be up in arms about this.

The basic fact is that any integrated Radio will be obsolete and useless after 2015. Who want a car with comand that dosnt have a radio that works....rather basic!!

It may seem some way ahead but it will come round soon: while Classic cars may get away with this quaint problem , more modern cars will no doubt suffer even mor depreciation and the Manufacturers will just sit back and sell us a newer model

 

[jberks]

Just as my Dad's 211 has a casette player and mine has a CD, things change. We can't really hold manufacturers responsible.
Analogue will still be around for a fair while yet, just as we've had digital TV for the last 10 years and they're only just switching analogue of over the next 5 years now. I suspect most of us wil have changed cars and have ones with digital radios long before analogue stops working.
Its all academic anyway as we'll probably have in car internet access before too long. Not necessarily for browsing, but satnav, poi/speed camera updates, automatic factory updates, auto service booking etc - and the radio will come in over that.
If you're really stuck, factory fit radios can be replaced with some really quite nice after market units.

 

[carnut13]

Just as my Dad's 211 has a casette player and mine has a CD, things change. We can't really hold manufacturers responsible.
Analogue will still be around for a fair while yet, just as we've had digital TV for the last 10 years and they're only just switching analogue of over the next 5 years now. I suspect most of us wil have changed cars and have ones with digital radios long before analogue stops working.
Its all academic anyway as we'll probably have in car internet access before too long. Not necessarily for browsing, but satnav, poi/speed camera updates, automatic factory updates, auto service booking etc - and the radio will come in over that.
If you're really stuck, factory fit radios can be replaced with some really quite nice after market units.

Thats just my point...try changing Comand to aftermarket!

 

[turbopete]

Just as my Dad's 211 has a casette player and mine has a CD, things change. We can't really hold manufacturers responsible.
Analogue will still be around for a fair while yet, just as we've had digital TV for the last 10 years and they're only just switching analogue of over the next 5 years now. I suspect most of us wil have changed cars and have ones with digital radios long before analogue stops working.
Its all academic anyway as we'll probably have in car internet access before too long. Not necessarily for browsing, but satnav, poi/speed camera updates, automatic factory updates, auto service booking etc - and the radio will come in over that.
If you're really stuck, factory fit radios can be replaced with some really quite nice after market units.

also if we get in car internet for satnav/ factory updates etc, it means our already over policed nanny state (i mean too many do gooders making sure you can only do certain things in life NOT that theres too many police. just too many doing speed checks instead of other things!!!) has then got another way for BIG BROTHER to watch over you!!! they will probably start e-mailing you your speeding tickets etc! however it would be a useful tool to cut the engine on a reported stolen/untaxed/uninsured etc vehicle!!

 

[Retired]

Actually, what they've announced is that the DAB network is to be complete by 2015 (but the big question over that is "where's the money coming from?"), not that the analogue radio services will cease in 2015.

This from the report. Makes it clear that once digital is up and running the analogue broadcasts will cease:



On the determined date all services
carried on the national and local DAB multiplexes will cease broadcasting on
analogue.


In the Interim Report we set out two migration criteria; these were:
1) When 50% of listening is to digital; and
2) When national DAB coverage is comparable to FM coverage, and local
DAB reaches 90% of the population and all major roads.
12. Following the Interim Digital Britain Report it has become apparent that, while

Therefore, included within the Digital Radio Upgrade timetable is our intention
that the criteria should be met by the end of 2013.

 

[carnut13]

Exactly! anyone who has a Merc with comand, or buys one in the next 3 years or so, will have no radio function after 2015

This is a small but serious issue, and one I do not like

 

[Blobcat]

Just seen this from Alfie so perhaps our Comand modules are not scrap yet.

Don't start me on the poor quality of DAB due to the broadcasting companies wanting to push as many services as possible into the bandwidth. We unfortunately have the lowest quality DAB and much lower than FM.

 

[Blobcat]

I've just found a part number
A2048705490 but don't like the price :-(

 

[Dosco]

Don't start me on the poor quality of DAB due to the broadcasting companies wanting to push as many services as possible into the bandwidth. We unfortunately have the lowest quality DAB and much lower than FM.

Oh so right, even DAB in the home is not up to the promises made. To improve reception I needed to install an external antenna.

 

[jberks]

[/U][/I]

Thats just my point...try changing Comand to aftermarket!

Not as hard as you might think.
Ok - it won't look as good as command, but double din gzimos from Pioneer/Panasonic etc do everything command does, plus in built TV, sat nav, reverse cameras, phones etc etc. They even come with canbus boxes to integrate with car systems and wheel controls. Some of the latest stuff even talks to the dash display. They're putting a lot of effort integrating with manufacturer's system as otherwise who'll want their products?
They all make surrounds for all cars too. So worst case, thats what we'd have to do.

I suspect the govt are saying they'll switch off analogue partially to scare us into buying DAB and encourage car manufacturers to actually fit them (can you get a car with DAB yet?).
In reality I suspect we'll still be listening to R2/4 on FM in 15 years time.

 

[Blobcat]

Not as hard as you might think.
Ok - it won't look as good as command, but double din gzimos from Pioneer/Panasonic etc do everything command does, plus in built TV, sat nav, reverse cameras, phones etc etc. They even come with canbus boxes to integrate with car systems and wheel controls. Some of the latest stuff even talks to the dash display. They're putting a lot of effort integrating with manufacturer's system as otherwise who'll want their products?
They all make surrounds for all cars too. So worst case, thats what we'd have to do.

I suspect the govt are saying they'll switch off analogue partially to scare us into buying DAB and encourage car manufacturers to actually fit them (can you get a car with DAB yet?).
In reality I suspect we'll still be listening to R2/4 on FM in 15 years time.

I believe the new Vauxhall under arm deodorant comes with a DAB receiver.

 

[rf065]

I believe the new Vauxhall under arm deodorant comes with a DAB receiver.

When the previous Astra was introduced, a few years ago now, they made a big thing in the adverts about DAB radio being standard fitment.

Russ