DAB radio for car

[Ahoy]

Hi folks.
Does anyone know if there is anm inexpensive way to get DAB radio for my car (i.e. without having to buy an entirely new car stereo system)?

S.

[thehappychappy]

The easiest and hassle free way is probably to buy a new head unit ( JVC do a head unit with MP3/ CD / FM & DAB for about £130) but as you don't want to do that.

other methods involve getting a portable pocket DAB like this ( Tesco.Direct ) and then get a FM transmitter (i.e. Belkin Tunecast II or something cheap and cheerful like http://play.com/Electronics/Electron...r/Product.html add on for it or a cassette lead headphone ( iPod/MP3 Car Cassette Adaptor ) type thing.

Personally I would just upgrade my head unit and Ariel.

[Ahoy]

Thanks for the info. Will have a look into this.

S.

[Sakara Drinker]

I saw a dash mounted one in Dixons a while back. It transmitted to your original radio. Can't remember the price but worth a look next time you are passing.

[Jay]

doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of DAB though?

[Sakara Drinker]

Depends. I like Virgin radio but you can only get that MW in most of the UK. DAB via your existing radio would allow a better stereo reception at least.

[thehappychappy]

Originally Posted by Jay

doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of DAB though?

Jay, I agree the only benefit you get from any solution apart from upgrading your head unit is that you get the additional channels.

Upgrading the head unit gives you CD quality audio from a radio station.

Transmitting a DAB radio station to your head unit via an FM Transmitter or using a cassette lead means you downgrade the audio quality.

[Dave Crampton]

I've found the DAB not always CD quality. I listen to one at work as we can't receive an analogue signal, and its sometimes poor quality and the signal drops for half a second or so with interference.

I've never had a DAB in my car so couldn't comment on the quality. Thouigh do bare in mind I live out in the sticks in darkest East Anglia....

[Jim Shaw]

Are the DAB's any good for a car?

I've got a DAB that I use for work, and a lot of the time if I walk past it, or if anything falls next to it, it looses it's signal, or any number of similar things, I'm seriously thinking if bining it and going back to good old fashioned analogue

[Jules]

Like any digital signal DAB will hold it together as signal strength decreases and then jsut fall over. My Domestic DAB radio works upstairs and in my conservatory but not in the kitchen.

I was in our local auto electricla place the other day gettting my phone handsfree installation fixed and they have replacement DAB car hifi systems for about £200. No idea what make or model though.

DAB coverage is improving all the time, we are installing LOADS of additional transmitter sites for both the independant and BBC multiplexes.

Jules