DRM at IBC 2019 - Going from Strength to Strength

DRM Highlights 'Smart Radio for All' at IBC 2019

Under the overarching theme "DRM – Smart Radio for All" the DRM Consortium had two interactive sessions looking at the practical implementation of DRM in various parts of the world. The sessions also focused on new receivers and enhancements to DRM equipment.

The first event on Friday 13th September hosted by Gospell under the title "The Gospell Receiver – End to End Solution for Your Needs", highlighted great developments in digital DRM roll-out in China and new upgrades, multi-feature and multi-standard receivers (such as the GR22) and receiver solutions from the company.   Gospell announced three DRM products; an affordable DRM receiver, car adapter and a professional measurement receiver.

On Saturday the 14th,  during an interactive sess

ion, held at the Nautel booth a panel of digital radio experts from the Consortium, answered questions on the latest implementation of DRM across the world (India, China, South Africa, Russia).

Fraunhofer IIS provided more details on the latest major release of the new DRM ContentServer R7 head-end technology for Digital Radio DRM (and DAB+). The DRM ContentServer R7 enables broadcasters to ensure consistent loudness within one programme and between programmes and builds resilience with backup audio coding to get over any interruption.

During the Nautel event RFmondial also demonstrated its advanced multiplexed DRM modulation for the FM band, that allows broadcasters to transmit multiple DRM channels on one physical transmitter.

Participants were also able to see and ask questions about the new all-band receiver, the result of the cooperation between Nedis, the Dutch consumer goods company and STARWAVES (an innovative technology radio solution company).  

On the panel were: Ruxandra Obreja (Chair, DRM Consortium), Wendell Lonergan (Nautel), Alexander Zink(Fraunhofer IIS), Haochun Liu (Gospell), Thembeka Khaka (Thembeka Khaka & Associates) and Jan Hein Knip (Nedis).

Ruxandra Obreja, the Consortium Chairman, says that: "IBC 2019 was great for DRM.  New roll out programmes and demos in India, China, several other Asian countries, Russia, Africa and Europe.  New receiver solutions, a new car adapter and improved transmitters and content servers.  DRM is going from strength to strength."

Consortium members at the IBC exhibition included: BBC, Encompass Digital, JVCKenwood, NXP, RFmondial and Sony.

From R to L - Haochun Liu (Gospell), Ruxandra Obreja (DRM, Chair,) Wendell Lonergan (Nautel), Alexander Zink (Fraunhofer IIS), Thembeka Khaka (Thembeka Khaka & Associates), Jan Hein Knip (Nedis)

(Press Release)