DRM Concludes General Assembly with Important Announcements

Digital Radio Mondiale™ (DRM) Consortium Concludes General Assembly with Important Announcements

The DRM Consortium held its second virtual General Assembly on April 15th with the participation of 70 members and guests from all continents (Indonesia, Pakistan, UK, Germany, Denmark, South Africa, Hungary, Australia, India, Canada, Brazil, China and USA).

The first session, open to members and invited guests, reviewed excellent progress made in the past year in countries like India, South Africa, Indonesia, Pakistan and very recently in Brazil, Russia and Hungary.

The much-anticipated session on receivers did not disappoint with new prototypes, updates and developments announced by receivers and chipset manufacturers (Gospell, RF2Digital, Inntot, Cambridge Consultants, NXP, Fraunhofer IIS and Starwaves). They all announced that the new (many low-cost, low energy) receivers and receiver solutions support all the DRM bands, analogue and, the SDR solutions and even other standards. The German-Swiss Starwaves introduced its Android dongle for mobiles just launched: https://www.iis.fraunhofer.de/en/pr/2021/20210318_ame_starwaves_drm.html

https://starwaves.com/starwaves-drm-softradio-app-for-android-now-available/

Fraunhofer IIS also gave details about the project to test the DRM framework within the ATSC 3.0 TV platform which will give access to multi-featured DRM content on radio, TV and also mobiles and cars: https://www.drm.org/drm-framework-to-be-integrated-into-the-atsc-3-0-digital-tv-platform/

The India presentation focused on the almost 3 million DRM receivers in Indian cars. The recent DRM for FM successful trial in India also featured head unit radios with DRM AM and DRM FM integrated and working perfectly in some of the car models used during the trial. The upgrade of existing digital AM units to FM was possible and easy, without a change of hardware. As explained during the various GA sessions most of the receivers, no matter which platform (car, mobile, standalone) support the full DRM standard (AM and FM) and all the DRM features giving extra benefits like EWF (Emergency Warning Functionality), distance learning, extra content in various languages.

In the busiest activity year of the Consortium so far, participants also learned about full projects rolling out in Indonesia and Pakistan, about the successful DRM (FM) trial in Russia and DRM (SW) DRM trial in Brazil.

The recent DRM for FM trial in India had its own session and the interest was so great that the Consortium has announced a full "DRM for India Trial – Innovation and Success" webinar for May 6th.

Aspects of the current radio market, the energy savings delivered by DRM, the education project, the link with other international organisations and the improved communications gave representatives of Encompass Media Services, BBC, Fraunhofer IIS, RFmondial, Nautel, NXP, Ampegon, Dolby, Silabs, Radio Pulpit, Gospell, Kintronic Labs a chance to update and debate the issues that the Consortium will incorporate into its future strategy.

According to DRM Chairman, Ruxandra Obreja: "The DRM General Assembly was a great occasion to celebrate the great successes of the last year, achieved in conditions of world crisis. The great receiver developments and DRM demos and roll out plans all over the world have set the agenda for the coming year. The commitment, energy and support of the DRM members is our greatest asset and guarantee that DRM will be making it possible for everyone, no matter where they are and, whether they are connected to modern technology or not, to stay safe, informed and educated."

(Press Release)

DRM specials for DRM GA 2019

DRM special transmissions for DRM General Assembly 2019 at  Spanish island of Mallorca :

March 20th, 2019 (Wednesday)

1430-1500 on 15640 KHz - Via Red Telekom, Ujbekistan (Test)

March 26th, 2019 (Tuesday)

1000-1100 UTC on 13670 kHz (Prog : The Mighty KBC) -  Via Media Broadcast, Nauen 

1200-1300 UTC on 11780 kHz (Prog: BBC) -  Via Woofferton UK  

1430-1530 UTC on 15640 KHz  - Via Red Telekom, Ujbekistan    

1500-1600 UTC on 11790 kHz (Prog: BBC)  - Via Woofferton UK    

March 27th (Wedneday)

1000-1100 UTC on 13670 kHz (Prog : The Mighty KBC) -  Via Media Broadcast, Nauen 

1200-1300 UTC on 11780 kHz (Prog: BBC) -  Via Woofferton UK  

1500-1600 UTC on 11790 kHz (Prog: BBC)  - Via Woofferton UK

Digital Radio Mondiale General Assembly 2018 at Spain succesfully concluded

Under the banner "Digital Radio Mondiale Drives Forward", the 2018 General Assembly of the DRM Consortium took place on Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th of April, at the Palma Bellver Bay Meliá Hotel on Mallorca hosted by Bosch and RFmondial.

The General Assembly set the strategy and working plan for the next year for DRM. This year's Assembly also elected the Chair and the main bodies of this not-for-profit organisation.  The only additions to the existing Steering Board are Nautel and RRI (Indonesian public broadcaster).   The other Board members are: Ampegon, BBC, Babcock International, Fraunhofer IIS, NXP, RFmondial and Thomson Broadcast.  Thomson Broadcast also joined the Executive Board and Ruxandra Obreja was re-elected Chair of the Consortium.

The busy and friendly meeting was an excellent opportunity for members and guests from Asia, Africa and Europe to review all the activities of the past year, receive updates from country representatives and specialists from all the corners of the globe on an outstanding year of progress for DRM.   On both days they enjoyed direct live transmissions in DRM shortwave from the UK and Bulgaria on receivers like Avion, Gospell and Titus SDR.  A special receiver session was held before the conclusion of this successful event.

For Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Chairman, this was a moment to take stock "and review the excellent progress made by DRM in India and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as South Africa, other countries in Africa, Middle East and Europe and in the automotive industry. DRM as a flexible and economical provider of audio and extra benefits like emergency warning functionality is now in a unique position to give users a powerful, all-band solution for local, regional, national and international coverage. The General Assembly gave everyone  a reason to be proud but also to step up  the efforts of getting DRM transmissions and receivers in the market."

Listen to the special DRM transmission of BBC World Service content relayed by Babcock International was recorded on the DRM Gospell receiver and the Titus SDR including Journaline

https://youtu.be/Y88h5BTcINk

https://youtu.be/8dQCuYNQEgI

(Press Release)

Change in schedule for BBC special DRM txn for DRM GA in english

Change in schedule for BBC special DRM txn for DRM GA in english Via Babcock International to large areas of south west Europe and part of the north African coast.

April 18th, 2018

1000-1100 UTC will be on 11970 kHz

1100-1200 UTC will be on 13845 kHz

Spaceline DRM transmission for DRM GA on 18th April 2018

Spaceline DRM Transmission - 18th April 2018

Special DRM transmission tomorrow 18th April from Spaceline during DRM GA at 1200-1400 UTC on 11600 kHz from Kostinbrod, Bulgaria with antenna directed at 260 degrees. The content will be from Mighty KBC.

Reception reports to :  reception@spaceline.bg

BABCOCK, BBC DRM TRANSMISSION DURING DRM GENERAL ASSEMBLY

April 17th and 18th, 2018

1000-1200 UTC on 11970 kHz - BBC World Service in English

Towards south west Europe and part of the north African coast.

http://www.drm.org/babcock-bbc-drm-transmission-during-drm-general-assembly/

Digital Radio Mondiale to Hold this Year’s General Assembly in Spain

Under the banner "Digital Radio Mondiale Drives Forward", the 2018 General Assembly of the DRM Consortium is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th of April, at the Palma Bellver Bay Meliá Hotel on Mallorca being hosted by Bosch and RFmondial.

The General Assembly is where the strategy and working plan for the next year is set for DRM. This year's Assembly will also serve as an election year for the Chair and all leading bodies of the Consortium. This will be an excellent opportunity for members and guests to review all the activities of the past year receive updates from country representatives and specialists from all the corners of the globe on an outstanding year of progress for DRM. A special receiver session has been also scheduled as part of the event.

For Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Chairman, this is a moment to take stock "and review the excellent progress made by DRM in India and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as South Africa, other countries in Africa, Middle East and Europe. DRM Drives forward with big successes in the automotive industry. Continuous work goes on to provide ingenious standalone and car receivers. DRM as a provider of more than audio and especially emergency warning functionality puts it in a unique position giving users a powerful, all-band solution they can use for their specific needs and coverage at local, regional, national and international level."

(Press Release)

Contact: pressoffice@drm.org

Digital Radio Mondiale General Assembly Concluded Successfully in Switzerland

The DRM General Assembly ended by announcing that All India Radio, the Indian public broadcaster, has now joined the Consortium and its leading bodies. 

This year's General Assembly reviewed the many and successful developments of the past year and set the directions for 2017-2018 with emphasis on receivers and key markets in Asia and Africa. Under the banner "Digital Radio Mondiale Delivers", the 2017 General Assembly of the DRM Consortium took place on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th of May in Baden, near Zurich, Switzerland, being hosted by the industrial company and key Consortium member Ampegon. 

The exclusive General Assembly meeting for members only on Wednesday, May 10th in the morning reviewed the major developments in DRM, updates on technical developments, receivers, cooperation with international organisations and specific developments as reported by some of the key members like Fraunhofer IIS, NXP, Radio France International, BBC, Nautel, Ampegon, RFmondial etc.

The open DRM sessions had special addresses from the representatives of Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) and BBC. The open session had two major headings: key DRM countries. This was illustrated with reports from local representatives in India, Pakistan, Germany, Southern Africa and Brazil. The other major topic was the development of several types of DRM receivers. The news on several car models launched this year in India and carrying standard DRM receivers was greeted with interest. 

Equally impressive was the presentation of the software defined multi-standard receiver, Titus II, and the latest developments of receivers like Avion and Gospell, as well as the plans of companies in South Korea and the UK. The available receivers were put to good use on both days when Babcock facilitated a live BBC transmission from the UK. On Thursday participants were linked to the Babcock engineers at the Woofferton transmission site in south-west England while the signals were on air. For the coming year, the DRM Consortium will consolidate its work in markets like India, Indonesia, other Asian countries and Southern Africa. In parallel it will vigorously pursue receiver developments, preferably as multi-standard offers, and will pay particular attention to the automobile segment. 

For Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Chairman, the General Assembly was more than a moment to take stock. "It was a celebration of success in countries like India. It was also a moment to review the excellent DRM progress in other key countries like Pakistan, Indonesia, South Africa, and acknowledge the interest shown for DRM in some African countries, Russia and other Asian countries. The fact that there are already ingenious standalone and car receivers featuring DRM gives confidence in DRM and the ultimate success of digital radio all over the world." After the General Assembly, some of the DRM members and experts made their way to Indonesia where together with RRI they will carry out a DRM for local coverage demo and will present an update on the full benefits of DRM for both wide and local coverage. 

(DRM Consortium Press Release)

Digital Radio Mondiale to hold this year’s General Assembly in Switzerland

Under the banner "Digital Radio Mondiale Delivers", the 2017 General Assembly of the DRM Consortium is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th of May in Baden near Zurich, Switzerland being hosted by Ampegon.

The two-day event will start with the exclusive General Assembly meeting for members only on Wednesday, May 10th in the morning. At lunchtime the Consortium will open its doors widely to all those interested in DRM and digital radio. The Open DRM event will include updates from all the key DRM countries and will run through until lunchtime on Thursday 11th. Special VIP guests have been invited to attend the Open sessions of the GA where they will have an opportunity to review and receive updates from country representatives and specialists on an outstanding year of progress for DRM.

"As a founding member of DRM, Ampegon is delighted to once again host this event. We support and enhance the DRM standard which is fully integrated in our broadcast transmitters.", says CEO Josef Troxler.

For Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Chairman, this is a moment to take stock "and review the excellent progress made by DRM in India and other key countries like Pakistan, South Africa, Indonesia and many more, as well as the interest shown in some African countries, Brazil, Russia and other countries in Asia-Pacific. The fact that there are already ingenious standalone and car receivers featuring DRM gives confidence in DRM and the ultimate success of digital radio all over the world."

(Press Release)

Digital Radio Mondiale to hold this year’s General Assembly in Switzerland

Under the banner "Digital Radio Mondiale Delivers", the 2017 General Assembly of the DRM Consortium is scheduled to take place on Wednesday 10th and Thursday 11th of May near Zurich, Switzerland being hosted by Ampegon AG.

As usual, the two-day event will start with the exclusive General Assembly meeting for members only on Wednesday, May 10th in the morning. At lunchtime the Consortium will open its doors widely to all those interested in DRM and digital radio. The Open DRM event will run through until lunchtime on Wednesday 11th. Special VIP guests have been invited to attend the Open sessions of the GA where they will have an opportunity to review and receive updates from country representatives and specialists on an outstanding year of progress for DRM.

For Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Chairman, this is a moment to take stock "and review the excellent progress made by DRM in India and other key countries like Pakistan, South Africa, Indonesia and many more as well as the interest shown in some African countries, Brazil, Russia and other countries in Asia-Pacific. The fact that there are already ingenious standalone and car receivers featuring DRM gives confidence in DRM and the ultimate success of digital radio all over the world."

(Press Release)

First DRM European Workshop “Flexible and Complete Digital Radio for Europe” asks European Stakeholders to Support and Manufacture DRM and DAB+ Receivers

Following from a very successful General Assembly, the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) Consortium, and the German DRM Platform held a most comprehensive European workshop hosted by Fraunhofer IIS in Erlangen, Germany from 6th to 7th April 2016.

This was a first such DRM event aimed at offering solutions to all broadcasters large or small. During their presentations and discussions participants stressed that DRM is the ITU endorsed and internationally adopted standard for the distribution of programmes internationally, nationally and up to local coverage level. DRM can also provide an economic and complementary solution to exactly those coverage scenarios that the established DAB/DAB+ networks in Band-III were never designed for.

Following their deliberations the participants urged all stakeholders of Digital Radio in Europe – including European organisations, regulators, broadcasters and the receiver and automotive industry – to embrace publicly the duality and complementarity of the open DRM and DAB standards as the complete Digital Radio solution for Europe (and worldwide). This means a digital future for all broadcasters, offering more programme choice to listeners, extra multimedia services with text and images, increased energy savings and spectrum efficiency. The participants ask 'all European stakeholders to promote actively the manufacturing and distribution of multi-standard Digital Radio receivers, comprising at least the DRM and DAB standards.'

The first session, held in conjunction with the open part of the DRM General Assembly, took a brief look at the status of DRM adoption around the world, including the DRM roll-out in India, ready to become the largest digital radio market in the world with over 600 million people being reached by DRM broadcasts. Presentations given by experts from various European countries showed that the digitisation of radio progresses in Europe. At the end of the first day Fraunhofer IIS (Bernd Linz) demonstrated the latest development to provide traffic and travel services in DRM radios, soon to be installed in Asia. Afterwards Martin Speitel demonstrated the features of the Fraunhofer software package for car radios with DRM. With this solution, radio manufacturers can quickly build or enhance radio platforms on a proven modular system covering the full DRM and DAB standards including their full feature sets, thus shortening their development times and, in turn, reducing their costs.

On the 7th April benefits and opportunities of DRM were shown with practical applications. Ampegon (Matthias Stoll) showed how easy and cost-effective the transition from analogue AM to DRM can be. Marc Holthof of the German Navy gave an example of how to use DRM over shortwave for maritime broadcasting of information and entertainment to ship crews at sea. Csaba Szombathy, Technical University of Budapest, demonstrated his original monitoring programme of DRM transmissions. Then RFmondial (Jens Schroeder), demonstrated how to provide DRM services in the crowded FM band compatible with all the existing FM stations. Joachim Lehnert, German DRM Platform Chairman, showed that DRM is a suitable system for local/regional coverage in VHF Band III, fully compatible with DAB/DAB+ and DVB-T networks and in keeping with RRC-06. RFmondial (Detlef Pagel) also referred to the use of DRM in VHF Band III and stressed that DRM+ is the most suitable digital system for the local and regional single-station broadcasters, as a complement to multiplexes, while sharing all the listenerrelated features with the DAB+ standard. Finally, Manfred Kühn, Mobile Broadcast Consult, demonstrated the flexible transmission of multiple DRM channels in a single DAB frequency block in VHF Band III.

This session was followed by a status report on the development of digital multi-standard radios, presented by Robert Bosch Car Multimedia, NXP, Fraunhofer IIS, PnP Networks and Panasonic. All the speakers finally emphasized the market and framework requirements for the production of multistandard radios for Europe.

Joachim Lehnert, Chairman of the German DRM Platform, concluded that the workshop was an important step to bringing national activities together and added; "With all the European DRM activities presented over the past two days and the encouraging messages from the receiver industry, I believe that the famous 'chicken or egg' problem can be solved from the receiver end by adding DRM as a complement to existing digital receivers. This will eventually help all radio broadcasters across Europe, whether national, local or community stations, and will ensure each has a digital home in the future."

(Press Release)

Digital Radio Mondiale(tm) (DRM) Demonstrates Its Versatility at General Assembly held at the BBC in London this month

DRM on all bands received on USB sticks, tablets, desk top receivers, as well as integrated with social media could be experienced during the the first day of the General Assembly of the DRM Consortium (March 26th) at the New Broadcasting House, BBC Headquarters in central London. The event was launched in the iconic BBC Radio Theatre by the Chief Operating Officer of the BBC World Service and Global News.

 

Under the title “DRM in Action”, the Consortium used this opportunity to showcase the many excellent benefits of the DRM standard while experts from around the world highlighted the progress DRM made around the world.

 

In the first key sessions Indian contributors including broadcasters and receiver manufacturers updated the audience on the digital roll-out in India. Then Brazilian experts gave participants an in-depth insight into Brazil’s digital radio contrasts and the support for DRM coming from the industry, community stations and other stakeholders.

 

To prove that digital radio is “radio plus” Consortium member companies invited delegates to experience practically DRM alongside the transmission chain from studio to listener. BBC (UK); Babcock International (UK); Fraunhofer IIS (Germany); Digidia (France); Radio Haugaland (Norway); BT Broadcast Transmitters (Brazil); Orbisonic (Brazil); NXP (The Netherlands) and Rfmondial (Germany) showed the latest equipment and applications for DRM.

 

On the 27th the DRM Consortium members endorsed the full set of past activities and the strategy for the next year. They also elected the new Steering Board of the Consortium welcoming to it new members like BT Transmitters (Brazil), Thomson Broadcast (France), and Gates Air (formerly Harris Broadcast, USA).  Ruxandra Obreja was re-elected as DRM Consortium Chairman.  “This was the best, most intense and most encouraging General Assembly of the past years, said Ruxandra Obreja.” The Consortium is stronger than ever and ready to face the many challenges of its key target markets.  It was gratifying to have delegates from India, Brazil, Germany, Nigeria, Turkey, Malaysia, Switzerland, Sweden and other countries contribute, network and reaffirm the strength of DRM globally.”

 

The next big event where the DRM Consortium will hold a targeted workshop is Digital Radio Broadcasting Summit- Africa in Cape Town, South Africa (23rd April).

 

Postal Box 360

1218 Grand-Saconnex, Geneva

Switzerland

E-Mail: pressoffice@drm.org

Site for DRM: www.drm.org

 

Digital Radio Mondiale(tm) (DRM) General Assembly to be held at BBC in London this month

DRM is in focus as preparations are under way for the General Assembly of the DRM Consortium, scheduled to take place on March 26th and 27th 2014 at the BBC Headquarters in central London, the New Broadcasting House.Under the title “DRM in Action” the Consortium will use this opportunity to highlight the excellent benefits of the DRM standard and the progress it is making around the world, as well as to emphasise the power of digital radio.

The first day of the GA (March 26th) will be open to all DRM members and invited guests from the UK and abroad.  It will be a day to celebrate the future of radio.  The well-known broadcaster, Robin Lustig, will give a personal and global view on the power of radio.

One of the key sessions will examine the digital roll-out in India with the help of Indian contributors. Brazilian experts will give participants an insight into Brazil’s digital radio contrasts.

The morning session will have a chance to consider why digital radio is “Radio Plus” and should be attractive to listeners.

In the afternoon, delegates will be able to have a “hands–on” experience of DRM and digital radio under the guidance of some Consortium members and representatives: BBC (UK); Babcock International (UK); Fraunhofer IIS (Germany); Digidia (France); Radio Haugaland (Norway); BT Broadcast Transmitters (Brazil); Orbisonic (Brazil); NXP (The Netherlands) and Rfmondial (Germany).

The event will be hosted in the iconic Radio Theatre of the BBC in central London.

To register for the General Assembly events on the 26th March please contact projectoffice@drm.org as the event is by invitation only.

Sessions held on the 27th March are for DRM Consortium members only.

--

DRM Consortium

Postal Box 360

1218 Grand-Saconnex, Geneva

Switzerland

E-Mail: pressoffice@drm.org

Site for DRM: www.drm.org

Asia in Focus at DRM General Assembly 2011

Asia was in the focus during the 23rd General Assembly of Digital Radio Mondiale held for the first time in Malaysia with the support of the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union. At this annual meeting of the Consortium, members from around the world discussed reports on all the DRM activities undertaken during the past year and agreed on strategy and plans for the year 2011-12. India remains the main focus of DRM activity in the region.

More at :
http://www.drm.org/index.php?p=news_item&uid=250

Related news :

DRM holds General Assembly in Asia-Pacific for first time
http://abu.org.my/abu/index.cfm/elementid/67674/DRM-holds-General-Assembly-in-Asia-Pacific-for-first-time