[femstar]

Quick one guys - does DAB radio mean the radio will operate on digital exclusively, thus one can't pick up stations that do not transmit in digital. Hence no pirate radio??? In a MINI I mean.

[Sid-Clubman]

A DAB only radio will be just that, but if you buy an add on DAB it receives DAB signals and "passes on" the audio to your standard radio.

a place to look
Pure Digital intros Highway in-car DAB radio - Engadget

The manual is here:
http://www.dab-digitalradio.ch/en/manuals/988.pdf

[Harpo]

I have six DAB radios, four of them can receive FM and/or AM, while the other two are DAB only..

The DAB unit I have in the Mini which is original equipment, is switchable between 'DAB' and 'Tuner' - standard design practice - there is no facility for tuning through DAB to analogue.

On the horizon however is satellite radio (for cars), which has thousands of stations from around the world, so you may want to explore that possibility before shelling out for a DAB unit.

For the home, internet radio exists already, and is the way forward for radio.

[Sid-Clubman]

While I do enjoy DAB in the UK (home & car), my experience of sat radio in the USA leads me to believe that DAB will not last too much longer.

[femstar]

I think I'm being a bit thick - but am still not clear, if a MINI comes with factory fitted DAB radio is there still an analogue mode???? thus non DAB radio.
In terms of how DAB operated on standard equipment I'm clear as I have a HIFI DAB at home, which I incidentally use as a doorstop due to the reduced bit transmission - but that moan is for another forum.

[mikeythemini]

DAB is another mode in addition to analogue in the 2nd gen Mini
I don't know however if it will autoswitch to analogue on the same station if reception gets bad the way the decent aftermarket units do
As has been hinted above though it looks like DAB may be doomed

[Harpo]

Quote: Originally Posted by femstar (original)

...if a MINI comes with factory fitted DAB radio is there still an analogue mode???? ...

Yes there is.

Assuming you are listening to DAB radio, and you wish to listen to FM...

Press the 'Audio' buttom
Rotate the selector switch until 'Tuner' is highlighted
Press the selector switch to engage

Now your radio will be tuned to the last FM frequency that you were previously listening to.

It will not search for an FM alternative if the DAB signal is insufficient, all you will get is a 'No Signal' message and the sound of your engine.

Hope that helps.

[femstar]

Thanks guys exactly what I needed to know, cheers!

[Beastmaster]

so do you get the sound of just your engine a lot or is the digital signal generally ok in the UK?

[Harpo]

Quote: Originally Posted by Beastmaster (original)

so do you get the sound of just your engine a lot or is the digital signal generally ok in the UK?

Hi Adrian, the DAB signal is a bit like the mobile signals were before it all joined together.

Yes there are gaps in reception - some greater than others - but it is available in most urban and surounding areas, and of course along the motorway corridors.

[Beastmaster]

Quote: Originally Posted by Harpo (original)

Hi Adrian, the DAB signal is a bit like the mobile signals were before it all joined together.

Yes there are gaps in reception - some greater than others - but it is available in most urban and surounding areas, and of course along the motorway corridors.

Thanks! On balance seems like its worth a try - listening to football on MW is so stressful the way the signal surges etc. - Its on the speccing list