Newsletter

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Partners,

We hope you are healthy and busy, wherever you are. After a couple of months of working from home in a virtual space, we seem to be busier than ever. After our successful webinars together with ABU and ASBU on DRM in times of crisis, in April, this month we tried something different. We delivered together with the same organisations a hands-on webinar on how DRM can help and deliver education, even to the most remote areas. Please read below what was discussed and how it went.

Some thoughts on the value of webinars are also included in a recent blog. As is a recommended article on a better, super-efficient solution of building an extended DRM Multiplex Transmitter Combining DRM For FM.

Some thoughts on the value and future of AM in DRM and announcements on future DRM webinars  will hopefully make for a good read as will news from Hungary.

Your questions and our answers on all things DRM continue to come and can be seen now on our newly launched DRM website page.  More detailed answers can also  be found in the latest  version (5) of our DRM Handbook, which brings updates and improvements for all those interested in understanding and implementing DRM in their country.

Please do not hesitate to send us your DRM questions (with names and pictures for publication in the newsletter).

And for all those listening to the DRM transmissions please make sure that you check and send us your feedback on the new schedules published on www.drm.org.

Please help us make this newsletter richer, better, more complete by submitting your ideas, questions and suggestions.

Finally, please do not forget to join us on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.  And if you want to join the Consortium please contact projectoffice@drm.org.  

Ruxandra Obreja 
Chair, DRM Consortium
ruxandra.obreja@drm.org 

IMPORTANT: In line with the new EU policy on privacy, please let us know, projectoffice@drm.org if you do not want us to send you emails or hold your mail address.

Latest News

DRM , ABU and ASBU Webinar on Distance Learning Proves Successful

From India, to the UK and Australia, from Indonesia to Kenya, education for many has moved from face-to-face to distance learning.  Under the Title of “Digital Radio Mondiale DRM – Delivering Distance Education,” the DRM Consortium, in collaboration with Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) and Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU), hosted an interactive webinar session on June 18^th. Read more

DRM and AIBD Launch Joint DRM Training Initiative

The DRM Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium and the Asia-Pacific Institute for Broadcasting Development (AIBD) announce a series of three webinars “DRM – Digital Radio for your Needs” to start on July 8^th.

This unique initiative will take participants from the basic information on DRM to more detailed knowledge in a useful and practical way. Read more

Digital (DRM) in the AM Band is the Way Forward - Commentary by Nigel Fry (BBC)

In the current edition of Radio World, the BBC’s Nigel Fry, outlines the benefits of transforming the AM band using digital radio technology.  DRM digital radio is an option to achieving this transformation.  Read more

A recent commentary in Inside Radio also covers the topic.  More here

Blog: Are Webinars Helpful as Radio Pivots Post Covid-19?

The DRM Chair, Ruxandra Obreja, explores how webinars are being used during the current pandemic.  Read more

DRM Reception Monitoring at the National Media and Infocommunications Authority, Hungary

The Budapest University of Technology together with the Hungarian Communications Authority and Szomtel Kft. have set up a monitoring system at the Headquarters of the Hungarian Regulator aimed at demonstrating to radio stakeholders and enthusiasts the excellent quality of long-distance DRM broadcasts. Please read here details of this service and its benefits.

DRM News in IEEE Quarterly Review

In the current edition of the Quarterly review published by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics professionals, Phillip Schmidd (Nautel) and Stefan Galler (RFmondial), outline the super-efficient solution of building an extended DRM Multiplex Transmitter Combining DRM For FM. More here (Membership subscription required)

DRM Welcomes New Associate Member from Peru

The DRM Consortium welcomes Radiodiffusion.com as an Associate member.  Radiodifusion.com, based in Peru, began its operations in 1998, providing radio, television, and cable products and services. The company has been involved in the digitisation of Peruvian television, and it was the first to switch TV transmitters from analogue to digital. 

Coming Soon: Virtual DRM IBC Townhall Meeting

Along with other major events, IBC, one of the world’s most influential media, entertainment and technology show, this year has been cancelled.  This key event is where our members usually bring their latest company updates.  In its place, the DRM Consortium will host an "IBC Townhall Meeting", a virtual event bringing you the latest updates from the Consortium and our members.  The half day event is scheduled to take place on September 9^th .     

Around the Web

Audio Blog – Fraunhofer IIs – xHE-AAC in a nutshell

xHE-AAC Background Explainer

AM/FM retains dominance

Did you know?

• Following requests from our readers, we have updated the DRM schedules on our website. So please check for yourself!  List of DRM transmissions Interactive map Over 30 broadcasters carry regular DRM transmissions, covering almost half the world’s population. Updated to 24 October 2020
• The latest Licensing information for DRM is available on the Via Licensing website
• The DRM standard as recommended by ITU and ETSI includes built-in Emergency Warning tools for swift and effective mass-notification in crises.   Listen here.
• DRM publishes a special monthly Noticeboard for India, and a new India page pulls together key DRM information on India.  
• 'The Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) Standard at a Glance' – a complete guide to the DRM standard.

• The DRM Handbook has been updated to include the latest information on DRM for local coverage and the most recent tests and are available online, in English and Russian.