Internet Radio vs DAB radio

Internet Radio vs DAB radio, what is the difference and which is the best.

Currently there are two very new ways to listen to radio programming, both of which are a technological leap forward from the 'normal' FM, medium wave or long wave analogue broadcasts based directly on a platform that's been around since the 19th Century.

Both offer digital quality broadcasts, so none of the usual hiss or crackle that you'd find with analogue; both also offer name based tuning, rather than travelling across the dial trying to find the station you want; and most importantly, both offer more stations, covering the popular stations such as the BBC and the large commercial stations - so, which one should you choose.

We've outlined a few of the key strengths and weaknesses of both DAB and Internet Radio, and then it's up to you to determine which best fits your needs - after all, technology is best applied to existing wants or needs.

DAB Radio

DAB was first developed almost 40 years ago, and then after many years of fine tuning (pardon the pun) the first commercially available receivers became available in 1999. It offers you the ability, in areas where coverage is available, to receive up to 40 radio stations - almost twice the number you can receive anywhere via FM transmission!

Pro's

Interference-free Digital Sound

Easy to tune in - find the station you want by name

Up to 40 Stations (50 in London)

Pause and rewind live radio (model dependant)

Con's

Only 85% of UK can receive DAB broadcasts

Technology over 20 years old, based on MP2 format

Possibly going to be superceded by DAB+ rendering most existing equipment obselete

Some broadcasters moving away from DAB

Internet Radio

Internet Radio (also known as web or net radio) is broadcast over the internet - the first station being broadcast this way in the mid 90's. Since then the format has grown hugely in popularity, spawning thousands of commercial, public broadcast, and hobbyist stations. Amid this popularity, the technology was developed along with the growth of wireless networks in the home, to allow stand-alone devices to receive these stations without having to switch a PC on.

Pro's

Interference-free digital sound

Over 6000 stations, from all over the world, and growning

Easy to tune in - find the station you want by name

Wherever you can connect to the 'Net, you can receive internet radio

Many devices can also stream music stored as MP3's on your network

Con's

Must be within range of wireless network connected to the web

Devices mostly mains powered