09-17-2007, 05:22 PM
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#2
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Powerplay Quarterback
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I can't take credit for this...but I read it a couple months ago.
Quote:
HD Radio will not be adopted in Canada; it is an American standard for digital radio. Canada, like most of the world, has adopted the Eureka 147 DAB digital standard for radio. The Americans have adopted their standard because the L-band in the USA is assigned for exclusive military use. I have seen it explained that the American system is simply cramming more stuff into the narrow radio channels, while the Canada/World system allows for 'full channels' from the start.
Furthermore, digital radio in Canada is not going to be replaced by satellite radio. There are many people, me included, who 1) don't want to pay for radio, and/or 2) really like the local nature of radio.
All radio stations will eventually switch to digital, no matter the standard. US stations will go digital while using the same frequency allotment. Canadian stations will go digital, but using the international standard in a different frequency allotment. Stations in Canada will have to hand back their licences to the traditional FM channels when they receive their licences for the L-band channel (and once Industry Canada gives the order to shut down the analogue system).
While some may see the current state of digital radio in Canada as a 'flop', I suspect the situation is due to Industry Canada not setting a hard deadline to shut off the analogue system. I would guess we would be seeing a lot more digital radio, and promotion of digital, if broadcasters knew they had to surrender their FM licences by a certain date (such as is occurring in the UK).
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Link:
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=34783
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