Modular Technology DAB digital radio card

Digital radio is the unsung sibling of digital TV. While many of us now watch multi-channel TV, the cost has stopped many tuning into digital radio.

Despite the benefits of new stations and crystal-clear sound, the high price of DAB equipment has meant most of us have stuck very firmly to FM.

However, prices are coming down and Modular Technology's DAB digital radio card lets you sample this new broadcasting system for £100.

Installing the kit is no more difficult than fitting a PCI card. Once the software is installed and a simple aerial has been erected, you can scan the airwaves.

Digital radio stations are broadcast in multiplexes with each containing around eight stations.

Their names appear on the left-hand side of the program interface on lozenge-shaped sliders. Click on a slider and the names of the stations it broadcasts appear.

We found 52 different stations and they can also be searched through by genre using classifications such as pop, drama, or culture.

At its simplest, you can use your PC as a simple control panel for the digital radio card and because listening doesn't involve going online, you can surf without affecting the sound quality.

At its most complex, the card acts as a data receiver, letting you download information over the airwaves.

For example, you can receive an electronic programme guide for the BBC stations. This gives you with full schedules as well as email addresses for the DJs.

So is it worth splashing out on this card? If you want to listen to the radio while you go online and fancy recording programmes in high-quality stereo, then this is could be the digital radio solution for you.

The programme interface is easy to use although a few tweaks to the software would make it slightly neater.

Standalone digital radios costing around £100 have also hit the shops but this is a good, budget solution.

DETAILS
Price: £100Contact: Modular Technology 01869 321323
www.digitalradio.tv