F. A. Q. - Frequently Asked Questions

Please ensure that you are using the latest driver versions. You can obtain the latest drivers from our webpage.

An Overview of the Questions

Question 1:
Which operating systems are supported?

Question 2:
Can the DR Box 1 funktionality be expanded?

Question 3:
What type of antenna can be used?

Question 4:
Are stronger receiving antennas available?

Question 5:
Can an amplifier improve DAB reception?

Question 6:
Which frequencies/bands does DAB use?

Question 7:
Can DAB be recieved per cable or satellite?

Question 8:
Where can DAB be recieved?

Question 9:
What stations can be received?

Question 10:
Are these the standard terrestrial channels, or special DAB programs?

Question 11:
I live in Austria, can I receive DAB broadcasts there as well?

Question 12:
Can the DR Box 1 also be used for digital TV (DVB)?

Question 13:
Can the DR Box 1 also receive internet pages?

Question 14:
Is it legal to compress the broadcasts into MP3?

Question 15:
How much hard disk space is required for recording?

Question 16:
Are the mp3 files encoded using hard or software?

Question 17:
Can compression algorithms other than MP2 or MP3 be used?

Question 18:
What frequencies are supported by the digital Out on the DR Box 1?

Question 1:
Which operating systems are supported?

Answer 1:
The DR Box 1 currently supports Windows 98SE, Windows ME, Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

y

Question 2:
Can the DR Box 1 funktionality be expanded?

Answer 2:
DAB-Standard revisions can be realized per software update, which the DR Box 1 can recieve and implement.

y

Question 3:
What type of antenna can be used?

Answer 3:
The DR Box 1 comes with a magnetic foot antenna (ca. 20 cm high).

y

Question 4:
Are stronger receiving antennas available?

Answer 4:
Special DAB antennas that could also be used for the DR Box 1 can be found using the following link. An adaptor may be required. Unfortunately, no such examples have been presented to us.

http://www.antenne-bb.de/Produkte/DAB-Antennen/dab-antennen.html

y

Question 5:
Can an amplifier improve DAB reception?

Answer 5:
Yes, special amplifiers for the VHF band are available from professional dealers. The L band cannot be amplified.

y

Question 6:
Which frequencies/bands does DAB use?

Answer 6:
The L band (1452 – 1492 MHz) and band III (174 – 240 MHz).

y

Question 7:
Can DAB be recieved per cable or satellite?

Answer 7:
No, DAB was designed for terrestrial reception. This equates to more advantages for the „listener“.

1. DAB is independent from cable/satellite nets.
2. DAB supports mobile reception.
3. DAB is reasonably priced, except for the antenna no other requirements exist.

y

Question 8:
Where can DAB be recieved?

Answer 8:
In Germany most urban areas offer DAB broadcasts. Further info can be found under www.worlddab.org. Additionally, DAB reception is possible in Canada, South Africa, Taiwan, Australia, and most of Europe.

y

Question 9:
Where can DAB be recieved?

Answer 9:
That depends on the transmitting station´s location. In Niedersachsen, for example, Deutschlandfunk, Hit-Radio Antenne, NDR 1, Radio Niedersachsen, NDR 2, Radio 21, Radio 3, radio ffn, and Traffic Channel are available. All channel info can be found in the internet under http://www.digitalradio-info.de

y

Question 10:
Are these the standard terrestrial channels, or special DAB programs?

Answer 10:
DAB programs that can be received by analog terrestrial antennas, as well as special DAB channels, are broadcast.

y

Question 11:
I live in Austria, can I receive DAB broadcasts there as well?

Answer 11:
DAB can only be received over terrestrial antenna. Under http://www.worlddab.org/mapworld.htm a DAB overview map of Austria (and other countries) can be viewed to determine if you live in a region that allows you the pleasure of DAB broadcast.

y

Question 12:
Can the DR Box 1 also be used for digital TV (DVB)?

Answer 12:
No, DVB reception requires a completely different technology.

y

Question 13:
Can the DR Box 1 also receive internet pages?

Answer 13:
Not really. The program-independent data service (NPAD) sends in HTML format and can be viewed with a browser. But- special pages cannot be requested like in a browser. Reception is always dependent on the radio station.

y

Question 14:
Is it legal to compress the broadcasts into MP3?

Answer 14:
For private use recording and compressing DAB audio signals is legal, but public presentation is not allowed. Recording radio programs with the DR Box 1 can best be compared to that of a cassette recorder.

y

Question 15:
How much hard disk space is required for recording?

Answer 15:
That is, of course, primarily dependent on the length of the recording. The following table demonstrates the space requirements:

y

Question 16:
Are the mp3 files encoded using hard or software?

Answer 16:
DAB audio signal compression is realized per Software. MusicMatch Jukebox is used in this case.

y

Question 17:
Can compression algorithms other than MP2 or MP3 be used?

Answer 17:
Other compression options are not currently planned. Because the audio signal can be saved to the hard disk in WAV format, naturally any available software encoder can be used.

y

Question 18:
What frequencies are supported by the digital Out on the DR Box 1?

Answer 18:
The digital Out on the DR Box 1 always reproduces the true reception frequency. This is normally 48kHz.

y

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