Radio Cheap DAB solution - converts to FM :(

matg · 2nd November 2007, 12:48

Pure have announced a cheap way of adding DAB to you car, it allows choice of all the DAB but then transmits the signal back to your car on FM surely this defeats the point of getting a better sound quality:

Highway - Intro

FWH · 2nd November 2007, 13:28

The only real point to that can be when the stop transmitting non-DAB and you have a car like the Civic where it is a pain to change the HU.

HumberMart · 2nd November 2007, 13:45

DAB gives a much wider choice of stations, and is far better for listening to stations normally only available in AM (5 live for example)

FWH · 2nd November 2007, 13:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by HumberMart

DAB gives a much wider choice of stations, and is far better for listening to stations normally only available in AM (5 live for example)

You must have much more DAB transmitions in the UK then than we do.

dylang652 · 2nd November 2007, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by FWH

You must have much more DAB transmitions in the UK then than we do.

I believe the current count is 20 radio stations and rising! (mostly BBC)

The main selling point is supposed to be quality

However:

One problem (I believe) is that some of the stations are a little short on bandwidth and therefore compress the music more - hence loss of quality

Another is: because it is digital the audio doesn't degrade if the signal strength is low, it just stops!

I will stick with FM for the moment, I believe that will not be turned off for a few years yet!

Honda100 · 2nd November 2007, 16:53

Looks good to me. Pure do make some excellent DAB radios so the quality should be high.
I like the fact that you can also plug your iPod into the unit so that you have the choice of FM, DAB or your own music.
My only concern is the strength of the transmission. I have an FM transmitter for my iPod, but I have to put it in the boot so that it is closer to the ariel in the rear windscreen. There is also the problem of finding a vacant FM frequency, but 87.6 should be below most commercial radio stations so it might just work.

Dave Taylor · 2nd November 2007, 20:14

I saw the Pure today at the Stuff show, looks good.

It Transmitts an RDS Signal to your FM Radio called Pure Radio, The Pure unit finds a Hole (space) in the FM and uses that frequency for the FM link, if the Pure wants to change frequency it does and as its RDS the radio follows it.

The Pure also has an audio input for MP3/IPOD, it has a small aerial to place near you tax disc.

The only downside is that it is quite large, I don know where I could fit it in my Civic

Only cost £69.00

Re Dave

Jack The Lad. · 2nd November 2007, 20:22

And I bet that they will be down by 20 quid, in the after Xmas sales too.

bikeeandy · 21st February 2008, 21:21

I had a DAB radio in my previous car for 3 years, really enjoyed it and was permanently tuned into 6 music. Was gutted when I couldn't get a DAB option with my new Civic ES - was even more gutted when I heard the quality of the bundled radio. So, have been looking for an affordable way to get DAB in the car for some time.

Bought one the other day. Have only played around with it a little so far, but seems to do the job. Haven't bothered setting up properly yet, but even when connecting everything up and just dumping it in the glovebox, the quality's been better than many FM radio stations. Have only driven around a small area in Fife (north of Edinburgh), but great to be able to have access to some decent radio stations again. Hope to spend some time this week-end working out how to get the most from it and where to install it. I think there's a good possibility that I'll be able to affix the ariel to the front windscreen and leave the unit in the glovebox, out of sight. I even toyed with the idea of putting it in the boot, closer to the existing ariel.

Jack The Lad. · 21st February 2008, 21:39

For anyone in the U.K. who has been put off buying a DAB radio for the home, due to the postcode finder informing them - "its not available in your area".
Don't take it as gospel.
I live in the middle of nowhere (Inbredinthemoor) and I chanced buying one.
The little fellow can pick up at least 15 stations and the sound quality is brilliant.

civicfan · 22nd February 2008, 08:27

any chance for pictures or where-to-buy info? I've looked in Germany but they seem to be selling only whole units (radio/CD) and these are _very_ expensive

bikeeandy · 23rd February 2008, 06:52

I bought mine from HTC , Mio & GPS Sat Nav :: Superetrader. £70. I paid extra for next business delivery. Unfortunately, it didn't arrive. I contacted the company, they refunded the full delivery charge. Arrived next day. The documentation on Pure's own web site isn't too bad: Highway Documentation, Updates and FAQ's - PURE Digital. The fact sheet pdf shows the basics.

kevin_lufc · 23rd February 2008, 08:01

I love my Radio 5 and travelling around the country at night and getting a good reception can sometimes be quiet frustrating. So as I have a portable Digital Radio, I have used this in the past with my belkin fm transmitter. It works quiet well to be honest, not perfect but so much better than what I was getting.

madslug · 23rd February 2008, 10:24

Thinking about getting one of these myself as I love my Pure DAB radiio at home.
Does anyone know about the aerial that comes with?
Do you have to mount it outside and remove loads of trim to install it?
Im in no way technical and as it will be going in my lease car Im not sure they would be to happy with me ripping bits off it

Foggy69 · 23rd February 2008, 11:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikeeandy

Bought one the other day. Have only played around with it a little so far, but seems to do the job. Haven't bothered setting up properly yet, but even when connecting everything up and just dumping it in the glovebox, the quality's been better than many FM radio stations. Have only driven around a small area in Fife (north of Edinburgh), but great to be able to have access to some decent radio stations again. Hope to spend some time this week-end working out how to get the most from it and where to install it. I think there's a good possibility that I'll be able to affix the ariel to the front windscreen and leave the unit in the glovebox, out of sight. I even toyed with the idea of putting it in the boot, closer to the existing ariel.

Is the unit small enough to fit into the cubbyhole between the seats?
Also, how long is the wire from the aerial. I was thinking about affixing it towards the back of the rear side window and having the unit in the cubbyhole, do you think it would stretch that far?

civicfan · 23rd February 2008, 12:31

Don't want to discourage you guys but I wanted a DAB too and when I asked my local TV/cable guy he had told me to wait because in the EU they are switching to a different form of encoding so there can be serious problems with "legacy devices" (= most today's models). If you buy, choose a unit with updatable firmware

Honda100 · 23rd February 2008, 15:39

Follow this link for all the details you need.
Product page for the Highway- - In-Car DAB Digital Radio with FM Transmitter

Foggy69 · 23rd February 2008, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honda100

Follow this link for all the details you need.
Product page for the Highway- - In-Car DAB Digital Radio with FM Transmitter

Great, it will fit in the cubbyhole.

But I couldn't find anything on how long the aerial lead is.
Anybody out there with a Pure Highway and a ruler

Honda100 · 23rd February 2008, 20:48

If I remember correctly from the short time that I had one, the ariel is about 20-25 cm long, 2 cm wide and has, at its base, a 3cm square box which I assume is an amplifier.

Foggy69 · 23rd February 2008, 21:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Foggy69

Great, it will fit in the cubbyhole.

But I couldn't find anything on how long the aerial lead is.
Anybody out there with a Pure Highway and a ruler

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honda100

If I remember correctly from the short time that I had one, the ariel is about 20-25 cm long, 2 cm wide and has, at its base, a 3cm square box which I assume is an amplifier.

Do you remember roughly how long the lead was?
Will it stretch from the cubbyhole to the back of the rear side window?

Did you only have one for a short time because you weren't that impressed, or for another reason

2nd November 2007, 12:48	#1 (permalink)
matg Supporter Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 23rd September 2007 Location: Near Cambridge Posts: 153 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Cheap DAB solution - converts to FM :( Pure have announced a cheap way of adding DAB to you car, it allows choice of all the DAB but then transmits the signal back to your car on FM surely this defeats the point of getting a better sound quality: Highway - Intro

2nd November 2007, 16:53	#6 (permalink)
Honda100 Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 31st May 2006 Location: Stockport Posts: 237 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Looks good to me. Pure do make some excellent DAB radios so the quality should be high. I like the fact that you can also plug your iPod into the unit so that you have the choice of FM, DAB or your own music. My only concern is the strength of the transmission. I have an FM transmitter for my iPod, but I have to put it in the boot so that it is closer to the ariel in the rear windscreen. There is also the problem of finding a vacant FM frequency, but 87.6 should be below most commercial radio stations so it might just work. Last edited by Honda100; 2nd November 2007 at 16:54. Reason: add comment

21st February 2008, 21:21	#9 (permalink)
bikeeandy Valve Cap Join Date: 11th March 2007 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Bought One! I had a DAB radio in my previous car for 3 years, really enjoyed it and was permanently tuned into 6 music. Was gutted when I couldn't get a DAB option with my new Civic ES - was even more gutted when I heard the quality of the bundled radio. So, have been looking for an affordable way to get DAB in the car for some time. Bought one the other day. Have only played around with it a little so far, but seems to do the job. Haven't bothered setting up properly yet, but even when connecting everything up and just dumping it in the glovebox, the quality's been better than many FM radio stations. Have only driven around a small area in Fife (north of Edinburgh), but great to be able to have access to some decent radio stations again. Hope to spend some time this week-end working out how to get the most from it and where to install it. I think there's a good possibility that I'll be able to affix the ariel to the front windscreen and leave the unit in the glovebox, out of sight. I even toyed with the idea of putting it in the boot, closer to the existing ariel.

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This thread is about: Cheap DAB solution - converts to FM :(, it's in Ipods, MP3 Players and ICE at the Honda Civic forum Civinfo; Pure have announced a cheap way of adding DAB to you car, it allows choice of all the DAB but then transmits the signal back ...

2nd November 2007, 13:28	#2 (permalink)
FWH Super Moderator Civinfo guru Join Date: 3rd June 2007 Location: Sweden Posts: 4,851 Thanks: 3 Thanked 26 Times in 23 Posts	The only real point to that can be when the stop transmitting non-DAB and you have a car like the Civic where it is a pain to change the HU.

2nd November 2007, 13:45	#3 (permalink)
HumberMart Supporter Locking Wheelnut Join Date: 31st August 2007 Location: North Lincolnshire Posts: 111 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	DAB gives a much wider choice of stations, and is far better for listening to stations normally only available in AM (5 live for example)

2nd November 2007, 20:14	#7 (permalink)
Dave Taylor Wheelnut Join Date: 5th September 2006 Posts: 54 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I saw the Pure today at the Stuff show, looks good. It Transmitts an RDS Signal to your FM Radio called Pure Radio, The Pure unit finds a Hole (space) in the FM and uses that frequency for the FM link, if the Pure wants to change frequency it does and as its RDS the radio follows it. The Pure also has an audio input for MP3/IPOD, it has a small aerial to place near you tax disc. The only downside is that it is quite large, I don know where I could fit it in my Civic Only cost £69.00 Re Dave

2nd November 2007, 20:22	#8 (permalink)
Jack The Lad. Supporter Rocketship door handle Join Date: 28th August 2007 Location: ENGLAND Posts: 1,434 Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	And I bet that they will be down by 20 quid, in the after Xmas sales too.

21st February 2008, 21:39	#10 (permalink)
Jack The Lad. Supporter Rocketship door handle Join Date: 28th August 2007 Location: ENGLAND Posts: 1,434 Thanks: 0 Thanked 11 Times in 11 Posts	For anyone in the U.K. who has been put off buying a DAB radio for the home, due to the postcode finder informing them - "its not available in your area". Don't take it as gospel. I live in the middle of nowhere (Inbredinthemoor) and I chanced buying one. The little fellow can pick up at least 15 stations and the sound quality is brilliant.

22nd February 2008, 08:27	#11 (permalink)
civicfan Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 13th September 2007 Posts: 747 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	any chance for pictures or where-to-buy info? I've looked in Germany but they seem to be selling only whole units (radio/CD) and these are _very_ expensive

23rd February 2008, 06:52	#12 (permalink)
bikeeandy Valve Cap Join Date: 11th March 2007 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I bought mine from HTC , Mio & GPS Sat Nav :: Superetrader. £70. I paid extra for next business delivery. Unfortunately, it didn't arrive. I contacted the company, they refunded the full delivery charge. Arrived next day. The documentation on Pure's own web site isn't too bad: Highway Documentation, Updates and FAQ's - PURE Digital. The fact sheet pdf shows the basics.

23rd February 2008, 08:01	#13 (permalink)
kevin_lufc Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 17th April 2006 Location: Leeds Posts: 370 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I love my Radio 5 and travelling around the country at night and getting a good reception can sometimes be quiet frustrating. So as I have a portable Digital Radio, I have used this in the past with my belkin fm transmitter. It works quiet well to be honest, not perfect but so much better than what I was getting.

23rd February 2008, 10:24	#14 (permalink)
madslug Valve Cap Join Date: 11th February 2008 Location: Newbury, U.K Posts: 37 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thinking about getting one of these myself as I love my Pure DAB radiio at home. Does anyone know about the aerial that comes with? Do you have to mount it outside and remove loads of trim to install it? Im in no way technical and as it will be going in my lease car Im not sure they would be to happy with me ripping bits off it

23rd February 2008, 12:31	#16 (permalink)
civicfan Supporter Magic Rear Seat Join Date: 13th September 2007 Posts: 747 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Don't want to discourage you guys but I wanted a DAB too and when I asked my local TV/cable guy he had told me to wait because in the EU they are switching to a different form of encoding so there can be serious problems with "legacy devices" (= most today's models). If you buy, choose a unit with updatable firmware

23rd February 2008, 15:39	#17 (permalink)
Honda100 Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 31st May 2006 Location: Stockport Posts: 237 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Follow this link for all the details you need. Product page for the Highway- - In-Car DAB Digital Radio with FM Transmitter

23rd February 2008, 20:48	#19 (permalink)
Honda100 Supporter Triangular Exhaust Join Date: 31st May 2006 Location: Stockport Posts: 237 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If I remember correctly from the short time that I had one, the ariel is about 20-25 cm long, 2 cm wide and has, at its base, a 3cm square box which I assume is an amplifier.