Q: Dear Ms Connected,

 We’ve been hearing a lot lately about digital TV, but what about digital radio? Do you know when we’re getting this in Australia?

Lydia V., Red Hill, Queensland

A: Dear Lydia,

Yes, I do know. Thanks for asking.

Digital radio is currently undergoing trials in Sydney, and is expected to be introduced in metropolitan markets on January 1, 2009. This will be followed by regional and rural areas. Given that you are located in inner Brisbane, you should therefore be able to access a digital radio signal from New Year’s Day next year.

What is digital radio? Just as digital television is an alternative method of broadcasting to the traditional analogue, digital radio is - as described by industry body Commercial Radio Australia - a “new, involving way for listeners to tune into their favourite radio stations”.

To access this service, you will need to buy a new radio. (It’s not possible just to purchase a special converter for your existing equipment, as you can when making the switch to digital TV.) These radios aren’t widely available yet in retail outlets, but expect to see an influx of them next year.

Digital radio will allow you to see data such as album covers when a song is playing.

Digital radio will offer not only exceptionally high sound quality, but also cool features that are designed to enhance your listening experience. For example, when a song is playing on the radio, you may be able to see information such as the album cover and track number on the unit’s LCD screen. Also, twiddling a tuner dial will be a thing of the past; you’ll be able to select stations from a digitally displayed list.

The technology does have its detractors, however. In February, Jock Given, professor of media and communications at Melbourne’s Swinburne University, told The Sydney Morning Herald that these enhancements won’t be enough to convince Australians to upgrade. (There is no proposed cut-off date for digital radio, as there is for digital TV.)

"The sorts of people who are most likely to be interested in new kinds of [digital radio] products seem to me to be quite likely the people who have already taken up new kinds of [online] digital audio products and may find what digital radio is able to offer them a bit underwhelming by comparison with what they've already got," Given told the Herald.

But who knows what rabbits the radio executives will pull out of their digital hats? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Tune in to ConnectedWomen for all your digital-radio updates!

Yours in simplified technology,

Ms Connected

For her contribution to Ms Connected, Lydia has a LIFE gift pack from Sasy n Savy Aromatherapy valued at over $90. The Live-Inspire-Feel good-Empower pack includes massage oil, floral spray, candles, essential oil and incense sticks with a ceramic holder. Enjoy, Lydia!

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