DAB Terminology – A Guide to Digital Radio Features

Here are some of the terms you will come across when using Roberts DAB Radios:

• RDS: stands for Radio Data System and means the listener is able to view the radio station name on the radio screen

• EPG: stands for Electronic Programme Guide and is broadcast by a selection of radio stations including the BBC, Virgin, Classic FM, talkSPORT. It is very similar to the programme guides found on Sky or Freeview and allows you to see what is coming up over the coming week on some stations, as well as find out detailed information about the programme like presenter name and what the show is about. It can also let you set an advanced timer record for future programmes. To see the EPG, you must have an EPG compatible radio. Not all DAB digital radios can receive EPG. In order to get EPG information, ensure you buy a radio that says it is EPG compatible

• Pause Rewind and Record live radio: Digital radio enables you to pause, rewind or record live radio onto some digital memory, whether it is built-in or an SD card. The pause plus facility means you can pause live radio, go away to answer the phone and then re-start your listening just where you left off. Some let you rewind the last half hour of programme if you missed part of a conversation, or if you’d like to hear a particular song one more time. You can even fast-forward through recorded items if you don’t like a song. Some products allow you to press record and start recording straight away – others will start recording after you programmed it, just like your video. If you’ve recorded onto a memory card, you can then put the card in your portable mp3 player or other DAB radios with this facility and listen to your favourite programmes or songs again at a convenient time

• Using an SD memory card with your radio:An SD card can be used in your radio for recording, playing back previously recorded radio programmes, or playing back MP2/MP3/WMA files transferred from a PC. Depending on the radio station a 512MB SD card will give typically 8-16 hours of recording time

• CD / SD bookmark:This is a new function introduced by Roberts to a selection of our radios. Traditionally seen in car stereo systems the bookmark feature enables you to play your CD or SD card from where you left off. For example, you may be listening to your music CD or audio book in the morning, when you turn your system off and return to it later the CD or SD card will continue to play from where you left it. You no longer have to listen to the same first three songs on your CD or forget where you left your audio book

• Multiple Alarms: Some of our products have multiple alarms, this means you have the option of waking to a buzzer, the radio, CD or SD card. Check the particular product details to see which applies

• Stereo playback of MP3/iPod via auxiliary input socket: If your radio has an auxiliary (line-level) audio input which you can use to allow your radio to be used as an external amplifier for MP3 players, compact disc players and similar devices. Simple connect the external audio source to the radio’s line input socket (on the back of the radio) using a 3.5mm stereo plug

• USB connection: If your radio has a USB connection it enables you to connect your radio to your PC. The USB can be used to copy files to and from your SD card and also for any software updates available

If you want to look at a range of DAB Digital Radios then check out our Roberts DAB Radio Store

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