Roberts DAB Radios

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

DAB stands for Digital Audio Broadcasting, this is a way of broadcasting radio digitally via a network of transmitters. It provides listeners with much better sound quality, more choice and more information.

Because of the way DAB technology works, broadcasters can transmit many more stations than ever before. Listeners in most major towns and cities in the UK can receive between 30 and 50 radio stations with a digital radio, in many cases that’s more than double what’s available on analogue. Because digital radio uses the spectrum more efficiently than analogue, it is possible to broadcast more channels using the same frequency, making room for broadcasters to expand their station portfolios.

DAB digital radio delivers improved sound quality. The technology allows the receiver to lock on to the strongest signal it can find and ignore everything else. This eliminates the hiss, crackle and fade so familiar on analogue radio.

A DAB digital radio will tune to a station at the touch of a button. No more fine tuning a station to get the best reception. A DAB set allows the listener to scroll through a list of available stations by name – then tune in by pressing the ’select’ button.

Have you ever heard a song on the radio and wanted to know who it is by or what it’s called? Or tuned into speech radio and wanted to know what the programme is about or who is speaking? Digital Radios have a screen which can show text information transmitted by the radio station. Some stations send information about latest news, sports scores, what’s on now and next, website address and phone numbers. Some radios offer an option to view the Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) which shows listings information for some stations. It is also possible to Pause rewind and record live radio.

A quick review of the Robert Robi, a small DAB/FM radio for iPod and iPod Touch. It also works well enough with the iPhone, but bear in mind that it’s working like a speaker dock rather than a headset – ie you might not hear the phone ringing.
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Linsey Fryatt gets aural pleasure from her Roberts Robi portable DAB
Video Rating: 5 / 5

Today, Roberts Radio of Great Britain has a line of retro-looking “Revival” radios available for purchase, but nothing beats an original. This is what they were based on. This is the 1958 RT-1. Built along the lines of their tube portables–a Rexine-covered wood case– it’s Roberts’ first transistor radio. And its design paved the way for its successors, the R200 and R300. It’s a six-transistor AM and LW portable using Mullard OC series transistors. It runs on six volts by way of either the small Ever Ready PP1 or the larger PP8 battery. My repro uses four C cells and is covered with 1958 Ever Ready graphics. Tone is very good and it pulls in stations solidly–just what you’d expect from the Queen’s favorite radio manufacturer.
Video Rating: 5 / 5