New DRM receiver unveiled and reiterated support for DRM from EBU/ABU

Erlangen, Germany – A new state-of-the-art DRM digital radio receiver was unveiled to DRM members at the annual general assembly of the Consortium being held in Erlangen, Germany where the world's two biggest broadcasting unions – EBU and ABU – re-iterated their support to the DRM Consortium. The new DRM receiver is called 'Di-Wave 100' and has been developed by Uniwave Development SAS. This is the first DRM receiver with colour screen and will be in mass production from April 2009. The receiver has all the multimedia features offered by DRM technology including identification by station name, programme information, Journaline, MOT Slideshow and listening time shift. The radio can receive DRM broadcasts in SW, MW and LW as well as analogue FM and can store 768 stations in its memory. The receiver also has a USB/SD card -reader and mp3/mp4 play-back. The 3.5 inch TFT display colour can display text in many different languages. Patrick Leclerc, CEO of Uniwave said "The unique thing about the new receiver is that we have a clear road-map and plan to produce subsequent models with newer features like recording, EQ, DVD, GPS and navigation for an in-car version." The DRM General Assembly is being attended by members from all over the world and got support from the EBU and ABU. Sharad Sadhu, Technical Director of the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union told the DRMmembers "It is the most suitable technology for MW broadcasters in the Asia-Pacific region and that the Consortium should have a 'look east' policy for the roll-out of DRM". Lieven Vermale, Technical Director of the European Broadcasting Union said "DRM is one of the critical technologies for converting analogue radio to digital and is being endorsed by several countries in the world. Both broadcasting unions are in favour of different digital radio bodies in the world working more closely together to give a unified message to the users." "We are really excited about the good news we are sharing with our members : major countries like India and Russia opting for DRM, up-to-date receivers ready to hit the market, completion of the DRM standard family with DRM+. The DRM consortium is in a good place, ready for cooperation and real activities to push the digitisitation of radio worldwide", said Ruxandra Obreja, DRM Chairman.