Radio does a double-take

A hybrid radio that can receive and record programmes in both digital and conventional formats has been demonstrated at the International Broadcasting Convention in Amsterdam.

The device, created by the Digital Radio Mondiale (DRM) consortium, Texas Instruments and RadioScape, can receive all the main European radio broadcast standards including DAB, DRM, AM, FM/RDS and short wave.

DRM is intended to replace long, medium and short wave broadcasts with a high quality, more reliable service that can be transmitted over longer distances.

Over 500 hours of programmes are currently broadcast daily on DRM, with 40 European broadcasters using the system. The participants include Radio Luxembourg, which has just relaunched its English service using DRM, and the BBC World Service. A trial of DRM broadcasts in London is to begin shortly.

DRM-enabled radios from Morphy Richards, Roberts Radio and Sangean should be available to consumers by Christmas, at less than £200.