Microsoft announced its membership in the World DAB Forum, an international group of 80 organizations focused on developing digital audio broadcasting (DAB) technology. Microsoft will work with forum members to accelerate the deployment of devices and services based on the DAB standard. Using DAB with Windows Media 9 Series, trials are currently being conducted to deliver 5.1-channel surround sound in London, working with Capital Radio plc, NTL Broadcast, RadioScape Ltd. and PURE Digital and Imagination Technologies Ltd. Details of the 5.1 trial are now available on at www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/content_provider/broadcast/profiles/allroundradio.aspx.
“The World DAB Forum is an established source of worldwide innovation for broadcasting standards,” said Amir Majidimehr, corporate VP of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft. “We believe DAB will inspire many new and exciting services for consumers in many parts of the world. We are happy to offer our expertise to help develop the technology.”
“Capital Radio is extremely pleased to participate in this DAB trial, as our listeners for the first time are able to hear Capital in London broadcasting in CD quality with surround sound,” said Nathalie Schwarz, director of strategy and development at Capital Radio. “We are excited to be the leading content partner on this innovative trial using Windows Media 9 Series, and believe there will be demonstrable benefits for both our listeners and advertisers as DAB continues to gain momentum.”
In addition to the trial outlined above, Microsoft Research Cambridge in England has been exploring a range of services and technologies that make use of DAB. This research is being carried out in close cooperation with a number of global partners and has entered initial trials across home and mobile networks in Cambridge.
For more information on the World DAB Forum, visit www.worlddab.org.
