ASIA

The DRM Consortium has just concluded IBC Show in Amsterdamwith major announcements, while showing innovative and significant developments.A key announcement of IBC is the new introductory free membership level that allows organisations to explore the benefits and synergies created by the collaborative spirit within the DRM Consortium for their individual objectives.The many-faceted presence of the DRM Consortium members at this premier event in Amsterdam was prefaced by the virtual pre-IBC presentation focused on new receiver announcements, extra global developments and defining extra benefits of this open, all frequency bands digital radio standard and native AM/FM radio successor.The highlights of DRM’s IBC 2024 virtual and live events were, therefore, linked to its end-to end solutions: DRM is ready and being deployed around the world while making particularly great strides in Asia-Pacific, with proven and crucial benefits such as EWF – Emergency Warning Functionality.At the heart of a well-organised event hosted by Gospell on Saturday morning was the complete DRM broadcast end-to-end solution, from DRM encoders, modulators and transmitters to receivers for all platforms including car and standalone and public signage displays. The attention of the audience was particularly caught by the showcases of upgrades of several transmitters in Shanghai, Shaanxi and Henan China to DRM. To close the loop, Gospell introduced the cost-effective GR-221 DRM pocket receiver model produced in collaboration with two other key DRM members CML Micro and Cambridge Consultants. It supports DRM’s core features beyond audio services such as EWF and Journaline. The receiver updates were, in fact, a overarching focus of all DRM live events in Amsterdam.DRM’s networking event hosted by Fraunhofer IIS in the afternoon gave generous space to all Consortium members who updated the audience on their latest developments. Fraunhofer presented its own Comprehensive Solutions and Expertise along the entire DRM Digital Radio Broadcast Chain, serving the radio broadcast industry from DRM ContentServer technology to receiver decoder components and services enabling successful DRM products. The flexible and highly professional Fraunhofer IIS ContentServer technology features updated and improved audio interfaces and loudness processing along with a re-written Journaline encoder, which makes content processing for DRM core benefits such as Emergency Warning Functionality, RadioSchooling and Public Signage Services even easier.Fraunhofer was also host to updates from several DRM Consortium members.STARWAVES announced that its W2401 DRM receiver with Wi-Fi hotspot functionality is now in production. The company also showed its aftermarket car solution, and its own cost-efficient DRM receiver module with full DRM feature set for enabling local receiver production in global markets. The DRM SoftRadio App enabling DRM reception on Android phones and tablets was recently upgraded to support RTL v4 and HackRF based tuner dongles. All Starwaves products are upgradable to DAB+ reception, making them a perfect fit for multi-standard markets such as Indonesia and South Africa.Similarly, RF2Digital introduced its receiver module aimed at the automotive market supporting DRM in both AM and FM bands as well as China Digital Radio (CDR). Another innovation is the ready to demonstrate DRM and DAB+ receiver with support for DRM services in VHF band-III. These new receiver options prove the sensitivity of developers and manufacturers to the latest DRM developments in countries like China or Indonesia.DRM Consortium Member demonstrated its ability to generate DRM Multichannel broadcast signals with multiple DRM signals broadcast from a single wide-band transmitter in the VHF bands.One of the highlight announcements at the well-attended Fraunhofer IIS event was the invitation to all interested stakeholders in the broadcast industry to enjoy a one-year free Introductory DRM Membership to explore the benefits of DRM projects and collaboration.On Sunday, the event concluding DRM’s official activities at IBC 2024 took place at the Nautel booth with a recap and a brief “show and tell” of all the new announcements. The DRM end-to end solutions available today to the broadcast industry were clearly demonstrated.DRM member companies and their experts present at the DRM events during IBC 2024 included: Ampegon, BBC World Service, Cambridge Consultants, CML Micro, DAC System, Dolby, Encompass, Kintronic Labs, Radio Republik Indonesia RRI, RF2Digital, RFmondial and STARWAVES.At the end of IBC, the DRM Chairman, Ruxandra Obreja, concludes: “The theme of this year’s IBC of delivering innovation and connecting communities, was perfectly matched by the announcements and developments announced by a strong Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium in Amsterdam. Meeting all listeners’ needs, energising the market, enabling content everywhere, DRM has shown how it can offer end-to-end innovative solutions, how it fosters cooperation for comprehensive digital solutions that can unlock new opportunities with this most flexible digital audio broadcasting standard. DRM is complete, robust, and global, offering end-to-end solutions and ready to use services (such as Emergency Warning Functionality and distance learning), while saving energy costs, spectrum and ensuring full-country coverage.” […]

The 33rd edition of the Broadcast India (BI) show is set to take place from October from 17 to 19 at Mumbai, India.It is India’s biggest exhibition for Broadcast & Infotainment Tech covering Film, Radio, Audio, TV, Mobile & Media.Reflecting the energy and diversity of India’s media landscape, the show floor will be packed with the latest advancements in broadcasting, digital production, and cutting-edge content solutions.It is a platform to discover pioneering solutions and explore the technologies that are shaping India’s broadcast, media, entertainment, and content creation industries.Conversations on AI, immersive media, OTT innovations, and next-gen production techniques will set the stage for the future of media in India.Amplify your expertise with a host of knowledge sessions at the Broadcast India Show. The event brings together thought leaders and visionaries from across the media and entertainment spectrum.Prepare to dive into sessions that explore key topics driving the industry forward, from content delivery innovations to the latest trends in media consumption.With an emphasis on technology, creativity, and market dynamics, these sessions will provide actionable insights that empower you to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market.Register yourself online and get your e-badge here. […]

BIG FM, one of India’s leading radio networks, announced the launch of its distinctive AI-driven initiative – BIG Dhun: a custom song generation platform.The interactive platform will enable users to input different prompts to generate a unique song in seconds. It invites listeners to share specific details reflecting their mood, preferred genre, language, gender, personal story or any chosen theme.BIG Dhun anticipates high user interactions, fostering a vibrant and active community.Abraham Thomas, CEO, BIG FM, said: “We’re leveraging AI to transform our content strategy, enhance engagement and set new benchmarks in consumer experience. It allows us to deliver real-time, data-driven content and interactions, ensuring that our offerings are always relevant, engaging and tailored to individual preferences. We have an impressive lineup of offerings in this space which we are sure to get all our stakeholders excited.”Sunil Kumaran, COO, BIG FM sao: “Through BIG World, our endeavour has always been to provide end-to-end solutions to all our stakeholders. With the introduction of AI, we were leveraging it as a tool to create personalised content and gain deeper consumer insights, but now we are applying it in a more analytical direction. In the age of digital media and entertainment, interactive campaigns that engage users creatively are at the forefront of innovations. Our new platform BIG Dhun aims to harness the power of artificial intelligence to create a unique experience where users can generate personalized songs. It embodies the philosophy of innovation, connectivity and personalized engagement, underscoring our dedication to delivering a holistic experience.” […]

WorldDAB President Jacqueline Bierhorst spoke at IBC Amsterdam this week to update broadcasters and technology suppliers on latest advances and innovations in DAB+ broadcasting in Europe and around the world.“UK DAB share of listening is 67% in cars,” said Bierhorst. Radio is the most listened to audio platform in UK cars. “Car buyers expect broadcast radio to be standard in their next new car,” she said, quoting research conducted by WorldDAB.“Some unregulated IT tech giants think they can do radio, but then they find it is more complicated than they first imagined,” said Bierhorst, showing a picture of Elon Musk and Donald Trump trying to do a radio style interview via online streaming… it crashed. “Online radio doesn’t always work.”The Netherlands has “50 great DAB radio stations… France has 60% population coverage, penetration in Germany is 70%,” she said.Spain is also revitalising its DAB coverage due to increased commitment from the public broadcaster and also the mandatory inclusion of DAB in European cars.In Africa and the Middle East there is also significant movement taking place with a series of trials.DAB has also improved its alert functionality for emergencies. “Radio will work even when phones and internet go down during emergencies. ..Lives will be saved as a result of this work,” said Bierhorst […]

The French audio specialist and equipment manufacturer Digigram has announced the release of a new Dante sound card as part of its ALP-X range. Launched at IBC Amsterdam 2024 and available from Digigram’s network of distributors early October 2024, ALP-DANTE-LE is the eighth addition to the fast growing range of sound cards launched in 2022.
Capitalizing on the success of the ALP-DANTE, Digigram has developed ALP-DANTE-LE, a lighter version of the PCIe sound card that benefits from its most prominent features.
ALP-DANTE-LE was designed using the same sturdy hardware platform as the rest of the ALP-X range,  whose proven design is a synonym for legendary reliability. The card also features the famous low-profile form factor, coupled to a fanless design to address audio applications where space and reliability are at stake. ALP-DANTE-LE operates under Windows and Linux drivers and is compatible with AES67 and SMPTE 2110-30 protocols, increasing its versatility to address countless applications regardless of the environments. Lastly, the card seamlessly integrates Dante networks thanks to the usual Dante Controller interface, and Digigram’s signature reliability and low latency coupled with the audio quality inherent in the Dante protocol.
ALP-DANTE-LE capitalizes on Digigram’s decades of expertise and naturally comes as the new extension of  the ALP-X family, while being a cost-effective addition to the range.
“We have concentrated all the acclaimed benefits of ALP-DANTE in its lighter version ALP-DANTE-LE, and kept the main functionalities that are essential to most projects where audio is critical. The slim form factor, Dante compatibility with other protocols, 64 channels in and 64 channels out, plus support for Linux and Windows operating systems – are among the card’s highlights” states Stéphane Bert, Digigram’s Presales Manager.
ALP-DANTE-LE comes with adjusted connectivity, while keeping the same number of channels. This optimized card will power a larger array of 365/24/7 run applications that require recording, playout or real time processing.
“It is important for Digigram to cater to all of our customers’ projects, regardless of the application or budget, and provide them with untouched quality. All these benefits now come at an optimized price for improved cost-effectiveness,” concludes Bert. […]

Asia Pulse is an Asia Collective podcast series hosted by Elliott Danker in collaboration with M Group Asia, which take a look at what’s behind the pulse of Asia right now.This weekly show aims to advise on business strategy in the region, with a focus on geopolitics, tech and business expansion within Asia.Topics include defence cooperation and partnerships, Singapore’s place in ASEAN, cybersecurity and AI as well as growing a global leader. Audiences will be able to lean into insights to what businesses are thinking about when considering regional expansion and also see the link between geopolitics and how it affects trends as well as business considerations.The show provides a good mix of industry experts and academics and you are able to get the different types of opinions from the experts as well as the tough questions that academics tend to ask.Danker, who hosts the show, I left the radio scene after close to 20 years. He has pivoted several times within the media industry in Singapore from starting as a broadcast journalist to pop radio to sports tv and also as a part of the start-up team for Money FM 89.3 where he anchored the morning drive time show for over five years.After leaving the stations earlier this year, he started his own media consultancy with an aim to help businesses build their brand through podcasting.Danker says: “I believe that the data analytics that you can get from podcasting represents a more accurate way of building your content as well as meeting the clients’ needs. In the world of “on demand” podcasting represents an opportunity as there is a low barrier of entry and the convenience of the “pause button” is something that appeals to consumers. They are able to multitask while listening to the podcast and are not bound to their driver’s seat to only be able to complete content while driving like how radio tends to depend on. The ease of sharing a podcast via social media is also a great way to gain new audiences and of course, it makes access to guests so much easier. With that in mind, I think podcasting is a great tool for brands to build and reach audiences as a great marketing tool.” […]