DRM Live at Le Radio! Conference in Paris, February 6-9

Just days after the landmark announcement that Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) and RadioScape are working to develop software and hardware to support the design of cost effective DRMTM consumer receivers, the Digital Radio MondialeTM consortium will showcase live broadcasts at Le Radio! in Paris.

From February 6th through 9th, Le Radio! participants will have the opportunity to hear DRM broadcasts on medium-wave and short-wave on existing consumer and software receivers at the DRM stand (Hall 5.3, Stand H5 131) in the Paris Expo.

The January 31st announcement from DRM members TI and RadioScape accelerates the timeline for development of a range of DRM consumer receivers. TI will supply the necessary digital signal processor (DSP) -based digital radio silicon along with RadioScape's software-defined digital radio technology, enabling consumer receivers to have DRM, DAB, FM, and AM capabilities.

The World DAB Forum and DRM announced their cooperation in markets of mutual interest in 2003. DRM’s European commercial launch will take place later this year. “France is a key market for DRM, and DRM is a key digital solution for AM in France,” says Michel Penneroux of TDF, DRM’s Commercial Committee Chairman. “The French government is backing digital media -- digital television broadcasts have just begun, and digital radio is next.

On January 27th, French Minister of Industry Patrick Devedjan stated that digital radio will take off in 2005.”
Penneroux added: “DRM will launch a new, French web site this spring to herald our approaching European commercial debut. DRM has built a strong coalition in France in
preparation for the upcoming market launch.”

To be showcased at the DRM Stand at Le Radio! this year:

• MAYAH’s DRM 2010 receiver, a 2nd generation receiver. It is a joint development by Coding Technologies, BBC R&D, and DRM Supporters MAYAH and AFG Engineering GmbH.

• DRM Member BBC will display DRM transmissions from the U.K. to France on short-wave, including an audio-on-demand service. BBC will also demonstrate a data service that
connects to the DRM 2010 via USB.

• TDF will demonstrate live, local medium-wave transmissions, and will showcase a software receiver.

• The Digital World Traveller from DRM Member Coding Technologies: It is a small, USB device that connects to a PC or a laptop without needing any additional power supply or battery. It comes with the Digital World Traveller Radio Software, and can receive DRM, FM and AM programs.
Representatives of various DRM Members will join Le Radio!’s sessions:

• On Monday, February 7th, DRM member DRF Committee (French Digital Radio Stations) will hold its committee meeting from 2-3 pm. Several DRM Members will participate,
including Joël Pons, Chairman DRF Committee; Michel Penneroux of TDF; Jean-Claude Kuentz of RFI; and Pierre Vasseur of Thales Broadcast & Multimedia.

• DRM Members will also be featured in the February 7th session on the Future of Radio, 3:30-5 p.m. Lindsay Cornell of BBC, Dan D’Aversa of RTL Group and Jean-Claude Kuentz of RFI will participate.

The DRM consortium has developed the world’s only non-proprietary, digital radio system for short-wave, AM/medium-wave and long-wave (also called DRM) approved by international standardization bodies for use worldwide. DRM revitalizes radio with clear, FM-like audio quality and excellent reception, free from static, fading and interference.

More than 65 radio stations worldwide have begun DRM broadcasting. DRM’s Live Broadcasts Schedule and additional information are at www.drm.org (English), and the DRM Koordinations – Komitee Deutschland
web site (German) is at www.drm-national.de.

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