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Digital radios - what to ask before you buy

If you're thinking of buying a digital radio, check out the questions below before you buy.

Click on a question below for more information.

Availability: Is digital radio available in my area?
Existing radios: Can I pick up digital radio transmissions with my existing radio?
Cost: What does a digital radio cost?
Online purchase: Can I buy a digital radio online?
Subscription: Do I have to subscribe to digital radio?
Advantages: What are the advantages of digital radio?
Interference: Will I get interference on my digital radio?
Existing stations: Can I listen to my old favourite AM and FM radio stations on a digital radio?
Car radios: Can I listen to digital radio in the car?

1. Is digital radio available in my area?

This is the first question you should ask!

In Australia, digital radio is generally restricted to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. If you live in an area that doesn't broadcast digital radio, you will only be able to receive existing AM/FM stations.

You can check digital radio coverage in Australia by going to Digital Radio Plus (Coverage) Scroll to the bottom of the page, type your postcode into the 'Can I Get Digital?' box, then click on the 'Go' button.

2. Can I pick up digital radio transmissions with my existing radio?

No, unless you purchase a DAB+ radio adaptor. These can cost as much as a DAB+ radio. DAB stands for Digital Audio Broadcasting, and DAB+ is the digital radio technology standard for Australia, and it allows higher sound quality and a larger number of digital radio stations than DAB..

3.What does a digital radio cost?

Prices currently range from around $50 to well over $600, depending on the functions the radio provides. Decide what functions are important to you then compare prices.

4. Can I buy a digital radio online?

Yes, but make sure it will work where you are. Different countries have different systems (e.g. the UK uses DAB, while Australia uses DAB+).

No, it's free. You just need a digital receiver.

6. What are the advantages of digital radio?

Note: Not all these features are available on all models or in all areas. Check before buying. Portable versions may only have scrolling text (to provide information about products, songs, weather etc.)

Digital quality sound
Less interference
More stations, focusing on particular topics
Select your stations by name, not frequency
Electronic Program Guide (EPG) - hopefully more up to date than digital TV EPGs!
Scrolling text displaying song details, news, weather updates etc.
Pause and rewind live radio
Some have a screen to display images (e.g. related to music or advertised products)
Download music direct to the radio's memory

7. Will I get interference on my digital radio?

A digital radio will have less interference than an AM/FM radio, and will tune to the best signal for each station it can detect without you having to manually tune in.

8. Can I listen to my old favourite AM and FM radio stations on a digital radio?

Some digital radios will also pick up FM, but not AM. Also, where the AM or FM station also broadcasts their content in digital format, you'll be able to listen to the digital version on your digital radio.

9. Can I listen to digital radio in the car?

If you purchase a digital radio adaptor for your car, your car radio will tune to any existing stations as well as the new DAB+ stations. The adaptors can cost as much as a digital radio.