Digital Radio - C/D S/D etc etc

I would recommend getting a freeview box and connecting it to your stereo via the audio out leads, rather than buying a dedicated DAB set, unless you need a trannie, as they are cheaper and the bitrate is superior.

I've found the sound quality pretty good but they main advantage is the lack of interference. And I suppose 6 music is OK sometimes.

Nick, do the freeview boxes have digital out? If so, what variety?

I'd heard about the higher bitrate with satellite/cable feed but I don't know why it's like that. Got any good links explaining the discrepancy?

DAB separates are now below £100, so I am tempted, but maybe telly box is the way to go. I suppose I'd mostly be interested in hiss'n'buzz-free R3 and some comedy reruns on R7.

Mike, my cheapo Panasonic box doesn't have a digital out socket I'm afraid. Maybe other models do?

See http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/freeview_vs_DAB.htm or http://www.flashbacksales.co.uk/acatalog/satellite.html#brt for stuff about the bit rates.

It seems DAB broadcasts were dropped from 192kb/s to 128 kb/s in Dec 2001 but that this didn't apply to Radio 3.