hey, it is 50TU6900

4 new RTM radio channels is added.

Can provide details?

707 - Sabah FM
708 - Sabah V FM
709 - Sarawak FM
710 - Wai FM

Out of a sudden, both Media Prima and RTM trying to play the "radio channels" game, see who offers more radio channels on digital TV, is it?

This post has been edited by joshhd: Sep 12 2020, 01:22 AM

Well, does anyone really wants to hear radio on TV? They'll just listen to radio with well a radio...

Well, Media Prima radio channels has moved down to Channels 721-724 and even had their service ID changed (changed from 02c3 - 02c6, which is given to new Channels, to 02d1 -02d4) despite the fact these channels starts earlier. "Klasikfm" has relabelled as "Radio Klasik". Retune may be needed to regain Media Prima radio stations and new radio stations. New radio channels are on HE-AAC 96kbps (same as Mediacorp main channel stereo audio)

Low quality audio (not resulted by HE-AAC V2 codec) is still an issue for Media Prima radio channels. If RTM continues to add radio channels, we may see all RTM local radio stations being added to the platform.

Do not forget the possibility of DAB+ or DRM digital radio being made available in the future, which will mean more specialist radio channels (such as Western classicial music). The EU has recently mandated the installation of DAB+ radio on cars.

One can do so via mobile apps too but it requires internet connection. TV would allow easy access of radio stations on digital quality. Do remember that not all household has a dedicated radio at home while almost every household have at least one TV set.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Sep 12 2020, 04:15 AM

any news, when will astro radio channels coming to mytv?

Unlikely, as Astro Radio channels are already available on their satellite platform. Any addition of these channels will costs money and also unlikely to generate any additional income and listeners (Astro claims that they have 16 million listeners, which I am on doubt of it, and the listenership pretty much stagnated)

Astro brings Go Shop to MYTV DTT because it can generate additional revenue to the company.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Sep 12 2020, 07:09 AM

Some may listen. Which is why Astro provides radio channel to their satellite TV.

Malaysia Digital TV Bitrate Check
12 Sept 2020

MUX 1: 666MHz (Channel 45)


MUX 2: 650MHz (Channel 43)


Video bitrate on TV channels:
HD = 4.1Mbps (3.6Mbps for all RTM channels)
SD = 2.1Mbps

Audio bitrate on TV channels:
RTM channels = HE-AAC 48kbps Stereo
Other channels = HE-AAC v2 32kbps Stereo

Audio bitrate on radio channels:
RTM = HE-AAC 112kbps Stereo
Media Prima = HE-AAC v2 32kbps Stereo

Seems that RTM knows that the audio quality for HE-AAC v2 is a piece of crap, so they chose HE-AAC instead, which is a wiser choice
But it'll be the best if they chose AAC-LC audio codec instead.

----

Btw, the very bad audio quality issue on all Media Prima radio channels (Fly, One, Hot, Kool FM) still remain unsolved as of today.

This post has been edited by joshhd: Sep 12 2020, 05:56 PM

The thing is, Astro operates its own satellite TV platform and radio stations.
So without a doubt, of course they can just provide their own radio channels onto the satellite TV platform to reach more listeners.
Whether there is anyone would go and listen it regularly or not, it may not matter much also, since they are just utilising their assets

This post has been edited by joshhd: Sep 12 2020, 02:32 PM

DRM was a nice idea that just has not happened anywhere.
DAB+ will not work on Malaysian roads, you need more or less line of sight coverage from the transmitter. Trying to get cover on the winding sections around the Menora or Genting tunnels would be hopeless
4G/5G on the major roads will be the way forward, but I expect analogue VHF FM to be around for a long time
DTTV broadcast of radio is a convenient way of providing cover to houses in rural areas

Speaking of digital radio,

I think IBOC digital radio will work well here in Malaysia due to its coverage and easy implementation.

But licensing and quality needs to be considered aswell...

If DRM+ radio would to be implemented in Malaysia, I would say, band I (47 to 68 MHz) would be the preferred frequency range.
Band II (87.5-108 MHz) shall remain only for FM radio, while band III (174 to 230 MHz) would be used only for DAB+ radio.
In my opinion, implementing DAB+ in Malaysia would be a challenge.
DAB+ radio uses higher frequency range (174 to 230 MHz) compared to existing analogue FM radio frequency range (87.5-108 MHz).
As a result, the coverage distance wouldn't propagate as far and as robust as FM radio, which could potentially means more coverage blind spot around the country.
Seems like this matter outweigh the reasons of not implementing it, more than to implement it, since it appears to create more problems than solving...
Testing is fine, but for wide deployment, nah I don't think so...

DRM+ radio however, may be a good choice to be implemented, since it has the option to use band I frequency of 47 to 68 MHz, which is lower than the usual FM radio frequency that we all know (87.5-108 MHz).
As a result, signal reception may be more robust (especially indoors) and slightly wider coverage compared to FM radio, which could convince the public to switch over to DRM+ radio.
The biggest downside is, you hardly or don't even see any affordable DRM+ radio in stores, not even online ones, and it aren't common found as DAB+ radios or FM radio sets.
IBOC digital radio is equivalent to using "HD Radio" technology, right?

I read that if IBOC would to be implemented, FM stereo will not be made possible, hence FM radio will become only in Mono.
If this is the case, then I don't think IBOC is practical to be implemented / co-exist along with current FM radio stations...

This post has been edited by joshhd: Sep 12 2020, 10:21 PM

DAB+ coverage is definitely possible, even in tunnels (there are ways to do so). However, you will require far more transmitters than the existing FM transmission to match the coverage, hence more expensive. The audio quality will be lower than of FM based on past experience worldwide.

FM is here to stay for a long time.

DRM radios are limited in the market due to limited support. If the broadcasters decided to start DRM and if the receiver demand is there, the price will drop. The only place I have seen wide DRM adoption is in India.

4G online radio streaming on the go isn't really stable yet. Data shouldn't be an issue anymore as there are unlimited data plans/ data plans with very generous amount of data. I have streamed foreign radio stations (128kbps MP3) on the go on Johor Bahru roads and it is still possible that the signal will interrupt sometimes.
Live TV streaming via 4G on the go is quite horrendous, with drop of picture quality/frequent interruptions. Hopefully the JENDELA plan will help a bit.

This post has been edited by shaun_kok: Sep 12 2020, 10:17 PM

Yes, you need to remove some subcarrier signals (ie stereo) to put more than 1 station with IBOC/HDRadio, but with 1 station with an acceptable quality, you can probably squeeze it in

Yeah, that's why I say, DAB+ radio outweigh the reasons of not implementing it, more than to implement it, since it appears to create more problems than solving.

...and I wonder how come countries outside India isn't widely adopt DRM+ radio?
But the in-car radio players that we see today, are mostly supports only FM and AM radio...

Digital radio is like, a distant dream?
I think, for the time being, I'll just use Bluetooth audio or AUX 3.5mm cable to listen to songs or radio
Still, Internet radio streaming wouldn't be as reliable as terrestrial radio broadcasts, especially on mobile... A good alternative, but not as a replacement lo...

Mmmm, nope. Not a wise thing to do...
I want to listen FM radio in Stereo audio

This post has been edited by joshhd: Sep 12 2020, 11:11 PM

DRM fits best in the 3-30 MHz HF band, very under-utilized these days, armed forces and amateur radio only. Few of the national broadcasters still bother
The 47 to 68 MHz band is being used by the armed forces and the PDRM these days and is quite busy

The snag is that you end up with a special radio for Malaysia

DAB+ has failed miserably in Europe in hilly terrain, let alone mountainous like here
All the people in the Klang Valley complaining aboout MyTV reception shows how bad DAB+ would be at street level in high rise KL

This post has been edited by dayojah: Sep 13 2020, 10:33 AM

I thought those armed forces and police uses digital trunk radio (around 380-430MHz?) or other standards or something?
But really, 47-68MHz is very heavy utilised in Malaysia till the point it can't be used for DRM+ radio at all, or how?

This post has been edited by joshhd: Sep 13 2020, 04:16 PM