In a recent item about out-of-synch pips on Radio 4, Sneak implied that the notable delay between FM and digital broadcasts was of fixed length. Not so, as reader Geoff Lewis points out: "I have an analogue transistor radio in the kitchen, a Nokia 221 MediaMaster in the living room, an old Nokia On Digital box in the study and a brand new Bush cr2003 digital alarm/radio in the bedroom. All four devices process the signal at different speeds. When I move in one direction I get a feeling of deja-vu, in the opposite direction I get the feeling I'm missing out on something. And if I stand still in the hallway I get a 'dub' version of Radio 4 - and those pips seem to last forever..."

26 May 2004