Digital audio broadcasting hits the UK

Microsoft has teamed up with Capital Radio and NTL Broadcast to bring Dolby 5.1 channel surround sound to digital audio broadcasting (Dab) in the UK for the first time.

The six-month trial will involve live Internet Protocol data casting of music using Windows Media Audio 9 Pro 5.1 channel surround sound over L-Band in the central London area starting in October.

Capital Radio will provide the surround sound content encoded in Media Audio 9 Pro which will be broadcast over L-Band in London using NTL Broadcast's Dab trial.

The firms expect the signals to be received "throughout the central London area".

"Capital Radio is extremely pleased to be participating in this Dab trial, as our listeners will for the first time be able to hear Capital in London broadcasting in CD quality with surround sound," said Nathalie Schwarz, director of strategy and development at Capital Radio.

The 5.1 channel surround sound, at bit-rates as low as 128Kbps, will be streamed from Windows Server 2003 and then broadcast using IP data casting via the Dab transport stream.

"This trial enables us to work alongside industry leaders in the UK, including Capital Radio, NTL and RadioScape, to take the first steps in delivering high-quality 5.1 channel surround sound over Dab," said Jonathan Usher, director of the Windows Digital Media Division at Microsoft.

Simon Mason, head of new product development at NTL Broadcast, added: "It is important to our broadcast customers that we anticipate their future technology requirements.

"So we're always pleased to be involved in leading-edge trials and in particular to support the development of Dab."