Dab radio in mk6 golf

**johannes Eedla** · 30-06-2009,06:07 AM

HI i AM NEW TO THE FORUM, i HAVE JUST ORDERED THE NEW GTI IN CANDY WHITE ,I ASKED THE SALES MAN IF I COULD UPGRADE THE SOUND SYSTEM TO A DAB RADIO ? BECAUSE FM IS GOING OFF AIR IN ABOUT TWO TO THREE YEARS TIME AND HE SAID HE DID NOT THINK SO .
SO WHAT HAPPENS THEN ,( NO RADIO)

**maisbitt** · 30-06-2009,08:13 AM

DAB is an option, especially if you go for the RCD510 (which is excellent), not sure whether you can DAB the standard radio.

I've heard rumours of analogue radio going off air in around 3 years time. but I can't see it happening, DAB has such poor take up on domestic radios and Hifi, and there are almost no cars that have it. Radio relys on commercial funding. If there is no one listening because they don't have DAB then the commercial people will pull the plug on funding the radio shows and it will all collapse.

Devices with FM radio are still selling strong, whereas DAB devices aren't selling any faster.

I can't see FM being dead in 3 years time.

**Robbie G** · 30-06-2009,10:04 AM

Analogue off in 3 years? No chance. Although I wouldn't panic too much because even if it does happen, there'll be numerous (and cheaper) DAB upgrade options for cars flying about all over the place.

**maisbitt** · 30-06-2009,10:09 AM

I wonder whether all this confusion started with the analogue TV systems all being completely switched to digial by 2012?

I just can't see it happening with radio anytime soon, there is no great uptake of DAB right now. I have a Hifi with DAB, and hardly ever use the DAB band as i'm not keen on the majority of the selection of stations.

If it did happen, i'm sure those with a multi-in in their front armrest would be able to plug a DAB unit through that when someone makes one.

**Kremmen** · 01-07-2009,07:13 AM

There are legal moves afoot to ensure that all new cars from 2013 are fitted with DAB radios prior to a rumour of analogue being turned off circa 2015.

The current problem is that the UK and western Europe have different DAB standards (VHS v Betamax syndrome).

This needs to be sorted before the manufacturers can/will fit DAB as standard.

Products like the Highway are OK but you end up with a not very efficient and ugly clothes line aerial hanging across the dash

**ralferoo** · 01-07-2009,07:42 AM

Also, I'd have really liked to have had DAB with my new mk6, but I wasn't willing to forego the MDI interface because USB and ipod will be much more useful to me. Seems strange that we can't have both unless the DAB radio is just a bolt on to the radio that uses the same connection to the radio as the MDI.

**cs2009** · 01-07-2009,09:21 AM

Originally Posted by ralferoo

Also, I'd have really liked to have had DAB with my new mk6, but I wasn't willing to forego the MDI interface because USB and ipod will be much more useful to me. Seems strange that we can't have both unless the DAB radio is just a bolt on to the radio that uses the same connection to the radio as the MDI.

I have DAB, but still have the iPod connector in the arm rest.

**VictorPapa** · 01-07-2009,11:08 AM

Originally Posted by cs2009

I have DAB, but still have the iPod connector in the arm rest.

I have DAB but a blanking rubber where the connector would be. Doesn't bother me too much cos I use a couple of large SD cards in the 510 slot instead.

**Robbie G** · 01-07-2009,12:24 PM

Originally Posted by Kremmen

There are legal moves afoot to ensure that all new cars from 2013 are fitted with DAB radios prior to a rumour of analogue being turned off circa 2015.

Source?

**Kremmen** · 01-07-2009,12:38 PM

Originally Posted by Robbie G

Source?

It was either Auto Express or the latest Which? magazine (can't remember which one I read it in now). There was quite a good article about the whole fiasco.

It's also covered quite well >> HERE <<