DAB question

kolien · 08-19-2011, 10:55 AM

Anybody who ordered DAB option know if the DAB radio automatically switches to FM reception when you drive into an area where there are no DAB signals available?

sfax · 08-19-2011, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kolien

Anybody who ordered DAB option know if the DAB radio automatically switches to FM reception when you drive into an area where there are no DAB signals available?

It doesn't unfortunately (just cuts out and stays on DAB until signal is back) although I'm usually covered so maybe if I lost DAB altogether for a long enough it might try to switch to FM

kolien · 08-19-2011, 02:43 PM

Hello sfax. Thank you for your answer.

I test drove a 5 series some time ago which had DAB. It behaved the same way... signal lost in some signal shadow zone... maybe DAB signal power will be better after they shut the FM transmitters, maybe in 2017...

I have read somewhere (can't remember where) that some other car brand does automatically switch between DAB and FM if needed, although I don't know if the both signals will be in sync (DAB signal is lagging behind FM for some seconds). Should be a "piece of cake" for modern electronics to handle, though.

Until DAB becomes standard (hopefully with better reception) I think that it is not a option worth spending money on.

Going to my dealer tomorrow to order our X3 and to sort out the details...

Ant Man · 08-19-2011, 04:58 PM

There s/b a setting that can be ticked to auto tune to FM when a weak digital signal is found. Should be in the manual.

kolien · 08-20-2011, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ant Man

There s/b a setting that can be ticked to auto tune to FM when a weak digital signal is found. Should be in the manual.

Good news then

I tried to google for the instruction manual but could only find the US type.

I will ask my salesrep later today and return with an answer.

sfax · 08-20-2011, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ant Man

There s/b a setting that can be ticked to auto tune to FM when a weak digital signal is found. Should be in the manual.

Ant Man is correct. Under DAB options there is an "auto DAB/FM changeover" check box. I didn't know so thanks for pointing that out

99% of the time I find DAB signal is excellent where I am but this is probably worth leaving switched on

I also read that if you have DAB but not pro nav, the list of available stations is not automatically updated which is another reason to go for pro

kolien · 08-21-2011, 02:55 AM

Back from the dealer, he said that there is no such functionality for the DAB option in the X3. I guess he is not completely up to date. I am a little surprised though, but guessing that it hard to keep up with all the smaller changes as time goes.

I will ask to see if he has a "DAB car" later this week when trying out the 3.0d

)

08-19-2011, 10:55 AM	#1
kolien Private 7 Rep 54 Posts Drives: BMW X3 3.0d (F25) Join Date: May 2011 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	DAB question Anybody who ordered DAB option know if the DAB radio automatically switches to FM reception when you drive into an area where there are no DAB signals available?
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08-19-2011, 02:43 PM	#3
kolien Private 7 Rep 54 Posts Drives: BMW X3 3.0d (F25) Join Date: May 2011 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	Hello sfax. Thank you for your answer. I test drove a 5 series some time ago which had DAB. It behaved the same way... signal lost in some signal shadow zone... maybe DAB signal power will be better after they shut the FM transmitters, maybe in 2017... I have read somewhere (can't remember where) that some other car brand does automatically switch between DAB and FM if needed, although I don't know if the both signals will be in sync (DAB signal is lagging behind FM for some seconds). Should be a "piece of cake" for modern electronics to handle, though. Until DAB becomes standard (hopefully with better reception) I think that it is not a option worth spending money on. Going to my dealer tomorrow to order our X3 and to sort out the details...
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08-19-2011, 04:58 PM	#4
Ant Man Major 75 Rep 1,179 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Individual Edition Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: East Anglia iTrader: (1)	There s/b a setting that can be ticked to auto tune to FM when a weak digital signal is found. Should be in the manual.
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08-21-2011, 02:55 AM	#7
kolien Private 7 Rep 54 Posts Drives: BMW X3 3.0d (F25) Join Date: May 2011 Location: Norway iTrader: (0)	Back from the dealer, he said that there is no such functionality for the DAB option in the X3. I guess he is not completely up to date. I am a little surprised though, but guessing that it hard to keep up with all the smaller changes as time goes. I will ask to see if he has a "DAB car" later this week when trying out the 3.0d )
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