Normal radios work with analogue signals.
i.e the sound comes in waves that match the speaker's vibrations. All the radio receiver has to do is pick up the tiny signal and amplify it. Interference is common because one sound signal looks a lot like another.
All a standard radio needs is a amplifier and a speaker.
A digital radio does not receive wave signals. It only receives 1s or 0s. The DAB radio has to receive millions of 1s and 0s in a constant stream in the same way that your PC receives 1s and 0s from the Internet to make this text.
The DAB radio also has to translate these 1s and 0s into music or what ever is on your radio.
To be able to receive and process all this info a DAB radio needs a lot of electronics, including a CPU and some form of RAM. Naturally this makes them more expensive.
The benefits include: automated tuning and perfect sound quality.
You can pick up a DAB radio for less than £60 new.
Not all places will be able to receive all digital stations. Its the same with digital TV.
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