What is digital (DAB) radio?
Digital means that the sounds are converted into computerised pieces of information, compressed, and then sent from a transmitter to your radio set. The signal is then converted back into sounds with the aid of a decoder which is built into the DAB (digital audio broadcasting) radio set.
You don't have to buy a DAB radio to listen to digital radio programmes, you can also listen online, through a Freeview set-top box, via a Sky or freesat satellite receiver or a cable decoder (eg a Virgin set-top box).
We have a digital radio webpage giving more detailed information about DAB radio and what you should look out for when you choose one.
Listening on the internet
You can listen online to most digital radio stations. You will need a computer with a soundcard and in some cases you may need to download a free version of RealPlayer (for Windows, Macs or Linux). For help and advice on listening online, you can visit the BBC's audio help webpage.
You can listen to all of the BBC's radio stations, including the new digital stations - 1Xtra, 6 Music, Asian Network, BBC Radio 7 and Five Live Sports Extra - and catch up with programmes you may have missed via the BBC iPlayer.
The main stumbling block, when trying to listen to digital radio in this way, could be the accessibility of the websites. You may also find that dial-up internet access isn't exactly conducive to hours of happy listening. If you find a particularly accessible website, let us know and we'll include it. Email productreviews@rnib.org.uk
One internet radio portal that does work well with a screen reader, according to the Fred's Head blog (which contains tips, techniques, tutorials, in-depth articles, and resources for and by blind people) is Radiopaq.
Radiopaq gives you access to radio stations and podcasts from all over the world, so tuning into Moscow or Brazil is merely a link away.
Sign up for your own account and you'll be able to configure your own list of favourite stations and podcasts. All content on the site is free.
Another way to listen online is through the free downloadable Webbie suite of applications. This is software that installs a number of programs onto your computer.
It allows you to listen to live BBC radio, listen again to radio and TV programmes and includes a podcast feature. The live radio and listen again software shows an alphabetical list of programmes from, for example, Radio 4, Radio 2, BBC1. You arrow through the list and press enter on the one you want. You do need RealPlayer to be installed for these applications to work.