Does anyone know if you can get an original fit DAB radio for a new Octavia? I see that if you buy a new Golf you can spec a DAB radio as an upgrade for a touchscreen radio which looks essentially the same as the Bolero.

Does anyone know if you can get an original fit DAB radio for a new Octavia? I see that if you buy a new Golf you can spec a DAB radio as an upgrade for a touchscreen radio which looks essentially the same as the Bolero.

Hi Colsay,

I have done some research on this - unfortunately Skoda are not offering a DAB option as yet.

As you say, VW already do & have done for some time!

I have not been able to find anyone offering a VW DAB module or retrofit service for integrated DAB as yet.

I also want DAB in my Octavia, but don't want a Pure Highway or similar add on - I am trying to keep my car looking uncluttered an as standard as possible (this time round!)

There will be pressure on all manufacturers to offer DAB in the run up to 2013 when all vehicles supplied must have it - this is in the run up to the switch off of FM broadcasting.

So, I am hopeful (or overly optimistic, maybe) that Skoda will be offering an integrated retrofit solution - but not holding my breathe on this one!

John.

I wouldn't bother DAB is awful; It's either there or it's not, the sound quality is pretty putrid too.

It's like Freeview DVB, simply crap, save your money. Normal FM broadcasts are going to be around for a long time yet.

I wouldn't bother DAB is awful; It's either there or it's not, the sound quality is pretty putrid too.

It's like Freeview DVB, simply crap, save your money. Normal FM broadcasts are going to be around for a long time yet.

I have a Pure Highway which I find works very well indeed with an external antenna (£17.99 inc del, from dabonwheels) - its rare to get a dropout. Sound quality is not better than FM, but there are a number of DAB-only stations that I like to listen to.

Thanks to all who have replied, particularly "JayTee".

Picking up on some of the comments:

1. I know that FM is much better sound quality than DAB. However, Government plans (as I understand it) are that DAB will, unfortunately, completely replace FM at some point.

2. Even if FM continues longer than currently predicted, I too have some DAB only stations that I like to listen to.

3. When spending £14K on a brand new car I am not really interested on day one, of plugging in some retrofit piece of kit to listen to DAB. If Skoda have solutions for CDs, phones, blue tooth MP3 - why not DAB?

One last thought on this. I believe UK DAB standard is different from Europe (somebody could perhaps comment on this). If that is the case then it might be a contributory factor to why Skoda with relatively low volume UK sales doesn't have a DAB solution whereas VW with much higher sales, does. Or- and I expect flack for this! - as I am yet to be a Skoda owner, is it that the stereotype Skoda owner is comfy with Radio 2 and has never heard of DAB anyway?

DAB in the form used by the UK is also used in Europe, but several countries are dumping the standard altogether and going DAB+ which gives better sound quality and the same bitrates as current DAB. This will mean new radios as the current DAB sets are not capable of receiving the new standard. DAB as we know it is based on the very old MP2 standard, as a result of its limitations a 128K DAB station sounds far worse than a 128K MP3 file and they sound bad enough. Some stations have resorted to higher bandwidth mono broadcasts to try and get better sound quality. To my ears Radio 2 on DAB sounds like a poor quality internet stream, but on FM its far better.

Woooooot. I am well out the target audience, but I listen to Radio 1.

or Classic FM if Jnr is in the car.

Not sure if it is DAB or DVB that differs across Europe.

I dont see why a DAB radio cant present it's stations in an appropriate way across the MDI, I guess it is down to market forces that none is available and no aftermarket integrated solutions exist.

I would seriously consider one if it were integrated, I did inquire with the dealer about factory fit when I bought the car, but the DAB to FM units like the Highway just do not appeal.

, I did inquire with the dealer about factory fit when I bought the car, but the DAB to FM units like the Highway just do not appeal.

You can feed the Highway's output into the AUX-IN socket. The Highway is also small enought to be tucked away in the dash-top box or the glovebox. At the moment its the only way I can see that you'll get DAB in a Skoda without massive expense. I got my Highway for £55 and that's not a lot of expenditure to get DAB. You can also move it from car to car should you wish.

Edited 20 April, 201016 yr by Hauptmann

DAB in the form used by the UK is also used in Europe, but several countries are dumping the standard altogether and going DAB+ which gives better sound quality and the same bitrates as current DAB. This will mean new radios as the current DAB sets are not capable of receiving the new standard.

A lot of DAB radios will work with DAB+, including the Pure Highway. Its just a firmware update - you can do it right now on Pure radios (just update from v1.5 to v2.0). Most of these radios are sold worldwide and so have to work with DAB+ right now.

Would the highway pick up a decent signal if it was stored in the armrest? Seeing as the aux in is just there

Would the highway pick up a decent signal if it was stored in the armrest? Seeing as the aux in is just there

It would work fine in the armrest. But you would need to connect it to an aerial.

You must be able to retrofit the VW DAB receiver?

You can retrofit the reversing camera from the mk6 golf to a columbus (needs an ecu / controller + camera + wiring loom -- kits on ebay), i'd be thinking a DAB controller + antenna would be small beer

You must be able to retrofit the VW DAB receiver?

I'm sure you could. But going by typical VAG pricing on their ICE units it would be a very expensive undertaking.

I looked into this, at the time I looked DAB wasnt available with Navigation (from VW). IE the Nav unit doesnt have the software in it to work with DAB unit, only the 'lower' VW headunits did. I have columbus so didnt progress it any further.

I ended up fitting the Pure Highway into the ashtray, so you just lifted the ashtray lid when you wanted to change DAB channels.

Cool, the Highway fits in the ashtray? Got a pic?

Doesnt fit without mods, I had to use the dremel. I posted some pics a while back, My search function doesnt seem to work though!

Just typed in my postcode into the DAB website and got a list of radio stations on the DAB system and all I can say is apart from R2 what a lot of crap.

I'm glad I haven't got it. I'd be better off using a 3G dongle on a laptop & locking into my local radio station via their website than listen to any of them when I'm on my travels, the drawback being massive data charges & a duff GSM network.

Edited 21 April, 201016 yr by Evening Star

apart from R2 what a lot of crap.

I must admit that raised a smile!

Just typed in my postcode into the DAB website and got a list of radio stations on the DAB system and all I can say is apart from R2 what a lot of crap.

I'm glad I haven't got it. I'd be better off using a 3G dongle on a laptop & locking into my local radio station via their website than listen to any of them when I'm on my travels, the drawback being massive data charges & a duff GSM network.

if you have a iPhone 3g you can get radio apps then plug that into aux, as much data as can eat on most plans

3g coveange is the only downer, but if on 2g it's better than mw!

I must admit that raised a smile!

Nowt like Chris Evans in the morning & Wrighty in the afternoon.

I have just ordered a Superb last week and "NEED DAB" in it. I have had a DAB in the my vehicles for about 7 years. (a single DIN Blaupunkt woodstock). On my route to and from work DAB reception has been excellent! I can not abide listening to five live on MW and would miss TMS on Sports extra and would also miss 6music.

So if any one know if a VW DAB module can be fitted to the "swing" radio in the supeb please let me know. Otherwise I wil have to either buy a horrible looking seperate plug in radio or invest in a JVC double din head unit with DAB add on.

I wouldn't bother DAB is awful; It's either there or it's not, the sound quality is pretty putrid too.

It's like Freeview DVB, simply crap, save your money. Normal FM broadcasts are going to be around for a long time yet.

I disagree ES. I spec'd DAB in my last BMW and it was the best extra I ordered. Excellent reception of FM and MW (talksport) stations and no problems with reception.

I reckon I'd rather have last.fm in my car than DAB.

iPhone hooked up to Aux-In does ok for this.

I wouldn't bother DAB is awful; It's either there or it's not, the sound quality is pretty putrid too.

It's like Freeview DVB, simply crap, save your money. Normal FM broadcasts are going to be around for a long time yet.

Sorry have to disagree.

Yes it's either there or not, but I find DAB perfectly acceptable for a car etc.

Yes a good FM signal is better, but it's no worse than an average FM broadcast, unless the station is too heavily compressed.

As for freeview, it's excellent for me on an SD TV and I have won't be going to HD any time soon as we don' t get it here.

As such I think it's fit for purpose and it's only the cheapy cheap receivers that have issues with dropping frames and noise.

I had DAB in a Range Rover courtesy car I had for the last 3 months, I listen to 5 Live pretty much all of the time, the difference in quality is huge. I also found the NME station which was excellent for my music taste.

It's disappointment that DAB isn't in the Skoda range yet, i will have to make a Pure player my first purchase.