Can anyone please clarify what the situation currently is regarding getting a Yeti with DAB radio fitted. I thought I had seen somewhere on here that it was to be an option with the Colombus system (a very expensive way of getting a DAB radio) for 2013. I called a local Skoda dealer, who just told me that DAB was available in the Yeti Urban, but that was a limted production run, and not available on 4x4 models. He did not know anything about DAB being an option for 2013.

We are thinking about trading up our 2010 140hp 4x4 Elegance for a later, better spec. model, but would like DAB if possible.

We realy miss DAB in the Yeti, after being used to it in our Jaguar, even after allowing for poor coverage in some areas.

Thanks

Pete

I have got an Urban with DAB and have never even used it. FM just suits me fine. I don't know what all the fuss is about with DAB anyway. I await the "negative" comment as usual, but before you post please be aware this is only my opinion and for some, DAB is probably the end all and be all!

I'm in your camp, but then I live in an area that has been told we are unlikely ever to get a proper DAB signal, if any at all.

DAB is necessary for many stations that only transmit on digital and for clear listening to Radio 5 (otherwise on AM only).

I realise that I may be in the minority wanting DAB in the car, but it is the only way to listen to test match cricket commentary, and some of the olympic coverage was only available on Radio 5 live sportsextra (DAB only). From our regular trips to our place in North Wales we find that FM/AM reception on hte Bolero starts to get very poor once we cross the border near Oswestry, but with a pocket DAB plugged into the auxillary socket, we still get clear reception past Bala, but we do eventually lose it once we get into the proper Snowdonia mountains.

It is not a big deal - we could carry on using the pocket DAB, or there are after-market units that can be installed into OEM unit for about 150 pounds, but i was just wanted to know when it might become a factory-fitted option .

Thanks

Pete

Pete, there certainly are DAB units that will transmit to the car radio, but if your pocket DAB has a headphone socket you could plug it into the "aux" socket in the cubby box and play it through the radio that way.

I completely see the point of DAB.

I do know that it is irrelevant to those in some areas who have always suffered/enjoyed bad digital coverage and, if it matters, I'm sorry for their deprivation. I also know some people want just to listen to music for whom many alternative media are available. I know British DAB is probably the wrong sort of DAB and that FM sound reproduction is often better.

I am also wholly aware it is possible to string together components of various sorts to achieve DAB reception.

DAB built in units are available and could be offered as an option-even foisted on the uninterested in the Urban. I just wonder why I can't have one on an elegance Yeti.

For those who don't care I say, fine. For those who do care I share your frustration. During the year I cannot receive Test Match Special as not even the ancient and low quality Long Wave is available to me.

Has anyone heard anything more on DAB radio. I know a statement came out along with the L&K that skoda were going make columbus DAB capable. I'm keen to order a snowmonster, but am holding out for DAB, and getting impatient. I've asked a couple of dealers to let me know when they hear anything in terms of timescales, but still no word. Anyone out there had more luck?

I have got an Urban with DAB and have never even used it. FM just suits me fine. I don't know what all the fuss is about with DAB anyway. I await the "negative" comment as usual, but before you post please be aware this is only my opinion and for some, DAB is probably the end all and be all!

Not a negative comment, but the DAB in my Urban gets a lot of use. It is a revelation listening to Radio 5 live / sports extra and Talksport in stereo, rather than AM in my old Octavia. The cricket commentary takes on a whole new dimension

I've also recently discovered Radio 4 Extra and love the comedy re-runs - Yes Prime minister, Dads Army etc.

In addition to these stations, the shear range of options is staggering, compared to FM. My wife is partial to music from the eighties, whereas I'm more into the sixties / seventies. We therefore have our own range of presets (absolute 60's / 70's / 80's etc) associated with our respective car keys.

I had a Mark Levinson system in a Lexus I owned a few years ago and although the Amundsen+ system doesn't compare in terms of sound quality, it very nearly makes up for it in terms sheer flexibility - FM, DAB, SD card, voice control, bluetooth, intergration with Maxidot etc.

My way round the lack of DAB in my old Mk1 Octavia is to use a free Android app called "Tune in Radio" on my phone. I connect this to the system in the Octavia with a cassette adaptor. This works well, although is obviously dependent upon a satisfactory 3G signal.

As with others gave up waiting for skoda to offer the option and use tunein android app and stream it. It is probably more reliable than dab transmissions are anyway.

br

JeZ

There was a programme on Radio 4 yesterday afternoon about DAB and cars, including an interview with one of Ford's senior sales managers. Even they are confused, althought they will be including it is more cars next year. However they admitted that there is a problem, in that the UK use DAB whereas Europe use DAB+ and at the moment they are not compatible. They are awaiting the development of a new chip that will work on both systems and until then don't see the that increasing useage will make the big push needed to fit to all cars.

Also the BBC admit that although they want 95% coverage of the UK before 2015 this is very unlikely. They will get all the main urban areas and all motorways and major A roads covered probably by the end of 2013, but the rest........................................??

the UK use DAB whereas Europe use DAB+ and at the moment they are not compatible.

I have a Sony portable (not pocket-sized) DAB radio that does DAB and DAB+ - bought from Tesco, not abroad. My understanding is that a DAB+ receiver should be backwards-compatible with DAB - so all they need to do is fit a DAB+ radio and it should be fine in the UK.

[Ford] are awaiting the development of a new chip that will work on both systems

These things already exist - you can buy DAB/DAB+ car stereos in Argos FFS! So they don't have to "await" anything. Either the Ford spokesman was confused, or he was obfuscating.

I have a Sony portable (not pocket-sized) DAB radio that does DAB and DAB+ - bought from Tesco, not abroad. My understanding is that a DAB+ receiver should be backwards-compatible with DAB - so all they need to do is fit a DAB+ radio and it should be fine in the UK.

N95

Your totally right the pure ones have been backward compatible for years ford guy talking..... anyway for me it is totally unforgivable that they haven't included it the chipset is 5ukp ffs (sorry work in these things not dab but know the cost of the chipset....)

Jez

DAB is necessary for many stations that only transmit on digital and for clear listening to Radio 5 (otherwise on AM only).

And of course FM is essential to listen to many local stations like BBC Radio Cumbria.

Or in our area, for ALL radio stations!!

BBC have stated it is very unlikely we will get DAB "for a while".

Can't even listen to BBC Wales!!

My iPhone works well as an internet radio with 3G coverage, not as reliable as DAB or FM obviously.

I have a 69p radio app that's got access to thousands of internet stations worldwide, inc BBC. It works for me in London, can't report what it's like in the countryside, worth a go if you can make it work though and the minijack lead that connects to the armrest compartment and head unit is cheap too.

Or in our area, for ALL radio stations!!

BBC have stated it is very unlikely we will get DAB "for a while".

Can't even listen to BBC Wales!!

Similar situation in the Yorkshire Dales - FM is pretty dodgy here, and no-one will ever consider we are worth the expense of getting DAB coverage. As to mobile phone signals and high-speed (or even medium-speed) broadband ...

Just read this over on HonestJohn (http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/miscellaneous/2012-11/dab-standard-in-bmws-%E2%80%93-other-makes-likely-to-follow/)

Interested to read that BMW are offering a "built in" DAB retrofit option.