With this innovation, digital radio expands far beyond sound, turning into a powerful multimedia platform. The breakthrough is based on DRM’s Diveemo application technology, now leverages the Versatile Video Coding (VVC) standard for unprecedented compression efficiency, seamlessly integrated into the DRM system. The result: DRM video broadcast services will be able to reach DRM receivers worldwide, even in the most bandwidth-constrained environments. Based on this technology showcase, the DRM Consortium will start the work on a new generation of the Diveemo specification.

“This is a true paradigm shift,” said Johannes von Weyssenhoff, Managing Director of STARWAVES. “By combining the most efficient video and audio coding with DRM’s global reach, we open up completely new applications – from e-learning in rural areas to public information services and infotainment – all available to people who may have no access to the Internet.”

The demonstration at IBC showcases:

• Educational content packages distributed to schools without Internet
• News and public information clips reliably reaching communities
• Infotainment and cultural media accessible everywhere

The project is powered by a strong innovation partnership:

• STARWAVES – leading the DRM video integration in its DRM receiver platform
• Fraunhofer IIS – providing the cutting-edge codecs, DRM ContentServer integration, and Journaline framework of the demo
• Adam Kiss / SZOMEL Kft – technical implementation of the demo

This world-first technology showcase proves that DRM is not only the most spectrum- and energy-efficient radio technology, but also the gateway to true multimedia broadcasting. It offers governments, broadcasters, and service providers a cost-effective and robust platform to bring video to everyone, everywhere – whether in dense cities, rural U.S. communities, or remote regions of Africa and Asia.

An impressive web-based copy of the demo showing the low bitrates of the content is visible here: https://vvcdemo.starwaves.com.

Just like the existing DRM-only version, this app version supports DRM in all broadcast bands including the AM bands (LW, MW, SW) as well as the VHF Bands I, II (FM-Band) and III – depending on the capabilities of the USB-attached tuner dongle.

The app is now available on the Google Play Store for around 13 €.

Explore the new STARWAVES DRM & DAB+ SoftRadio Android App – live at the Starwaves booth at IBC 2025, Hall 8, Booth 8.B30h.

Dear Users,

Today we relaase a new software update V,539991 for your W-2401. Please note that the DRM decoding functionality may not work after 31 December 2024 without installation of this release.

Please download from https://www.starwaves.com/updates/539991/Update539991.rar, unrar both files to the root folder of a USB memory stick (NOT external hard disk!) and install. For this you switch the radio on and wait until it is in normal operation. Then you plugin your memory stick and wait until the radio turns off. then unplug USB stick and then switch on the radio. Press the INFO button and verify the new release version (should show 539991).

Happy New Year 2025!

DRM’s 2024 BES Exhibition booth was dominated by items and sensations presented, provided or organized by STARWAVES. Starting with STARWAVES’ own products, the latest W2401 Receiver was now demonstrated in its final shape – production is now finally starting and orders can be placed. Purchase links will be published here soon.

STARWAVES also showcased a number of examples how the STARWAVES DRM Softradio App can be implemented: For example in an Android Car Stereo or an Android boombox. Both exhibits were very low level products to show that very few hardware performance is required for the setup to function. The devices were  connected to a 20 USD RTL-SDR stick turning them into full-blown DRM receivers.

The main attraction – also prepared and demonstrated by STARWAVES – was a fully integrated Android smart phone with built-in digital receiver chipset allowing the handsfree set to receive DRM without dongle!

Last but not least it was also STARWAVES who organized the SUZUKI Maruti Car on the booth as well as the AM re-transmission equipment allowing for AM indoor reception of the AIR Nangli DRM transmission.

Please read some other voices here:

https://bnnbreaking.com/tech/revolutionizing-digital-radio-drm-and-starwaves-introduce-groundbreaking-mobile-solution?fbclid=IwAR3Z0Wtd-4b4XBaTTrSgiEsGBFpb4KB_CU4L1Vq7IYBx0t-v0J0eCIPSFds

https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/products/fm-drm-reception-on-mobile-phone-shown-at-bes

DRM at BES – A Video Journey