DAB+ has been around for about 18 months now in Australia, but to date there has been precious few ways to listen to that crystal clear digital broadcast in your car, and the options that have been available have all been external units, not a cleanly installed DIN solution. Crystal Digital Audio have finally broken the integrated DAB+ in-car drought, with their EDB410BT head unit.
As well as offering a DAB+ tuner, the unit also includes FM, AM, CD, MP3, SD card and iPod USB control in a single DIN space. There’s also a remote control, steering wheel controls and Bluetooth handsfree.
The unit itself costs $299, although you’ll need to add installation to that cost. If you’re a big DAB+ fan, that’s not an unreasonable price to pay. You can pick one up through CAM or Autobarn stores around the country.
[CAM]
Alex
Monday, February 7, 2011 at 4:19 PMNow we just have to wait for a decent brand to release something…
Come on Alpine, Eclipse… I’d even consider Pioneer at this point.
Gregory Opera
Monday, February 7, 2011 at 9:41 PMSony recently launched two digital audio broadcast (DAB) radios in Australia (see here http://www.sony.com.au/productcategory/pa-rad-digital-audio-broadcast-radio ) and DAB radio appears to be picking up steam (though its coverage is still pretty questionable), so it’s only a matter of time until Sony and others start providing digital radio functionality in their car audio solutions…
tony
Thursday, August 18, 2011 at 11:03 AMJVC does one – KD-DB56. I would buy it, but the USB port for the ipod is front only….
Waiting for the next manufacturer to bring one out with rear USB port…
Sean
Monday, February 7, 2011 at 4:50 PMI’d just be happy to have Triple J up here!!
tellemhisdreamin'
Monday, February 7, 2011 at 5:36 PMI had quotes last week for unit alone about $50 above the RRP from CAM member shops. Also this unit does not seem to include the antenna ajuster, so you need either a converter box or a new antenna for DAB ($150 ish). Remebering Dab+ works at different freq.
Luke
Monday, February 7, 2011 at 9:50 PMThen what is HD Radio? on my brothers car stereo system it says HD Radio compatible, whatever that means.
Jean-Pierre Wüthrich
Monday, February 7, 2011 at 9:57 PMJust in my daily search for new DAB+ – car radios for the shaft-Din, I came across your listing.
I very much hope that this super-car radio with DAB+ soon in Germany, since Germany yes on 15 12. 2010, the contracts signed for DAB +, will be available and also in Switzerland, where I live and listen to my favorite music via DAB, DAB + is out now so successful will be available.
I was also curious at what price.
fitto55
Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 11:39 AMHi guys- I have had an in-dash DIN installed DAB+ radio in my car for about 3 months now. Cant remember the brand, but it is similar to the one you mentioned, and its available through Repco. It was also $299, with free antennae. It has all the same features, and could be made by the same manufacturer, just different brand.
Nick
Tuesday, February 8, 2011 at 1:56 PMThis is great, loving the Digital Stations they have on air at the moment. WSFM and WSFM Plus are great, as well as Classic Hits Live.
Great to see that the stations are giving us all some more choice – and now we can listen in the car.
fitto55
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 9:21 PMMine is Prolinear, and Axis also have one on the market. Looks like they are all from the same factory, but the quality is VERY good.
Evan Jones
Thursday, February 10, 2011 at 4:38 PMThe Pro-linear and Crystal unit is the same technical solution but the features are very different. The Crystal Has Blue tooth and a built in steering control adaptor (Connects direct to your steering controls if you have them)
The PL is a more basic unit but comes with a bonus antenna.
Both share the exact same DAB receiver.
AXIS unit is not from the same stable.
cam
Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 8:21 PMI have the Pro Linear unit from Repco,but there are no instructions on how to connect the free antenae that came with it.I think it needs to be adhered to glass surface and there is a conection for it in back of head unit.It also has what looks like an earth strap and a black wire,can anyone tell me how to connect it?
Evan Jones
Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 8:48 AMBlack wire goes to Antenna Trigger out from head unit. (Blue wire)
Braided wire goes to chassis on pillar ( Drill very small hole behind plastic panel and earth)
Bonus antena is very good. ( Made in Italy)
Thomas
Thursday, April 14, 2011 at 3:10 PMCheck out AXIS AX1104DAB+, it comes with antenna and is more economical than the Crystal. Also, the brand is better known, yet under valued. They have been in Australia for over 30 years!!
This is the site… http://www.audioxtra.com.au
Benson
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 4:38 PMI think Hitv’s DAB+ add-on would be a good choice. You don’t have to replace your existing car radio. Just add an DAB+ radio receiver in car. http://www.hitv.com.au/product.htm?action=dispatch&page=viva
Chris
Sunday, March 25, 2012 at 1:39 PMI purchased the Crystal DAB+ unit new through DealMe! for $150 but the DAB+ tuner went faulty in the first 4 weeks :-(
The Axis1104 unit Thomas talks about looks very similar to the Crystal, but the specs don’t mention bluetooth. Wow, I’d expect bluetooth to be pretty much a standard requirement given it’s the only legal way to make a phone call while driving.