Schaa says "Opus codec for DRM"

Update 20130512: Rafael - our man about town in Brasil - indicates that the newest version of DReaM software supports Opus codec! Now for the addition of Codec2 and some hardcore experimenting! I'd love to see one of our favorite International broadcasters and super-power outlets experiment with DX and multiplex using these new, highly effective/efficient codecs.

Update 20121024: Read this Opus (CELT) proposal for DRM by Michael Feilen. Michael also added some clarification on rights and pricing of AAC+ via the DRMNA Yahoo Group. Read his post here.

Our friend Stephan Schaa (of HCJB Global Germany and Pappradio fame) wrote to the DRMNA Yahoo Group this morning..." 

Adding Opus as a free codec to the DRM System would give many benefits: At the moment you have to pay royalties for the use of the "better" codecs AAC+ for example. This has to be done if you produce receivers (for less than 1000 it's free, maybe this is the reason that the number of units for DRM Receivers are so small everytime), but the "bigger money" is made on the encoder side: about $4000 (or more) have to be paid to dolby if you want to use AAC+. If - for example - Brasil would opt to the DRM System and insists on a opus as free codec, I think this would be a good idea..." 

Stephan Schaa on what we need to see in DRM RXers

Our own Stephan Schaa (developer of the Pappradio) posts to the DRMNA Yahoo! Group about what is needed in DRM receivers, where we are, where we need to be and what can be done about it!:

Pappradio January update

Here is a quick update from Stephan on the current status of the Pappradio project...

"We have been very busy with all the Pappradios over the last month. About 400 have been assembled and sent out to their new owners. We will get the next batch of PCBs in one or two weeks.

Pappradio and happy listeners

Click here to read a great post with pictures of a happy German Pappradio user (I've linked to the Google translation). I hope to hear more from Stephan Schaa soon about how best North Americans can place an order. Mark on DRMNA Yahoo Group also reports success.

Linking-up ideas

Stephan's work with the Pappradio was recognized with a link in the current DRM.org newsletter. There is also information from Ludo Maes about are recent trip to Asia to visit hardware manufacturers. What can we do to encourage rapid R&D and perhaps getting Stephan and Alan (amongst others) together with this overseas hardware development?

More tech talk and device planning...

DRMNA Yahoo Group had several more excellent receiver related posts:

Dennis Falk:

"...The idea here is to develop a DRM receiver that costs less than $100
(even cheaper, if at all possible) that follows certain basic concepts:

Use open-source hardware and software as much as possible, with as
little proprietary reliance as possible, and preferably with off-the-
shelf parts (to minimise expense in development).

Stephan Schaa and the Pappradio

A drmna.info exclusive! Stephan Schaa talks about himself and the Pappradio!

For the first time in English, Stephan talks about his interest in radio, his involvement at HCJB Germany and his legendary and innovative Pappradio. He also tells us where he thinks DRM and DRM portable receivers are going.

Pappradio

HCJB Germany has developed the Pappradio. It is near the magic $100 pricepoint and looks to be the perfect hobbyist RXer. Check out the specs. I'll post North American ordering information when it becomes available.