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Consumer DRM30 receivers - the ultimate list.

As far as I know no-one has ever created a comprehensive list of all known consumer DRM30 receivers that have been rumoured, announced, demonstrated or released. I've been keeping my own list for a few years now, so I figured I'd make it available it for wider reference.

Quick note: At the moment (mid August 2017) I'm in the middle of a major review/validation/correction/update/re-organisation of this page. The basic info on this page is largely correct but the review will correct quite a few minor discrepancies/duplications, etc. - and, at the same time, I'm adding better supporting links (including alternate sources), updating to the most recent info, etc. Hopefully I'll have that done in the next couple of weeks.

Oh, and it looks like the Gospell GR-216 may be have been released. Or not. Several people claim to have been told by Gospell that it's available now - but different enquiries have resulted in different prices (all around the US$200 range, give or take $30 or so). Still too much IMHO (and it seems others agree), probably too late - but let's see what happens...

A quick summary:
  • 55 models (give or take; see below) announced since 2002.
  • ~13 (not including prototype or demonstration models used for larger-scale trials) have made it to production.
  • 3~4 currently in production - Mahindra & Mahindra, Hyundai, and Suzuki factory-fitted car radios in India, and seemingly the Avion AV-DR-1401 portable (see model notes).
    • The PantronX Titus II & Gospell GR-216 announced in late 2016 are still forthcoming. In late April 2017 Gospell said they were part sourcing for production (and indicated they were also working on a "pro" model with multimedia capability); in late May 2017 (at the NASB conference) PantronX indicated they were ~1 month away from production models being available.
One of the big problems with making & keeping a list like this is the … let's say 'slightly misleading' … behaviour of the DRM Consortium. Many models touted as being 'ready for production' or 'in production' are subsequently never released; the same radio is frequently announced/displayed as a "new" model (and, again, often never released); apparently vastly different radios have appeared under the same model/name (see the Sarapulsky Radiozavod RP-226 for an extreme case of this!); the same radio has been shown/reported under different names (e.g. the Mayah 2010 / Himalaya 2010); radios that haven't been produced in 10 years are frequently exhibited alongside 'new' models, etc. To cover all the possibilities, for the purposes of this list:
  • Known or very likely duplicates are counted as one (e.g. see the Mayah DRM2010)
  • Possible duplicates are listed individually (e.g. see the Roberts / Sangean portables). 
  • A release date, no matter how vague (e.g. "2006?") = known to have been sold, usually from multiple independent reports.
  • In production = currently available to buy, with evidence that at least some people have managed to purchase them independently.
  • Unknown = no reliable information has been found.
  • Never released = no independent evidence of retail or commercial sales found (demo & trial units may have been made available to select groups).
  • Comments/notes on each entry are added over time, and earlier entries not always updated. In some cases this may appear a little confusing/contradictory, but the purpose is to be a record of development.
The list also includes some that strictly speaking aren't 'consumer' models but may have been of interest to hobbyists/enthusiasts e.g. the Radio Mondo 'Newsbox'.

(I'm considering splitting the OEM car radios out into a separate category/list/page, because even now it's getting hard to determine/track which ones are different models and which are the same models in different vehicles. Thoughts?)

That said, I think the list is substantially accurate and at least reflects the historic and current state of the market. I'm happy to add anything new/relevant that can be independently verified, so please feel free to post any additions / updates / corrections as a comment.



Avion Electronics - AV-DR-1401

  • Style: Portable
  • Announced: 2013/2014
  • Released: Oct/Nov 2015
  • Last known status: In production?
  • Chipset: Unknown - possibly Mirics MSi001/002 front-end and unknown DSP
  • Modes/Bands: AM (MW & SW), DRM30 (MW & SW), FM
  • Comments: Rumours mid-late 2013; announced by DRM.org in 04/2014. Prototype first shown at IBC 2014. Unknown chipset - was said to be working with CDNSE, so possibly Mirics MSi001/002. Release originally said to be 07/14; latest statement is 07/15 (more likely at least 09/15). According to Charlotte Cabrero (BBC) on DRMNA 07/15, release delayed to include improvements e.g. xHE-AAC. Listed on Amazon India on 7/8/15 (1 unit for sale by manufacturer) @ INR15000 (~AU$320); not available a few days later. Official release date 30/10/15, available exclusively on Amazon.in. Early reviews not good - poor sensitivity & large signal response, poor audio, difficult tuning, clunky UI, and frequently locks up after ~1hr use. Avion stated in late 2015 that some early production units shipped with 'test firmware' & an updated firmware would be posted late 2015 (released 04/16).
  • Note: It was speculated that an initial initial batch was produced to meet the AIR contract & test the market, and this had been sold by late 2016. Although still listed on the Avion website as of Jan~Feb 2017, all indications were it had been discontinued. However, in 05/17 it was again showing as available on Amazon India.

Bosch/Blaupunkt - modified CD72 "Bremen"

  • Style: Car radio
  • Announced: 2005
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown; see comments
  • Comments: Demo'd @ IFA 2005. Modified version of Blaupunkt CD72 “Bremen” AM/FM/LW/SW/CD receiver.

(source: einfach-radio.de)

Bosch/Blaupunkt - modified MP74 "Los Angeles"

  • Style: Car radio
  • Announced: 2007
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: Demo'd @ IFA 2007. Uses "Advanced Digital Receiver (ADR)" chipset. Report in Monitoring Monthly, Nov 2007 - "A car radio from Blaupunkt, suitable for DRM reception, worked for a few seconds at a time before failing".

(source: bachgemeinde.at)

BPL - Sruthi Digital Audio Client

  • Style: Small Hi-fi / semi-portable?
  • Announced: 2007
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: ADI 'Blackfin' DSP
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: Demo'd @ IFA 2007. Developed by BPL Mobile Communications Limited, India.


Coding Technologies / BBC / AFG - unnamed

  • Style: Unknown, "consumer receiver"
  • Announced: 2002
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: "Production-ready"
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown; possibly DRM30 only
  • Comments: Radioworld, 09/09/2002 - "The Digital Radio Mondiale Consortium will unveil a production-ready world-band consumer receiver, made by Coding Technologies together with the BBC and German device manufacturer AFG … The unit is a downscaled version of an existing, professional Fraunhofer receiver". A VT Merlin white paper (BCA4078) indicates this "production-ready" receiver was reworked and updated to become the Mayah DRM2010 (aka Himalaya 2010).


Coding Technologies / AFG / Himalaya - unnamed

  • Style: Unknown
  • Announced: 2005
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: ADI 'Blackfin' DSP
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: Demo'd @ IFA 2005.

(source: nautel.com)

Delphi Automotive - unnamed

  • Style: Car radio
  • Announced: 2012
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unnamed NXP CPU/DSP
  • Modes/Bands: AM (MW), DRM30 (MW), FM
  • Comments: Announced at Auto Expo India 2012 (January, New Delhi). NXP processor, capable of DAB/DAB+, DRM/DRM+, & HD radio (though it seems this receiver only supported AM, FM, & DRM. "It should be available for the market by Q4 2012."

Diavolo

  • Style: Tabletop / mantle
  • Announced: 2009
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype (used for trials?)
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: DRM30 (MW), DAB, DAB+
  • Comments: aka "Diabolo". Shown at IBC 2009. "The radio is immediately intended for trials in France, as that country moves to reinvigorate digital radio with a series of new broadcasts, but its significance as a 'proof of concept' receiver is even more important" (source). Seems to have disappeared without a trace - little is known, and it's even uncertain whether 'Diavolo' is the product name (most likely) or manufacturer.

(source: DRM Consortium / Flickr)

Frontier Silicon - FS4070

  • Style: Unknown
  • Announced: 2011
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype / "Technology Demonstrator"
  • Chipset: Unknown, but presumably Frontier Silicon!
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: Demo'd @ IBC 2011. A technology demonstrator only (Frontier Silicon had recently joined the DRM Consortium), but was reported in some sources as 'a new radio from Frontier Silicon'. A different image can be seen in this HFCC B11 presentation.

(source: Gospell website)

Gospell - GR-216

  • Style: Table / mantle
  • Announced: 2016
  • Released: Available for order?
  • Last known status: Current?
  • Chipset: Unknown, but possibly Mirics?
  • Modes/Bands: AM (MW & SW), DRM30 (MW & SW), FM
  • Comments: Announced on 05/09/16, a few days after HFCC B16. xHE-AAC codec support. Emergency warning & alternative frequency switching capability. See Gospell page here for full specs. 01/17 - "The GR-216 development is in progress, the hardware part is almost finished and now we are focusing on software. We are expecting a small quantity trail production by March". 04/17 - Gospell reported they were sourcing parts for production, Journaline would not be available initially (but possibly in a future update), and that they were working on a 'pro' model with multimedia capability. 07/17 - Terje (hobbyradio.se) has posted a short review of a pre-production unit here.
  • Note: Gospell acquired CDNSE (Newstar) in 02/16, so this likely replaces the Newstar DR-111 & unreleased DR-212.

(source: Radiopassioni)

HG - "Multimedia Radio"

  • Style: Portable
  • Announced: 2011
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Unknown
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: Demo'd @ IBC 2011. HG is/was an unknown Chinese brand; the set was exhibited by Transradio (previously Telefunken SenderSysteme Berlin). It can also be seen in the background of several DRM Consortium pics / videos from IBC 2011. No further details.

Himalaya 2008 @ IFA 2005
(source: www.stoepplernet.de)

Himalaya - 2008

  • Style: Unknown (portable?)
  • Announced: 2005
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: ADI 'Blackfin' DSP
  • Modes/Bands: AM (LW, MW, & SW), DRM30 (LW, MW, & SW), FM
  • Comments: Demo'd  @ IFA 2005, IFA 2006, IFA 2008, HFCC B11 (where it was called the "Himalaya 2008/2013"), etc. Several cosmetic differences exist between the 2005 prototype shown here and later prototypes / renderings (e.g. see the image in this DW roundup of receivers at IFA 2006, and this roundup from HFCC B11). Note: a summary of Himalaya 2008 & 2009 features can be downloaded here.

(source: Himalaya press release)

Himalaya - 2009

  • Style: Tabletop/portable
  • Announced: 2006?
  • Released: June 2009
  • Last known status: No longer produced
  • Chipset: Radioscape RS500 module
  • Modes/Bands: AM (MW), DRM30 (MW), FM, DAB
  • Comments: Earliest known demo was at IFA 2006 (different to later demo & release models - all black & more rounded). ‘Coming soon' in April 2007. Released June 2009, est RRP €239, reduced to €199 in Aug 2009. 3hr battery life. Likely had a very short run as the RS500 module was discontinued in 2008! n.b. Himalaya themselves disappeared sometime between 2011 and 2013. (Note: a summary of Himalaya 2008 & 2009 features can be downloaded here.)

Himalaya - 2012

  • Style: Portable
  • Announced: 2008
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: Announced at IFA 2008. No further information.

Himalaya - unnamed

  • Style: Car radio
  • Announced: 2011
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown (but shortwave DRM30 visible on screen)
  • Comments: Included in a presentation at HFCC B11. No further information.

Hyundai - factory-fitted car radio (India)

  • Style: Car radio
  • Announced: January 2017
  • Released: February 2017
  • Last known status: In production
  • Chipset: NXP - see comments.
  • Modes/Bands: "Radio with DRM Compatibility" - presumably at least AM (MW), DRM30 (MW), FM
  • Comments: Previously listed here as "NXP - unknown" when it was first announced in Jan 2017.  NXP press release suggests 'HERO' (TEF663x) & 'SATURN' (SAF360x) chipsets, but the 'HERO' tuner in particular is no longer listed & appears to have been superseded in 2015 by the TEF665x/668x & TEF701x. No model info was given at release, but it has since appeared - like the M&M TUV300, largely unannounced - in the Indian-market Hyundai Grand i10 & Tucson. It is possible that the same radio will also appear with little fanfare in other Hyundai India models.
  • Note: See the Suzuki India entry for what is possibly the same radio in a different vehicle.

Intempo - unnamed (3 models)

  • Style: Unknown
  • Announced: 2007
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Radioscape RS500 module
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • CommentsDXLD 7-042 & elsewhere: "British consumer electronics producer Intempo Digital Ltd. has announced that it intends to start production of at least three different radio sets capable of receiving Digital Radio Mondiale. All will use the RadioScape RS500 module according to Intempo’s CEO Kevin Parslow, whom I spoke to in the UK last week.”

Kenwood - unnamed

  • Style: Unknown (car radio?)
  • Announced: 2004
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: Little detail available. Kenwood 2004 prototype, Kenwood KDC-W7563U DRM, and ST/Kenwood/Fraunhofer car radio are possibly all the same radio demonstrated at different shows.

Kenwood - KDC-W7563U DRM

  • Style: Car radio
  • Announced: Unknown
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: Little detail available. Kenwood 2004 prototype, Kenwood KDC-W7563U DRM, and ST/Kenwood/Fraunhofer car radio are possibly all the same radio demonstrated at different shows.

(source: Mahindra & Mahindra)

Mahindra & Mahindra - factory fitted car radio (India)

  • Style: Car radio
  • Announced: 2015
  • Released: 2015/2016
  • Last known status: In production (see comments)
  • Chipset: Unknown NXP chipset (Likely SAF360x & friends; see Hyundai entry)
  • Modes/Bands: AM (MW), DRM30 (MW), FM.
  • Comments: Initial announcement. Fitted to the TUV300, will possibly make its way into other models. Not specifically mentioned in current (early 2016) M&M TUV300 specs, brochures, or press packs, but several forum posts (e.g.) indicate it is available in current production vehicles. 02/16: this NXP & this DRM.org release probably refer to this radio? But it all seems very coy, given DRM.org's history of excessively optimistic and over-enthusiastic statements.

(source: digiradio.ch)

Mayah - DRM2010

  • Style: Table top
  • Announced: Unknown
  • Released: 2003/2004
  • Last known status: No longer produced.
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown; possibly DRM30 only
  • Comments: AKA Himalaya 2010.; see also the comment on the unnamed Coding Technologies/BBC/AFG radio. “Portable” styling, but mains-powered (no batteries).  ~€810 at launch (11/03, actual release 5/04), later 2004 RRP €695, ‘special offer’ of €495 @ IFA 2005.

(source: stoepplernet.de)

Morphy Richards - unnamed

  • Style: Table top
  • Announced: 2005
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: On display at IFA 2005. No further information.

(source: Morphy Richards
press release)

Morphy Richards - DRM 27024

  • Style: Tabletop / portable
  • Announced: Unknown
  • Released: 2005?
  • Last known status: No longer produced
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: AM (LW, MW, & SW), DRM30 (LW, MW, & SW), FM, DAB
  • Comments: Available sometime prior to Dec 2006. Appears to have been available in Germany since at least early 2006 (& a Sat-Schneider mod kit to add batteries, improve antenna, and reduce power consumption was released in Jan 2006). Removed from Morphy-Richards website in Feb/Mar 2008. Stocks gone & no longer available by July 2009.
  • Note: NIB/NOS examples still occasionally appear for sale in some places (e.g. the drmrx forum). Age & known issues notwithstanding, it's still considered one of the best DRM receivers ever released.

(source: MsWay press release)

MsWay Technology Co. - MDR-S100

  • Style: Portable?
  • Announced: 2011
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown ("PNP"?)
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: Unveiled at IBC 2011 (i.e. September), alongside a DRM+ receiver & USB DRM30 dongle. In Feb 2012, "MSway has halted all DRM development and will no longer be pursuing the market."

(source: bachgemeinde.at)

NewStar - WR608

  • Style: Unknown
  • Announced: 2007
  • Released: Never released (see comments)
  • Last known status: Prototype - likely just a technology demo
  • Chipset: Mirics MSi001
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: Unveiled at IBC 2007. WR608 is the designation of a platform/module (similar to the Radioscape RS500) for OEM use developed by Chengdu Newstar Electronics (CDNSE) in conjunction wth Thompson Broadcast. The technology demonstrator / prototype shown here was reported by many sources as the Newstar WR608, so it is included here.

Early DR-111 - note colour
& control location
(source: CDNSE)

NewStar - DR111

  • Style: Portable
  • Announced: 2011
  • Released: 2012
  • Last known status: Likely no longer produced
  • Chipset: Mirics MSi001
  • Modes/Bands: AM (LW, MW, & SW), DRM30 (LW, MW, & SW)
  • Comments: Early (sample/pre-production?) models were mains-only. Later versions had rechargeable batteries. KP reported in mid-2013 "Just heard from a source that Chengdu Newstar Electronics will discontinue the DR111 DRM receiver. Sales for the radio have been so poor that in the last 12 months less than 50 have been sold", although PFS apparently still taking orders for MOQ (See DR-212) as of mid 2015. See comment on DR111A

DR-111A prototype - note colour
& control location
(source: CDNSE)

NewStar - DR111A

  • Style: Portable
  • Announced: 2012/2013
  • Released: 2013?
  • Last known status: Likely no longer produced
  • Chipset: Mirics MSi001
  • Modes/Bands: AM (MW & SW), DRM30 (MW & SW), 
  • Comments: Reported as a cheaper/improved variant of the original DR111, "a cost-down model of DR111 which removes long wave band reception and Journaline function". The little info available points to a 2013 release. Early images show visible differences to original DR111 prototypes — speaker grill black (not white), tune/vol select button moved from below-left of knob to upper-right. It seems likely that this "A" model was either short-lived, or the two models were combined - before CDNSE was acquired by Gospell the website only mentioned the DR111, although confusingly the brochure showed a picture of what appears to be a DR111A while listing LW as a feature & Journaline as an option. In February 2016, CDNSE announced they had been acquired by Gospell Digital Technology Co. Ltd, "a complete DTV and triple-play solution provider for Digital TV/OTT related projects", and it seems the DR111/A are no longer produced.

(source: Peter Senger / CDNSE)

NewStar - DR212

  • Style: Portable
  • Announced: 2014
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: "Production-ready"
  • Chipset: Possibly Mirics MSi001
  • Modes/Bands: AM (LW?, MW, SW), DRM30 (LW?, MW, SW), FM, DAB, DAB+
  • Comments: Orders for first batch were being taken by PFS (need to reach MOQ 3k-5k) in 2014. According to RD on DRMNA list at the time, “DR212 will only get produced if NewStar wins the AIR 800 receivers tender”. See extra comment on DR111A.

Newstar - HG-101

  • Style: Portable
  • Announced: 2011
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: Little detail available. Included in a presentation at HFCC B11. No further information.

Newstar - unnamed

  • Style: Car radio
  • Announced: 2011
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown (but shortwave DRM30 visible on screen)
  • Comments: Little detail available. Included in a presentation at HFCC B11. No further information.

NXP - CRD2010

  • Style: Car radio
  • Announced: 2011
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: Little detail available. Included in a presentation at HFCC B11 as "a new DRM car receiver ... prototype of DRM car receiver based on NXP Semiconductors chipset". No further information.

Panasonic - unnamed

  • Style: Car radio
  • Announced: 2005
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: Demo'd @ IFA 2005. OEM, not retail.

PantronX - Titus II

  • Style: Portable
  • Announced: 2016
  • Released: Not yet released; expected "last quarter" 2016
  • Last known status: Pre-production
  • Chipset:  unknown front-end, ARM Cortex (tablet)
  • Modes/Bands: AM, DRM30, FM (with others possible via additional software). Coverage from 0.1MHz-2GHz.
  • Comments: Announced & demonstrated at HFCC B16 (22-26 August). Listed here earlier as the TWR Titus II, as announced by Trans World Radio (PantronX is a contract manufacturer). Integrated 7" colour TFT tablet (ARM A53 @ 1.2 GHz, 1GB RAM, 8GB flash) running Android with SDR apps for AM, FM, & DRM30 (DReaM). Unknown front-end - based on 100kHz-2GHz coverage I suspect that it's a Mirics MSi001 or 002 chipset, or maybe a R820T or T2. Includes WiFi hotspot with "filecasting" (software/data distribution by DRM broadcast, demo'd earlier in 2016 by TWR Guam). Expected price <US$100. PantronX Titus II website,  preliminary brochure; ongoing coverage on DRMNA list & blog. 01/17 - "pre-production date has slipped a bit. Please be patient as we work with our suppliers and add more functions". 05/17 (@ NASB conf.) - production models were said to be ~1 month away. 15/09/17 - "Titus II units will be soon available…" - guys, stop puffing, start doing

(source: IBC 2003 press release)

Radio Mondo - Newsbox

  • Style: Hi-fi component / rack mount
  • Announced: 2003
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown; likely DRM30 (MW & ?SW?) only.
  • Chipset: Embedded PC - see "Schlussbericht für das Verbundvorhaben RADIO MONDO Dienste im digitalen Rundfunk in den AM Bändern" (linked in Sony entry), p. 27
  • Comments: Demo'd @ IBC 2003. Semi-pro receiver or technology demonstrator? This same prototype seems to have been demonstrated later (e.g. IFA 2005) as the Fraunhofer / Coding Technologies NewsBox.

(source: einfach-radio.de)

Roberts - modified RD-2

  • Style: Portable
  • Announced: 2005
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Radioscape RS500 module
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown; see Sangean DRM-40
  • Comments: Demo’d @ IFA 2005. AKA Sangean RD-2. Designated RD-2, but looks like a modified RD-1 (the non-DRM RD-2 is totally different). Note the similarity to the (earlier?) Sangean DRM-40 / Roberts RD-40. According to einfach-radio.de it was supposed to be ready for Christmas 2005 (price €250~€300), but there is no evidence it was ever released.

(source: stoepplernet.de)

Roberts - modified RD-20

  • Style: Portable
  • Announced: 2005
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown; see Sangean DRM-40
  • Comments: Demo’d @ IFA 2005. Modified version of standard Sangean/Roberts MP20. See also extra comment on Sangean DRM-40.

Roberts - modified MP-30

  • Style: Portable
  • Announced: 2005
  • Released: Never released (but see Sangean DRM-40)
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown; see Sangean DRM-40
  • Comments: Modified version of standard Sangean/Roberts MP-30, said to have been used in UK DRM trials during 2006/7. See also extra comment on Sangean DRM-40.

Early prototype MP-40
(source: radiointel.com)

Sangean - DRM-40

  • Style: Table top / portable
  • Announced: 2004
  • Released: Never released?
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Radioscape RS500 module
  • Modes/Bands: AM (MW), DRM30 (MW), FM, DAB
  • Comments: Also known the Roberts MP-40. Prototypes shown @ IFA 2005, and again at IFA 2006 - visually, nearly identical to both the retail Sangean/Roberts MP-30. Later protoypes had external rod antenna on top. Thiecom UK taking advance orders in June 2007 for October availability. Withdrawn by time of IFA 2007 (late August). May have had very limited release - Google “Roberts MP40 UI FRS” for english manual on Chinese sites.
  • Extra comment: There is some confusion about the Roberts/Sangean models above - they may represent 2 or 3 different models at different development stage e.g. the RD-2 prototype, non-DRM MP-30, and DRM-40/MP-40 prototype look almost identical.

2 different RP-226 prototypes
(source: SRZ presentation)

Sarapulsky Radiozavod (SRZ) - RP-226

  • Style: Portable
  • Announced: Unknown
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Possibly Radioscape RS500 module
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown; possibly AM (LW & MW), DRM30 (LW & MW), FM
  • Comments: At least 3 vastly different looking prototypes shown at various events - later versions look quite like the RP-227, so this model may have evolved into that? At least one prototype was AM/FM/DRM/DAB. Some comments & apparent USB connectivity suggest Radioscape RS500 module.

(source: SRZ presentation)

Sarapulsky Radiozavod (SRZ) - RP-227 “Orlyonik” (Eaglet)

  • Style: Portable
  • Announced: 2007
  • Released: Unknown (see comments)
  • Last known status: See comments.
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: AM & DRM-30 (LW, MW, & SW), FM, DAB (Band III & L-band).
  • Comments: Shown at IBC 2007, DRM symposium Moscow late 2007, BES 2009. DRM/DAB/SW/MW/LW/FM. 09/09/2010 “the launch of Sarapulsky Radiozavod SRZ RP-227 is expected for the first half of 2011 in both the automotive and fixed receiver versions” (but see comment on RP-229 dated ~1 week later). Although listed on Disco Palace website it was very likely never produced, as there are no reports of availability. Russian Gov’t cancelled DRM rollout & pulled all funding/development in 2012. 06/17: LW 150-288kHz, MW 522-1710kHz, SW 2.3-27MHz, FM 87.5-108MHz, DAB 174-240MHz & "1495-1492" (presumably meant to be 1452–1492) MHz.

(source: bachgemeinde.at)

Sarapulsky Radiozavod (SRZ) - RP-228

  • Style: Car radio
  • Announced: 2008
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown; possibly AM (LW & MW), DRM30 (LW & MW), FM
  • Comments: Shown at IFA 2008. Quite similar to RP-229 prototypes - an earlier prototype?

(source: srzudm.ru)

Sarapulsky Radiozavod (SRZ) - RP-229

  • Style: Car radio
  • Announced: 2009
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown (see comments)
  • Modes/Bands: AM & DRM-30 (LW, MW, & SW), FM
  • Comments: Demo'd at IFA 2009 Berlin, & again at IFA 2010 Amsterdam. Original reports said used a Radioscape module; later said to be using ADI Blackfin DSP. PFS, 18/09/2010: “I regret to inform you that the delivery of the SRZ-car radios will be further delayed. I can also call it a date when that will be the case. There are still issues that need to be solved. As this is a development from India, the unit is to be built in Russia but, unfortunately, no forecast is possible at the moment”. 06/17: LW 150-288kHz, MW 522-1710kHz, SW 2.3-27MHz, FM 87.5-108MHz. DRM text messages. Recording/playback of AAC/WAV/MP3 using MMC, SD, or USB flash.

(source: srzudm.ru

Sarapulsky Radiozavod (SRZ) - "DRM Receiver"

  • Style: Table top
  • Announced: Unknown
  • Released: Unknown
  • Last known status: Unknown
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: AM & DRM-30 (LW, MW, & SW), FM
  • Comments: No information on this radio apart from its appearance on the SRZ website. 06/17: LW 150-288kHz, MW 522-1710kHz, SW 2.3-27MHz, FM 87.5-108MHz. DRM & RDS text (website also mentions DAB text?), recording/playback of AAC/WAV/MP3 using MMC, SD, or USB flash.

Sony - unnamed

  • Style: Unknown
  • Announced: Unknown
  • Released: Unknown
  • Last known status: Unknown
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: The 2006 report "Schlussbericht für das Verbundvorhaben RADIO MONDO Dienste im digitalen Rundfunk in den AM Bändern" (English: "Final Report for the Collaborative Project RADIO MONDO Services in Digital Broadcasting in the AM Bands" & available here) stated that "on the receiver side, the development of a DSP-based DRM receiver has been promoted by Sony. Existing digital Sony receivers will be soon extended to the DRM functionality" (p. 15). Apparently also announced a DRM receiver at a Japanese show. No further info.

(source: einfach-radio.de)

ST/Kenwood/Fraunhofer - unnamed

  • Style: Car radio
  • Announced: 2006
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: Demo'd @ IFA 2006. Little detail available. Kenwood 2004 prototype & KDC-W7563U DRM, and ST/Kenwood/Fraunhofer car radio are possibly all the same radio.

(source: Starwaves / IFA press)

Starwaves - Prelude

  • Style: Hi-fi component
  • Announced: 2003
  • Released: Never released (but see comments)
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: AM (LW, MW, & SW), DRM30 (LW, MW, & SW), FM, DAB 
  • Comments: Demo'd @ IFA 2003. Reportedly 50 'prototypes' were available for sale in Sept 2004 for €2003.

(source: radiointel.com)

Starwaves - W37

  • Style: Hi-fi receiver
  • Announced: 2005
  • Released: Never released? (or only very limited release)
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: AM (LW, MW, & SW), DRM30 (LW, MW, & SW), FM, DAB (Band III & L-band)
  • Comments: Demo'd @ CeBIT 2005. Sometimes reported the W37D, or said to be the same as the Starwave Prelude above. Spec sheet in German and English.

(source: starwaves.de)

Starwaves - Truckbox / Carbox

  • Style: DRM30-to-FM adaptor for vehicles 
  • Announced: 2007
  • Released: 2007
  • Last known status: No longer produced.
  • Chipset: Radioscape RS500 module
  • Modes/Bands: AM (150kHz-29.999MHz), DRM30 (150kHz-29.999MHz), DAB (Band III & L-band)
  • Comments: Demo'd in March 2007, apparently available by Sept 2007. Likely to have ceased production in 2008. AM/DRM30/DAB converter with FM transmitter. The only difference between the "Truckbox" and "Carbox" seems to be that the former was promoted in association with “TruckRadio”, a DAB station in Germany. The product webpage with description (pdf) is currently (late 2016) still available.

Suzuki - factory-fitted car radio (India)

  • Style: Car radio
  • Announced: See comments
  • Released: See comments
  • Last known status: See comments
  • Chipset: See comments.
  • Modes/Bands: See comments
  • Comments: As early 06/17, the only mention of this radio is in a DRM Consortium submission to the Australian Senate committee handling "The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Restoring Shortwave Radio) Bill 2017" (link). In part, the submission says "International car manufacturers such as Hyundai, Maruti Suzuki and Mahindra have already incorporated DRM receivers in their vehicles, now for sale in India". A reliable commentator elsewhere has said their contacts in India haven't heard of this radio, & Suzuki dealers there are also unaware of it. If it exists, it's possibly a version of the Hyundai India / NXP radio (see entry above) made for Suzuki India.

(source: Amazon.de)

Technisat - MultyRadio

  • Style: Portable
  • Announced: Unknown
  • Released: 2008
  • Last known status: No longer produced
  • Chipset: Radioscape RS500 module
  • Modes/Bands: AM (LW, MW, & SW), DRM30 (LW, MW, & SW), FM, DAB (Band III & L-band)
  • Comments: Apparently released in Aug 2008 @ RRP  €449.99. Reports of this radio being sold at runout prices (<€150; RRP €405) in Dec 2012. Likely ceased production in 2008/2009 due to discontinuation of RS500 module in 2008. 

Tecsun - unnamed

  • Style: Unknown
  • Announced: 2013
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Unknown
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: Mentioned by Keith Perron in Aug 2013. No further details.

(source: Uniwave press release)

Uniwave - Di-wave 100

  • Style: Portable
  • Announced: 2007
  • Released: 2009?
  • Last known status: No longer produced
  • Chipset: WR608 module (Mirics MSi001)
  • Modes/Bands: AM (LW, MW, & SW), DRM30 (LW, MW, & SW), FM
  • Comments: Limited 'pre-production' run of ~300 receivers - no/few more? Report from IBC 2011: "The only absentee was the famous receiver Uniwave, a box that has managed to fail before it had sold one hundred pieces.”. Some information available on the 'net e.g. this review, and the product page on Universal Radio. Manufactured by CDNSE? See the entry for the Newstar WR608.

(source: DRM Consortium / Flickr)

Unknown - unnamed 

  • Style: Car radio
  • Announced: Unknown (see comments)
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: Nothing known of this radio at all, which was noticed in several photos from IBC 2011 on display alongside Himalaya 2009 (which would've been long out of production by then) and Frontier Silicon FS4070. Obviously a prototype, with identifiable markings obscured. General look reminiscent of a late 80's / 90's Alpine. Possibly a Fraunhofer demo?

Unnamed DRM car radio, IFA 2005
(source: Visteon)

Visteon - unnamed

  • Style: Car radio
  • Announced: 2005
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown (see comments)
  • Comments: Demo'd @ IFA 2005. Auto-reporter.net: "At IFA Visteon shows a DRM receiver for car audio systems. The combined DRM, FM / AM and CD-car radio can receive DRM signals in addition to the conventional FM / AM frequencies."

Worldspace - unnamed

  • Style: Unknown
  • Announced: 2009
  • Released: Never released
  • Last known status: Prototype
  • Chipset: Unknown
  • Modes/Bands: Unknown
  • Comments: Indian designed. No further information. Possibly the same Worldspace as the satellite broadcaster?


Revision history:
  • 09/16 - Should probably have started a revision log before this. Had recently added Titus II & Gospell GR-216, but had a backlog of others & updates from previous months.
  • 01/17 - Added unnamed NXP/Hyundai car radio as "NXP - unknown".
  • 02/17 - Moved unnamed NXP/Hyundai car radio to "Hyundai - [Grand i10] factory-fitted car radio (India)" & updated notes. Updated commentary & notes on general availability at top of page. Updated notes on Avion AV-DR-1401, Gospell GR-216, & PantronX Titus II. Re-wrote intro, cleaned up HTML. Additional updates to GR-216 & Titus II. Minor updates/clarifications to Hyundai & Mahindra entries.
  • 05/17 - Updated commentary, & comments for Avion AV-DR-1401, PantronX Titus II, & Gospell GR-216.
  • 06/17 - Updated info for SRZ RP-227, SRZ RP-229, & SRZ DRM Receiver (was previously "unnamed"). Added Suzuki (India) car radio.
  • 07/17 - Added link to Gospell GR-216 review

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