@neutron_bob wrote:
I believe the issue was between the FM receiver chip and the Zip’s interpretation of the data string. Previously, i could restore RDS information if I would pause / mute FM, then open a music file from the Music library. Afterwards, RDS would restore normally.
As far as the RDS standards between US / EU, this may involve the FM chip itself, and its interpretation of the RDS data. The update does restore the information display, at least it does here in the States; perhaps a little testing with EU signals will be the hot ticket to solve this for the Zip worldwide. It’s possible that one fix uncovered another issue.
Did your Zip display the EU (local, in your case of course) RDS data?
Locally, the Clear Channel broadcaster is using the same Harris exciter / encoder as other stations. We have two layers of FM information in the US, a digital “HD Radio” carrier, plus the original analog signal, with RDS. On the HD side, the song information is also broadcast as part of the digital signal. (I have receivers that show both the HD and RDS concurrently).
Try the above trick with your Zip (pause FM, go to Music, play a file, pause, then go back to FM) The RDS information should begin to refresh after 5-10 seconds.
Bob :smileyvery-happy:
Tried it Bob, the CC stations always show the wrong call letter info. The data isn’t remotely correct. For example, one of the CC stations call letters, WRDU (106.1MHz, local to the Raleigh, NC area) shows up at KATA. Other CC stations show the same strange things, their call letters are mucked up. But, any ‘catch phrases’ for the station or what’s playing right now does show up properly.
I went back out to my wife’s car (a 2010 Chevy Equinox with the optional upscale Pioneer-designed factory system) to check on the RDS data it shows in the display. I was wrong about it displaying the right call-letter info for CC stations, it displays no call letter infor for those stations. All other stations in the area show the call letters though.
Either CC stations don’t broadcast the info and the CZ does something weird since they’re not, CC stations broadcast some jibberish and the Chevy’s radio doesn’t show it but the CZ shows it or some other situation I’m not aware of. Whatever is going on it’s something peculiar to CC stations and there is a difference even with a more sophisticated receiver.
No big loss for me though, Clear Channel stations around here are the pits so I typically don’t listen to them. :smileyvery-happy: That company has ruined each station they’ve bought in this area.