HD Radio - How prevalent is it?

algopher · Post by **algopher** » Tue Nov 30, 2010 9:54 am

I'm really at a questionable time. We have enough stations in the Mobile area to attempt to listen to it. But, is the quality worthwhile? Will it continue on past the time when the newness wears off? I found a little portable unit, I presume with headset from Best Buy to just try it. But why waste the money if it isn't going to be around in a couple of years. No one in my social circles have even mentioned it.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 8:14 am

I know I wrote something up on this topic about 2004 but am unable to find it on the site. It covered the fact that HD radio wasn't all that HD after all. It can be debated that it is better but the process is all based on lossy compression providing MP3 or slightly better than MP3 quality surround sound.

Interesting how not much has changed on that front over the last 6 years. As you are aware, few are talking about it or promoting it. I am not aware of the economics behind it for a radio station so I can't answer the longevity question either.

algopher · Post by **algopher** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 10:18 am

I was just curious as you don't see any receivers out there being pushed. The only one I know of is a portable of some type/version by Insignia (Best Buy) for around $50 and maybe some that are being put in new automobiles. As for how well they sound I don't know as I've never heard one. Some audiophiles still proclaim analog as the best for the ambiance.
As for the economics for the broadcasters I don't really know. Some owners of multi-stations in a market seem to be adding the AM content on an adjacent channel to the main stations. Probably in other markets they may add sports or talk radio. In that vain, I haven't done much research.

bobby_c · Post by **bobby_c** » Sat Dec 11, 2010 11:35 am

You can find a bit about it here: http://hdradio.com/

I have found that it doesn't travel well. I need to be about 30 miles or closer to the towers to keep a good signal. It sounds OK, not like bluray or anything like that but is a bit clearer than a typical FM station.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Wed Dec 22, 2010 11:44 am

algopher wrote:As for the economics for the broadcasters I don't really know. Some owners of multi-stations in a market seem to be adding the AM content on an adjacent channel to the main stations. Probably in other markets they may add sports or talk radio. In that vain, I haven't done much research.

In my area one of the AM stations has a commercial that they are re-broadcasting on an HD station just as you describe, for improved clarity and overall quality anytime of day.

davetx · Post by **davetx** » Fri Dec 24, 2010 12:17 am

I have a few HD Radios. One home unit by Sony here in CA halfway between LA and San Diego. The hills block reception for the most part. But I also spend time in the Houston, TX area and I have both mobile and home HD. The mobile units are a tuner connected to a Sony radio via the Sony Mobole buss. The reception there is good. The quality beats FM and of course AM. If you like good sound it is worth it. I was able to purchase all my radios refurbished so the price was good. The home radios also have an iPod connection.
Dave

akirby · Post by **akirby** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 9:34 am

You guys do realize that HD Radio doesn't stand for High Definition like HDTV. It doesn't mean anything - it's just a buzzword. Obviously it's just digital radio with the potential for better quality but just like DTV it doesn't guarantee better quality.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 11:23 am

The second post from me covered that and pointing out again, there isn't anything technically HD about HD radio and as you point out, HD is just a buzz word. That said, it could sound better than analog FM transmission and definitely better than AM.