HD Radio News and Information
About HD Radio News : HD Radio News Home : April 2006 : 2006-04-10 to 2006-04-16
 |
How soon with HD radio become just "radio?" April 10, 2006 09:15 |
An article that appeared recently in the Detroit Free Press reported that there are now about 40 stations in the Detroit area broadcasting in HD. That's the good news.
The bad news is that there is probably only a few hundred metro area listeners who can hear these stations.
"But make no mistake," the article went on to say. " in a few years, broadcasters and technology companies alike expect that this will no longer be "HD radio." It'll just be "radio," the way all listeners get their local signals.
"There's a commitment of about 3,000 radio stations," said Jeff Jury, chief operating officer of iBiquity, the company that makes the technology that goes into HD radios. "There's been a pent-up demand in the radio industry to move in this direction. They want to get on a level playing field with iPods and satellite radio. We'll eventually see all radios becoming HD capable. You're going to see a burst of innovation."
For now, the gating item is lack of HD radios. There may be a "burst of innovation" happening but there are few people who can experience it. Later this month, the National Association of Broadcasters holds its annual convention in Las Vegas. One can only hope that this convention will see a burst of announcements regarding new HD Radios – to match that "burst of innovation" on the part of broadcasters (Go to URL)
|
HD Radio Alliance announces HD radios to soon be available in 100-plus stores April 11, 2006 08:51 |
The HD Radio Alliance, which is made up of the big radio broadcasters such as Beasley, Clear Channel, ABC Radio, CBS Radio and others, recently announced that HD Radio equipment will soon be available in 100-plus stores nationwide. This will include Tweeter and ABC Warehouse with an expanded commitment from online and catalog retailer Crutchfield.
An HD Alliance spokesperson said that Tweeter would begin selling the units through its online store and in its 200 stores in the Northeast, South, Southwest and Illinois. ABC Warehouse stores are located in several markets in the Midwest.
"Consumer demand for HD Digital Radio receivers has increased significantly over the past few months as consumers see the incredible value HD Radio offers," HD Radio Alliance president and CEO Peter Ferrara claims.
The downside is that radios capable of receiving HD Radio broadcasts (and HD2 channels) are still relatively expensive. Home receivers start at around $300 for Boston Acoustics HD Recepter Radio, while HD-compatible in-car stereos cost about $200.
While HD-compatible radios have been slow to arrive, more are on the horizon with announcements of new models expected momentarily from Radiosophy and Chinese manufacturers.
|
Kenwood breaks out with 12 HD-ready receivers April 12, 2006 08:35 |
Car entertainment manufacturer Kenwood now seems to be leading the pack with 12 different in-dash, digital radios that are branded HD Ready.
All these receivers begin with KDC. The rest of the model numbers are as follows: MP832, MP5032, MP732, MP532U, MP632, MP4032, MP332, MP7032, MP232, DPX501, DPX301, KDV-4
All these receivers are both HD ready and multicast HD2 Channel ready. To enjoy all the many benefits of HD and HD2 radio, all you need to do is add a KTC-HR100T tuner to any of these digital radios, and you're good to go.
So far as prices are concerned, here are some examples by retail outlet:
MP5032
OnlineCarStereo.com
$170.99
MP732
Crutchfield
$299.99
MP532U
OnlineCarStereo.com
$189.00
MP4032
Etronics
$139.00
MP-332
OnlineCarStereo.com
$139.00
DPX-501
SavingLots.com
$259.95
The KTC-HR100TC Tuner you will need for HD and HD2 Radio can be purchased at Crutchfield for $179.99 after a $200 price break and a $20 mail-in rebate. Other retailers may also have the KTC-HR100TC but I cannot guarantee this. (Go to URL)
|
ADA releases Suite 8100, a premium, multi-room receiver April 13, 2006 07:58 |
Design Associates (ADA) has a new a eight-zone audio system that can brighten up your whole house with the bright, crystal-clear sound of HD Radio. (Read More)
Archives
Articles
October 2006
September 2006
August 2006
July 2006
June 2006
May 2006
April 2006
