HD Radio Blog

How to listen to HD2 channels without buying a radio September 7, 2007 13:44

Onkyo announces two new high-end receivers with HD tuners September 7, 2007 13:47

 
If you don’t mind spending a few bucks, well, a lot of bucks, here’s good news. Onkyo recently announced four new receivers, two of which include HD tuners.

According to the press release I read, ” Onkyo USA says it is now shipping four THX certified A/V receivers (AVRs), each of which features HDMI 1.3a compatibility, internal decoding for the latest lossless high-definition audio formats, XM and Sirius Satellite Radio compatibility, and HDMI-based system control integration. The models TX-SR875 and TX-NR905 are the first receivers to include the Silicon Optix HQV Reon-VX video processing circuit, says Onkyo. They also have HD Radio tuners, and multizone/multisource capabilities.

Now, I’ve got to be honest and admit I didn’t understand half of what I read in this release. Terms like “a new dual push-pull amplifier configuration, coupled with a three-stage inverted Darlington circuit and Burr-Brown DACs,” and “high-current power supply with a massive toroidal transformer” are just beyond me. But darn if it all doesn’t sound impressive.

If you’re into high-end audio and do understand what a Darlington circuit it, you might want to read the whole article. Just click on the URL link to read it. (Go to URL)

How to listen to HD2 channels without buying a radio September 7, 2007 13:50

 

One of HD Radio’s best features is multicasting, which permits station to deliver as many as five different broadcasts on the same frequency. These subchannels have been named HD2 channels by the broadcasters as this clearly sounds neater than “subchannels,” which I guess infers a subordinate or substandard channel. As an example of this multicasting, we have an easy listening station in my area that broadcasts all blues on its HD2 channel. Plus HD2 channels are commercial free – at least for now.

But I digress.

In many cites you can hear these HD2 channels without buying any new hardware. This is because most HD stations are streaming their HD2 channels, making them available free via the Internet.

It there are stations broadcasting HD Radio(tm) in your area, here’s all you need to do to hear some HD2 channels.

First, go to www.hdradio.com and look for HD stations in your area. When you find stations that are broadcasting in HD, look for an HD1 an HD2 channel. HD1 is just a simulcast of the station’s regular broadcast. What you want on your list are just those that do have an HD2 channel.

Once you’ve built a list, go look for their online equivalents. Some may be obvious. For example, our local station, KBCO, is simply www.kbco.com. However, other stations have had to add something to their call letters to get a unique URL. For example, KOA radio is www.850koa.com on the Internet.

Search for the stations on your list using Google as a starting place. If the station is online, there is usually a link to its HD2 channel. If it’s the the latter, you’ll want to make sure you have a player that’s flexible with Internet radio formats.

Other places to look for streaming HD2 channels are Vtuner, Radio Roku, and radiostationworld.

After you’ve sampled your local HD2 channels, you can explore the rest of the U.S. as Internet radio is not confined to any geographic area.

Of course, the downside of streaming audio is that you can’t take it with you. But it’s a good way to sample the HD2 channels in your area and, who knows, maybe to while away boring hours at your job.

RW Online reviews the Sangean HDT-1 HD Radio Tuner September 7, 2007 13:52

 
Over this past weekend, I found a review of the Sangean HDT-1 HD tuner that I thought was reasonably well balanced.RW said about the unit’s sound quality, ‘ This radio sounds great. There is a tendency to forget that you are listening to low-bit rate digital data. It makes AM sound like FM and the improvement on FM is substantial, especially under high multipath conditions.”

The reviewer (Jim Somich) also said that “Setting up the Sangean HDT-1 is simple: connect the two antennas, connect the detachable power cord to an ac supply and use the supplied stereo audio cable to connect the tuner to your sound system. At first I was stumped on how to mount the supplied AM loop antenna, but I settled on a piece of gaffer’s tape" He also liked the unit’s looks and found it simple to operate.

On the negative side, Somich said, "My tuner would mute occasionally while I was pressing buttons. Recycling the power reset the audio. The clock is slow. There is no stereo light for analog FM. As a bonus, the HDT1 will decode C-Quam AM stereo, but there is no indication of this on the panel For professional use, there is no way to lock the radio in the analog mode and no way to call up analog and digital channels simultaneously for time syncing. But then this is not a professional product; I would classify it as high-end consumer, suitable for studio monitoring, quality control and home component use."

If you would like to see the whole review for yourself, just click on the URL link. (Go to URL)

I'm beginning to see the light but it's looking pretty dim September 7, 2007 13:57

 
I’m beginning to See the Light is the title of a song with Words & Music by Don George and Johnny Hodges that came to my mind a few days ago.

Why this song?

It’s because I am beginning to see the light about HD Radio™ and its not at the end of the tunnel for terrestrial broadcasters.

Don’t get me wrong. I think HD radio provides great sound. I was listening to an AM sports talk show yesterday and sounded as good as normal FM. However, it was the same sports babble, just with a better, brighter sound.

On the FM side, my Radiosophy HD100 was able to find about a half dozen stations with HD2 channels. But, for the most part, these channels were pretty much like the station’s HD1 FM programming. The two exceptions were an easy listening station that broadcasts delta blues on its HD2 channel and a rock station that programs all comedy on its HD2 channel.

I know the terrestrial broadcasters are backing HD Radio big time with the hope of holding on to listeners, But if they want to win all those folks who’ve defected to satellite or internet radio, they’ve got to do better with their HD2 channel programming.

One thing they might do is take a leaf from satellite radio and program more special interest HD2 channels. Broadcasting delta blues is a good first step, but how about a commercial free, all Elvis or all electronic rock channel? Or how about broadcasting concerts or other events that are not normally heard on terrestrial radio?

My net/net right now is that for the broadcasters to promote HD Radio based on its better sound is just not going to cut it. You can get great sound off the Internet or from an MP3 player. To really compete, the terrestrial broadcasters are going to figure out what they can give listeners that they can’t get any other place — for free.

What do you think?

Tag -- your song is it (assuming you want to buy it from Apple) September 11, 2007 09:48

 
Apple and iBiquity released some interesting news the other day which is you will soon be able tag a song you hear on HD Radio and then buy it on iTunes.

According to the online publication, The Mac Observer, "The service works as follows: on supported devices, when listening to HD Radio, a song can be selected or tagged. Later, the song will appear in iTunes and can be purchased."

The caveat is that you will need a compatiblesystem to do this and there will onliy be two such systems available in time for Christmas - the Polk iSonic Entertainment System and the JBL iHD. However, it is expected, at least by iBiquity, that there will be more compatible systems availble for both home and car next year.

And the Mac Daily News said, "Peter Ferrara, CEO of the HD Digital Radio Alliance, the coalition of radio broadcasters formed to promote HD Radio technology commented in the press release on the broadcasters' promotional plan for iTunes Tagging, saying, "The HD Digital Radio Alliance is tremendously excited about this great new HD Radio feature and will broadly promote iTunes Tagging. We plan a multi-million dollar advertising campaign focusing on the JBL and Polk products, as well as participating retailers."

II am once again left wondering why all the emphasis is being put on high-end tabletop units.But maybe iBiquity knows more than I do, which is certainly possible.

CNET recently checked out the Sony XAV-W1 indash unit and found a lot to like September 12, 2007 09:26

 
CNET has reviewed the Sony XAV-W1 car audio system and gave it a rating of 8.6 out of 10.

Among other things, the review called this Sony product, "a stylish new entrant into the aftermarket in-car audiovisual market. Its SACD-playback ability will interest serious audiophiles, while its stunning display and intuitive media-selection interface will attract anyone looking for a user-friendly in-car media player.

That is, anyone looking for a user-friend audio system that costs $599.99 (Sonic Electronics) to $799.99 (Amazon.com).

CNET went on to give the good of the unit as "The Sony XAV-W1 features a crisp, wide-screen display, a broad range of media-playback capabilities, and a user-friendly selection interface."

The bad

On the downside it noted that that the bad was "The absence of a front-mounted auxiliary input jack or USB port restricts the ability of drivers to take their generic MP3 players on the road."

If that was the bad, this must be a pretty darn good unti.

CNET had a lot more to say about the Sony XAV-W1. If you'd like to read the whole review, just click on the URL link below.
(Go to URL)

Thanks, Pres. Roosevelt. You totally nailed it! September 13, 2007 10:57

 
Can HD Radio learn something important from President Franklin Roosevelt? RW Online thinks so. It recently drew an interesting parallel between the President and HD Radio, saying that HD Radio should follow Roosevelt's lead and try different things until broadcasters find something that works.

Among other things, RW Online noted, "The successful broadcaster will "try something," as he or she attempts to convert IBOC from a technological capital expense, to an audience aggregator and revenue source. Many of these attempts will no doubt fail outright, some will limp along in search of audience acceptance and a few will flourish, making their stations financially successful into the next decades. Success will breed imitators, and in the cases of failure, the successful operator will "admit it frankly" and try something else.

"In the end, the only real failure will be for the industry to squander this opportunity, by waiting for consumers to adopt the technology before it provides them with a demonstrable benefit."

All can say to this is "amen."

I've been demo'ing an HD Radio from Radisophy but the only HD2 programming I can find in my area is more of the same." And, IMHO -and the opinion of RW Online - more of the same is just not going to cut it.

Radio and Records echoes my sentiment September 16, 2007 10:56

 
Radio and Records' blog recently had an article asking the question, "Is HD The Answer To Radio's Youth Listening Exodus? "

The article suggested that HD Radio is aiming to bring younger listeners back to terrestrial radio and away from its iPods and satellite channels.

The article goes on to say that "the latest progress report on the potential of HD radio reveals some serious vulnerabilities - despite radio programmers' best intentions to utilize those new channels to attract the masses, of all ages."

Why does the author, Keith Berman, feel this way?

He says that at a recent R&R roundtable, participant Larry Rosin co-founder/president of Edison Media Research, admitted, "I did a study on HD radio, and the women were laughing. They were literally mocking the commercials."

Ouch.

Another roundtable participant, Jacobs Media Senior Consultant Dave Beasing concurred that current promotional campaigns aren't exactly turning the tide: "I find increasing awareness of HD because of the promos, but low intent to purchase. ... Indeed, marketing might be called into question, with many studies showing that the general populace still doesn't know what HD radio is-and even worse, many in the industry telling stories of attempting to buy HD radios from electronics dealers whose salespeople have no clue what the product is."

This echoes what I have been saying for some time - that the broadcasters just don't know how to promote and position HD radio and that, as a result, the attempt to bring back younger listeners is not working.

I spent many years in advertising and marketing and one thing I learned is that if a message is not being effectively communicated to its audience, it's not the audience's fault.

This was true 30 years ago and IMHO, it's just as true today.

(Go to URL)

Nice in-dash unit, very nice price September 16, 2007 11:29

 
I just checked Circuit City to see its price for the JVC HD Radio Receiver (KD-HDR1) - which is an in-dash unit.

Surprse of surpirse. It's now selling for $159.99 with free installation.

It's iPod and satellite radio ready and plays bach both MP3 and WMA CDs.

I think I'll grab one tomorrow.

Is HD Radio the 8-track tapes of this decade? September 18, 2007 07:38

 
I ran into a Washington Post headline today that just cracked me up. It was "HD Radio: 8-Track Tapes Of Our Age Or The Next Big Thing."

I thought this was just a great way to sum up HD Radio's position in America today.

The Post columnist, Marc Fisher, who penned this classic line went on to say, "There is a place where the audience for free, over-the-air radio is growing, not shrinking, where new technology allows listeners to pause and rewind songs as they play or to bookmark their favorite tunes.

"In that place, millions of listeners have bought newfangled digital radios to tune in to recorded books, a news station aimed at kids, a classic jazz channel, sports events not available on ordinary AM and FM radio, and extended live coverage of concerts and music festivals."

Sounds great except that place is not the good, old US of A. It's Great Britain, where about 6 million people have purchased digital or HD Radios vs. the several hundred thousand units that have been sold here.

The difference?

According to Fisher, "The main difference: British commercial and public broadcasters are providing extensive new and live content on digital stations, while U.S. media companies use their extra channels mainly to provide canned, automated music programming."

So, hey, U.S. broadcasters, why don't you get off your backsides and do something clever and innovative with HD radio?

Could it hurt?

Now, there's more choice in low-cost HD car radios September 19, 2007 08:53

 
Dual Electronics just announced two of the lowest-cost CD receivers to offer built-in HD Radio reception.

In making the announcement, Dual said the XHD6425 and XHD6420 would carry a street price less than $150 when they begin shipping this week.

According to Dual, the top end XHD6425 "allows optional Bluetooth for hands-free calling, full-speed USB connection and a front-panel auxiliary input for use with a portable music player. It also has two preamp outputs for additional amplifiers." In addition, the unit is CD-R/CD-RW compatible, and has MP3/WMA encoded CD-R/RW playback. The built-in HD tuner supports HD2/HD3 FM multicast channels, displays station name, artist and song title on HD Radio channels, and stores HD Radio presets.

The little brother

It's cheaper brother, the XHD6420 offers many of the same features as the XHD6425 such as a built-in HD radio tuner that supports HD2/HD3 FM multicast channels, displays station name, artist and song title on HD Radio channels, and stores HD Radio presets Radio presets. However, the unit does not support Bluetooth and apparently has no front-panel USB connection.

While these units look like good values, I need to warn you that finding one of them may be a problem. There is a dealer locator on the Dual Electronics web site, but I was unable to find a single dealer in my state- Colorado - within a 25 mile radius of my zip code.

All this aside, you'd like to read more about these new HD Radios, click on the URL link.
(Go to URL)

Want to learn more about HD Radios? Try watching QVC September 20, 2007 08:09

 
I find this to be a sort of odd way to sell HD Radios, but then maybe the folks at the HD Digital Radio Alliance are a lot smarter than I am - which they probably are.

In any event, three popular HD Radios are going to be sold on the QVC channel, beginning at 10:00 PM on Sept. 26.

They are the I-Sonic Entertainment System, the Pulse HD Clock Radio from Visteon, and the affordable Radiosophy HD100.

In conjunction with this, the HD Digital Radio Alliance will promote the HD Radio show on QVC with a national radio ad campaign reaching 100 markets.

The Alliance said, among other things, "HD Radio Broadcasting is sweeping the country, available to more than 80 percent of the population." Doesn't the Alliance just wish that 80 percent of the population was actually listening to HD Radio … but that's another story.

In the meantime, you might want to tune into the QVC channel if for no other reason than to see what these three radios are selling for, since the PR release from the Alliance and QVC made no mention of price.

Donate $100 - get a free HD Radio September 21, 2007 10:49

 
Some NPR (National Public Radio) stations have been running a promotion whereby you can get a free Radiosophy HD100 radio by donating $100 or more. And, heck, the $100 is even tax deductible.

These stations have been doing this as part of their fall fund-raising efforts.

I'm guessing that not all NPR stations are running this promotion but it would certainly be worth your time to check out your loal NPR outlet.

A couple of other caveats - I have been unable to find a lot of details about this program so am not sure exactly how it works. And the folks at Radiosophy have warned me that the promotion may be ending soon.

So, if this offer interests you, you might want to jump on it pretty quick.

My guess is that for most of you, this will be a non-story September 23, 2007 09:32

 
Effective Sept. 17, all HD stations were authorized to begin twenty-four-hour per day broadcasting.

Doesn't sound very newsy does it?

Well, not so fast, there, Abernathy.

This is a big change in the FCC Rules that used to protect AM broadcasters against interference at night to stations on channels that adjoin an HD broadcaster. This interference sounds a bit like an egg frying on top of the AM station's regular signal.

This may not be news at all to most of you but, on the other hand, if you like to spend your nights listening to far-off stations (called DXing) or one of those coast-to-coast all-nighter programs, this interference could take all the joy out of AM radio.

So what's the answer?

If you're an AM Radio DXer (distance listener), you may just have to learn to live with the interference. For those of you who just like to listen to AM radio in the wee hours and find that your favorite station now comes complete with the sound of eggs frying, you may have to move to HD Radio ™, satellite radio or internet radio.

IMHO, it's just one more example of the Federal government jamming something down our throats whether we want it or not.

My review of the Radiosophy HD100 September 25, 2007 10:23

 
I've had a demo unit of the HD100 for the past several weeks. My overall grade of this radio is B+. I liked the sound and the ease of operation, but marked it down due the lack of a remote and a hard to read screen.

Look for my full review of this entry-level unit on hd-radio-home.com sometime within the next week.

Has HD Radio reached a tipping point? September 27, 2007 09:47

 
If you ever read the book, The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell, you know how little things can make a big difference, and that when enough little things accumulate, something tips over.

Well, here are some little things that when added to other little things, might signal a tipping point for HD Radio™.

There is news out of JVC is that it has introduced the first plug-and-play HD Radio receiver and that they are being shipped to Best Buy Stores.

JVC calls this unit a "low-cost, transportable for car and home." "It is with great enthusiasm that we launch this new HD Radio product that is both low priced and easy for consumers to install in their cars and at home," said JVC Mobile Entertainment, Chad Vogelsong, General Manager, Marketing. JVC went on to say that "An AM/FM/HD Radio multicast tuner, the KT-HDP1 adapts to most vehicles and has three installation options: a do-it-yourself car install kit that does not require removing the radio; a simple home kit; and, a professional car kit that does require removing existing radios."

OK, that's maybe a little thing. But here's another little thing. Ford will soon be offering high-definition digital radio as an option on almost all its 2008 cars and trucks. Of even more interest, the HD digital radio also can be installed in some 2005, 2006 and 2007 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles.

I see announcements of new HD radios almost every week now. Does this mean HD Radio has reached a tipping point?

You be the judge.

My review of the Radiosophy HD100 is now online September 28, 2007 08:26

 
I had the Radiosophy HD100 tabletop radio on loan for a couple of weeks. Click on the URL below to read my full review of this very attractively priced unit.

(Go to URL)

Sony announces two HD-ready car stereos September 29, 2007 09:09

 
Sony yesterday announced the addition of two models to its Xplod line of car stereos that have HD radio compatibility.

Watch out for that word “compatibility.”

What it translates into is that both units require the Sony XD-100HD tuner to actually receive HD Radio(TM) broadcasts.

Sony says the first of these units, the CDX-GT520 is “a top-of-the-line CD receiver touted for its connectivity options. The head unit supports MP3 files, as well as non-DRM-protected WMA and AAC files; front, rear and subwoofer preamp outputs; a flip-down detachable faceplate; and a 13-segment, LCD with blue LED display. It is also iPod- and satellite radio-ready.” I am told that this receiver retails for approximately $139.99.”
Sony said its CDX-GT320 unit is “HD Radio-ready and has iPod and satellite radio compatibility. It offers MP3 and non-DRM WMA playback support and two preouts.” It retails for abut $99.99.:
I see this as a good addition to the ever-expanding line of HD radios and solid evidence that Sony has pretty seriously embraced this new technology.

New study reveals that three of four radio listeners are aware of HD-R September 30, 2007 14:04

 
80% of Americans might be aware of HD Radio(TM) but how many are listening?

The HD Digital Radio Alliance recently disputed studies that public awareness of HD Radio is low, citing cites research from Critical Mass Media that three out of four listeners are aware of it.

The Alliance also noted that the study, which was conducted this month, found that 31 percent of listeners polled said they are interested in HD-R.

This suggests that things are looking up for HD Radio and that this Christmas buying season might be kind to HD radio manufacturers.

The missing statistic I would like to see is the number or percentage of radio listeners that are listening to HD Radio.
The Alliance has been suspiciously silent about this.

It's another one of those things that makes you go, hmmm.