HD Radio Blog

Jensen announces its first two HD car audio systems November 3, 2007 08:09

I couldn't have said it better myself November 7, 2007 09:37

 
I've had an exchange of emails with the publisher of the web site, AudioGraphics, who believes HD Radio is dying. Naturally, I took exception to this idea.

However, one of my readers posted a comment on the site that I thought sort of put an end to the discussion.

So, here with the author's permission, is his post:

"OK... what do you have against HD radio ?? It's obvious that you hate the idea of HD radio - as you give it its death warrant long before we really know the conclusion of it. Plus, it is well known that you have never spoken positively about it.

"I mean... c'mon... let's be open and honest here please. True... it's been slow and stagnant in happening, and it is STILL (admittedly frustrating) in its infant stages. But what is the alternative to the future of terrestrial radio ??? And please don't tell me there is no future. I don't buy that. There will always be terrestrial 'free' (local) radio. The day there isn't... (and all we have is pay satellite radio or internet radio as an option) is a very SAD day indeed."

Crutchfield is selling the new JVC Plug-and-Play HD Radio November 7, 2007 09:40

 
Thanks to a tip from one of my readers, I learned today that Crutchfield has the new JVC KT-HDP1 Plug-and-Play HD Radio. This unit is described as "universal add-on HD Radio tuner that connects to factory and aftermarket stereos." This is via a wired or wireless FM modulator. The KT-HDP1 sells for a reasonable $129.99 but seems to require that you purchase it as one of three "kits." So if, for example, you choose the "do it yourself kit," the cost of the kit and tuner goes to a total of 179.98.

It would seem that the KT-HDP1 should be a standalone unit as there is a a whole routine you need to go through to identify your car by make and model. But then, maybe not.

I found the text a bit confusing but you can check it our yourself by clicking on the URL link.

If you're interested in learning more about thi new JVC HD radio, click on the URL Link below. (Go to URL)

Now, you can add comments to this blog and I invite you to do so. November 7, 2007 09:46

 
One of my readers suggested that my blog would be better if I were to permit you, good readers, to add comments to my posts.

Well, now you can.

At the bottom of each post is the word "Comments." Click on it and you can add your name (if you choose) and your observations regarding anything I've said.

So, fire away. Let me know what you think about your experience with any HD Radios (I really welcome reviews), your take on HD technology, what's happening with HD2 channels your area ... or anything else that occurs to you.

I await your thoughts.

Monday musings November 11, 2007 15:03

 
Here are a couple of the random thoughts that have occurred to me this past week.

First, HD Radio is definitely not dying. As one of my readers pointed out this week, it really hasn't even begun to grow up. In fact, it's hardly an adolescent. We won't know if HD-R is going to succeed or fail until we see what big radio does to monetize HD-R. As you probably know, all HD2 channels are currently commercial free. That might be a good technique for building listernship but not for making money. Right now, stations that broadcast HD are getting about 50% of their revenue from their HD stream. But that's not additional money. It's just money that would have been spent on regular their AM or FM broadcasts. HD will eventually be monetized, including HD2 channels. Then we'll see what happens.

Second, there have been a few new HD radios introduced in the past couple of months, but we haven't seen a real blast of announcements. So, what's holding back the manufacturers? Sony's on-board now and I think the new JVC plug-and-play unit holds promise. I keep expecting to see a slew of new units introduced in time for the holiday season but it hasn't happened so far.

Big news coming – I think

Third, be sure to come back to the blog later today or on Wednesday as I think I may have some big news – especially for those who have been thinking about buying an HD radio but have held back due to the cost of most units.

One of the best things you've never heard November 13, 2007 10:10

 
I found this line in an article on the CBS7-Chicago web site and thought it did a great of summing up the state of HD digital radio today.

The article also said, “there are about 40 radio stations here in Chicago now broadcasting in HD. Their move to this digital technology means that 40 radio stations become 80 radio stations, with the potential to become 120 stations.

“But the HD Radios you need to get those stations are not quite flying off the store shelves. About half a million are expected to be in use nationally by the end of this year. So, if you like listening to the radio, HD Radio may be one of the best things you've never heard.”

The good news for consumers is that an HD Radio would would be an idea Christmas gift for just about anybody because hardly anyone owns one.

Of course, that's not much of a Christmas present for broadcasters.

If you'd like to read the whole CBS7 article, just click on the URL link. (Go to URL)

Question of the day - Just what does HD stand for? November 15, 2007 08:58

 
The obvious answer would be that HD stands for High Definition to set it apart from, well, low definition or regular radio signals. After all, isn't HD radio the audio equivalent of high definition TV – meaning the quality of the signal is so much better?

My source tells me that HD originally stood for hybrid digital. But now, it stands for ... nothing. As nearly as I can tell, it's just a catchy term trademarked by iBiquity, the ubermench of digital radio.

Isn't that interesting? Two letters that stand for nothing. Could this be a first? We all know that ABC stands for the American Broadcasting Corporation and ESPN stands for Entertainment and Sports Programming Network (or at least is used to stand for that), but HD? Nada. Zip. Zero. No meaning.

Of course, we Americans like things to stand for something so I suppose that people will eventually come to believe that HD does stand for high definition or hybrid digital or highly digital or something.

But the important thing is that HD stands for better sound. Much better sound.

A new Cambridge SoundWorks Radio for $299 and no HD-R. What's up with that? November 17, 2007 13:39

 
Cambridge SoundWords just introduced a new radio labeled the Radio CD 745 which costs from $299 to $349 depending on where you buy it.

In the words of Cnet Online, "Expensive, especially considering its lack of HD Radio and satellite radio support; remote and front panel controls could be more intuitively arranged; iPod dock is a separate module, not integrated into the main unit."

Maybe my glass is half empty today but I don't see this as a good omen for HD-R. Cambridge SoundWorks has an HD Radio, the 820 HD, which currently sells for something between $199 and $249. You'd think that if this radio was really selling briskly, they'd have added HD-R to the new, more expensive unit.

Click on the URL link if you'd like to read the whole Cnet Online review of the Radio CD 745.

(Go to URL)

Have you visited my new HD radio (tm) store? November 20, 2007 08:37

 
I have an agreement with Sangean America to sell its HDR-1 tabletop unit and its two HD component tuners (HDT-1 and HDT-1x) . I have priced these three units at what I believe are the Internet's best prices. If you haven't had a chance to check out my new store yet, be sure to click on the URL link. Sangean is a very well respected electronics manufacturer and I believe you'll like their producs ... and my prices! (Go to URL)

Was selling HD radios on QVC a fiasco? November 22, 2007 09:32

 
Happy Thanksgiving, readers. I hope you have a great day.

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you might remember that I did a post a few weeks ago about the fact that QVC was going to spotlight HD radios.

I have now seen posts that indicate that the HD radio segment on QVC was a "fiasco." One source, Radio Racket reported that total sales were only $30,000.

The author of the Radio Racket post also thought it was a fiasco because if you assume the average price of a radio was $150 then QVC sold only 200 units.

Is this truly a fiasco?

I guess it depends on how long the QVC segment was. I thought I read somewhere it was only 30 minutes long. If this was the case, then to move 200 units in a half an hour doesn't seem too bad to me.

On the other hand, if the segment was an hour or more, then maybe it was a fiasco.

If you know how long the QVC HD radio segment was, please leave a comment and let me know.

Short (very short) Cnet review of the JVC plug-and-play KT-HDP1 November 24, 2007 08:23

 
I recently found a Cnet review of the JVC plug-and-play radio which can be used in both the car and the home.

Here is the review in its entirety.

"The good: JVC KT-HDP1 is a compact and stylish device with a user-friendly HD Radio programming interface and numerous audio customization features. We particularly like its universal connectivity and its wide range of installation options.

"The bad: The monochrome LCD screen is not the most visually compelling display we've seen, and the orientation of the volume buttons makes it cumbersome to adjust while driving along.

"The bottom line: If you're looking for a cost-effective means of bringing HD Radio into your car, the JVC KT-HDP1 is an attractive option.

"Specs: Tuner bands: AM/FM; Audio system built-in display: LCD" ... etc.

I guess Cnet liked the unit and it certainly interests me. If any of you have had any experince with it, I hope you will provide a comment.

In the meantime, if you're looking to surprise someone with a great Christmas gift, I suggest either the Radiosophy HD100, a real bargain at $99.95 or the Sangean HDR-1. You can get full details on the HD100 by clicking on the button, below. For more information on the Sangean HDR-1, click on the URL link.

(Go to URL)

And what to my wondering eyes did appear? November 26, 2007 10:21

 
What appeared to my wondering eyes in this past Sunday's BestBuy advertising supplement was the Dual 50-watt X 4 Channel, Built-in HD Radio Tuner CD Deck for $99.99.

I found it encouraging that Dual has broken the $100 barrier for an HD car audio system. As far as I can tell, this is the least expensive HD car audio system available.

If this price looks good to you, you can either check out the unit at your local BestBuy or, if there's no BestBuy in your area, you can go online and snag this unit.

Ho, ho ho.

Volvo adds HD as standard item on most 2009 models November 29, 2007 07:55

 
Volvo recently reported that it will join the list of automakers offering HD Radio. This will be in the company's 2009 model year, when almost every Volvo will get HD Radio as standard equipment. The remaining models will get it as a factory-installed option,.

It's interesting that Volvo is the first automaker to announce plans to offer HD Radio as standard equipment. I would have thought it would be Ford or GM. It all goes to show what I know.

The Volvo vehicles will be available in September 2008.

The automaker joins Ford, BMW, Mini Cooper, Jaguar and Hyundai in offering HD Radio, although Jaguar and Hyundai offer HD Radio on only one model apiece.

The power of free (and maybe the power of Microsoft) November 30, 2007 08:50

 
I found this posting on Mark Ramsey's hear2.0 blog and thought it said much about the power of free vs. the power of HD radio (tm).

"Here is an update to your September 26, 2007 post on Ford offering HD Radio as a dealer installed option in their new cars. I recently purchased a new 2008 Ford Fusion and was interested in purchasing the HD upgrade. When I took delivery of the car, I discovered that the Ford SYNC option, which I did not order, is now "standard" and came with the car at no charge. I then learned that if your Ford has the SYNC feature, the HD Radio feature is NOT available to you. I would have to disconnect SYNC to put in HD.

"Now let's see. What are the odds that people will turn down FREE Microsoft Sync, which allows you to talk through the car radio on your cell phone and speak the name of your MP3 songs that you want to hear, to spend $300 or so to have an HD Radio in their car?"

I guess my answer would be not many.