HD Radio Blog

There's a war going on and it's over the price of HD car radios. How cool is that? December 2, 2007 10:10

Interesting information gleaned from my Crutchfield catalog December 4, 2007 09:46

 
My latest Crutchfield catalog rolled in yesterday and I found that it contained listings for nine HD ready car systems.

They are the:

Alpine iDA-X001
Alpine CDA-9883
Alpine CDA-9885
Alpine CDA-9886
Dual XHD6420
Dual XD6425
HVC-KD-HDR1
Sony CDX-GT320
Sony CDX-GT61Oi

The two Sony units are listed at $$99 and $169. The Alpine units sell for $199 to $399. The Dual radios are $129 and $159. And Crutchfield has the the JVC radio at $159.

You can get complete details on these units at www.crutchfield.com.

Looking for HD radio as a great gift at a great price?

You can't go wrong with the Radiosophy HD100. It's small, easy to use, delivers nice sound and doubles as a clock radio. I mean, what more could you want for $99? For more information, just click on the button below.

TWCE Asks "HD Radio: Will More Awareness Translate To Sales?" December 5, 2007 12:52

 
I found this article today. The author, Amy Gilroy said that about 1,500 radio stations now broadcast in HD Radio, reaching 80 percent of the population. A hefty $250 million in advertising was devoted to HD Radio this year with another $230 million earmarked for 2008.

She also said that “Industry members say this campaign has successfully placed the name "HD Radio" in consumer's minds, but has fallen short in explaining digital radio's key attributes of better sound and the ability to offer more radio stations through multicasting.

This would be department of "you think?"

The article quoted Keith Lehmann, Kenwood consumer electronics senior VP, who explained, "The awareness of HD Radio is high, but people still don't really know what it is or what the benefit is. The campaign put forth by the HD Radio Alliance has been rather shallow in my opinion. It's gotten the name out there but hasn't gotten the full message. The industry can do a better job of promoting the real value of HD Radio to the end user."

Many are now hoping that will answer will be lower prices.

JVC Mobile, the first brand to offer HD Radio in a sub-$200 head unit, said its KD-HDR1 is selling above expectations. "I think what the other manufacturers are seeing proves our point that it's a price-point-based scenario. Once you hit that sweet spot, HD Radio seems to be doing quite well," said VP Bill Turner.
Dual and Jensen are now testing that theory. Dual just began shipping a CD receiver with built-in HD Radio at a record-low street price of $119, and Jensen is selling at $129 through Wal-Mart with a $139 model slated for December.

It is expected that a number of new HD radios will appear early next year. Click on the URL link article to read the entire TWICE article
(Go to URL)

Between now and Dec. 17 -- buy a great little radio at a very small price - just $79.95 December 7, 2007 08:59

 
Radiosophy just announced a special holiday shopping event that lets you scoop up the HD100 for just $79.95* or $20 off the normal price. But you need to hurry. This special price ends on the 17th.

To take advantage of this holiday special*

Just click on the button below, then click on Buy Now.
Choose the quantity, then click the Add to cart button.
Enter JOY in the Coupon code field.
Click the Submit button below the Coupon code field:

That's all there is and you're off to score a great little radio at a great price.

*$79.95 price does not include shipping & handling charges and cannot be combined with other promotions

It's a toy. It's a shower accessory. It's a game. No, wait. It's an HD Radio. December 10, 2007 09:13

 
LG had a "sneak peek" last week as a preview to the Consumer Electronics Show. Among the new products it showcased was an HD radio that looks as much like a flying saucer as a radio. This new unit called the PC12 Table Top Audio System has a vacuum-loading CD player, hidden 30-pin iPod connector on top and a USB connector in back that lets you connect your MP3 player. and naturally, it incorporates an HD tuner to be an AM- FM- HD audio system.

LG described the PC12 as "the perfect option for consumers seeking a premium device that offers convenience, functionality and flexibility. The PC12's unique, compact design is complimented by its high-gloss black finish and red ambient background lighting. LG utilized the latest technologies to make the PC12 one of the most innovative and visually appealing audio systems."

While LG has not yet announced the PC12's price, best guesses are that it will retail for about $300.

I forgot to read the book "Inserting Photos in Blogs for Dummies," so can't show you the PC12. But if you click on the Go to URL link way at the bottom of this post, you can see this space age wonder in all its glory.

It's very cool.

Only 8 Radiosophy days till Christmas

If you want to scoop up a great little radio at an amazing price, you need to act fast. The deal is that if you buy the Radiosophy HD100 between now and December 17, you can get it for the amazing price of just $79.95. Now, let's face it. There has to be some techno fan on your Christmas list that would just love to find this little gem under his or her tree. For goodness sakes, that techno fan could even be you!

To take advantage of this practically unparalleled offer

Just click on the button below. Then, click on Buy Now on the Radiosophy home page. Choose the quantity, then click the Add to cart button.

Enter JOY in the Coupon code field and click the Submit button below the Coupon code field:.

Now, wasn't that an easy way to save 20 bucks

(Go to URL)

The Insignia AM-FM-HD Bookshelf system at Best Buy December 11, 2007 12:45

 
I've looked at the specs of this unit and have been meaning to scoop one up. I was waiting for an after Christmas sale but found yesterday that you can buy it online – from BestBuy – for just $127,99 (plus shipping) which represents a $32 savings off the regular price. I like the Insigna system because it has a USB port, so I can play tunes from my Creative Zen, plus a progressive-scan DVD/CD/MP3 player, and, of course, a digital AM/FM/HD radio tuner. This means I can junk my big, clunky DVD player and just hook up the Insignia unit to my HDTV. Cool.

If you want to learn all about this unit, you can get the details at http://www.5minutesformom.com/ or click on Best Buy to go directly there.

And you can click on the Go to URL link to see the unit for yourself. (Go to URL)

Only seven Radiosophy days 'till Christmas December 11, 2007 13:25

 
f you want to scoop up a great little radio at a super price, you need to act fast. Radiosophy is offering its HD100 AM-FM-HD tabletop radio for the practically ridiculous price of just $79.95 if you buy on or before December 17. The HD100 delivers great sound and doubles as a clock radio. There are five AM and five FM presets that let you scan and find your favorite AM, FM, and HD stations and HD2 channels quickly and easily. It offers excellent sensitivity for both AM and FM. Plus, there's an AUX In jack so an MP3 player can be played through the radio speakers and outputs for stereo headphones. For more details on this little wonder, just click on the banner below. When you reach the Radiosophy home page, Click on Buy Now.

Choose the quantity, then click the Add to cart button. Enter JOY in the Coupon code field and click the Submit button below the Coupon code field:.

Now, wasn't that an easy way to save 20 bucksI

New single chip solution should bring lower prices to HD car radios December 12, 2007 08:20

 
I have long wondered why digital HD radios are so costly (except, of course, the Radiosophy HD100 and the Sangean HDR-1). My guess is that it has something to do with the cost of the HD license from iBiquity and the digital tuner.

Well, OK, this is just a guess so take it for what it's worth.

However, I did notice earlier today that NXP Semiconductor has announced a new chip that allows car makers to install a single radio that will incorporate AM/FM along with HD Radio, DAB, and DRM along with intelligent search signal, multiple data feeds such as traffic info, and the ability to stream different broadcasts to separate passengers.

In making the announcement NXP said, "A single chip can potentially save car makers money, time, and effort by incorporating multiple capabilities in a single slim-line radio." In turn, this means that HD car radios should get cheaper.

NXP also said that it expects car makers to begin putting its technology in car radios as early as 2008.

You can click on the Go to URL link to read the whole NXP story on Red Herring (Go to URL)

Got a factory car radio? Axxess says it has an HD tuner for it December 13, 2007 14:59

 
Axxess had announced a Digital Interface AHDT-01 HD Radio tuner that the company says will work with any factory-installed auto radio. The unit consists of a universal HD Radio tuner box and an interface specific for each vehicle class.

Axxess went on to say, “Since Axxess has always been a leader in digital interface technology, we are again the first to market with an innovative product. The Axxess HD Radio package now makes it possible for people to receive HD Radio broadcasting and all of its benefits without having to replace their existing factory head unit."
AutoToys.com has the AHDT-01 for $125 but offers no installation information (yes, Virginia, the devil is in the details). AutoToys seems to be the only retailer stocking this tuner as of today (12/13) but it may be available from more retailers soon.

Don't foreget that you can still buy the neat, little Radiosophy HD100 for just $79.95 if you order before Dec. 17. Just go to the first page of my web site, www.hd-radio-home.com and read the copy under Price Break for complete details.

Somebody's else's review of the Radiosophy HD100 December 15, 2007 09:51

 
I have been partial to the Radiosophy HD100 because I think it represents a nice price value.

So I felt sort of vindicated when I found a review today that pretty much matched my take on the HD100. The review appeared on the E-GEAR web site and was written my Grant Clauser.

Among other comments, Grant wrote, "From my 12th floor office in Philadelphia I was able to pull in more than a dozen HD signals (plus their analog sisters of course) with the Radiosophy. The HD radio stations sound quite a lot better than their analog counterparts. The signal is cleaner, without any background noise interfering. The HD100 is also a pretty decent analog radio as well, and pulled in a couple of FM stations I couldn’t get in with my other office radio. While the HD stations sounded good, they didn’t sound quite as good as through other HD radios—namely the Cambridge Soundworks 820HD I reviewed earlier this year, but that radio carries a list price $200 more than the Radiosophy.

"At a time when you can get a Sony alarm clock radio for $20 at Target, $100 for the HD100 doesn’t sound cheap—but any other HD Radio will set you back considerably more. As of this fall, about 1,200 stations are broadcasting digitally, and many of them are sending out multicast signals, so the only way you can pick up that extra content is to buy an HD radio, and this unit is the easiest way to achieve that."

If you'd like to read Grant's review in its entirely, click on the Go to URL link.

Or, if you'd like more information on the HD100, click on the button below.

(Go to URL)

Act before Dec. 31 and save $20 on selected HD Radios December 17, 2007 16:29

 
I haven't heard anyone pushing this offer but iBiquity is now running a $20 rebate offer on a bunch of HD Radios, including the Sony tabletop, the Insignia bookshelf system, and the Radiosophy HD100. Plus, the offer includes HD radios from Polk Audio, Cambridge Soundworks, Dice, Visteon and Sangean (component receivers).

There are also seven car radios or tuners included.

Here's the catch. It looks to me as if it's $20 off the manufacturer's suggested retail price. For example, the $20 rebate on the Sangean digital component tuner (HDT-1x) is off $249.99. bringing it down to $229.99.. Heck, you can go to my Sangean HD store and I'll sell you the same unit for $209, plus $13 and there's no rebate form to fill out and mail in.

The offer seems to be available only on Clear Channel stations. So, if you know which station(s) in your area is owned by Clear Channel, you can go to its web site and get complete details.

Will 2008 be do or die for digital HD? December 18, 2007 08:33

 
What is the state of digital HD today? Here's where it stands as nearly as I can determine.

Stations broadcasting HD digital: 1537
Number of markets with HD radio stations: 348
Number of HD radios sold: "approaching 800,000"

(The "approaching 800,000" is about what purchases were approaching earlier this year so who knows how many units have actually been sold.)

How would I net this out? Well, if I were iBiquity, the founder and licenser of digital HD, I would not exactly be jumping for joy. It's one thing to get the broadcasters behind HD, and iBiquity and the HD Radio Alliance have done a good job there, but what if no one is listening? I mean, 800,000 is just peanuts.

In my humble opinion (and trust me, it's humble), there are two areas where broadcasters have dropped the ball thus far. First, they haven't promoted HD effectively. I hear commercials all the time about the "crystal clear sound of HD radio," but without any reason to listen to that crystal clear sound. Is this the best that broadcasters can do? I can listen to the same stations online and enjoy the same crystal clear sound. If you guys want people to buy HD radios, you've got to give them a better reason than this, for heaven's sake.

Second, I think broadcasters need to do a better job with their HD2 channels. It looks to me as if too many of them are using their subchannels for slight variations on their regular programming - instead of using them to program something different and exciting.

I was impressed with the iTune tagging feature that was added this year - as something different and interesting.

Will 2008 be a do or die year for digital HD? Your guess is as good as mine. But I do believe the technology holds great promise - if it's just promoted effectively and if the broadcasters do something that generates a real buzz.

One broadcast chief engineer asks, "Hey, AM HD Critics - you got a better idea?" December 20, 2007 13:43

 
I found an article today on the site, RW Online (the Radio World Newspaper web site) that I thought was just excellent. It was written by Stephen Poole who is Market Chief Engineer for Crawford Broadcasting in Birmingham, Ala.

Stephen had some very pointed things to say, including, ""My biggest complaint about the complainers - i.e., those who want to dismiss AM HD-R - is that they propose no real, feasible and realistic alternative. You get the impression that these naysayers want to keep AM as it is, in spite of its many problems and the precipitous decline in listenership in recent decades. ...

"Okay, suppose they get their way: If the decline continues, the day will come when the manufacturers just stop building AM radios due to lack of demand. What will they do then? ...

"My personal favorite? Those who grumble about imagined conspiracies and assume that "industry leaders" (whoever they are) actually "want AM to die." ...

"Folks, our company, Clear Channel, Citadel and a bunch of others have heavily invested in AM. You don't buy zillions of dollars worth of property and then hope it precipitously loses its value! That's just insane."

Stephen has a bunch of other interesting things to say and keep in mind, this isn't just some bloggers opinion. This is coming from a Chief Engineer. I strongly urge you to read the entire article by clicking on the Go to URL link

It's too late, baby it's just too late ... to save $20. But you can still get a great little radio at a terrific price. It's the Radiosophy HD100 and it's only $99.95. Click on the little button below for complete details.

(Go to URL)

More information about the JVC KT-HDP1 HD Radio Add-on Car Stereo Tuner December 21, 2007 11:49

 
Here's information I found on this neat, little portable HD radio tuner - that can be used in both the car and your home. The information comes from Car Stereo Mall.

"The digital broadcast from HD Radio offers you an improved AM/FM sound clarity and extra programming that is not available with any of the regular FM/AM radios. The new JVC KT-HDP1 that is a HD radio tuner allows you a wide range of programming that you can enjoy in your vehicle and also in your home or office. If you would be using the JVC KT-HDP1 HD radio tuner in your car you would need to purchase an additional kit for the tuner that is the professional car mount kit or plug and play car kit. The slim radio tuner would not take much space as there is also no additional hide away box needed to install. You can use the output of the audio to send the signals of HD radio tuner to your car and there is also a wireless in built FM transmitter which can be used in any car.

"There is a bright readable display that displays four lines of text for program and station information whereas the instinctive five way control design makes it easy to control all stations. You will find nearly 18 presets of all your favorite stations and the radio tuner will scan or seek for broadcasts of HD radio so that you can easily find participating radio stations. JVC KT-HDP1 HD radio tuner also features a cigarette lighter adaptor plug of 12 volts along with a wireless remote control. The only thing you will have to look for is an antenna to operate the system as it is not included. You can make sure that you have everything that is needed to install the kit in your vehicle; you can choose either the plug and play kit or the permanent installation kit. This JVC KT-HDP1 HD radio tuner can be also installed for home use as it would require a different installation kit."

The JVC KT-HDP-1 currently sells for $129.99 or $109.99 with the $20 rebate that's good if you buy before December 31.

More Information on the Dual XHD-6426 December 24, 2007 10:34

 
Yesterday, I found a list of the XHD6425's features. I like this in-dash unit because it seems to be a great price/value. Here are some of its most important features.

- 2-Pair of preamp outputs
- 3.5mm front panel input
- USB front panel output
- Black/white dot matrix type display
- CD-R/CD-RW compatible
- MP3/WMA encoded CD-R/RW playback
- Displays MP3 ID3v1 tags
- Displays WMA tags
- Bluetooth Version 2.0 (1.2 compliant)
- Wireless hands free operation with Caller ID
- Supports A2DP streaming audio
- Communicates with most Bluetooth enabled phones
- Answer and place calls using front panel controls

USB
- Front panel USB connection
- Full speed USB (12Mbps)
- Play MP3/WMA files from most mass storage devices
- Charges most USB devices (DC 5Volts, 500mA)

- 30 Station presets (18 FM / 12 AM)
- 5 Selectable EQ curves - pop, jazz, classic, beat, rock
- Displays station name, artist and song title on HD Radio channels
- Stores HD Radio presets
- Dedicated HD Radio only seek mode

Now, maybe it's just me but that seems like one heckova lot of features for just $124 with no shipping cost (amazon.com).

You can read more about the Dual XHD6465 by clicking on the Go To URL link.
(Go to URL)

Does HD Radio want a free ride on the XM-Sirius merger? December 26, 2007 09:32

 
I found an interesting news bit the other day regarding the pending merger of satellite radio providers XM and Sirius. It seems that HD radio wants a piece of the merger.

The deal is that iBiquity, the driving force behind HD radio, has asked the FCC to require that HD radio be included in all satellite radio receivers and that a merged Sirius-XM entity terminate all of its exclusive agreements with suppliers, retailers, and the OEMs.

What this suggests to me is that HD radio is having a problem, garnering support from Detroit.

Does HD radio want a free ride?

Satellite Radio TechWorld pointed out that Sirius and XM have worked hard to win OEM support and that approving this HD radio proposal would be unfair to the satellite radio industry. The way I read this, is that iBiquity, having failed to make serious inroads with Detroit automakers now wants a free ride.

What say you?

In the meantime, if you're not particularly interested in having an HD radio in your car, one low-priced alternative is a nice, compact HP tabletop radio. There are two I like-the Sangean HDR-1 and the Radiosophy HD 100. The lowest priced of these two units is the HD100 $99.95. To get more information on this nice, little radio, just click on the Radiosophy button below.

It's only an Apple rumor but it's sure an interesting one December 29, 2007 09:24

 
I've seen several blog posts and a couple of articles saying that Apple may be planning a push for iTunes Tagging-ready, HD Radio-equipped boomboxes complete with iPod docks for MacWorld next month.

If you're not familiar with iTunes tagging, it's an HD Radio feature that encourages iTunes sales by allowing listeners to "Tag" a song as it is playing. Once the song has been tagged, it's added to a playlist on a connected iPod. Then, when the iPod is synced to a computer, the playlist appears in iTunes and it becomes easy to track and purchase from tagged tracks in the iTunes Store.

The big broadcasters, including CBS Radio, Clear Channel, Cumulus, Cox, Entercom and Greater Media, have all announced they are incorporating iTunes Tagging technology. In fact, a document on iBiquity’s website says, “Apple plans to offer participating stations a revenue share for songs referred to and purchased on iTunes,” adding extra incentive for HD Radio broadcasters to adopt iTunes Tagging."

A boombox from Apple with HD radio and iTunes tagging? It might be only a rumor but it's sure an interesting one.

If you're tired of waiting for an affordable HD radio, wait no more. The Radiosophy HD100 (see button, below) is just $99.95 and if you buy on or before December 31, you can cut that price to $79.95. The HD100 is a neat, compact unit that sounds great and doubles as a clock radio - to wake you up to the soothing sounds of your favorite HD station. Click on the button to learn more about this little bargain.