HD radio...got it?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,864
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From: Stuck in Paradise
HD radio...got it?
I’ve been hearing all the buzz about HD radio so when I was browsing in Radio Shack, I asked the clerk what he knew about it.
Most of what he told me I got from the ad I’ve heard but one thing he said was that eventually standard analog radio broadcasts would end, like the analog TV signals. I hadn’t heard this and didn’t like the idea of my current radio becoming obsolete. Especially since my nav system and radio are integrated.
I did a search and found that there are add ons to existing radios (mine is compatible). Anyone try these out? Does it work and do you recommend a brand?
Most of what he told me I got from the ad I’ve heard but one thing he said was that eventually standard analog radio broadcasts would end, like the analog TV signals. I hadn’t heard this and didn’t like the idea of my current radio becoming obsolete. Especially since my nav system and radio are integrated.
I did a search and found that there are add ons to existing radios (mine is compatible). Anyone try these out? Does it work and do you recommend a brand?
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
I got it. It works great where the digital signal is strong; otherwise, it uses the analog signal. My salesperson told me that they are building repeater stations that will broaden the good signal area. If they do, it will be very worth it.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 83
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From: Acworth GA
Radio situation completely different from TV situation. For TV, Analog and Digital used differnt freqeuncies. Govt canned analog TV so it could sell the bandwidth to raise more money.
There is no reason to get rid of analog radio, since it share the same freqeuncy range as HD radio. I have not heard of the FCC telling radio broadcasters than analog radio is goign away.
Digital radio uses same freqeuncy and channels as analog radio. They squeeze the Digital signal into the band gaps that separate each channel. When radio was first made, this "dead space" was needed as receivers were not that good and this limited adjacent channel reception. Radio came out a lot ealier than TV, so its channel spacing was based on the technology of the time.
With HD radio, you only get local stations, if they transmit in HD and you are within range. Some station can transmit traffic data or other information that certian radios can recieve and use.
In HD, FM radio station are CD quanlity sound, but AM station bump up to stereo and have quality on par with current FM. This may not do anything to improve their reception at night when many AM station are required to reduce thier tramismitter output. THis may breath more life into AM.
If you like your current local radio stations, want CD-quality sound,and do not want to pay a monthly fee, then HD is your fit.
Go with XM or Sirrus, if you do not mind the fee and want more programming variety, quality sound, and ability to get the same stations / channel where ever you drive.
Reception overall is likely better with satellite radio, but you can tell how good your FM / AM radio reception now by just listening, If the station always come in clean,then you are liekly to get clean HD radio ( in the broadcast in HD ). It you hear a lot of static or break up, then it is more iffy. HD has ways to minimize reception effects, so it is not a show stopper, but one thing to consider.
I would buy HD radio, just because I do not want to pay a fee for XM or Sirrus. If X or Sirrus did not have the fee, I woudl go with them.
There is no reason to get rid of analog radio, since it share the same freqeuncy range as HD radio. I have not heard of the FCC telling radio broadcasters than analog radio is goign away.
Digital radio uses same freqeuncy and channels as analog radio. They squeeze the Digital signal into the band gaps that separate each channel. When radio was first made, this "dead space" was needed as receivers were not that good and this limited adjacent channel reception. Radio came out a lot ealier than TV, so its channel spacing was based on the technology of the time.
With HD radio, you only get local stations, if they transmit in HD and you are within range. Some station can transmit traffic data or other information that certian radios can recieve and use.
In HD, FM radio station are CD quanlity sound, but AM station bump up to stereo and have quality on par with current FM. This may not do anything to improve their reception at night when many AM station are required to reduce thier tramismitter output. THis may breath more life into AM.
If you like your current local radio stations, want CD-quality sound,and do not want to pay a monthly fee, then HD is your fit.
Go with XM or Sirrus, if you do not mind the fee and want more programming variety, quality sound, and ability to get the same stations / channel where ever you drive.
Reception overall is likely better with satellite radio, but you can tell how good your FM / AM radio reception now by just listening, If the station always come in clean,then you are liekly to get clean HD radio ( in the broadcast in HD ). It you hear a lot of static or break up, then it is more iffy. HD has ways to minimize reception effects, so it is not a show stopper, but one thing to consider.
I would buy HD radio, just because I do not want to pay a fee for XM or Sirrus. If X or Sirrus did not have the fee, I woudl go with them.
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 3,864
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From: Stuck in Paradise
Thanks, I have to assume that the kid was wrong about analog radio going away. At least in the foreseeable future.
Although at least for now, HD radio is a little pricey for an add on, I like the feature that, at least the unit I saw, had an aux input to add an mp3 player. That was one thing I miss with the car radio in my DD. I can't replace the radio because the nav system is integrated. But with this, I'll get HD and my mp3 player.
Although at least for now, HD radio is a little pricey for an add on, I like the feature that, at least the unit I saw, had an aux input to add an mp3 player. That was one thing I miss with the car radio in my DD. I can't replace the radio because the nav system is integrated. But with this, I'll get HD and my mp3 player.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: washougal wash.
I've got xm in everything but my '07 coupe. I've been forced to listen to fm ,to me it's unbearable. I can do without hearing commercials and some dopey dj in cd quality. Portland radio is embarrasingly bad, the classic rock station sounds the same as it did 4 years ago. Sat radio may not be for everyone, but for me it's a necessity. I'll be installing a pioneer avh-6800 soon. (don't want nav-avic series.) I'm in a work van all day, listen to ron n fez and ona, cnbc in morning, xm48 in afternoon. I get my moneys worth, not all subs listen all day long.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
I've got xm in everything but my '07 coupe. I've been forced to listen to fm ,to me it's unbearable. I can do without hearing commercials and some dopey dj in cd quality. Portland radio is embarrasingly bad, the classic rock station sounds the same as it did 4 years ago. Sat radio may not be for everyone, but for me it's a necessity. I'll be installing a pioneer avh-6800 soon. (don't want nav-avic series.) I'm in a work van all day, listen to ron n fez and ona, cnbc in morning, xm48 in afternoon. I get my moneys worth, not all subs listen all day long.
Once you listen to satellite, you will not want to go back to regular radio.
