One of the key things about shrinking the chipset, is the capability for integration becomes a reality. HD Radio is barely a blip in the radar when the burden of responsibility is placed on the consumer to adopt it.
But when that burden is removed, then it becomes a problem.
More after the jump...
As soon as the chipset can get to the point of being integrated into other common devices (read: cellphones), then HD Radio's free business model instantly gives it a leg-up on satellite. At the same time, HD Radio is building out their content infrastructure - so those who try it, may actually like it.
What you're seeing here is an actual functioning prototype that was picking up the local HD Radio signal in Las Vegas.
What's that about HD Radio not being a threat?
If it can't get Orbitcast Radio (Today at 1 pm EST!), I don't need it.
Besides, as Mel likes to remind us, less than 5% of all radio listening is done with a portable...
I don't want my iPod to ring. When I am listening to music, podcasts or live XM content I don't want to be interrupted by the f'ing telephone. I want my entertainment time to be ENTERTAINING and not just another block of time for people to reach me. Period. Am I alone in not wanting my iPod to ring?
Also, on my Treo, when I have tried to use it as an MP3 player battery life really went to shit. I use my Treo as a phone and email device so much that I can barely get 8 hours of phone use. Throw in trying to listen to music and battery life drops significantly.
Then again, I don't want my iPod to ring. Both of my kids had this brilliant idea to replace their iPods with music phones. Now they are both stuck because after short periods of time they were right back to using their iPods for music and their phone as a phone.
While I'm not keen on handicapping technology, HD has two problems- if the content is the same, they're not stealing customers from anyone- they will cannibilize their own audience and fragment their own market even more. Secondly, the hardware may be smaller, but it has to be a lot cheaper before it can reach critical mass. It's terrestrial radio with implants.
HD radio's fatal flaw is simple, Eventually they will not be free without comercials. so will it be a pay service or will they introduce comercials and turn it in to the same old FM and limited choices that are on the FM dial? Its nice that its a digital broadcast, its great that FM spectrum will be used better, but does the consumer care? NO
Now .. when the hell is XM anouncing the sub count? time is running out at CES.
Jeff, above, cites one of HD radio's serial fatal flaws. Despite HD cheerleaders' overblown denials, eventually you'll pay for HD. In fact, you already are.
HD cheerleaders too fervently deny this pay-to-listen eventuality. More clever promoters conceal it behind the artifice of 'Controlled Access'. "CA" as they call it, means, "You gotta pay." Why does HD radio seem like Ponzi scheme?
Many engineers are coming forward to tell their stories, ones reminiscent of corrupt 90's, when the HD 'carny shill' was hatched.
While some engineers initially embraced HD, most soon expressed doubts. They noted HD jams other stations. BigRadio consolidators reportedly coerced engineers into silence, and told them to install HD - or else.
What worthy product is promoted with lies, denials, and coercive tactics? Do ethical sales professionals tell fanciful tales, shifting stories, and make veiled threats? Why do HD radio promoters seemingly operate exclusively by these methods?
Here's another of HD's fatal flaws, one which many believe is deliberate on part of BigRadio. HD jams other stations. HD wrecks AM reception day and night, and blocks FM as well. HD's shrieking white noise jams your favorite programs. Was this designed to force competing stations off the air and limit your choices to only HD stations?
If not the original sub rosa intent, how better to execute it?
In the HD gang's own words: "We could lose half the AM stations and no one would even notice....let's thin the herd." Who appointed them to demolish your hometown stations?
Is the station which serves your community 'one of the herd' targeted for extinction?
HD radio is described as a 'carny shill'. Cheerleaders answer questions and concerns with false claims, denials, and coercion. When those indicative tactics fail - as increasingly of late they do - they reflexively insult all who question HD.
The HD gang insults traditional radio to promote their seriously flawed scheme.
First day on the job, first radio station I worked at, over thirty years ago, I learned this:
Customers don't mind if you don't know the answer. They'll gladly wait while you gather facts on their behalf. But , they'll always know when you're misleading them. And don't try to sell Lincolns by insulting Cadillacs.
HD cheerleaders cling vainly to a flawed, destructive, self-serving technology. HD is a jalopy from an era of endless scandals and 'carny shills', when many sadly were misled to believe, breaking time honored rules makes one wealthy.
Our influence counts. Let's use it.
Dr. Paul Vincent Zecchino
Manasota Key, Florida
09 January, 02008
Just two questions: How may feet away was the transmitter and how many stations did it trample on?
Just two questions: How may feet away was the transmitter and how many stations did it trample on?
I wonder if Dr. Zecchino has his tin foil hat on today, or is this stuff is being fed directly into his brain by aliens.
Is HD Radio perfect? No. Is anything?
Some of you HD Radio bashers seem downright loony.
Have I hit a nerve? One would think so, by the above love offering from 'Tin Foil Hat'. Delighted that he took time from a pressing schedule to react to my silly post.
HD critics don't object to imperfection. We are concerned about illegal interference.
Calling critics 'loony' makes him sound guilty. Isn't that what they always say, in addition to 'you can't prove it'? Why can't TeamBLOC answer criticism with fact?
HD cheerleaders have long thrown in the kitchen sink to bolster their hollow case. But hats? OK, have long worn Stetsons and Resistols - useful for blocking alien rays.
Isn't it time for HD cheerleaders to throw in the towel?
Paul Vincent Zecchino
Manasota Key, Florida
10 January, 2008
Have I hit a nerve? One would think so, by the above love offering from 'Tin Foil Hat'. Delighted that he took time from a pressing schedule to react to my silly post.
HD critics don't object to imperfection. We are concerned about illegal interference.
Calling critics 'loony' makes him sound guilty. Isn't that what they always say, in addition to 'you can't prove it'? Why can't TeamBLOC answer criticism with fact?
HD cheerleaders have long thrown in the kitchen sink to bolster their hollow case. But hats? OK, have long worn Stetsons and Resistols - useful for blocking alien rays.
Isn't it time for HD cheerleaders to throw in the towel?
Paul Vincent Zecchino
Manasota Key, Florida
10 January, 2008