Crutchfield and the HD Digital Radio Alliance (great name guys, seriously, very impressive) have taken the wraps off of the first-ever retail availability of a car radio add-on that turns your existing car radio into an HD Radio.
Radio Ink seems to call this thing the "HD Car Connect Radio" from Directed Electronics, but everywhere else I see it labeled very eloquently as the Directed Electronics DMHD-1000.
Either way, it's HD Radio's the first device to allow consumers to keep their existing car stereos while gaining access to HD Radio stations. It's essentially a universal add-on HD Radio tuner, similar to the XM Commander MT.
The Directed Electronics DMHD-1000 MSRP's for a mere $199.99. Check out an in-person photo from CES after the jump...
[Product Page via Radio Ink]
(Note to manufacturers: Amber backlighting just doesn't do any favors for your appeal. It didn't work for the XM Sportscaster, and it doesn't work here.)
I really don't understand this product. Why would anyone buy this??
Maybe they want to listen to HD radio?
this is like tha adaptor thingy for a gm XM car to recive a sirius stream right? So there is not FM transmitter in there is there? Its comming though.. I bet XM and Sirius oppese any of the transmitters. Or complain to te FCC about them.
I just hope that HD Radio doesn't come up with a device that interfere's with the sweet programming on NPR. That would keep people from falling asleep in traffic, and therefore lead to FCC mandated recalls.
Shit guys! This is the wave of the future! Don't you see it! HD Radio has factory installs for million of cars! Cash in now, get one early! Supplies are running out and people in India are awaiting your phone call!
XM and Sirius should get some of these upcoming HD Radio plug and play units and run their FM modulators through some tests, just to "make sure" they meet FCC regulations.
After all, we wouldn't want anybody broadcasting HD Radio past their car, now would we? ;)
Satrads need to make sure these guys are playing on the same ground as they are, if the NAB is gonna throw a hissy fit over the FM mods in satrads, XM and Sirius need to do the same if these guys decide to juice their mods a bit. It'll be a nice taste of their own medicine if the HD Radio people are forced to pull these units and retool them just like they did to the satrad industry.
I actually find this interesting and I might purchase one. Why do you guys go "ape sh*t" everytime HD Radio is mentioned? Is it a requirement that you must hate terrestrial radio if you enjoy and own satellite radio? I think that whole attitude is ridiculus. I LOVE my satellite radios (I've been a dual subscriber to both Sirius and XM since they launched), but I ALSO still enjoy terrestrial radio from time to time to. Why limit yourself? The more choices the better. I'm very interested in HD Radio. Then I will have yet another choice for content. How is that a bad thing? I just find the whole "taking sides" thing and the "us against them" attitude of sat. radio versus terrestrial quite dumb and silly. If it's entertaining and enjoyable, I could care less if it's from Sirius, XM, Clear Channel, CBS, or the man in the moon. Get over it! The more choices the better. So, YES, I am a satellite radio fan and yes, (GASP!!!) I'm actually interested in HD Radio. (Also I hate the sarcastic language always used on the blog on this site when the subject is in the news. Please, grow up.)
So this is my only option at the moment if a post Mel takeover really happens. Any plug and play units around? Coming soon?
Im sure the content is shit, but not as shitty as that FM band here in New York. It cant be.
It has always made me wonder whether the sale of HD Radio receivers created more stations that broadcasted in HD or whether the number of HD stations available drove the demand of HD radio receivers. As far as I know there are only a handful of stations, depending on where you live.