Peter Ferrera and Bob Struble are probably high-fiving each other and pumping their fists in celebration right now, because HD Radio has finally received the recognition it deserves.
The ground breaking technology has received the accolade of being the #1 Digital Media Loser in 2007. Wow, that's simply amazing. Congrats guys!
Struble, of course, is president of the government sanctioned monopoly company iBiquity Digital which supplies the brains behind HD Radio. Ferrara is the president and CEO of the HD Digital Radio Alliance. And I bet they're both stoked when they read beaming recommendations like this one:
"The makers of the radio units themselves cheaped out on the tuners, which have such poor sensitivity, both a beat-up $20 Sony shower radio and a vintage 1941 Zenith kitchen radio bettered them. What good is an HD receiver when you can barely tune into either analog or HD signals? A perfect example of where $200-$600 buys you inferior quality."
Watch the video below where three HD Radios were pitted against an old 1940's Zenith kitchen radio. This is why the technology did so well:
The article does point to Ford's deal with HD Radio though, saying that "HD Radio may get a reprieve as Ford offered to put it in all 2008 vehicles." But that ignores the issue that if your Ford vehicle comes with the SYNC option installed (as it does standard on many of the top-line models), then HD Radio is not available to you.
That's right, consumers would have to remove their Ford SYNC system in order to get HD Radio installed. Pure brilliance.
It still doesn't mean that these badboys won't be flying off the shelves this holiday season though, so naysayers beware! Afterall, the much ballyhooed QVC event reportedly sold an estimated 200 units.
"HD radio risks going the way of 8-track tapes and Quadraphonic Sound records."
Hey... don't forget AM Stereo.
This can't be. They were spending $250 million on advertising remember. It's competition and the reason why the merger should be approved remember?
But the Slacker's competition too right? Oh yeah, their player's been put on hold too.
Just because they suck, doesn't mean they're not competition. Just look at Sirius.
They won't be high-fiving each other, if the Congressional investigation into the FCC opens the door to this HD Radio farce, scam, and fraud:
http://hdradiofarce.blogspot.com/2007/12/congress-investigates-fcc.html
How does HD expect the extra channel to work when it has less range and switches back to analog? A AM station i was getting that added HD is now so noisy i cannot listen.
I think the plan is to turn off analog..
Here's is Ford's response to dealer-installed HD Radio:
http://hdradiofarce.blogspot.com/2007/11/ford-takes-advantage-of-free-promotions.html
"I think the plan is to turn off analog.."
No such mandate - this is a farce being promoted by HD shills:
http://hdradiofarce.blogspot.com/2007/11/marketplace-to-determine-fate-of-hd.html
I hope they also look into the internet over power lines another inasne the FCC is doing.
I doubt anyone at the FCC could even pass the Ham radio test..
http://hdradiofarce.blogspot.com/2007/12/congress-investigates-fcc.html
Hmm I wonder if Greg, Greg2 and Greg3 know John.
HD Radio is a good idea, technology needs to evolve. But don't charge people for improving an outdated technology. I listen to FM radio when it's free, in my car, and my XM isn't on. I'd listen to HD FM for the same reason. Put it in alarm clocks, car stereos and do it for free, and people will listen. Otherwise, no one cares.
I hate this video, he probably stuck the AM antenna from the Accurian HD Radio near some sort of metal object just to make it seem like it has bad reception, if you place the original box AM antenna in a good spot it will pick up your local AM HD station fine, I listen to 1510 WLAC HD and 1430 WPLN HD AM everyday without fail, and 1510 WLAC HD leaves their HD signal on at night and I can pick it up just fine, only 3 bars instead of 5 but it still comes in, and I can dx 1120 KMOX AM HD every night unless there is some inclement weather in the area. Yes HD radio will not have the content that XM or Sirius do, but for another option I like it. This video is rigged and this guy isen't displaying it properly.
Sounds good to me. I'd rather have HD Radio vs any crap from Microsoft anywhere near my car.
Wow, the first generation HD tuners might suck? That's a shock - because I remember how compact, useful and powerful the first gen XM and Sirius tuners were - plus they had those great buffers so if you lost a signal, you wouldn't lose your music.. Oh wait... No, no...they sucked too.. forget I said anything.