Imitation is indeed flattery: HD Radio copies Sirius
Saturday, September 29, 2007 at 12:42 PM
Tags: HD Radio, JVC KT-HDP1, Sirius, Starmate
Maybe I'm just seeing things, but the latest HD Radio "plug-and-play" offering - the JVC KT-HDP1 - looks strikingly similar to the Sirius Starmate line of satellite radios.
Here's the JVC KT-HDP1:
Now here's the Starmate 4:
But that's not really close enough to the JVC HD Radio... so let's look at the old-school Starmate Replay:
Ah yes, there's the resemblance. But HD Radio isn't competing with Satellite Radio, isn't that right? There's no reason why they would create a similar looking product. Not at all to create confusion at retail... would they? Nah, that's just paranoia.
Still, imitation is indeed the purest form of flattery, because this HD Radio plug-and-play looks far better than HD Radio's previous plug-and-play offering.
Just in case you're at the edge of your seat with credit card in hand, the JVC KT-HDP1 will MSRP for a mere $149.95, and that includes a built-in FM transmitter. That's right, you can go from "CD quality" digital HD Radio, right back to good ol' analog FM without skipping a beat. Ah, the beauty of innovation... err, imitation.
[via Engadget]
Thanks Todd!
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Comments
Will the NAB complain to the FCC about HD Radio converters with FM transmitters interfering with licensed analog FM radio stations?
Posted by: Karl Zuk | September 29, 2007 1:21 PM
No, and neither will NPR. HYPOCRITES!
Posted by: Anonymous Coward | September 29, 2007 2:43 PM
No, and neither will NPR. HYPOCRITES!
Posted by: Anonymous Coward | September 29, 2007 2:43 PM
What does this device use as an AM antenna? A ferrite loop?
Posted by: Karl Zuk | September 29, 2007 3:52 PM
Nice radio I think i'll get one after the merger and spend the $12.95 I save a month on beer
Posted by: STARTSOMETHING | September 29, 2007 5:51 PM
It looks the most like the Audiovox SIRCMB5 to me.
Posted by: A_SIRIUS_Guy | September 29, 2007 9:45 PM
WOW,only 6 preset buttons compared to Sat rads 10 button presets. Shows the Shitty Variety of HD Radio
Posted by: googlie | September 30, 2007 12:52 AM
"They're ripping us off, Robin."
All those devices look like the iPod, which looks like the Intellivision controller from the 1970s. Sometimes there's no big conspiracy. Really.
Posted by: Mike T. | September 30, 2007 9:18 PM
Except that HD radio isn't competing with Intellivision and it doesn't actually look like the iPod. What I like about HD radio is that you don't have to buy expensive hardware to enjoy it.. wait.. hmm...
Posted by: BW | September 30, 2007 11:25 PM
You still will lose your HD Radio signal if you leave the transmitting area. You can not listen to the same station from state to state and there are not many stations to listen to. I have heard that the Digital signal switching from analog to digital is annoying. HD Radio will still have commercials.
Posted by: Airwaves | October 1, 2007 2:24 AM
JVC's website lists this unit as a radio that can pick up High Definition Radio :)
Posted by: another thought | October 1, 2007 8:47 AM
There are only so many logical, user-friendly ways to lay out an interface. I don't see what the big deal is here.
Posted by: Andy | October 1, 2007 11:44 AM
It is even closer to the Sirius Streamer GTR, which was a Starmate Replay with a black case, instead of silver.
Posted by: DogstarRadio | October 1, 2007 3:32 PM