Mercedes-Benz to factory install HD Radio

HD Digital Radio • IT’S TIME TO UPGRADE!
HD Digital Radio. It's here. It's local. It's free. DISCOVER IT!
www.hdradio.com/

Many more to follow as consumers reject dealing with a MONOPOLY.

"The new head unit has the option of an iPod/MP3 media interface, Sirius Satellite Radio, HD Radio, and an advanced voice control system for audio, navigation and phone systems"

Hmmmmmm, let's see - iPod/MP3 versus shitty HD Radio, which doesn't even work. The Mercedes models include SUVs, which are not selling. These must be the models that are not selling well - as with Ford, and everyone else, Mercedes is doing this for free publicity:

"DEAD AIR: Radio’s Great Leap Forward stalling in the Valley"

"Nearly two years after the Valley’s four Clear Channel stations went HD, several high-end car manufacturers have promised to offer HD radios as an option on new models. But while Ford announced in September that it offers the radios as dealer-installed upgrades — as have Mini, Volvo, Jaguar and BMW — local Ford and Lincoln dealers had not heard of HD and said they don’t offer the option."

http://www.themonitor.com/news/radio_7098___article.html/digital_new.html

"Are Ford and HD Radio in Sync?"

"The radio industry will, of course, promote Ford for free in exchange for this development as part of the presumably soon-to-expire pledge of airtime to the HD radio effort."

http://www.hear2.com/2007/09/are-ford-and-hd.html

For those few that do order HD Radio, they are going to be mighty pissed:

"HD on QVC -- Lipstick on a (Roast) Pig"

"Let's imagine how QVC's customers are going to feel when they unpack their HD radios and plug them in for the first time: Where's the beef? (Sorry, this is a pig -- where's the pork?). Where's all that exciting programming I was told would make the purchase price all worthwhile? Do they file a class action suit, return the radios for a refund or use their new less than $100 HD radios as antiques?"

http://insidemusicmedia.blogspot.com/2007/09/hd-on-qvc-lipstick-on-roast-pig.html

You two are idiots. With people like you, no wonder Obama is in position to be the next US President.

"The new head unit has the option of an iPod/MP3 media interface, Sirius Satellite Radio, HD Radio, and an advanced voice control system for audio, navigation and phone systems"

Hmmmmmm, let's see - iPod/MP3 versus shitty HD Radio, which doesn't even work. The Mercedes models include SUVs, which are not selling. These must be the models that are not selling well - as with Ford, and everyone else, Mercedes is doing this for free publicity:

"DEAD AIR: Radio’s Great Leap Forward stalling in the Valley"

"Nearly two years after the Valley’s four Clear Channel stations went HD, several high-end car manufacturers have promised to offer HD radios as an option on new models. But while Ford announced in September that it offers the radios as dealer-installed upgrades — as have Mini, Volvo, Jaguar and BMW — local Ford and Lincoln dealers had not heard of HD and said they don’t offer the option."

http://www.themonitor.com/news/radio_7098___article.html/digital_new.html

"Are Ford and HD Radio in Sync?"

"The radio industry will, of course, promote Ford for free in exchange for this development as part of the presumably soon-to-expire pledge of airtime to the HD radio effort."

http://www.hear2.com/2007/09/are-ford-and-hd.html

For those few that do order HD Radio, they are going to be mighty pissed:

"HD on QVC -- Lipstick on a (Roast) Pig"

"Let's imagine how QVC's customers are going to feel when they unpack their HD radios and plug them in for the first time: Where's the beef? (Sorry, this is a pig -- where's the pork?). Where's all that exciting programming I was told would make the purchase price all worthwhile? Do they file a class action suit, return the radios for a refund or use their new less than $100 HD radios as antiques?"

http://insidemusicmedia.blogspot.com/2007/09/hd-on-qvc-lipstick-on-roast-pig.html

More FUD from fear and desperation aka Pocketradio.

HD Radio broadcasting is sweeping the nation. Many of your favorite stations are already HD Radio broadcasters. Currently, there are 1,742 HD Radio stations broadcasting across the nation.

Thoughts on Radio’s Digital Future
So How Are We Doing: A Conversion Reality Check
http://www.ibiquity.com/about_us/message
Welcome and thanks for finding your way to my initial online column, "Thoughts on Radio’s Digital Future". My intent is to fairly regularly put fingers to keyboard and give you all a candid inside view of what we at iBiquity are thinking and doing to speed AM/FM’s conversion to digital.

Importantly, I’d love your feedback. It’s thoughts@ibiquity.com. I read them all and try to respond to everyone but the truly loony and those peddling commercial real estate. I commit to consider all the feedback I get, and to bring interesting viewpoints into future columns.

I’ve been inspired in this effort by many in radio who write regular opinion pieces, so let me give them their propers. Peter Smyth, Paul McLane, Fred Jacobs, Dave Martin and the Edison guys have great thoughts with which I generally agree. I regularly read Mark Ramsey and Jerry Del Colliano too, usually fundamentally disagreeing but always being entertained. There are many others adding to this healthy debate. The passion of radio people never ceases to amaze: it is a great strength and may be our saving grace.

So with that intro behind, as a first topic, let me try to answer the simple question I get asked the most: ‘how’s it going?’ In a word, fantastic.

That answer may surprise some, given a lot of the contrasting opinions out there. No one is better at beating up radio than radio people. I will qualify my assessment by highlighting the reality that there is a long way to go. More on that later.

First, the fantastic part.

Broadcasters have built a comprehensive HD RadioTM broadcasting infrastructure, with almost 1800 stations on the air covering more than 80% of the population. Almost 50% of radio listening takes place on stations which have converted to digital. Big markets like NY, Chicago, LA, Detroit and Washington are saturated with 20 to 30 HD Radio stations. On average, one station every day converts. More than 800 stations have new HD2s and HD3s pumping out diverse content. Two years ago, when I pushed a receiver manufacturer or retailer or automaker to include HD Radio technology in their mix, the overwhelming response was "why would I do that when there are no stations on air?" I rarely get that pushback now.

We have more, better, cheaper HD Radio receivers being widely distributed. More than 60 different types of HD Radio receivers are available in all segments – OEM and aftermarket car, high end stereo, home and table top. Recognized brands like Sony, JVC, Yamaha, Jensen, Panasonic, JBL and Polk are selling product. Prices have come down to the $79 level (we were at $199 two short years ago). And those products are available at more than 12,000 storefronts across the country. Go into a Best Buy, Circuit City, Wal-Mart, Target or Radio Shack, as well as many regional retailers, and you will find HD Radio receivers (granted, you may have to ask a few times).

The car momentum is accelerating. BMW and Mini offer the technology across their full lines. In the past twelve months we’ve had announcements from Ford, Volvo, Hyundai, Mercedes, Toyota’s Scion, Jaguar and Land Rover about their HD Radio launch plans. Most of these automakers will be rolling out HD Radio equipped vehicles this year, so stay tuned for that, as well as more auto announcements.

I could go on about new applications and money making opportunities for broadcasters like multicasting, iTunes Tagging or instant traffic distribution, or the progress on getting into portable devices, or the exciting international scene, but let me save some of that for future columns.

I look at all that progress in a fairly short time and get tremendously excited. When I read some of the strident HD Radio critics, I am reminded of the Seinfeld Superman Bizarro world episode. Things will never be perfect and legitimate criticism is helpful, but doing so by ignoring the tremendous momentum described above is delusional or dishonest.

But there is still a lot to do and we are a long way from clinking champagne glasses. Our industry must keep converting stations, putting quality HD2 and HD3 programming on, and promoting the digital upgrade to our listeners. We can’t stop with dozens of radio SKUs, we need hundreds. The retail scene has gotten better, but we have a long way to go on sales floor knowledge, merchandising and product demonstration. And we need to be in all cars, every last one. These are our challenges and objectives, and we won’t quit until we have attained them.

But we all have to recognize that for an industry that has been around almost 100 years, a total upgrade will be a long term proposition. Think of how long every other mass media upgrade has taken – black and white to color TVs, AM to FM, and most recently, digital TV, even with a conversion mandate. Comparatively, the HD Radio transition stacks up quite well.

A little history lesson, which was given to me by one radio’s legends, Jerry Lee, may be helpful. FM broadcasting was approved by the FCC in 1940 and was given its current frequencies in 1945. Jerry put WBEB on the air in 1963 (I remember that because it is the year I was born). There were no FM receivers available, so Jerry had some manufactured and gave them to his listeners. Oh, they only tuned to ‘BEB.

You know how the story ends. After years of broadcasters giving away their FM licenses and consumers enduring AM simulcasts, some smart programmers got busy. By the late ‘70s, FM had taken over as the dominant listening medium.

So when I hear a naysayer urge me to throw in the towel, I chuckle and think that’s like pushing to shut down FMs in 1967. We now know that would have been ludicrous back then, and it’s just as silly now.

Every other consumer medium is digital already or on a strong path to get there, and radio cannot be stuck in the analog world of the last century. Our future is digital – online and over the air. I’m encouraged by our progress and hope you are too. We will get there together.

Thanks for reading, and let me know what you think.

All good things.

Bob Struble
Columbia, MD
July 2008

By the way have you been served LIABLE yet for your FUD your pushing on that joke of a blog? If not you will soon. Your friend Bob.

Pocketradio = TROLL
Pocketradio = DEBUNKED

Ryan, suggest you track and DELETE anything posted by Pocketradio, not to censor or not to let him get his fear and desperation posted (or re-posted again and again, as it is when it comes to the ignorance which is pocketradio), but his blog and his posts are going to be served LIABLE for his pushing false information.

Pocketradio = TROLL
Pocketradio = DEBUNKED

"but his blog and his posts are going to be served LIABLE for his pushing false information"

Go for it! All I do is post newspaper articles and other blogs. There is nothing tortous about my blog - LOL! Good, see you in court, and fraudulent IBOC will end up being put on trial. Your threats are always good for a laugh! LOL!

Pocketradio,

You keep using this EXCUSE " All I do is post newspaper articles and other blogs. There is nothing tortous about my blog" yet this excuse doesn't hold up in the court of law. Don't consider them "threats" like you consider HD Radio a "threat". Everyone knows your words all over the net are nothing but FUD from a fearful and desperate TROLL, who is DEBUNKED with each word. Enjoy the legal process you have been warned and you can expect to be served liable soon for you blog of FUD. That will be a story for Orbitcast to cover, you being tried and found guilty, and another fearful and desperate internet troll is DONE. Suggest the judge brings down a large fine, bans your internet use, and makes you do community service under the watchful eye of Bob Struble at the iBiquity Digital Corporation.

Pocketradio = TROLL
Pocketradio = DEBUNKED

"Enjoy the legal process you have been warned and you can expect to be served liable soon for you blog of FUD. That will be a story for Orbitcast to cover, you being tried and found guilty, and another fearful and desperate internet troll is DONE"

Most states have ruled in favor of bloggers. There is nothing libelous, or tortuous about my blog. Of course, I would counter-sue for tens-of-millions for violations of my unanimous blogger First Amendment Rights. Your legal threats are not going to shut me up - LOL!

again...

Let's start with the more obvious risks.

First, if you publish information that harms the reputation of another person, group, or organization, you may be liable for "defamation" or "false light." Defamation is the term for a legal claim involving injury to reputation caused by false statements of fact and includes both libel (typically written or recorded statements) and slander (typically spoken statements). False light, which is similar to defamation, generally involves untrue factual implications. The crux of both of these claims is falsity; truthful statements and implications that harm another's reputation will not create liability, although they may open you up to other forms of liability if the information you publish is of a personal or highly private nature. We explain the details of defamation and false light and provide some practical tips for avoiding defamation and false light claims in the section on Publishing Information that Harms Reputation.

Second, if you publish private or personal information about someone without their permission, you potentially expose yourself to legal liability even if your portrayal is factually accurate. For example, in most states you can be sued for publishing private facts about another person, even if those facts are true. The term "private facts" refers to information about someone's personal life that has not previously been revealed to the public, that is not of legitimate public concern, and the publication of which would be offensive to a reasonable person. This would include such things as writing about a person's medical condition, sexual activities, or financial troubles.

If you use someone else's name, likeness, or other personal attributes without their permission for an exploitative purpose you could also face liability for what is called misappropriation or right of publicity. Usually, people run into trouble in this area when they use someone's name or photograph in a commercial setting, such as in advertising or other promotional activities. But, some states also prohibit use of another person's identity for the user's own personal benefit, whether or not the purpose is strictly commercial. We discuss the details of misappropriation/right of publicity and private facts claims and provide some practical tips for avoiding these claims in the section on Publishing Personal and Private Information.

Third, if you have web forums, allow reader comments, host guest bloggers on your site, or if you repost information that you receive from RSS feeds, section 230 of the Communications Decency Act (“CDA 230”) will likely shield you from liability for problematic statements made by your users, guests and other third-parties. This important federal law protects you from tort liability for statements contained in these materials – and any other user-submitted content – you publish on your site. You will not lose this immunity even if you edit this content, whether for accuracy or civility, and you are entitled to immunity so long as your edits do not substantially alter the meaning of the original statements. Keep in mind that CDA 230 will only protect you if a third party – not you or your employee or someone acting under your direction – posts something on your blog or website. It does not shield you from liability for your own statements. We cover this protection in more detail in the section on Publishing the Statements and Content of Others.

Fourth, if you publish or use the creative work of others, their trademarks, or certain confidential business information without the permission of the owner, you may be exposing yourself to legal liability for violations of intellectual property law. Fortunately, if you allow your site's user to post this type of content you can protect yourself from copyright infringement claims under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), so long as you establish effective "notice-and-takedown" procedures, promptly remove content when a copyright owner notifies you that it is infringing, and have no knowledge that the material in question is infringing. We cover liability associated with copyright, trademark, and trade secrets, as well as the procedures you should follow under the DMCA, in the section on Intellectual Property.

Lastly, as you publish your work online you may want to correct things you have previously published. Your willingness to fix past errors in your work will provide several benefits. It will make your work more accurate and reliable and will likely diminish your liability for defamation and other potential legal claims. We explain the benefits of correcting your errors and provide some practical tips for handling requests to correct or remove material in the section on Correcting or Retracting Your Work After Publication.

Pocketradio,

Your fear, desperation, ignorance, and delusions of grandeur are not things which will excuse you from you wrong doings in a court of law.

Pocketradio = TROLL
Pocketradio = DEBUNKED

Mercedes-Benz to Offer Factory Installed HD Radio

Alongside the likes of BMW and Jaguar, Mercedes is now offering HD Radio on several of its MY 2009 vehicles. The subscription-free, digital AM/FM radio service is part of Mercedes-Benz's new entertainment systems developed for its M-, R-, GL-, G-Class SUVs and E-Class vehicles.

"HD Radio technology serves to enhance our digital information and entertainment system today and has the potential to significantly expand the options available to consumers in the future," said Mercedes-Benz USA Assistant Product Manager/Technology Planning Rasheq Zarif. "Mercedes-Benz is committed to providing our customers with the latest, next-generation in-vehicle entertainment technology."

All MY 2009 Mercedes-Benz SUV's and E-Class models featuring a new head unit that can be equipped with an optional iPod/MP3 media interface, HD Radio technology, Sirius satellite radio and an advanced voice control system for audio, navigation and phone systems. (08-05-08)

My blog just contains links to newspaper articles and blogs. I have never allowed comments, or given a personal opinions. Again, there is nothing libelous, or tortuous about my blog. No personal information has ever been posted. Your scare-tactics will not shut down my First Amendment Rights. I would counter-sue in a heartbeat.

I love it when our HD-loving NABster, AC, complains to Ryan about about Pocketradio posting the same thing over and over, and indicates that the repeating is a sign of ignorance!

Hi ya Pot, I'm Kettle!! LOL

Next, he'll followup one of his HD ads, with a complaint to Ryan about NOT being "all things SATELLITE radio"

Let's see, somebody is going to spend $65K++ for a Mercedes with the HD option (not free mind you) so he can listen to only what the local HD station is broadcasting assuming we had an HD staion in town (we don't), but then some would call him foolish to get satrad with 125+ stations available anywhere? Give me a break! It's just Mercedes adding more junk that you never you like the cheese cooler in the armrest. Excuse me, do you have any Grey Poupain mustrad 'cause were making ham sandwiches here. HD radio's time has not yet come, but the NAB trying to push it on to the American public via sartad receivers is something that I won't forget any time soon. I go out of my way to not listen to the local crap unless it's absolutely necessary for some news item while on the road and I don't need to listen to that in HD.

Listen to all of you. Aren't you the same ones who were crying like babies that HD was competition?

Look at you now. Your leader takes you over a cliff and now you complain that HD is going into your biggest, most prestigious and most important foreign car maker.

Are you saying that HD isn't competition?

By the way, nice merger pop today. Was that the first green day post merger or second. I can't remember.

Fuck HD and the troll up the ass!! LOL!!!

Experts say HD Radio offers sound quality advantages over both traditional radio broadcasts and satellite radio.

BMW 1/7/07 -BMW expands its pioneering position in providing high-quality audio systems by becoming the first automotive firm to offer a factory-installed digital HD Radio(TM) receiver as an option across its entire 2007 product line.

Ford 9/26/07 -"We believe HD Digital Radio will be an important part of Ford's commitment to delivering innovations with mass appeal," said Kim Irwin, Vehicle Personalization and Accessories manager for Ford's Customer Service Division. "We're helping our customers stay connected by supporting the features and functions they want in their vehicles. The dramatically improved audio, text and data features of HD Digital Radio -- along with its hundreds of new radio stations -- create a compelling combination at the right price."

Hyundai 4/4/07 -“In 2005, Hyundai broke an industry barrier by announcing it would be the first automaker to standardize satellite radio in all of our vehicles,” said John Krafcik, vice president of Strategic Planning and Product Development, Hyundai Motor America. “By adding the option of HD Radio reception to our new premium sports sedan we will continue to provide Hyundai customers with the latest digital technology to enhance the driving experience.”

Jaguar 4/4/07 -"We are excited to bring even more luxury features to our customers with HD Radio receivers," said Marti Eulberg, executive vice president of Marketing and Sales, Jaguar North America. "Jaguar XJ is renowned for its lavish interior and signature styling as well as advanced technology. With the dramatically higher audio quality provided by HD Radio technology, the XJ experience is even more technically sophisticated."

Lincoln 1/7/08 -“Our goal is to offer drivers the best new features and the most choice,” said Jim Buczkowski, Ford’s director of Electrical System Engineering. “The great local content, the crystal-clear sound quality and the variety of channels and data services offered by HD Radio is exactly what customers are beginning to expect in their vehicles. Moving forward, a radio will no longer be considered competitive if it doesn’t include digital technology.”

Mercedes-Benz 8/5/08 -“HD Radio technology serves to enhance our digital information and entertainment system today and has the potential to significantly expand the options available to consumers in the future,” said Rasheq Zarif, Assistant Product Manager - Technology Planning at Mercedes-Benz USA. “Mercedes-Benz is committed to providing our customers with the latest, next-generation in-vehicle entertainment technology.”

Mercury 1/7/08 -“Our goal is to offer drivers the best new features and the most choice,” said Jim Buczkowski, Ford’s director of Electrical System Engineering. “The great local content, the crystal-clear sound quality and the variety of channels and data services offered by HD Radio is exactly what customers are beginning to expect in their vehicles. Moving forward, a radio will no longer be considered competitive if it doesn’t include digital technology.”

MINI 6/7/07 -"We are pleased to offer our customers the high-quality sound of HD Radio broadcasting in the new MINI Cooper and Cooper S hardtops." said Rich Steinberg, head of MINI USA product strategy. "HD Radio broadcasting now offers our customers an additional level of choices when it comes to premium, in-car audio technology."

Scion (Toyota Motor Corporation) 4/15/08 -"Since Scion customers are in tune with audio technology, it makes sense that we enhance our already outstanding audio offerings for them," said Jason Adang, Accessory Audio and Electronics Planning Manager, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. "Digital HD Radio technology is ideal for our youthful, tech-savvy customers who will enjoy the wide range of content available on HD Radio channels."


 
Volvo 11/27/07 -"We believe Volvo will have the largest standard equipped HD Radio technology fleet in the world. Our drivers expect the highest quality in every aspect of their vehicles," Dirk Bott, Vice President Brand, Business & Product, Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. "Adding HD Radio capability to our S40 T5, V50 T5, C30, C70, S80, V70, XC70 and XC90 models truly makes our audio systems state of the art, giving Volvo drivers an even more enjoyable driving experience."

HD Digital Radio • IT’S TIME TO UPGRADE!
HD Digital Radio. It's here. It's local. It's free. DISCOVER IT!
www.hdradio.com/

From NASA
Mel, we have a problem

From NASA
Mel, we have a problem

PATRICK RODGERS WILL MAKE YOU LOSE MONEY PATRICK RODGERS WILL MAKE YOU
DONT LISTEN TO THIS DONKEY!!!! DONT LISTEN TO THIS DONKEY!!!! DONT LISTEN
PATRICK RODGERS WILL MAKE YOU LOSE MONEY PATRICK RODGERS
I AM A DONKEY I HAVE NO CLUE ABOUT STOCKS ALL I KNOW IS COCKS
PATRICK RODGERS WILL MAKE YOU LOSE MONEY PATRICK RODGERS WILL MAKE YOU LOSE MONEY PATRICK RODGERS WILL MAKE YOU LOSE MONEY PATRICK RODGERS WILL MAKE YOU LOSE MONEY PATRICK RODGERS WILL MAKE YOU LOSE MONEY PATRICK RODGERS WILL MAKE YOU LOSE MONEY PATRICK RODGERS WILL MAKE YOU LOSE MONEY
DONT LISTEN TO THIS DONKEY!!!!

LETS SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE

TALK ABOUT AN IDIOT.............THE PERSON POSING AS ME.....THEY HAVE TOTALLY LOST THEIR MIND.....

Who cares? Mercedes is overrated anyway. I'll take an Aston Martin any day over one.

so the R-class is an SUV? I guess they are trying to pass station wagons off as SUV's like Subura and the Volvo XC70.

but serious shouldn't mercedes be more concerned with make turn signals standard equipment? most of the ones that I drive behind do not seem to have them. :)

and who is this pocketradio person that ac keeps talking about? I have yet to see someone post using that user name.

btw, next time I am in columbia, md I would love to meet you and shake your hand. your continuous spam is nothing short of hilarous. your life must be boring or you are being paid to visit here. either way it is painfully desperate.

Jesus Christ. If it's not Stern/O&A trolls, it's the fucking industry shills and marketing monkeys squatting and slinging shit, while pretending it's open discourse.

PROTIP: Don't call it a debate when all you do is parrot bullet points provided to you by your client. When your argument is not your own, it has no legs, and people won't listen.

Copying and pasting large chunks of news releases nobody cares about will never help either of your causes. Nobody buys a service or product based on the comments of anonymous dickbags. If either of you think you are furthering ANY cause, or drawing consumers towards your respective products, then you are completely fucking daft.

Nobody Cares. Move on. Next topic.

thank god bubba will have a place to go after he's fired

I love this. It's going to be so gratifying once SIRI hits $7 in a year....

“There are close to 1,800 HD Radio stations on the air covering more than 80 percent of the market in the U.S.,” said iBiquity’s chief executive, Robert J. Struble. In part, it is the cost of HD Radio tuners, that is keeping people from tuning in, industry executives say.

“But prices are coming down,” said Steve Brown, product promotion manager at Alpine. For example, the company’s current HD tuner, the TUA-T550HD, costs $149; a previous model was $199. Kenwood offers a $130 HD Radio tuner for its head units.

Prices for HD-compatible radios are expected to fall further now that four companies are producing chip sets for the tuners; portable and home HD Radio tuners are already available for just under $100. And automakers are slowly adopting HD Radio; Volvo plans to make it standard on most of its models this fall; next year, Ford will offer HD Radios as a factory-installed option.

Another change that may help HD Radio gain traction is an F.C.C. condition placed on the satellite radio merger. XM and Sirius are barred from making exclusive arrangements with radio manufacturers that would prevent them from also including HD Radio tuners.

One question: Is the Mercedes capable of HD or Sirius - or - HD AND Sirius?

what is hd radio?

Whats interesting is Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin got his "merge" MONOPOLY scheme approved and satradio has done nothing but gone down in value, however HD Radio is moving forward and is picking up the OEM market.

"Consumers are not the only group hearing about HD Radio – auto makers are hearing about HD Radio broadcasting as well as their customers' demand for the latest infotainment And these auto makers will want to offer HD Radio receivers in their new cars, trucks and SUVs, in systems that integrate with CD, DVD and MP3 players as well as satellite and navigation systems.

The companies supplying the automotive industry with in-car information and entertainment systems will have to offer HD Radio reception to remain competitive."

HD Radio products are available online and at 10,000+ retail outlets

Thousands of radio stations are upgrading to digital HD Radio technology. Approximately one new HD Radio broadcaster goes on the air each day, reaching every major U.S. city and 60% of all listeners. By 2008, more than 90% of the U.S. population will be reached by HD Radio broadcasters.

Stations from Boston to Los Angeles - and beyond to Alaska and Puerto Rico - are bringing HD Radio technology to communities both large and small. Well-known stations like KROQ-FM in LA and WOR-AM in New York are broadcasting with HD Radio technology. In addition, stations in smaller markets like KZIA-FM in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and WJLD-AM in Birmingham, Alabama, are also broadcasting with HD Radio technology.

Over 260 million Americans listen to radio every week. People already love their favorite local AM and FM stations and DJs.

HD Digital Radio • IT’S TIME TO UPGRADE!
HD Digital Radio. It's here. It's local. It's free. DISCOVER IT!
www.hdradio.com/

Boo hoo....the merger is approved, and NAB lost. Who cares if HD comes in a car. So does FM. Given the choice, sat radio is better than HD/FM and is worth the cost. HD is not going away, but like FM, it's really a dead medium.

And to Mr. Stoble...I belive that the NAB was against FM when it was proposed. Too funny.

How does it feel to have your leader call you "unsophisticated"?

Isn't that nice. He entices you, leads you to the kool aid, pours you the cup of kool aid, puts the straw in your mouth then stabs you in the back when you think you're too busy watching Jackass not to notice.

I guess you now know what he really thinks of you. At least I had the guts to tell you what I thought of you blind followers for a very long time.

Wow. It didn't take long for the trolls to come out.

Interestingly enough, I just bought a couple of HD radios off the CLEARANCE rack at Target.

Why were they on the clearance rack? Nobody is SELLING the darn things! I went to Fry's the other day: they have 2 models, both over $200. Best Buy has ONE HD car stereo (and nothing I could find in the portable/tabletop section).

This tells me that consumers just AREN'T INTERESTED. The real question is "Why"?

In reality, HD radio doesn't add that much. The sound is a little clearer (when it works), and you get an extra audio feed (when it works.) The big problem, as you may have guessed, is that it doesn't work much of the time.

Fortunately, HD radios still work as regular AM/FM tuners, too, and they're typically nice rigs with things like AUX-in ports, so it's not like the extra money is completely wasted.

The real problem is just that HD doesn't work much of the time. In my office, I only get 3 HD stations out of the dozen or so that are supposed to be here in town. In truth, the HD coverage of a radio station is nowhere as large as the station's analog coverage, since the signal has to be pretty much perfect for the HD to kick in, so even the 2 stations that hit 100% on the signal meter drop from HD to analog several times during the day. The frustrating part is that my receivers won't pick the HD back up again when this happens, so I'm stuck with having to re-tune the station in order for the HD to kick back in.

HD doesn't exactly suck, but it's certainly not the glorious experience that the NAB shills would have you believe. It's an incremental improvement over standard AM/FM, and viewed from that perspective, it's not bad. Is it a replacement for satellite? No. Is it a good complement to satellite? Yes.

Well that was a great story Tom Wilson, your basing your thoughts about HD radio on what you bought off a clearance rack. Perhaps you are also operating the HD Radio like someone who thinks they are getting quality off the clearance rack? What other consumer electronics do you buy off the clearance rack?

Frys has many HD Radio tuners most under $100. (never been to Fry's, it hardly looks on the level with bestbuy or circuit city)

Best Buy currently has no less than 138 items relating to HD Radio

As you can see HD Radio is a new technology, and it's gaining ground. Currently HD Radio is only broadcasting 1% of the power that it's FM signal is broadcasting, as that number goes up your reception will too.

Tom learning the reality about HD Radio, instead of being a "troll" would give you the reasons why, and then you can watch the future of radio. HD Radio.

Factory HD radio in a car is a brilliant idea.

Nobody would bother to steal that useless hunk of shit.

"Fortunately, HD radios still work as regular AM/FM tuners, too, and they're typically nice rigs with things like AUX-in ports, so it's not like the extra money is completely wasted."

"HD Radio is trying to kill the wrong technology"

"Satellite radio is making it tough for HD to find a spot on the dashboard, the argument of the HD radio folks goes, which is probably true. But what's more true is that the presence of terrestrial radio is really what makes a spot for HD impossible on that same dash. Get this straight: HD is viewed as redundant to radio. It is the current AM/FM bands that are hogging the spot in which a newfangled HD radio would otherwise sit."

http://www.hear2.com/2008/01/hd-radio-is-try.html

HD Radio is redundent, and offers very little extra value; besides, it doesn't even work as well as analog.

"The real problem is just that HD doesn't work much of the time."

Exactly! What do you tink is going to happen when these Volvo and Mercedes owners shell out $300 - $500 for something that doesn't even work (dropouts, poor coverage, interference, and bland HD channel programming).

"Perhaps you are also operating the HD Radio like someone who thinks they are getting quality off the clearance rack? What other consumer electronics do you buy off the clearance rack?"

"Are you waiting in line for your HD radio?"

"If you lower the price enough, folks will buy the radio. That's the belief about HD radio that is being stoked in our industry. And, of course, it's wrong. At any given price consumers will purchase an item if the desire is there and if the value of that item equals or exceeds the price being charged for it. This is basic economics... Compare that with the industry's attitude about selling new radio hardware: Once the price drops below $100, they'll fly off the shelves. The more you have to drop your price, the lower the chance people value what you're selling. And the less likely you are to sell your wares at any price the maker of those wares finds appealing."

http://www.hear2.com/2006/11/are_you_waiting.html

Exactly! The more HD radios come with rebates and lower prices, the less consumers will value the product. Here's some on clearance at Target:

http://camgray.blogspot.com/2008/07/screw-you-hd-radio.html

HD radios are not selling, and the major retailers (Radio Shack, Best Buy, Target, etc) are dumping them on clearance.

"Fortunately, HD radios still work as regular AM/FM tuners, too, and they're typically nice rigs with things like AUX-in ports, so it's not like the extra money is completely wasted."

"HD Radio is trying to kill the wrong technology"

"Satellite radio is making it tough for HD to find a spot on the dashboard, the argument of the HD radio folks goes, which is probably true. But what's more true is that the presence of terrestrial radio is really what makes a spot for HD impossible on that same dash. Get this straight: HD is viewed as redundant to radio. It is the current AM/FM bands that are hogging the spot in which a newfangled HD radio would otherwise sit."

http://www.hear2.com/2008/01/hd-radio-is-try.html

HD Radio is redundent, and offers very little extra value; besides, it doesn't even work as well as analog.

"The real problem is just that HD doesn't work much of the time."

Exactly! What do you tink is going to happen when these Volvo and Mercedes owners shell out $300 - $500 for something that doesn't even work (dropouts, poor coverage, interference, and bland HD channel programming).

"Perhaps you are also operating the HD Radio like someone who thinks they are getting quality off the clearance rack? What other consumer electronics do you buy off the clearance rack?"

"Are you waiting in line for your HD radio?"

"If you lower the price enough, folks will buy the radio. That's the belief about HD radio that is being stoked in our industry. And, of course, it's wrong. At any given price consumers will purchase an item if the desire is there and if the value of that item equals or exceeds the price being charged for it. This is basic economics... Compare that with the industry's attitude about selling new radio hardware: Once the price drops below $100, they'll fly off the shelves. The more you have to drop your price, the lower the chance people value what you're selling. And the less likely you are to sell your wares at any price the maker of those wares finds appealing."

http://www.hear2.com/2006/11/are_you_waiting.html

Exactly! The more HD radios come with rebates and lower prices, the less consumers will value the product. Here's some on clearance at Target:

http://camgray.blogspot.com/2008/07/screw-you-hd-radio.html

HD radios are not selling, and the major retailers (Radio Shack, Best Buy, Target, etc) are dumping them on clearance.

@Anonymous Coward: "your basing your thoughts about HD radio on what you bought off a clearance rack."

Acting like a jerk won't win you any points. Rational conversation just might.

Would I have bought this if it wasn't on the clearance shelf? I don't know. Regardless, this was the only unit I could find! If you'd read the entire comment, you'd notice that I couldn't find any HD adapters at any of the major retailers here, and the only actual RADIO I found was over $300. As far as it being a clearance rack item, the simple fact is that many of the best electronics items end up on the clearance rack. Yes, I frequently buy off the clearance table, because I almost always get a good deal! A stereo, a TV, or a computer part that sits in the store for a year is just as good as one that just came off the truck.

Furthermore, I resent your attempt to classify my comments as trolling. A troll is someone who intentionally makes rude or off-topic comments in an attempt to incite emotional, negative reactions - much as you have now done to me. Of course, I don't have to convince you of anything; your mind is made up. My comment was directed toward all of the users who may yet buy an HD radio. Again, my advice is: wait. If what you say is true, and HD radio is broadcasting at 1% power, then it can only get better, right?

I'm not a denouncer of HD radio. On the contrary, I want it to succeed. I want ANY technology that gives us a better experience to succeed. However, that can only happen if people actually acknowledge the flaws in the system and work to correct it. How can you possibly fix something if you won't even acknowledge the fact that it's broken?

@Ryan, Orbitcast editor: have you thought about doing something to fight the trolls and spammers in your comment section? This kind of trash makes the comments section useless, greatly reducing the value of your otherwise excellent blog.

"Furthermore, I resent your attempt to classify my comments as trolling. A troll is someone who intentionally makes rude or off-topic comments in an attempt to incite emotional, negative reactions - much as you have now done to me."

Geeeezzzzz.... take your meds! LMFAO!

It's FM with a misleading name "HD" does NOT stand for High Definition...it doesn't stand for anything. They had to mislead because, when push comes to shove, it's still the same crappy content, with the same crappy commercials, and the same limited playlists.

The fact that a great deal of money from station owners is being poured into is means nothing. It sill is a lousy service. Free? Sure, but I'd rather pay for a good steak, than get a McDonald's burger for free.

Posted by: Anonymous Coward | August 6, 2008 3:18 PM, Posted by: Anonymous Coward | August 6, 2008 3:18 PM = more re-posted, yet prior DEBUNKED, fearful and desperate Pocketradio FUD. He's about to be served liable for his posts and his FUD blog.

Pocketradio = TROLL
Pocketradio = DEBUNKED

Free radio has 260+ million listeners must be something people are listening to while satradio is doing the Melvin Alan "Mel" Karmazin "merge" MONOPOLY scheme, and dropping more and more value each day.

McIntosh President Charlie Randall said, “HD Radio is one of the most exciting recent developments in broadcasting, and the trend continues to grow in popularity … By introducing our TM2 AM/FM HD Radio Module, we are giving our discriminating customers the very best option for enjoying all the benefits of HD Radio and more, with the unrivaled quality assurance and performance capabilities that only McIntosh can offer.”

HD Digital Radio • IT’S TIME TO UPGRADE!
HD Digital Radio. It's here. It's local. It's free. DISCOVER IT!
www.hdradio.com/

HD Radio Advanced Services technology provides a flexible digital pipe to the vehicle.

HD Radio benefits for Telematics include:

A cost effective platform - HD Radio broadcast bandwidth is extremely cost effective due to low infrastructure and operating expense and extensive coverage;
A broad technology appeal - HD Radio receivers will replace today’s analog AM/FM receivers as standard equipment;
A broad coverage area - HD Radio broadcasts provide extensive and robust signal coverage in a mobile environment;
A wide availability - As HD Radio receivers penetrate the mass market, lower costs will enable a proliferation of dedicated data receiver devices;
Local appeal with national scope - HD Radio broadcasts are ideal for local information and can be networked to deliver regional and national services; and,
A broad Consumer appeal - Consumers recognize the high value of HD Radio receivers and services. (2005 JD Power Automotive Emerging Technologies survey)
HD Radio broadcasters can offer drivers real-time traffic, weather and emergency information. Beyond data on the radio’s face plate, HD Radio technology makes possible advanced data services that will provide information to vehicles’ navigation systems to inform drivers about accidents and traffic flow information enabling drivers to select alternative routes. A list of current of iBiquity HD Radio data traffic partners is available in the broadcasters’ section of this site, please click here for that list

HD Radio Telematics services will include Traffic, Navigation, Automotive, Subscription Audio, Mobile Entertainment and Targeted Data Services. Utilizing the infrastructure of existing radio stations and the HD Radio Advanced Application Services platform, telematics services on HD Radio stations will provide nation wide coverage. HD Radio technology will provide automotive manufacturers and mobile service providers a direct way to connect to their customers through radio addressability and conditional access.

Several types of traffic and navigation support services will be provided on HD Radio technology:

Traffic Message Channel (TMC) over HD Radio broadcasts for real-time traffic streaming data service that provides incident, flow and road information. For example, Clear Channel will offer traffic information via HD Radio by the end 2006.
Traffic text-based streaming data service that provides text-based reports of accident information, flow information as well as traffic notices.
Traffic data in objects files with graphics/JPEG images representing traffic incident and flow information delivery to in-vehicle multi-media display screens on non-navigation systems.
Traffic database update service for mobile delivery of large files to on-board navigation system.
POI updates for mobile delivery of local/regional points of interest information. Tremendous commercial opportunity for database and service providers – to provide a rotation of sponsored business.
Automotive-based services including customer relationship management to deliver targeted messages to classes of vehicles on a regional basis.
Customer retention programs to deliver targeted messages and incentives to targeted vehicles (such as new vehicles or classes of vehicles, like all leased vehicles).
Fleet-specific services or private label service to deliver premium information to targeted vehicle platforms or fleets.

seriously: are you just going to copy & paste HD radio ads all day long? How about leaving room for people to actually discuss the topic, rather than just spamming this post in to submission?

"Posted by: Anonymous Coward | August 6, 2008 3:18 PM, Posted by: Anonymous Coward | August 6, 2008 3:18 PM = more re-posted, yet prior DEBUNKED, fearful and desperate Pocketradio FUD. He's about to be served liable for his posts and his FUD blog."

Boring...

Poor confused Tom Wilson,

There is plenty of room for you to prove your ignorance. However what you call others "cut and paste HD Radio" is EDUCATION for people like you who are confused.

No. It's SPAM. Marketing smoke. Half truths. Unwanted bullshit.

LOL Anon. Coward.

If I wanted to learn about HD radio, I'd go to the Wikipedia entry and learn far more than any of the trollbait and spam that EITHER of you have posted here.

BTW, I went out and grabbed a Boston Acoustics Recepter Radio HD, just in case the VR3 was a flakey design.

This is a $300 radio with good audio quality and a nice design. But you know what? Same reception problems Same loss of signal every couple of minutes. Same problem with the HD totally dropping out several times a day.

And I'm far from ignorant. I've had training in electronics design & repair, and I'm an amateur radio operator who's built several antennas (from scratch, with parts you'd find in your garage, thank you very much). I know more than enough about RF theory & electronics to adequately evaluate any piece of consumer electronics that you can come up with.

So I stand by my original conclusion: in theory, and in a good signal area, HD radio can be fantastic. But if the only HD radio stations aren't carrying anything interesting, or if you live in a fringe area, you're not going to get anything out of a $300 HD radio that you won't get from a $50 portable stereo from Wal-Mart.

Does that mean I'm dissing HD? No. It just means that the technology has room to improve, and I'm hoping to see that improvement. The NAB is petitioning to allow stations to bump their HD signal up to 10dB. I hope that happens, because that will tremendously improve HD reception.

HD is still terrestrial radio. As a listener that drives 500+ miles a day, I have no use for it whatsoever. You can't drive across two states without changing the channel.

I think the point that everybody is missing is that satellite and terrestrial radio complement each other. Local radio stations can offer content that satellite simply can't. A big part of that is the fact that they're local; my favorite morning show wouldn't be half as interesting if they were a nationally syndicated program. The same goes for talk stations; I like the fact that there's a local news talk show that covers local issues.

But many - maybe even most - people use the radio to listen to music. That's where satellite radio can kick anybody's tail. They can offer more music than any local station has a hope of being able to offer. They can offer greater variety and more genres all at the same time.

It's been shown more than once that satellite radio listeners also listen to terrestrial radio. It's just that we expect something different from radio than your average listener. Honestly, if you took away my XM, I wouldn't be listening to the radio more. Instead, I'd be spending more time on iTunes or Amazon, downloading new music. I'd be spending more time hunting down relevant podcasts.

So I see an eventual divison: terrestrial radio for talk, news, and more local issues. Satellite radio for music and things that are more national or global in scope. There will always be a place for free terrestrial radio; there's simply no way to replace free. However, there's also no substitute for the variety and quality offered by satellite radio, as well.