Pioneer of North America has joined the masses of folks meeting with the FCC over the Sirius and XM merger. But it wasn't the merger specifically that they wanted to talk about.Indeed, they had a bone to pick with iBiquity, the
Remember, iBiquity wants the FCC to mandate that Sirius-XM include HD Radio chipsets in all satellite radio receivers. iBiquity expressed "concern" over the competitive implications should the merger be approved.
But Pioneer, who knows a thing or two about receiver manufacturing, doesn't see it that way. And they were sure to express this to Elizabeth Andrion, the Legal Advisor to Chairman Martin.
"The iBiquity conditions would limit the breadth of radio product offerings to consumers, limit which radio component suppliers' products be designed into radios, have the effect of decreasing AM/FM tuning performance, unnecessarily increase costs to consumers uninterested in HD Radio and interfere with the useful and healthy free market mechanisms extant in radio electronics purchases," writes Pioneer.
The company continues: "Consumers should be allowed to choose radios which meet their needs, without undue government influence."
"It is our belief that HD Radio should compete in the marketplace with other radio services: if free local digital terrestrial radio services are compelling to consumers, HD Radio technology will succeed in the marketplace."
"In this case, the free market is the best measure of the public interest."
Take a bow Pioneer, because that was extremely well said.
[Read FCC Filing (PDF)]
Pioneer just got upgraded to BUY in my book. I like to see corporations embrace the free market. It's what's make this nation's economy great.
"Pioneer Says No Thanks To HD Radio"
"Pioneer has thrown their opinion into the ring regarding the proposed merger between Sirius and XM. While not taking an official position on the merger, Pioneer did express concerns over an Ibiquity proposal that would call for inclusion of HD radio chipsets into all SDARS receivers. Pioneer raised several concerns about the limits that an idea such as Ibiqity's would have, and further stated that it should be a free marketplace that determines the success or failure of HD radio, and not government regulation. Interestingly, Pioneer made no mention of the open access condition proposed by some consumer groups as well as U.S. Electronics."
http://siriusbuzz.com/pioneer-says-no-thanks-to-hd-radio.php
Yup, Pioneer is pissed! Perhaps, they got burned by iBiquity's lies and poor HD Radio sales.
Bravo! Pioneer! I don't want to pay double for my radios!!
Funny Ryan. Nothing like fixing your blog midday? tsk tsk
LOL :)
I own a PIONEER, and now I will not hesitate to buy another in the future. Now that the company just 'SLAMMED' iBiquity, I like them even more. In I believe Pioneer will make their radios sat. ready.
"Consumers should be allowed to choose radios which meet their needs, without undue government influence."
You mean like the interoperable radio's that sirius and xm were told to develop and sell to consumers?
This whole mess stinks,thanks Mel. It's too bad Pioneer chose to side with the losers of the whole deal, it's going to be a mighty high price for Pioneer with tail tucked between it's legs to come to the HD iBiquity table in the near future when the entire sat radio industry folds and all business is with HD Radio.
HD Digital Radio • IT'S TIME TO UPGRADE! •
HD Digital Radio. It's here. It's local. It's free. DISCOVER IT!
http://www.hdradio.com/
it's going to be a mighty high price for Pioneer with tail tucked between it's legs to come to the HD iBiquity table in the near future when the entire sat radio industry folds and all business is with HD Radio.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Wow, that makes sence
"It is our belief that SDARS should compete in the marketplace with other radio services: if subscription based digital radio services are compelling to consumers, SDARS technology will succeed in the marketplace."
"In this case, the free market is the best measure of the public interest."
Replace the words "HD Radio" with "SDARS" and you see the argument against the merger is the same that you're all supporting when it comes to HD Radio.
Free market. That means no monopoly, compete or die.
My take is iBiquity is going By By and Pioneer knows it.
Not that they know anything but the salesman at Circuit City did not know what a HD radio was. That at least says nobody is asking for it. It is a flawed system and that is what Pioneer is saying. They must not see it as a money maker but something not many people want.
Look at from Pioneers side they do not want to make something that gets returned because people are not happy with how it works.
Pioneer went up a few notches in my book on this one. Next time I shop around for new equipment, that Pioneer version will definitely be a front-runner.
Thanks for standing up for what's right Pioneer.
From Pioneer's perspective:
It adds cost and potential production issues for a piece of technology that has not seen much interest from the public.
Pioneer is not for or against HD Radio in and of itself. What they are against is mandatory HD chips in all satellite receivers, which is nothing more than iBiquity getting a free ride on the backs of satellite radio. Mandatory HD chips is anti-free market because it will raise the prices of all satellite radios.
It's ironic that the very merger that the HD guys are against may be what saves their company, should these chips be required.
Circuit City DOES KNOW HD Radio and it's the future.
http://www.circuitcity.com/ccd/Search.do?c=1&searchType=user&keyword=HD+Radio&searchSection=All&go.x=0&go.y=0
All of Pioneer's competitors DO KNOW HD Radio too. Accurian, Alpine, Audio Design Associates, Axxess, BMW, Boston Acoustics, Cambridge SoundWorks, DaySequerra, Denon, DICE Electronics, Directed Electronics, Dual, Eclipse, Ford, Hyundai, iLuv, Insignia, Integra, Jensen, Jensen Mobile, JVC, LG Electronics, Lincoln, Marantz, Mercedes-Benz, Mercury, MINI, Niles Audio, Onkyo, Peripheral Electronics, Pioneer, Polk Audio, Radiosophy, Rotel, Sangean, Scion, Sony, Visteon, Volvo, VR3, Yamaha
WOW looks like many manufactures KNOW the HD Radio is the future of Radio and saddly sat radio has hit the wall and it well on it's way to the end. Whats that? YES Pioneer IS TALKING out of both sides on it's ass as they also have HD Radio products, guess they feel they have to make money too and not rely on the dead end known as sat radio.
HD Digital Radio • IT'S TIME TO UPGRADE! •
HD Digital Radio. It's here. It's local. It's free. DISCOVER IT!
http://www.hdradio.com/
HD Radio looks like a dead end for now. There's no buzz, nothing to draw people in.
Ryan, would it be possible to ban the dwarf who keeps posting:
D Digital Radio • IT'S TIME TO UPGRADE! •
HD Digital Radio. It's here. It's local. It's free. DISCOVER IT!
http://www.hdradio.com/
Thanks......
You do not get something for nothing and that is how HD is hurting radio.
Stations have less listeners because adding the HD signal gives less sound quality and range. So if anything it drives some to give up radio and or go to sat radio.
The radio stations have been sold a lie and they are finding that out.
IT'S TIME TO UPGRADE to satellite and get away from the noise.
Only somebody that has ties to HD can have anything good to say about it.
Ryan,
would it be possible to ban MAX? He gets too upset with what others post to be of any worth here. Poor Max thinks censoring others which have opinions other than his own will solve the problems with sirius and xm.
Thanks.......
Anonymous Coward you might want to learn something before posting about your hopes and dreams.....
HD Radio sounds better than sat radio....
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10909934/
Ever wished you could get the same quality of sound from your radio as you do from your CD? Or that your radio signal didn’t fade out just when you wanted to listen to the game? Now you can. Get the kind of sound that was previously reserved for your HDTV, CD system or MP3 player. Get it on your radio. And get it for free!
CD-quality sound
Crystal-clear reception
No station drop-off
No static, hiss or audio distortion
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/
Or that your radio signal didn’t fade out just when you wanted to listen to the game?
CD-quality sound
Crystal-clear reception
No station drop-off
No static, hiss or audio distortion
HD Digital Radio • IT'S TIME TO UPGRADE! •
Funnest thing I have read in months.
Not everybody lives withing 15 miles of a HD transmitter, likes commercials and inferior content. Good luck to you making lemonaide AC.
AC doesn't realize just how pathetic HD radio is.
Here's an article on how they have to demonstrate it in a store- with a RECORDING! LOL!!
Link : http://www.twice.com/article/CA6561407.html
Here's a link showing how the HD Alliance lies to the public about HD awareness.
http://www.rwonline.com/pages/s.0044/t.13601.html
Pretty pathetic. Millions spend for NOTHING. AC doesn't have an "opinion." Just rants on like a fool.
HD is dead on arrival.
More damning stuff on how HD can't get going. Pretty sad commentary.
http://www.rwonline.com/pages/s.0049/t.13597.html
consumers don't like monthly fees for radio. Here is another quote:
"Even though satellite radio is at an advantage over HD radio by offering commercial-free content and coast-to-coast coverage, interest in HD radio is higher than satellite radio after the introduction of price," said Wu. "In general, consumers would rather pay once for a feature and have been reluctant to embrace subscription fees.
the cost of operating the satellite radio services – billions a year = Higher cost of operations = not a good business plan for long-term success.
the satellite radio business will soon to become a footnote in Wikipedia.
HD Radio is more main stream but there are other options like http://www.slacker.com/ too which will soon take over when the sat radio companies go under.
I have three HD Radio tuners -- Pioneer's GEX-P10HD, Sony's XDR-S3HD, and my audio receiver, an Integra DTR 8.8. I really enjoy having the enhanced dynamic range of my local content. The HD2 stations in this area are also something that I appreciate.
But... I still have my XM and Sirius radio subscriptions:
1 XM Delphi MyFi
1 XM Pioneer GEX-P10XMT with NavTraffic
1 Sirius DEI Stiletto 100
1 Sirius Pioneer (by DEI) SIR-PNR1
And that is NOT going to change just because I have HD Radio tuners. HD doesn't supersede satellite radio; it complements it, at best -- at providing local content. Nothing more, nothing less.
Yes, most HD1 stations inarguably sound MUCH better than anything XM or Sirius provides, even Fine Tuning and XM Pops. But, XM and Sirius have:
1. Nationwide coverage.
2. CONTENT.
And, as we all know: Content is king. That's why XM and Sirius are paid services, and HD Radio is not.
"Pioneer says HD Radio succcess should be decided by open market, not
forced inclusion"
"IBiquity, the company behind HD Radio, is making enemies all over the place, the latest of which is Pioneer. The Japan-based corp, which makes the popular Inno, recently told the FCC [PDF] that iBiquity's scheme to force satellite radio manufacturers to include HD Radio
playback is absurd."
http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/05/29...ced-inclusion/
Sweet Mama!
Funny Pioneer makes HD Radio gear, (more product than they make for the failing sat radio industry) guess they are being forced already to make and sell HD Radio gear? We'll all sit back and watch Pioneer loose all market share in the future of radio in North America, Brazil and most likely France, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Switzerland, and Thailand HD Radio
Pioneer is being short sited since HD Radio is on it's way UP while sat radio is well on it's way to the grave.
Yes Content is what it is all about a radio with no content is usless.
Were i live i do not have any HD station but sat radio no problem. How can HD ever give me what sat does when i have no stations that no matter what that come in clear?
Hd can never have as many channels no matter were you live as sat.
HD will be gone just like many other things remember the video disk from RCA?
interest in HD radio is higher than satellite radio after the introduction of price," said Wu. "In general, consumers would rather pay once for a feature and have been reluctant to embrace subscription fees.
the cost of operating the satellite radio services – billions a year = Higher cost of operations = not a good business plan for long-term success.
After theintroduction price?? Sure pay big bucks to get what you had and nothing more that a little better sound and less range so the radio changes to analoge anyway as you get away from the station.
The cost of operating??? What is the cost of electric alone for all the AM and FM stations in the US and Canada.
It does not take much power to get to the satellite and the satellite is solar powered.
The more the HD pumper says the worse HD looks.
What the HD pumper is not saying is when HD is added to a station that station lowers the quality of the signal they had. You do not get something for nothing adding something takes away from what you had.
I had one station that added HD and i can no longer get it clear enough so i can listen.
That is what HD has done for me.
My guess is it will be less than a year before most stations turn it off and realize that they have lost listeners and ad money.
IT"S FREE UNTIL WE FOOL ENOUGH OF YOU IGNORANT DOUCHEBAGS!
Promotion for HD Radio does not always make clear that some of its capabilities are mutually incompatible with other of its capabilities. For example, the FM system has been described as "CD quality." The FM system also allows multiplexing the data stream between two or more separate programs. However, a program utilizing one half or less of the data stream does not attain the higher audio quality of a single program allowed the full data stream. Indeed, the FCC "decline[d] to require broadcasters to dedicate a minimum level of digital bandwidth to provide a high quality digital signal," however "one free over
Another such conflict arises from the extra "FREE" programs available today. iBiquity is seeking FCC approval for "CONDITIONAL ACCESS," that is, enabling the extra programs to be available only by paid subscription (on future models of HD Radio). NDS, a maker of digital media encryption technology, has a deal with iBiquity to provide HD Radio with an encrypted content
These competing capabilities mean that purchasers of early models of HD Radio have no guarantees of continued broadcasts of either high. SO ALL THE FOOLS WHO BUY IN TO THIS FAD WILL BE FUCKED IN THE FUTURE.
We conclude our examination of the remaining unknowns of IBOC with a look at RadioGuard, the conditional access system proposed by Ibiquity Digital for use on HD Radio subscription services, which if the FCC’s final IBOC rules permit, could be the primary mechanism for radio subscription service delivery.
http://www.rwonline.com/pages/s.0054/t.8141.html