Audi adds Hybrid Radio to nearly all models: encourages radio to adopt Radio DNS standard

[davideduardo]

"One year ago, Audi became the first automaker to offer Hybrid Radio in vehicles in North America. Now Anupam “Pom” Malhotra, senior director, Connected Service at Audi of America, says the company is helping steer the industry forward in audio technology. “Audi continues to play a leadership role in helping to shape the future of broadcast radio,” Malhotra tells Radio World."

Automaker Audi Is Bullish On Hybrid Radio.

One year ago, Audi became the first automaker to offer Hybrid Radio in vehicles in North America. Now Anupam “Pom” Malhotra, senior director, Connected Service at Audi of America, says

www.insideradio.com

They note that iHeart, Audacy, Cumulus and EMF have put hybrid radio on nearly 1500 stations in the US. One of the features is automatic switching from broadcast to stream if the vehicle leaves a station coverage area.

 

[TheBigA]

Hmmm. When I see the words "hybrid radio," I think HD Radio, because in its early days, that's what some people called it. But this is completely different. In fact, it's a very different way to use radio that incorporates FM, HD, and online radio in one device that can shift internally from platform to platform. I really like the idea, and wonder why it took this long for it to come about.

Hybrid Radio is a product of Xperi. A few years ago, Xperi bought HD Radio, and so now it seems to be revising it in a way that works better with auto entertainment systems. Instead of having drivers switch between FM and a stream, or three discrete devices, this device makes the switch automatically.

Here's a link to the Radio World article referenced in the Inside Radio article:

https://www.radioworld.com/tech-and-gear/hybrid-radio-picks-up-momentum#:~:text=Xperi%20says%20its%20hybrid%20radio%20system%20create%20a,people%20tune%20in%20and%20what%20made%20them%20leave.

 

[davideduardo]

Hybrid Radio is a product of Xperi. A few years ago, Xperi bought HD Radio, and so now it seems to be revising it in a way that works better with auto entertainment systems. Instead of having drivers switch between FM and a stream, or three discrete devices, this device makes the switch automatically.

Since very, very few AM stations are using HD Radio any longer, this system seems to polish the tombstone of AM. As it is adopted, the question of whether AM is needed in car radios will continue to arise.

I have not read the AM HD specs for years. I don't even know if there is adequate bandwidth on the AM HD to accommodate this system.

On the other hand, this is a marvelous opportunity for limited signal FMs to become, as new cars are adopted, full market services.

My question would be how the system will switch from the OTA to the stream. Since many stations have separate stopset content on streams and broadcast signals, if the flipping back and forth is too instantaneous, this could be quite annoying to listeners, particularly in markets that have rugged terrain such as San Francisco, to name just one.

 

[TheBigA]

My question would be how the system will switch from the OTA to the stream.

Me too...There's usually a delay between the on-air signal and the stream, so that might be an issue.

To me, this polishes the tombstone of HD, and puts it in a shiny new package that might make people try it again.

 

[Mikey Radio]

Since very, very few AM stations are using HD Radio any longer, this system seems to polish the tombstone of AM. As it is adopted, the question of whether AM is needed in car radios will continue to arise.

I have not read the AM HD specs for years. I don't even know if there is adequate bandwidth on the AM HD to accommodate this system.

On the other hand, this is a marvelous opportunity for limited signal FMs to become, as new cars are adopted, full market services.

My question would be how the system will switch from the OTA to the stream. Since many stations have separate stopset content on streams and broadcast signals, if the flipping back and forth is too instantaneous, this could be quite annoying to listeners, particularly in markets that have rugged terrain such as San Francisco, to name just one.

While it should be a relatively minor issue to correct, the timing will need to be synced so the output of the broadcast signal matches the signal being streamed. As has been mentioned elsewhere, in many cases there is a delay with one vs. the other.

That said, this does seem like an interesting advance for sure. And if Audi is just now offering this, by the time its rolled out to the masses, including those who continue to buy cars from "the big 3", there should be even more advances by then in terms of WiFi availability, unlimited streaming, etc. Even now, in my 2007 Buick, the car has the ability to act as a WiFi hotspot (for a monthly fee), allowing multiple devices located in or around the vehicle to connect up and stream content.

It may also put a bit of a dent in SiriusXM's business. If I can listen to a terrestrial station in one city, then continue to stream it uninterrupted even after I'm outside the coverage area and the audio is better quality than the SiriusXM offering which currently sounds compressed and the audio quality in general fairly poor on at least some channels vs. FM, I'd happily stick with Hybrid Radio.

 

[davideduardo]

While it should be a relatively minor issue to correct, perhaps by adding a delay unit, the timing will need to be matched up so the output of the broadcast signal is synched with the signal being streamed. As has been mentioned elsewhere, in many cases there is a delay one one vs. the other.

That's not my concern. Analog audio is already matchable with the HD digital audio.

What I am worried about is the fact that the majority of larger market stations run separate stopsets (commercials) on their streams and OTA signals. So if you are listening to WAAA in Bigtown and they are running a Home Depot ad when the signal is detected to be inadequate, you are switched to the stream where they are running a totally different spot and advertiser.

 

[TheBigA]

So if you are listening to WAAA in Bigtown and they are running a Home Depot ad when the signal is detected to be inadequate, you are switched to the stream where they are running a totally different spot and advertiser.

Maybe if this becomes popular, that will lead to a solution to this problem. Certainly it's in the self-interest of the radio stations to find a way to run their on-air spots online.

 

[davideduardo]

Maybe if this becomes popular, that will lead to a solution to this problem. Certainly it's in the self-interest of the radio stations to find a way to run their on-air spots online.

This is an agency issue, caused by the excessive streaming charges demanded by the unions that represent v/o talent.

Until agencies see the value in the streamed ads and work out a deal with the unions, this won't happen.

 

[Don CT]

While it should be a relatively minor issue to correct, the timing will need to be synced so the output of the broadcast signal matches the signal being streamed. As has been mentioned elsewhere, in many cases there is a delay with one vs. the other.

That said, this does seem like an interesting advance for sure. And if Audi is just now offering this, by the time its rolled out to the masses, including those who continue to buy cars from "the big 3", there should be even more advances by then in terms of WiFi availability, unlimited streaming, etc. Even now, in my 2007 Buick, the car has the ability to act as a WiFi hotspot (for a monthly fee), allowing multiple devices located in or around the vehicle to connect up and stream content.

It may also put a bit of a dent in SiriusXM's business. If I can listen to a terrestrial station in one city, then continue to stream it uninterrupted even after I'm outside the coverage area and the audio is better quality than the SiriusXM offering which currently sounds compressed and the audio quality in general fairly poor on at least some channels vs. FM, I'd happily stick with Hybrid Radio.

I don't think SiriusXM has anything to worry about. No commercials and better music selection are what keep people there.

 

[davideduardo]

I don't think SiriusXM has anything to worry about. No commercials and better music selection are what keep people there.

I agree on the "no commercials" part. But I find the playlists in the formats I enjoy have way too many "deep cuts". In the gold based formats, I want to hear the songs that bring back memories and good feelings, not the songs that charted #42 at their peak.

 

[Theater of My Mind]

While it should be a relatively minor issue to correct, the timing will need to be synced so the output of the broadcast signal matches the signal being streamed. As has been mentioned elsewhere, in many cases there is a delay with one vs. the other.

The delay is caused at least in part by the number of network hops across the internet and over to your cell tower so it's not a minor issue to correct.

 

[davideduardo]

The delay is caused at least in part by the number of network hops across the internet and over to your cell tower so it's not a minor issue to correct.

That's a good point, particularly if it happens in the hook of a favorite song or during a news story.

Since many stations originate their stream from servers far, far away from the station's broadcast transmitter, the opportunity for unsynchronized transfers is great. Hopefully, the system does not resample too often after making a flip.