Would it work?
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Digital Only FM
- Thread starter MarioMania
- Start date
It's technically possible. There's a defined standard for it in the specs for HD Radio, and the firmware in most receivers can already decode it. There was an experimental demo in Las Vegas a few years ago at NAB that put something like 12 stereo streams on an all-digital FM.
But it's not an approved standard for broadcast yet, and no broadcasters seem to be rushing to get rid of their analog audience. So for now it's more of a science experiment than anything else.
But it's not an approved standard for broadcast yet, and no broadcasters seem to be rushing to get rid of their analog audience. So for now it's more of a science experiment than anything else.
How did the demo sound compared to regular FM?
K.M. Richards
Program Director, The Eighties Channel™
In other words, Mario is trying to put the cart waaaay in front of the horse.
I don't think HD radio receiver penetration is high enough that anyone would consider turning off analog for a while yet.
Just wondering that's all
No harm asking
No harm asking
As has been pointed out here many times, the vast majority of consumers don't buy new radios anymore. Optimistic penetration of HD into the public has been sitting at 19-20% after 25 years since the introduction of HD. The distribution of HD radios has mainly been via vehicle sales. That means if a station were even allowed to go full digital, there wouldn't be enough listeners that would likely hear it anytime soon. It would be like opening an ice cream shop on an island where you are the only resident, hoping someone else came along and found you.
Consumers don't buy single-use products on the chance it might be a benefit in the future, considering that smartphone in their pocket do so many things right now.
Consumers don't buy single-use products on the chance it might be a benefit in the future, considering that smartphone in their pocket do so many things right now.
But that's the thing, no modulation type or requirement to buy a new radio will ever attract listeners.
Consumers want the content they want when they want it. Lately, that's most convenient via the smartphone in their pocket or purse.