H D radio oversell?

[AmericanRumorBoy]

I keep hearing spots promoting "hundreds" of new channels between the channels that you can only hear on H D radio. Yet there are only 6 in Cincinnati and 7 in Dayton. This is the "official" count from the H D radio website. Since the "new" channels do not cover the area that terrestrial signals do, cross-market listenership is greatly diminished. To say that this competes with the variety of satellite radio seems ludicrous. Granted there are no subscription fees. But I think most people would be rather ticked off if they bought a new radio thinking they were going to get tons of new stations and only getting a small handful. Most of the formats are variations of what you can already pick up over the air, and most sound like someone else's iPod. WTUE's deep cuts channel is interesting and keeps me listening for long stretches while working. Some of the others not so much. Your thoughts? Or have you even listened?

 

[techie2]

Haven't been willing to front 200 bucks for the receiver (although I guess I could try the online streams). I have Sirius anyway, so I don't have much use for it.

 

[ncincy1]

Oversell is an understatement!

a.) I purchased an HD radio from Radiosophy in Feb. '06 and received it in April '07 (unit in "technical review/certification" for over a year).

b.) I had to use the external antenna just to recieve the Cincinnati signals. When moved higher I now recieve all of the Dayton HD stations (from Sharonville, OH).

c.) Most disappointing, the selection of formats and the promise of more new stations....(still waiting).

d.) I will keep listening to my XM satelllite and Roku internet radio units for better selection and sound quality.

JUST SAY "NO" TO HD RADIO!

 

[microbob]

I've looked at the formats in HD that one can get here in town and not one of them would make me want to go out and get a HD receiver. Not sure how well it would work in my rural area anyway. Sat Radio is the way to go if you want choice. There is Music Choice that Insight Cable offers if you decide you don't want Sirius or XM.

 

[gjward]

I will keep listening to my XM satelllite and Roku internet radio units for better selection and sound quality.

I just bought a Roku M1000, and really like it so far. Any good streams that you'd like to share? I've kept radioparadise.com and added woxy.com's two feeds (Their primary stream and the "Vintage" stream). I've also added some streams of some broadcast stations that I can't receive locally.

 

[b_d_d]

I have had a HD radio for about a year now.

I am impressed with how some stations, like Channel 945, are starting to improve programming on their multicast station.

Athough there are some issues ith qualitly.. Those are with the stations.. 945's HD2 plays high pitched music, while at the same time other songs are ok.

There isn't much of a difference unless you have good speakers, or tweak with them and set them just right where you can hear the digital at its best. I think most stations I have listened too over processes their music and it doesnt sound as good as it should.

I like HD radio, and i have been a fan since it came out.. But I know its hard for me to listen to non HD stations, because I'm used to the difference in sound (which by the way is AMAZING if your going out of range on a station!)

I can sometimes get HD signals from 94.5 at Kings Island.. and 700 WLW sounds amazing in HD.

I will have to see, as Radio One in Dayton will be launching their HD studio and Streams this summer. HD radio will continue to grow.. Some people still do not know what it is!

 

[jaddy5400]

Just like when XM and Serious hit, there weren't many stations. HD radio is young, but will grow. Patientence is a virtue. I am a big fan also of Channel 945 HD2. Pretty good lately.

 

[ilovescotch]

Just wait until the technology is available to broadcast AM in HD. You think there's a ton of syndication now. You may laugh or scoff or say something about the hisses and pops, but the radio geeks are the only one's that really notcie that. Avg. listener...I don't think it matters that much.

 

[KevinFodor]

HD is certainly not perfected yet. There are still problems and issues with it. And, the jury is still out.

But, remember...FM didn't get it together until the late 60's/early 70's, though it had been around for about 20 years.

I also think price point is going to be an issue here. Yes, I remember $300 FM receivers (and up) in the late 60's. But, one thing that helped FM greatly as it became popular were those $29.95 converters. Hopefully, as this comes on line, the price of the radios will come down. To truly succeed, all the problems with HD have to be solved, the programming has to be properly put in place and the radio's have to be priced at a point that the "average guy" can afford. That's how Powell Crosley did it so many years ago.

Speaking just for myself, I am excited at the prospect of a better AM sound, the subchannels which can allow our industry to provide more programming choices. I know there's people who disagree, but I'm keeping an open mind on HD at this point.