I've been avoiding buying HD because the Sony table radio I liked was $200 and never on sale. Today at Best Buy I saw it on clearance for $122 and finally bought it. I love the all news and information station on WUSF2 - looks like I won't need XM for their XMPR station anymore. And many of the extra music stations are great too. The sound quality is amazing. I'm glad I got it.
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HD in Tampa Bay
- Thread starter TampaDan
- Start date
It's ironic that someone else started this post today as I was going to do the same by next week. My truck needed a new stereo a few weeks ago and I went ahead and bought a Sony with the HD radio tuner. After a few weeks of listening to all the HD-2 offerings, I've been preparing a review for those of you without it. With that said, I preface this review by saying I've worked in traditional AM and FM radio for many years... and was one of the very first with XM in 2001. Since then I've been a BIG fan of both satellite companies and have always thought HD radio was too little too late.... but here it goes....
AM:
The sound quality is much better but at times seems a bit tinney. Some stations sound better than others. 620, 820, 970, 1250, and 1380 are all in HD. The sound quality is most noticeable on Mega 820 and Radio Disney 1380 simply because they play music. All the other stations are talking most of the time and although they've got more high end, they still don't sound as good as an FM.
FM:
For starters, they're all commercial free and I didn't notice that much difference between the analog and the HD-1 audio. 92.5 and 98.7 are not on as of yet but every other major commercial station in Tampa Bay is. Leading the way is Cox. They seem to be actually using the HD2 signals to compliment the main channels. All their stations have identities and or formats that either used to be in Tampa Bay or should be. #2 is Clear Channel. They sound the least local with most of their stations running formats piped in from a national network. CBS comes in 3rd but could be a player if they do something unique with either 92.5 or 98.7. With that said, here are my thoughts on most of the HD-2 channels:
93.3 HD2: Dance formated "Club Phusion" which comes from Clear Channel's "format lab"; a network of formats programmed for CC stations to run on HD-2. The mix seems good and is a welcome addition to the local airwaves. However, it simply seems to be dance versions of Top 40 songs and not really DJ sets or much trance or techno.
94.1 HD2: Classical. I haven't really listened to it enough to give a good review.
94.9 HD2: Christian Contemporary
95.7 HD2: If you enjoy the weeknight "Quiet Storm" on The Beat, here it is 24/7.
97.1 HD2: "The Grunge Channel" sounds great and is something I said 97 should have done with their main programming years ago. Lots of old wave and classic alternative along with alt rock from the 90's. Only one problem... the signal sucks. I'm guessing the low wattage for 97.1 is the culprit. With analog you can put up with a static burst here or there or a weak signal... with digital it's either there or it's not. In St. Pete where I do most of my driving, the station drops out constantly... but I love this format.
97.9 HD2: 98 Rock sounds like they're running a network (possibly also from the CC format lab) called "Scratch n Sniff" Most of the times when I've tuned in I've heard a mix of rock with rap and I mean at the same time. It's mostly a mashup of DJ mixes featuring rock songs with urban and dance tracks mixed together. Sometimes it sounds ok... other times terrible.
99.5 HD2: More country music. I can't determine if it's classic country or not. I'm thinking it is.
100.7 HD2: Gay friendly "Pride Network" from... you guessed it, Clear Channel's format lab. Mostly dance and rhythmic/pop hits. At times, I think it actually sounds better than what's playing on 93.3 HD-2.
101.5 HD2: "Star 101.5... Today's Hit Music Alternative". If you liked the old Star 95.7, it's back... without DJ's and commercial free. However, it's got the same short playlist and over time the short library of modern hits and alt classics may burn on ya. But for now it's WAY better than the same 80's crap on the main channel and Nancy on Mix (had to get a dig in on her somewhere).
102.5 HD2: "Trippin 102-5". Classic rock from the 60's and 70's. It is what it is. As The Bone moves into the 90's the HD-2 channel keeps spinning the tired tracks from the 70's.
103.5 HD2: Just like 99.5, more country music. I'm not hearing anything original or groundbreaking here.
104.7 HD2: Just like 94.9, Christian contemporary.
105.5 HD2: "Oldies 105.5". Simply put... sounds like former stations Oldies 97.1 or U-92. Beats the snot outta True Oldies 106.3.
107.3 HD2: "The Wave". AAA format that sounds good. Cross between Star 101.5 and the 97X Grunge Channel. Nice mix of modern ADULT hits without the hard alternative.
You can also pick up 88.5 WMNF but nothing on the HD2 as of yet. 89.7 WUSF is noted in the post above, and 106.5 WCTQ is running country on the HD2 but I haven't listened to it enough.
Bottom line... HD radio is a nice alternative but has a LONG way to go. Sure it sounds great... but XM, Sirius, or even your iPod will give you WAY more choices.
AM:
The sound quality is much better but at times seems a bit tinney. Some stations sound better than others. 620, 820, 970, 1250, and 1380 are all in HD. The sound quality is most noticeable on Mega 820 and Radio Disney 1380 simply because they play music. All the other stations are talking most of the time and although they've got more high end, they still don't sound as good as an FM.
FM:
For starters, they're all commercial free and I didn't notice that much difference between the analog and the HD-1 audio. 92.5 and 98.7 are not on as of yet but every other major commercial station in Tampa Bay is. Leading the way is Cox. They seem to be actually using the HD2 signals to compliment the main channels. All their stations have identities and or formats that either used to be in Tampa Bay or should be. #2 is Clear Channel. They sound the least local with most of their stations running formats piped in from a national network. CBS comes in 3rd but could be a player if they do something unique with either 92.5 or 98.7. With that said, here are my thoughts on most of the HD-2 channels:
93.3 HD2: Dance formated "Club Phusion" which comes from Clear Channel's "format lab"; a network of formats programmed for CC stations to run on HD-2. The mix seems good and is a welcome addition to the local airwaves. However, it simply seems to be dance versions of Top 40 songs and not really DJ sets or much trance or techno.
94.1 HD2: Classical. I haven't really listened to it enough to give a good review.
94.9 HD2: Christian Contemporary
95.7 HD2: If you enjoy the weeknight "Quiet Storm" on The Beat, here it is 24/7.
97.1 HD2: "The Grunge Channel" sounds great and is something I said 97 should have done with their main programming years ago. Lots of old wave and classic alternative along with alt rock from the 90's. Only one problem... the signal sucks. I'm guessing the low wattage for 97.1 is the culprit. With analog you can put up with a static burst here or there or a weak signal... with digital it's either there or it's not. In St. Pete where I do most of my driving, the station drops out constantly... but I love this format.
97.9 HD2: 98 Rock sounds like they're running a network (possibly also from the CC format lab) called "Scratch n Sniff" Most of the times when I've tuned in I've heard a mix of rock with rap and I mean at the same time. It's mostly a mashup of DJ mixes featuring rock songs with urban and dance tracks mixed together. Sometimes it sounds ok... other times terrible.
99.5 HD2: More country music. I can't determine if it's classic country or not. I'm thinking it is.
100.7 HD2: Gay friendly "Pride Network" from... you guessed it, Clear Channel's format lab. Mostly dance and rhythmic/pop hits. At times, I think it actually sounds better than what's playing on 93.3 HD-2.
101.5 HD2: "Star 101.5... Today's Hit Music Alternative". If you liked the old Star 95.7, it's back... without DJ's and commercial free. However, it's got the same short playlist and over time the short library of modern hits and alt classics may burn on ya. But for now it's WAY better than the same 80's crap on the main channel and Nancy on Mix (had to get a dig in on her somewhere).
102.5 HD2: "Trippin 102-5". Classic rock from the 60's and 70's. It is what it is. As The Bone moves into the 90's the HD-2 channel keeps spinning the tired tracks from the 70's.
103.5 HD2: Just like 99.5, more country music. I'm not hearing anything original or groundbreaking here.
104.7 HD2: Just like 94.9, Christian contemporary.
105.5 HD2: "Oldies 105.5". Simply put... sounds like former stations Oldies 97.1 or U-92. Beats the snot outta True Oldies 106.3.
107.3 HD2: "The Wave". AAA format that sounds good. Cross between Star 101.5 and the 97X Grunge Channel. Nice mix of modern ADULT hits without the hard alternative.
You can also pick up 88.5 WMNF but nothing on the HD2 as of yet. 89.7 WUSF is noted in the post above, and 106.5 WCTQ is running country on the HD2 but I haven't listened to it enough.
Bottom line... HD radio is a nice alternative but has a LONG way to go. Sure it sounds great... but XM, Sirius, or even your iPod will give you WAY more choices.
billalm said:Bottom line... HD radio is a nice alternative but has a LONG way to go. Sure it sounds great... but XM, Sirius, or even your iPod will give you WAY more choices.
While XM, Sirius, or even an iPod will give someone way more choices than HD radio, at a certain point you have to ask how many choices someone needs. Even though people have hundreds of radio choices on satellite and hundreds of tv choices on cable I'd bet most people listen to or watch the same five stations or so. Most everything I like is contained on the HD radio. The only thing I'd miss if I gave up XM is the 40's station and the standards station. That music is before my time but it's really beautiful and not anywhere to be found on HD radio in Tampa... yet. But as you imply, hopefully HD radio in Tampa will just get better and better.
Personally, I dont think HD radio will ever take off. AM HD has just about had it due to the interference it causes. There have not been very many receivers sold. The HD stations dont get out that well. My guess is that HD subchannels will be leased out to pay for play operators. Probably a lot of churches will lease these channels. I dont see much commercial use for something that wont work for advertisers.
FM had 30 years to take off. Given 30 years, HD would probably become a success. The question becomes whether anyone will give it 30 years... ???
Well the cost has certainly been a prohibitive factor. It wasn't until I saw it come down in price by $80 that I became interested in trying it. But it's probably a Catch-22. It will take a lot of people buying it for the price to really come down just like most technology.smedge2006 said:FM had 30 years to take off. Given 30 years, HD would probably become a success. The question becomes whether anyone will give it 30 years... ???
flwfg said:Now where can I get a Sony $122.00 HD desktop radio in Bradenton / Sarasota???
Anyone know about those converters that use current radios to get HD frequencies..for autos or home use...???
Thanks...
I just picked up the Visteon HD Zoom add-on HD tuner on eBay for 60 bucks. Installation is straight forward and has a built in FM Modulator as well as line out.
My experience mirrors Billalm's above right down to the occasional dropouts on 97X HD-2 in St. Pete (which is a little annoying as this is the one that interests me most, but to be expected).
Noticed quite a few HD units being sold on eBay at closeout prices....the Directed DHHD-1000 tabletop can be had these days for under $100, including shipping.
A couple more observations:
1. I heard a commercial today on 93.3 HD2. Mind you, it was only one 30 second ad but I thought they weren't allowed to run spots yet on the HD2 channels.
2. Skratch and Sniff on 98Rock HD2 is outdated. I couldn't figure out why till I looked at the web site for it. Looks like it's a weekly 2 hour mix show distributed to rock stations around the country. 98's HD2 channel is playing the shows from the last year back to back to back. That explains why half the time it sounds outdated.
1. I heard a commercial today on 93.3 HD2. Mind you, it was only one 30 second ad but I thought they weren't allowed to run spots yet on the HD2 channels.
2. Skratch and Sniff on 98Rock HD2 is outdated. I couldn't figure out why till I looked at the web site for it. Looks like it's a weekly 2 hour mix show distributed to rock stations around the country. 98's HD2 channel is playing the shows from the last year back to back to back. That explains why half the time it sounds outdated.
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