HD Radio confirmed in Microsoft ZuneHD

[EbolaMonkey]

<< The cult of Apple is huge and loyal. They're some of the most well designed consumer electronics devices out there, but their mediocre sound quality and high price keep me away. >>

If you save your music to your iPod as .wav, it's not any worse than any other walkman type portable device. Certainly not "mediocre." And I use mp4 over mp3 whenever I can, anyway.

 

[Carmine5]

PR Newswire is nothing more than an internet version of those companies which distribute "Press Releases" via fax - they're corporate pitch-and-brag sheets, written by the companies making the announcements. There is no "news" contained therein worthy of being so called.

PR Newswire sends us endless nonsense "releases" daily to our news e-mail address. They are invariably deleted without being read.

This piece consists of iBiquity, Alliance member stations and group managers and MS dweebs congratulating one another. Just another Mutual Admiration Society meeting on the deck of the Lusitania while U-Boat torpedoes are silently closing on the ship below the waterline.

True, it does have the stale smell of a press release (like the inside of a bar).

More interesting is Jerry Del Colliano's brief remark about the HD Zune:

"You just know that radio is done with a fork right in the middle of it when Microsoft, the uncoolest company on this earth, announces it is adding HD radio to its colossal MP3 failure Zune this Fall.

The Zune and HD radio -- perfect together and definitely not addictive."

C5

 

[vsa]

I can't help but wonder how much free advertising the HD Radio Alliance pledged to Microsoft to promote the ZuneHD and other Microsoft products. Near-bankrupt fools.

B.S. partially answers my question:

"Bob Struble, President and CEO of iBiquity Digital Corporation, the developer of HD Radio technology commented, "We are very excited about the launch of HD Radio technology on Microsoft's Zune HD ... We are planning with the HD Radio Alliance to promote Zune HD to consumers."

I can understand why Microsoft is going to take the multiple-millions of dollars of free advertsing.

Here's an idea for homeowners trying to unload an over-priced home in this depressed real estate market. Ask a local HD radio broadcaster for free advertising - until the house sells - with this pitch: "Beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bath home with an HD radio in every bedroom..." After all, if Radio Shack, Circuit City and Microsoft can receive free advertising...


 

 

[pocket-radio]

Zune HD who cares. who cares about zune or knows what it is.

 

[nd2023]

I wish that iPods had AM/FM tuners by default. Just so the kids actually listen to the radio once in a while.
I wonder how the HD radio on the Zune would work. Will you need to put a huge Yagi antenna on top of your head? It might only be useful for people living in cities.

 

[RadeoEngineer]

I wonder how the HD radio on the Zune would work.

Just like the other HD products. It won't. Oh boy. More returned goods to Best Buy.

 

[scanman1]

Zune HD who cares. who cares about zune or knows what it is.

Since I will not be buying anymore HD Radio products, I certainly don't care. If my current Zune breaks (I know what it is ) that's the end of the line!

 

[dumber than a box of hair]

I wish that iPods had AM/FM tuners by default. Just so the kids actually listen to the radio once in a while.

With 800+-million analog radios in the US (by iBiquity's estimate), putting them in iPods isn't going to get them to listen to radio any more or less than they already are.

 

[LynnW]

There is a [url+http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=731902]discussion[/url] on the forums at macrumors.com concering the Zune HD. Of the 38 posts so far, the majority are about the ability of the Zune HD to output HD video. Exactly one post mentions HD radio.

 

[R.F. Burns]

There is a [url+http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=731902]discussion[/url] on the forums at macrumors.com concering the Zune HD. Of the 38 posts so far, the majority are about the ability of the Zune HD to output HD video. Exactly one post mentions HD radio.

Yea, I read that posters on that site "Macrumors" doesn't like ANYTHING Microsoft. Let's see what members of that forum have to say about Microsoft as a company in general, shall we?;

"but no matter what, the Apple SDK seems to kick arse right now, and is going strong... Microsoft is too far back."

"I do hope Zune HD 'makes a running' & competes because those Microsoft boys are going to be left in the dust when the Apple releases the next iPod Touch. "


"however, as much as i know this forum hates microsoft"

"right now, Apple is in & exciting, and Microsoft is.....ugh Microsoft"


And from everybody's favorite quote meister, Jerry "I used to work in radio" Del Colliano;



"You just know that radio is done with a fork right in the middle of it when Microsoft, the uncoolest company on this earth, announces it is adding HD radio to its colossal MP3 failure Zune this Fall.

The Zune and HD radio -- perfect together and definitely not addictive."

Microsoft is an "uncool company"? What planet does this guy live on? This is all such nonsense. Keep complaining about this technology. It's getting you nowhere but sure is filling up your days and nights. Everybody needs a hobby I guess.

 

[LynnW]

I thought this tread was about about HD radio in the Zune and not about comments made by Apple and Microsoft fanbois dissing each others favorite companies. The point of my comment remains that potential purchasers of the Zune HD are far more interested in its ability to play back recorded HD videos than in listening to HD radio.

 

[KB1OKL]

I thought this tread was about about HD radio in the Zune and not about comments made by Apple and Microsoft fanbois dissing each others favorite companies. The point of my comment remains that potential purchasers of the Zune HD are far more interested in its ability to play back recorded HD videos than in listening to HD radio.

The person who posted before you thinks that iBlock radio is the second coming and will disparage any post which even hints that HD is less than a huge success rather than the little bomb it's been, smacks of desperation to me.

 

[R.F. Burns]

I thought this tread was about about HD radio in the Zune and not about comments made by Apple and Microsoft fanbois dissing each others favorite companies. The point of my comment remains that potential purchasers of the Zune HD are far more interested in its ability to play back recorded HD videos than in listening to HD radio.

Yes it is a HD radio discussion board and my comments were not aimed at you personally but the point is that the site you linked to is a Mac site and they have nearly no good things to say about anything Microsoft. With every anti IBOC comment you'll read on this board the technology keeps gaining. It has been slowly growing for the relatively few years the general public has been able to purchase radios. With the introduction of the new Zune, HD goes portable by using the new lower power consumption chip. One last comment I'd like to make. There are other boards on the internet which don't tolerate the over the top anti digital commentary you'll read here. Most of us who are willing to give the technology a chance (We're not saying it is or isn't perfect. We're just willing to give it a chance and see how it developes by giving it some time to do so in the real world.) have gone to other boards to post our observations because of the anti social behavoir exibited by too many in this forum. That has caused the real sociopaths here who feel they must make broad sweeping statements about IBOC to counter any positive comments to seek us out. Thankfully those boards which attract a good number of broadcast professionals are moderated and once these people start making their irrational comments they are kicked off those boards. It makes life much more pleasent when you can talk about a subject with other people and not be constantly battered with anti comments from people who have no experience using the technology to begin with but sure have a lot to say about it ..Hint hint IBLOCK. Yea, well it takes some people longer to grow up than others.

 

[Seattleradiodude]

Yes it is a HD radio discussion board and my comments were not aimed at you personally but the point is that the site you linked to is a Mac site and they have nearly no good things to say about anything Microsoft. With every anti IBOC comment you'll read on this board the technology keeps gaining. It has been slowly growing for the relatively few years the general public has been able to purchase radios. With the introduction of the new Zune, HD goes portable by using the new lower power consumption chip. One last comment I'd like to make. There are other boards on the internet which don't tolerate the over the top anti digital commentary you'll read here. Most of us who are willing to give the technology a chance (We're not saying it is or isn't perfect. We're just willing to give it a chance and see how it developes by giving it some time to do so in the real world.) have gone to other boards to post our observations because of the anti social behavoir exibited by too many in this forum. That has caused the real sociopaths here who feel they must make broad sweeping statements about IBOC to counter any positive comments to seek us out. Thankfully those boards which attract a good number of broadcast professionals are moderated and once these people start making their irrational comments they are kicked off those boards. It makes life much more pleasent when you can talk about a subject with other people and not be constantly battered with anti comments from people who have no experience using the technology to begin with but sure have a lot to say about it ..Hint hint IBLOCK. Yea, well it takes some people longer to grow up than others.

Very well Stated! This board has the same 6 to 10 "anti iboc" bashers on it, spamming their way to the point where the true (as you pointed out) broadcast professionals have migrated to other boards as opposed to wasting time here knocking on the thick skulls that some people have.

 

[KB1OKL]

I have a different take on it and I do have an iBlock radio wink! wink! in fact it's Sony XDR-F1HD which works about as good as I expected it to work, with stock antennas it is just about dead most of the time and that is real world experience by someone who knows how to make a radio work. Some pro IBOC'ers have left here and gone and congregated on other very strictly moderated forums (by HD loving moderators) that are populated mostly by other pro IBOC bootlickers who can't stand anyone questioning their sacred little plaything called iBlock. They dismiss the truth as harassment and ban people who dare question them, they are called liars nuts, luddites etc. but once the offending people are banned again they become happy again in their little bubble, more power to them, when the world of IBOC has completely fallen down around them they will wake up one day and go hey, what happened, it seemed to be going so well?
I am not a broadcast pro just a ham and a listener but there are many here, much more than at the forum the runners pontificate at now, they love it there, they have their audience who adores them. So don't fool yourselves, you guys ran away from here because you can't take the truth. There is comfort in denial. You want the truth about HD? Come here if you want sugar coated saccharine B.S. go elsewhere where the truth is squashed, this is the best damn HD forum you're going to find and you know it, in fact it's the best damn radio forum going period. A hifi forum does not have a lot of pros in it but again you're adored over there so be happy.

 

[SUPERCASTER]

HD Radio adds nothing to the Zune except cost, size, weight, heat, power consumption, complexity and intermittent poor reception. Since HD Radio rarely works reliably with large antennas it has no chance with small ones.

Apple will be delighted, Microsoft will be sorry.

 

[Savage]

"True broadcast professionals have migrated to other boards." Oh, I see - if you're not a pro-HD zealot, you can't be a "true broadcast professional." Check it, everybody - the dozen or so HD crusaders left in the industry are announcing: if you don't know the secret handshake and you refuse to yell "all girls stink," then STAY OUT OF THE HD RADIO TREEHOUSE. What is this - the Weebelos?

Actually, on most of the other boards I've frequented, the dialogue pretty much runs along the lines of what you read on radio-info.com. (Unless you live on some iBiquity or Alliance blogsite.) Oh, yeah! HD is growing like a wildfire. Outside of the USA, what countries have actually ADOPTED HD as a digital standard (and I'm not talking about countries which have "approved testing," the latest spin from iBiquity's lie factory.) Let's see....Brazil (four stations, I think)..Panama....and what, freakin' Grand Fenwick? (How about Brigadoon, while we're at it??)

I've said it before. If HD Radio was everything its diminishing band of proponents said it was, there wouldn't be a controversy. Almost anything you can name about the system is flawed - everybody knows it. The serious and ongoing problems are quite predictably retarding its adoption. If it was so great HD wouldn't be frantically flogging a digital power increase for FM. And they wouldn't be sheepishly admitting HD-AM is an interference disaster.

Go ahead: keep up the namecalling and elitism, HD'ers. Now THAT'S an effective way to promote your pet system. (Notwithstanding your dogma, HD Radio has BIG problems. And they're growing, not diminishing.)

 

[Seattleradiodude]

^^ Here are 3 of the major culprits now! Within 12 hours even!! What a surprise!

 

[Savage]

So how are HD Radio receiver sales going there in Sea-Tac, Dude? Can you give us any figures?
PLEASE try not to include receivers sold and then "returned to stores."

Any new stations which have turned on HD, added HD subs? Any of 'em showing up in Arbitron? We would be particularly interested in any new HD-AM stations coming on. (And, conversely, any stations which have turned HD OFF.)

If you don't mind my actually addressing the subject of this board. These are certainly fair questions to ask of someone who is obviously a believer in the system.

 

[BRNout]

^^ Here are 3 of the major culprits now! Within 12 hours even!! What a surprise!

Gee, I guess it's easy to be an elitist when you get free room and board in Mom's basement! Your comments are so pompous that I'm amazed. You're a true pro all right!

Judging from the public reception that HD radio is getting, there are more than a few of us out there. Clearly, the technology is the answer to a question that no one asked.