HD Radio In Boston?

[Retro]

How many actually own an HD radio? And if so, are you satified with the both the programming and the reception?

I have looked at what is available on the HD channels, and so far I am really not all that impressed at all. I did check out a floor model at the store recently, I wasn't all that impressed either.

In any case, I am just wondering what your experiences have been with the format so far.

 

[Eli Polonsky]

How many actually own an HD radio? And if so, are you satified with the both the programming and the reception?

I have looked at what is available on the HD channels, and so far I am really not all that impressed at all. I did check out a floor model at the store recently, I wasn't all that impressed either.

In any case, I am just wondering what your experiences have been with the format so far.

I have one at home, a Sangean HDT-1. Reception is generally good, though occasionally the HD signal may cut out momentarily from time to time even on strong signals.

I assume you mean programming on the HD-2 subchannels. There are some good ideas, and some unique attempts to fill format voids not covered on the analog dial, but because there are so few people listening and therefore no advertising or income, the stations are putting very little ongoing effort into the HD-2's. They're just automated loops of music and liners running off hard drives, no live DJ's, and it remains to be seen whether the medium will ever really "catch on" and progress beyond this level.

Personally, I'm bummed that WZLX discontinued their "Lost Classics & Deep Tracks" format on their HD-2. I appreciate that they're now running a Blues channel (mostly blues-rock, actually) and that Carter Alan is devoted to it and is giving local blues artists music some exposure on it, but I enjoyed the "Lost Classics" format. It was like listening to a vintage AOR station playlist from the late '60s and '70s.

Personally, I think HD radios are too expensive for what you get. I was considering getting one for a birthday present for my mom because I thought she'd enjoy the all-classical WGBH HD-2, but it wasn't worth the money just for that. I'll get her a working DVD player to replace her broken one instead.

 

[LouBertoni]

How many actually own an HD radio? And if so, are you satified with the both the programming and the reception?

I have looked at what is available on the HD channels, and so far I am really not all that impressed at all. I did check out a floor model at the store recently, I wasn't all that impressed either.

In any case, I am just wondering what your experiences have been with the format so far.

Some thoughts...

1.) The extra formats on the HD-2 channels offer some nice additional variety. If you are sick of the songs currently on the radio dial, then it's kick to listen to "All 70's".

Personally I like the "Smooth Jazz" channel. HD is a great way to offer formats that probably couldn't survive on the main channel. If all the people that used to love 96.9 Smooth Jazz knew they could hear the format for a simple one-time $200 or less investment....it would be a great success. I'm waiting for the promised 50's/60's format on Oldies 103.3 HD-2.

2.) No personalities or creativity. If you like DJ personality....this doesn't bring any of that to the table.

3.) No commercials....is a good thing! (I think some of them are allowed 10 seconds per hour...which is basically like a sponsorship/underwriting announcement.)

4.) The public knows something about HD radio. But they have no idea what is available. Is there a way to tell all the people that liked 96.9-Jazz that the format is still available to them?

5.) The HD signals don't go as far as the regular analog signal. I hear that broadcasters are asking for permission to up their HD power. I was disappointed with the reception only 25-30 miles away. They had better find a way to improve the coverage...or they chance that a persons first experience with HD is a bad one.....and their last experience.

6.) It's a promising technology with a lot of added features and potential...however, it ain't there yet. The technology is coming along...but it's not there yet. It needs time to work out some of the bugs. The radios/receivers are getting better.

7.) HD wont take off unless a.) they start marketing the formats on HD-2 channels and tell people what is available. Then people might consciously buy a radio. Right now they've heard about HD...but don't really know what it offers. b.) until it starts becoming standard in cars, and people start discovering it.....it's not going to take off.

8.) I am amazed at what it does for AM...even a talk format like WBZ.

9.) There are a lot of people ready to pronounce HD dead. Some people were under the mistaken impression that this technology would take off and reach maturity and acceptance in 18 months. It will take a while, because people do not see a need to go out and replace their radios.

It brings added functionality to terestial radio, and owners/operators will not dispense with it easily/readily.

My suggestion?

If you live close enough to the Boston stations (really the only stations in New England that offer a second HD-2 stream), then spend the $100-$150.....how can you go wrong?

 

[MHB]

I own a receiver. I'm quite pleased with the programming. The reception could be better but I live in a poor location for TV/radio anyway and expected that.

And I really appreciate the title and artist information.

Some thoughts...

1.) The extra formats on the HD-2 channels offer some nice additional variety. If you are sick of the songs currently on the radio dial, then it's kick to listen to "All 70's".

Personally I like the "Smooth Jazz" channel. HD is a great way to offer formats that probably couldn't survive on the main channel. If all the people that used to love 96.9 Smooth Jazz knew they could hear the format for a simple one-time $200 or less investment....it would be a great success. I'm waiting for the promised 50's/60's format on Oldies 103.3 HD-2.

4.) The public knows something about HD radio. But they have no idea what is available. Is there a way to tell all the people that liked 96.9-Jazz that the format is still available to them?

7.) HD wont take off unless a.) they start marketing the formats on HD-2 channels and tell people what is available. Then people might consciously buy a radio. Right now they've heard about HD...but don't really know what it offers. b.) until it starts becoming standard in cars, and people start discovering it.....it's not going to take off.

My suggestion?

If you live close enough to the Boston stations (really the only stations in New England that offer a second HD-2 stream), then spend the $100-$150.....how can you go wrong?

Agreed that it's a terrific value. My receiver was $100 after the rebate (my friend got his for $50 after the rebate). Comparing that one-time cost to the cost of satellite radio (mostly channels I don't even want), it's very reasonable.

But, as you say, it seems the stations aren't doing that great a job getting the telling the audience about it. You hear generic radio ads for "HD radio," but it might be more persuasive to tell people exactly what's in it for them (smooth jazz, '70s music, etc.).

And I too am waiting for the 50s-60s oldies format.

 

[rapking]

No local program.Boston HD radio S-CKS ! I hear WHUR-HD-2 station in Washington DC has Live DJ's, I hope this start a trend to other radio markets ( AKA Boston ) .

 

[NHRadio]

Can you PLEASE say something else? We know you think Boston radio sucks. Move on.

No local program.Boston HD radio S-CKS ! I hear WHUR-HD-2 station in Washington DC has Live DJ's, I hope this start a trend to other radio markets ( AKA Boston ) .

 

[LouBertoni]

No local program.Boston HD radio S-CKS !

What ARE you talking about

It's all local.

 

[JustinT]

No local program.Boston HD radio S-CKS ! I hear WHUR-HD-2 station in Washington DC has Live DJ's, I hope this start a trend to other radio markets ( AKA Boston ) .

I'm pretty sure WBOS-HD-2, "Radio You Boston" has live jocks quite frequently.

An Urban AC HD-2 is the only critical thing missing from Boston's HD-2 selections, IMHO. Granted, WILD-FM was still on the air when the original plan was drawn up.

 

[NHRadio]

Besides Rapking, anyone think an true Urban would work on a HD2?
Many but by no means all listeners of the format tend to live closer in to the cities (and thus xmtr sites) so would be in range of decent HD coverage. The cost of the radio may be an issue for many though.
However, with MP3s, satellite and so many free online options available does it really matter?

 

[Eli Polonsky]

I'm pretty sure WBOS-HD-2, "Radio You Boston" has live jocks quite frequently.

I thought they also canceled that format a few months ago when WBOS HD-1 changed format and canned all their DJ's. I haven't heard anyone live on WBOS HD-2 the few times I've checked it lately, nor have I heard the music variety that I used to hear on "Radio You". It now sounds to me like a different loop of mainly the same music also played on the main WBOS.

An Urban AC HD-2 is the only critical thing missing from Boston's HD-2 selections, IMHO. Granted, WILD-FM was still on the air when the original plan was drawn up.

Some of the vocal music on the WMJX HD-2 "Smooth Jazz" channel could fit into Urban AC, but it's not a true Urban AC format.

 

[rockcaptain]

I thought they also canceled that format a few months ago when WBOS HD-1 changed format and canned all their DJ's. I haven't heard anyone live on WBOS HD-2 the few times I've checked it lately, nor have I heard the music variety that I used to hear on "Radio You". It now sounds to me like a different loop of mainly the same music also played on the main WBOS.

I haven't noticed any changes. Here is their lineup. http://www.bostonradio929.com/radioyou_jocks.aspx and http://www.bostonradio929.com/radioyou_shows.aspx

 

[Eli Polonsky]

I thought they also canceled that format a few months ago when WBOS HD-1 changed format and canned all their DJ's. I haven't heard anyone live on WBOS HD-2 the few times I've checked it lately, nor have I heard the music variety that I used to hear on "Radio You". It now sounds to me like a different loop of mainly the same music also played on the main WBOS.

I haven't noticed any changes. Here is their lineup. http://www.bostonradio929.com/radioyou_jocks.aspx and http://www.bostonradio929.com/radioyou_shows.aspx

I also saw that website still up, but I didn't think it was current any more. I also checked the "Radio You" MySpace page, and there were no updates or posts on it since July. I've tried tuning in for some of the shows, and just heard a jockless loop of similar music that they play on the HD-1. I guess I'll have to keep trying at different times, and see if any of the live jocks (mostly Emerson grads formerly from WERS, which does not allow their hosts to remain on the air after they graduate) are still on the air. Maybe they were gone on summer vacations when I tried. I believe they do "Radio You" on a volunteer basis as far as I know.