How relevant is HD radio and will it help keep the radio medium alive? Think of AM stereo and how it helped AM.
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HD Radio
- Thread starter Steppenwolf
- Start date
Too little! Too late! Had they come up with this in the 1980s, it would be hot today. But,
the internet is established now. On the internet anyone can stream at 128. HD radio is 96.
That's a bad mp3. And if you want to do more than one channel, it is even worse. Plus with
HD your coverage is limited to your very local area. With the internet, you are worldwide.
Why try to reinvent the internet on your own Podunk carrier.
HD radio is dead before it is born!!!!!
the internet is established now. On the internet anyone can stream at 128. HD radio is 96.
That's a bad mp3. And if you want to do more than one channel, it is even worse. Plus with
HD your coverage is limited to your very local area. With the internet, you are worldwide.
Why try to reinvent the internet on your own Podunk carrier.
HD radio is dead before it is born!!!!!
They were seriously talking about it in the early 90s, but no one could settle on the right way to make it happen. You're right - too little, too late. They really missed the boat on this. They could have had this going a long time ago, but the bickering and greed made it take too long to get working and out to the market.
Now that you can listen to a web stream in your car with wireless internet, what's the point?
Now that you can listen to a web stream in your car with wireless internet, what's the point?
In defense of HD Radio, The coding is not as lossy as MP3 so at 96kbps or 48kbps the coding can stand up very well, the audio of an HD at 48kbps is better than all but a couple of channels on XM and is better quality than all of the Sirius channels. So are you driving around with your laptop and wireless card plugged into your FM modulator adapter to listen to the internet in the car? Just as an FYI WiMax has not been built out yet because the business model does not work. It was supposed to be live in Chicago last Spring and is still not up, so for those of you on this board that keep bringing up WiMax as the death to terrestial radio I would not plan on driving around with your in dash WiMax radio anytime soon. You are probably looking at something close to 8 to 10 years before you MAY see a standard OEM in dash radio in your Ford or GM car. That is if the WiMax networks actually get built out. Don't hold your breath, and if you are in a market smaller than Indy I think even longer before WiMax service is available if at all.
The larger broadcast companies are working on the higher power HD transmitter test's as I type, The additional transmitter power that is proposed and in front of the FCC for review will enhance the HD reception to what is currently the now listenable analog service.
The larger broadcast companies are working on the higher power HD transmitter test's as I type, The additional transmitter power that is proposed and in front of the FCC for review will enhance the HD reception to what is currently the now listenable analog service.
Chrysler Corporation will be introducing cars with WiFi radio very, very soon.
My cell phone has a Windows Media Player and unlimited minutes. It's not years away. It is now!!!
So all of you can learn how to do your own stream, here's a link to the free software.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/encoder/default.mspx
Unlike an HD transmitter, it's free.
So all of you can learn how to do your own stream, here's a link to the free software.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/encoder/default.mspx
Unlike an HD transmitter, it's free.
Flying-Dutchman said:
WME is free but you better be prepared to compensate the Performance Rights Organizations. Then there is the cost of streaming. Remember, nothing is free but if you account for the expense then no problem.
If HD Radio doesn't take off, I don't see it being because of internet radio. Radio has survived, and even thrived, despite an ever increasing range of competitors. It's still reaching roughly as many people as it reached 20 years ago. So, it seems way too soon to sound the death knell of the industry. Also, contrary to what DX'ers say, HD Radio will not fail because it obliterates signals from adjacent markets. No one but DX'ers listen to those signals anyway.
If HD Radio fails it will be for one of these reasons:
(1) Broadcasters don't embrace it.
(2) A more effective and/or cheaper technology is embraced by broadcasters instead.
(3) Not enough equipment manufacturers will supply the technology/it doesn't become portable enough.
(4) Signals require too much work to receive.
I agree with those who say we will have digital radio. However, I join them in not being convinced that it will be THIS digital radio. I don't buy the idea that HD Radio is DOA, but I'm not convinced it's the next big thing either. The technology isn't really hurting the average listener. So, it still has time to grow. However, broadcasters can't sit on the technology forever if they don't get the results they want.
If HD Radio fails it will be for one of these reasons:
(1) Broadcasters don't embrace it.
(2) A more effective and/or cheaper technology is embraced by broadcasters instead.
(3) Not enough equipment manufacturers will supply the technology/it doesn't become portable enough.
(4) Signals require too much work to receive.
I agree with those who say we will have digital radio. However, I join them in not being convinced that it will be THIS digital radio. I don't buy the idea that HD Radio is DOA, but I'm not convinced it's the next big thing either. The technology isn't really hurting the average listener. So, it still has time to grow. However, broadcasters can't sit on the technology forever if they don't get the results they want.
Kent said:
HD radio has failed already for the above reasons. Also, radio reinvented itself fifty years ago because independent thought. A corporate environment doesn't encourage new ideas. Remember, there are end of year/VP bonuses involved so we can't rock the boat.
K
kyscott
Guest
It's all about content. Unless you have compelling content, people are not gonna listen. And people have been tuning out for a few years now. Regardless of the delivery method, it all comes down to content.
I only have a 30 minute commute but when I'm traveling a longer distance, I fire up my lap top, plug in my aircard and listen on-line to whatever I want.
If HD had come around in the 80's or 90's, I think streaming would have killed it off anyhow.
Content IS important. But nobody is setting the world on fire with content these days.
If HD had come around in the 80's or 90's, I think streaming would have killed it off anyhow.
Content IS important. But nobody is setting the world on fire with content these days.
Last I heard satellite radio was going to kill off terrestrial radio. 
No wait, those two companies had to merge [into what still should be considered an illegal monopoly] to try to survive, and now are asking their shareholders to approve a reverse stock split that will dillute their share values 10-15x.
Time spent with radio actually went up during this proposed deadly assault.
Sure, consumers will have to purchase HD receivers to get new channels. Every other programming delivery all the posts here have described are not any diferent. A PC, a laptop, an aircard, whatever - unless grandma purchased it for you it wasn't free, either. And, as far as I know, there's not a free ISP out there either. So, you're still paying to hear your content monthly.
Once you purchase an HD receiver, you're done. Content's still free. Not subscriber-fee based, but advertiser supported. And, if you're paying attention, you'll notice that HD side channel programming thus far has been very interesting, far from "vanilla."
As far as HD is considered, it's not too late. It's "better late than never." Sure, had the industry embraced it sooner, it may have never had to face the assault of satellite, etc. However, competition does bring out the best in those involved so perhaps radio needed a swift kick in it's lazy a-- by new technology challenges to embrace new technology, and new programming, and more forward.
I personally look forward to the next 5 years or less, when my radio will be flush with new content, for free.
No wait, those two companies had to merge [into what still should be considered an illegal monopoly] to try to survive, and now are asking their shareholders to approve a reverse stock split that will dillute their share values 10-15x. Time spent with radio actually went up during this proposed deadly assault.
Sure, consumers will have to purchase HD receivers to get new channels. Every other programming delivery all the posts here have described are not any diferent. A PC, a laptop, an aircard, whatever - unless grandma purchased it for you it wasn't free, either. And, as far as I know, there's not a free ISP out there either. So, you're still paying to hear your content monthly.
Once you purchase an HD receiver, you're done. Content's still free. Not subscriber-fee based, but advertiser supported. And, if you're paying attention, you'll notice that HD side channel programming thus far has been very interesting, far from "vanilla."
As far as HD is considered, it's not too late. It's "better late than never." Sure, had the industry embraced it sooner, it may have never had to face the assault of satellite, etc. However, competition does bring out the best in those involved so perhaps radio needed a swift kick in it's lazy a-- by new technology challenges to embrace new technology, and new programming, and more forward.
I personally look forward to the next 5 years or less, when my radio will be flush with new content, for free.
mouseman said:
The same way my mailbox is stuffed with coupons for El Rodeo and ChemDry carpet cleaning?
If you can't receive it, will you buy it??
That's what I'd be asking.
In Fort Wayne, we've got 2 channels.
One spouting Rush and the "Right Horde" and one playing classical. I don't listen to either, so why switch???
That, my friends/fiends, IS THE QUESTION.
(and this is why, as a radio geek, I WISH I WAS SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
That's what I'd be asking.
In Fort Wayne, we've got 2 channels.
One spouting Rush and the "Right Horde" and one playing classical. I don't listen to either, so why switch???
That, my friends/fiends, IS THE QUESTION.
(and this is why, as a radio geek, I WISH I WAS SOMEWHERE ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
For example? The only formats on HD in Indy that aren't on FM are WZPL's all-comedy channel and WNTR's Blues channel. Doesn't sound terribly interesting to me.
HD Radio is [has] failed because radio is failing – PURE ‘N SIMPLE... ‘Have you looked at the value of your Emmis stock today [49-cents/share]... ‘Rather humorous and edifying is THE FACT that this owner of multiple N.Y.C./L.A./Chi and headquarters-Indy stations are now market-capitalized at only TEN-TIMES the value of the FOUR SMALL MARKET stations this poster sold in 2002 – and I was paid in full for that purchase by 2005 O.M.G.
HD Radio is yet another hypnotized fantasy discovered by so-called “executives” that landed in radio after being rejected by Radio Shack... I’m so glad I never had to work for these utter losers I can name a couple involved in Hoosier radio that ought be behind bars at this moment... In a padded cell for blowing an RF experiment... In a 6x10 for squandering the investments of others THIS IS SOOOO SAD! Radio IS NOT passé – its contemporary management just is! 'Time for a change... 'N I'm not an O supporter!
HD is a defective and destructive band-aid that just WON’T stick... It has NO C.E.S. support and even less consumer awareness and demand, but it IS the product of those I decried above. Their “stations between the stations” aren’t beyond a “janitor’s closet PC project in the corporate office”—“KIDS” on the net have demonstrated better : ‘Now, CAN’T WE DO BETTER?
I’ll be waiting... ‘But not holding my breath!
O.M.G.HD Radio is yet another hypnotized fantasy discovered by so-called “executives” that landed in radio after being rejected by Radio Shack... I’m so glad I never had to work for these utter losers
I can name a couple involved in Hoosier radio that ought be behind bars at this moment... In a padded cell for blowing an RF experiment... In a 6x10 for squandering the investments of others THIS IS SOOOO SAD! Radio IS NOT passé – its contemporary management just is! 'Time for a change... 'N I'm not an O supporter!HD is a defective and destructive band-aid that just WON’T stick... It has NO C.E.S. support and even less consumer awareness and demand, but it IS the product of those I decried above. Their “stations between the stations” aren’t beyond a “janitor’s closet PC project in the corporate office”—“KIDS” on the net have demonstrated better :
‘Now, CAN’T WE DO BETTER?I’ll be waiting... ‘But not holding my breath!
HD radio is the Edsel of radio technology. AM stereo had potential and available in factory car radios as late as 2004. But that is a rant for another thread.
Once again, it's about content. But let me add another issue, signal. You have to have a perfect signal for HD. Any radio beyond city grade will only receive analog. If that is all the technology can produce then what is the point?
Once again, it's about content. But let me add another issue, signal. You have to have a perfect signal for HD. Any radio beyond city grade will only receive analog. If that is all the technology can produce then what is the point?
radiorob2.0 said:
In these economic times, who is going to spend more money on basically what's already being offered. Historically, even the FM format didn't suceed until it was offered free in cars and the content focused on music like album-oriented rock--something that wasn't being offered on tradition AM radio. Unless HD broadens the choices of content, it will lag and fail.
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