How does the average person see the HD radio hype?

[vsa]

Some folks in traditional radio keep talking about how great HD radio is and what a breakthrough achievement in technology HD radio happens to be. Have we really studied how the average consumer in America views this technological marvel?

I came across a video that, I think, is a great illustration. Click on the link below. When you view the product that's being promoted, substitute your favorite HD radio in its place to see how a normal person really sees HD radio as it is being promoted as compared to it's competing technologies - specifically the Internet, including Internet delivered radio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IrXTXxt_j0&mode=related&search=

 

[rbrucecarter5]

Some folks in traditional radio keep talking about how great HD radio is and what a breakthrough achievement in technology HD radio happens to be. Have we really studied how the average consumer in America views this technological marvel?

Which conversation is more likely?:

(1) "Honey, the radio in the bedroom went out. Can you get me a new one at Walmart on the way home from work? Don't spend over $20."

or

(2) "Honey, the radio in the bedroom went out. Can you get me a brand new HD radio at Walmart on the way home from work? Don't spend over $200. Don't forget to buy a deep fringe antenna for FM and a Terk AM Advantage antenna for AM. Be sure to buy a mast, mounting hardware, guy wire, a lightning arrestor, and grounding wire for the FM antenna. Oh, and make sure the ladder in the garage is OK, you know how I like working on antennas on the roof while watching the kids."

 

[rbrucecarter5]

Some folks in traditional radio keep talking about how great HD radio is and what a breakthrough achievement in technology HD radio happens to be. Have we really studied how the average consumer in America views this technological marvel?

I came across a video that, I think, is a great illustration. Click on the link below. When you view the product that's being promoted, substitute your favorite HD radio in its place to see how a normal person really sees HD radio as it is being promoted as compared to it's competing technologies - specifically the Internet, including Internet delivered radio.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IrXTXxt_j0&mode=related&search=

 

[Tom Wells]

The video makes many points I agree with.

I wish I could use a cellphone optimized to be a phone, instead of all the other "eyewash".

I long now for my first old analog Nokia, which rode in a custom holster on the outside of my briefcase.

I still will not carry a cellphone up next to my skin, but maintain a wavelength or 2 distance.

HD radio is just another in a long line of technologies we'd like to make foolproof.

The average person couldn't care less about the HD hype, just as AMAX standards and AM stereo were utterly disregarded.
At least these were in keeping with spirit and intent of the original modulation scheme.

Coming up with interference as modulation is a clear sign someone is not from a radio background.
It is akin to legalizing any number of crimes for commercial expediency.
It is a poor engineering response to a problem.

Or as DE Wiggins once put it, and I paraphrase, " Digital is for people who can't make analog work."

 

[jim8230]

You know Tom, I agree with your take on this nonsense 100%. "Coming up with interference as modulation..."...that fact alone should raise the red flag that this technology is dubious at best.

 

[vsa]

The video makes many points I agree with.

I wish I could use a cellphone optimized to be a phone, instead of all the other "eyewash".

I long now for my first old analog Nokia, which rode in a custom holster on the outside of my briefcase.

I still will not carry a cellphone up next to my skin, but maintain a wavelength or 2 distance.

HD radio is just another in a long line of technologies we'd like to make foolproof.

The average person couldn't care less about the HD hype, just as AMAX standards and AM stereo were utterly disregarded.
At least these were in keeping with spirit and intent of the original modulation scheme.

Coming up with interference as modulation is a clear sign someone is not from a radio background.
It is akin to legalizing any number of crimes for commercial expediency.
It is a poor engineering response to a problem.

Or as DE Wiggins once put it, and I paraphrase, " Digital is for people who can't make analog work."

Tom,

People tend to forget that all of us do our listening with analog ears. Internet delivery of radio is digital because it can't be done in analog. Why do radio people think that doing something digitally is somehow inherently superior. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. When you mix them you ask for trouble.

Traditional broadcasters think going digital via HD radio will somehow keep their transmitters, sticks and licenses from becoming eventually obsolete. Being digital via HD radio will not prevent that any more than what digital compact cassettes did not do for Phillips back in the early 1990s.

 

[SUPERCASTER]

The video makes many points I agree with.

I wish I could use a cellphone optimized to be a phone, instead of all the other "eyewash".

I long now for my first old analog Nokia, which rode in a custom holster on the outside of my briefcase.

I still will not carry a cellphone up next to my skin, but maintain a wavelength or 2 distance.

HD radio is just another in a long line of technologies we'd like to make foolproof.

The average person couldn't care less about the HD hype, just as AMAX standards and AM stereo were utterly disregarded.
At least these were in keeping with spirit and intent of the original modulation scheme.

Coming up with interference as modulation is a clear sign someone is not from a radio background.
It is akin to legalizing any number of crimes for commercial expediency.
It is a poor engineering response to a problem.

Or as DE Wiggins once put it, and I paraphrase, " Digital is for people who can't make analog work."

Tom,

People tend to forget that all of us do our listening with analog ears. Internet delivery of radio is digital because it can't be done in analog. Why do radio people think that doing something digitally is somehow inherently superior. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages. When you mix them you ask for trouble.

Traditional broadcasters think going digital via HD radio will somehow keep their transmitters, sticks and licenses from becoming eventually obsolete. Being digital via HD radio will not prevent that any more than what digital compact cassettes did not do for Phillips back in the early 1990s.

I agree.