How HD radio can end up in the hands of 10 million more Americans quickly.

[vsa]

So it sucked, did it? Let's see what actual PSP owners have to say about this FREE upgrade that no doubt will see further software updates:

http://blog.us.playstation.com/2007/12/17/attention-music-lovers-psp-firmware-v380-is-live/

Did you need to use a dipole antenna? Were you limited to stations who's transmitter was only a few miles away from your listening location? How much additional money did you have to spend to hear these stations?

BTW, they are Shoutcast, not Winamp stations. These are about 10,000 stations that stream in MP3 format using the industry standard Shoutcast server.

Well, I'm not going to bother reading all the comments about a toy I care little about, but I did do a search for the word "radio" on that page and found the number of people commenting on that particular feature was nowhere near all...

That's what you get when you are afraid of Internet radio and your mind is so closed that you don't bother to READ!!!  A comment that says "Awesome..." or "I love you..." or "Great update for the PSP, thank you..." will not show up when you search for the term "radio".

Sony's Playstation blog states, "Music has been one of the primary uses of the PSP system, and with the addition of Internet Radio, consumers are able to access even more of their favorite artists. Enjoy."

Cost to all 10 million Sony PSP owners in the USA?  F-R-E-E !!!

Sony did this upgrade at the request of its users, not because of an FCC mandate and not after taking money or free advertising from some industry trade group trying to push their hardware.

First of all, how many of those 10 Million users will actually bother to upgrade? Just like the iPhone, the PSP has been hacked to play Nintendo games so not many people are rushing to upgrade.

I also looked it up, and yes many people were thanking Sony for the "Web Radio", but many were also thanking them for the Customizable Backgrounds feature. The Web Radio was probably only added to fight the iPod and the recent hacks (Nintendo games) made by people. What better way to make people upgrade, you add a customizable background, a sucky web radio, and you patch up some security holes, thus kill three birds with one stone.


Also, I made a mistake, not only can you listen to shoutcast, but also to icecast. But not that it makes much difference since they use the same Web Radio face!

You obviously haven't used the "web Based radio". When tuned into a station, you cannot use the PSP's other feature like (It's whole purpose) play games, watch the pictures, or use the Internet (the web address bar is disabled). The PSP is also a B Wi-Fi, so it starts to skip when you get The PSP a little too far from the router. Also, IT KILLS THE BATTERY. You have to have it plugged into the wall if you want to have a healthy battery afterwards. I admit, it is a nice feature, but people will eventually forget about it. It's a dead and buggy feature just to amaze people and to keep PSP's updated.

Sorry, I just don't see how this is better than HD radio.

BTW, they are Shoutcast, not Winamp stations. These are about 10,000 stations that stream in MP3 format using the industry standard Shoutcast server.

Aren't Winamp and shoutcast both runned by AOL? Don't be so picky. You know what I meant.
You can' tune to all of the stations, only selected ones like 181.fm or .977, so you don't have full access to all 10,000 stations.

I say this, please buy one, then say if you are satisfied. Because I wasn't. Now if you excuse me, I have to return tis PSP to it's rightful owner.

The owner of your borrowed Sony PSP certainly BOTHERED to upgrade the free firmware.

How is HD radio better? You have to buy a new radio. You have to attach an antenna, often a dipole or Yagi to get a signal that is not guaranteed to be reliable. You only receive a very limited number of stations-in-a-box. And fewer than a half-million have been purchased in the last 4 years.

I already own a Roku Soundbridge, so I don't need to buy another Internet radio right now. Ten million Sony PSP owners just got a totally free one. What's to complain about? Is free too expensive for you?

 

[vsa]

A great assessment of radio for 2007 and what's in store for '08 written by radio expert, Don Barrett can be found on today's LA Radio site.  Although Don is directing his comments to the #2 radio market his observations can apply anywhere.

I particularly enjoyed this thought:

"Radio is a small cog in the entertainment food chain, but L.A. Radio is significant with $1 billion up for grabs and the hundreds of jobs provided by the 82 radio stations. HD Radio is not the answer. HD is only a distraction. The real answer rests in content. In this area, radio is no different than the movies or television. You must have content or there is no reason for you to exist.
 
I remain ever optimistic about the future of radio and L.A. Radio in particular. But, and this is a big BUT, it will never happen if we do nothing. More simulcasting and more voicetracking is not the answer."

Of course, there are a couple of radio professionals here who firmly believe that converting to HD Radio is a ticket out of obsolescence and irrelevancy and into a new era of hipness and public rediscovery ("if only the pesky public would get with the program and buy one of these darn HD receivers and forget about web radio").

But Don, who has interviewed and rubbed shoulders with nearly all of the PD's and station managers in Los Angeles and the OC, tells it straight as to the future success of radio (hint: it has nothing to do with HD Radio).

http://www.laradio.com/

db

Being a Los Angeles radio person, I agree with you wholeheartedly. Well stated.

Personally, I believe Internet-delivered radio has much greater promise because you don't HAVE to buy an actual radio. It comes along for the ride in what is becoming a rapidly growing number of wireless devices. Example?

A new wi-fi enabled touchscreen digiframe/photo display that also just happens to be an Internet radio and an RSS reader:

http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/03/shogo-the-wifi-enabled-touchscreen-digiframe/

Products like this thrive on Internet connectivity, a trend that is growing exponentially. Doing HD radio is not too different from starting up a BBS. It's digital, but it's extremely limited (one-way only and limited bandwidth) and not connected to everything else.

  

 

[Radioman100]

A great assessment of radio for 2007 and what's in store for '08 written by radio expert, Don Barrett can be found on today's LA Radio site. Although Don is directing his comments to the #2 radio market his observations can apply anywhere.

I particularly enjoyed this thought:

"Radio is a small cog in the entertainment food chain, but L.A. Radio is significant with $1 billion up for grabs and the hundreds of jobs provided by the 82 radio stations. HD Radio is not the answer. HD is only a distraction. The real answer rests in content. In this area, radio is no different than the movies or television. You must have content or there is no reason for you to exist.

I remain ever optimistic about the future of radio and L.A. Radio in particular. But, and this is a big BUT, it will never happen if we do nothing. More simulcasting and more voicetracking is not the answer."

Of course, there are a couple of radio professionals here who firmly believe that converting to HD Radio is a ticket out of obsolescence and irrelevancy and into a new era of hipness and public rediscovery ("if only the pesky public would get with the program and buy one of these darn HD receivers and forget about web radio").

But Don, who has interviewed and rubbed shoulders with nearly all of the PD's and station managers in Los Angeles and the OC, tells it straight as to the future success of radio (hint: it has nothing to do with HD Radio).

http://www.laradio.com/

db

Great! Another blog from a washed-up old has been from the cocaine era of radio. I'm sure it's compelling stuff.

Since he used the ever popular "HD is only a distraction" that all the other washed up old broadcasters turned bloggers have already used, I know it will be just another intellectually lazy retread, and I think I'll skip it.

Now for the usual retorts... "But Radioman! Don was the only PD to ever program a #1 station in LA and New York at the same time. Back in '75 that guy was really something!"

 

[dbdigital]

A great assessment of radio for 2007 and what's in store for '08 written by radio expert, Don Barrett can be found on today's LA Radio site. Although Don is directing his comments to the #2 radio market his observations can apply anywhere.

I particularly enjoyed this thought:

"Radio is a small cog in the entertainment food chain, but L.A. Radio is significant with $1 billion up for grabs and the hundreds of jobs provided by the 82 radio stations. HD Radio is not the answer. HD is only a distraction. The real answer rests in content. In this area, radio is no different than the movies or television. You must have content or there is no reason for you to exist.

I remain ever optimistic about the future of radio and L.A. Radio in particular. But, and this is a big BUT, it will never happen if we do nothing. More simulcasting and more voicetracking is not the answer."

Of course, there are a couple of radio professionals here who firmly believe that converting to HD Radio is a ticket out of obsolescence and irrelevancy and into a new era of hipness and public rediscovery ("if only the pesky public would get with the program and buy one of these darn HD receivers and forget about web radio").

But Don, who has interviewed and rubbed shoulders with nearly all of the PD's and station managers in Los Angeles and the OC, tells it straight as to the future success of radio (hint: it has nothing to do with HD Radio).

http://www.laradio.com/

db

Great! Another blog from a washed-up old has been from the cocaine era of radio. I'm sure it's compelling stuff.

Since he used the ever popular "HD is only a distraction" that all the other washed up old broadcasters turned bloggers have already used, I know it will be just another intellectually lazy retread, and I think I'll skip it.

Now for the usual retorts... "But Radioman! Don was the only PD to ever program a #1 station in LA and New York at the same time. Back in '75 that guy was really something!"

Great! Ridicule the messenger with something irrelevant like age. A real smarmy act, there.

What Don is saying is something he's been hearing from radio management and talent all over L.A.: HD Radio doesn't matter. It hasn't done anything to improve the bottom line of radio stations nor has it improved content (read: imagination).

Maybe some day you'll get that.

db

 

[Radioman100]

Great! Ridicule the messenger with something irrelevant like age. A real smarmy act, there.

What Don is saying is something he's been hearing from radio management and talent all over L.A.: HD Radio doesn't matter. It hasn't done anything to improve the bottom line of radio stations nor has it improved content (read: imagination).

Maybe some day you'll get that.

db

I've worked with more than my fair share of these retreads. I mention the "cocaine era" of radio because the last one did so much of the stuff he drooled - literally - still his old pal Randy Michaels who he had given a job at some point wanted to return the favor and made him the OM of our cluster. He screwed everything up. This was back in 2001.

Another one was a world class boozer. I didn't think it was possible to drink so much vodka and stay alive, yet he somehow did it daily.

And there were others. All "world class" programmers at one point in time. They really "moved the needle" in some big market somewhere at some point, but were basically washed up has beens by the time I met them.

It would be one thing if these bloggers would write something new and interesting, but instead they rehash the same stuff over and over. The word "distraction" was the tell in the quote from this Don guy. That's all I needed to know it would be yet another pointless slam that offers no insight or suggestions for improvement from another washed up retread. The same useless drivel that has been basically plagiarized from whichever old coot wrote it first over and over again.

I haven't even read the article. Am I close?

There is very little courage, and very little independent thinking in the world of radio. Group think is pervasive. People make the mistake of reading and believing these old coots instead of blazing new trails. Well, you've gotta admit they've done a fantastic job, haven't they? Radio stocks are in the toilet, until recently listenership had been in decline, etc. Yeah, keep listening to the old regime. They're really on the ball!

 

[vsa]

A great assessment of radio for 2007 and what's in store for '08 written by radio expert, Don Barrett can be found on today's LA Radio site.  Although Don is directing his comments to the #2 radio market his observations can apply anywhere.

I particularly enjoyed this thought:

"Radio is a small cog in the entertainment food chain, but L.A. Radio is significant with $1 billion up for grabs and the hundreds of jobs provided by the 82 radio stations. HD Radio is not the answer. HD is only a distraction. The real answer rests in content. In this area, radio is no different than the movies or television. You must have content or there is no reason for you to exist.
 
I remain ever optimistic about the future of radio and L.A. Radio in particular. But, and this is a big BUT, it will never happen if we do nothing. More simulcasting and more voicetracking is not the answer."

Of course, there are a couple of radio professionals here who firmly believe that converting to HD Radio is a ticket out of obsolescence and irrelevancy and into a new era of hipness and public rediscovery ("if only the pesky public would get with the program and buy one of these darn HD receivers and forget about web radio").

But Don, who has interviewed and rubbed shoulders with nearly all of the PD's and station managers in Los Angeles and the OC, tells it straight as to the future success of radio (hint: it has nothing to do with HD Radio).

http://www.laradio.com/

db

Great!  Another blog from a washed-up old has been from the cocaine era of radio.  I'm sure it's compelling stuff.

Since he used the ever popular "HD is only a distraction" that all the other washed up old broadcasters turned bloggers have already used, I know it will be just another intellectually lazy retread, and I think I'll skip it.

Now for the usual retorts...  "But Radioman!  Don was the only PD to ever program a #1 station in LA and New York at the same time.  Back in '75 that guy was really something!"

Great, another running-off-at-the-mouth by a <<SELF-EDITED INFLAMATORY>> know-nothing.

This Don Barrett guy you so quickly dismiss is a very highly-regarded former Los Angeles FM radio GM who runs a web site that happens to be the hub of the Los Angeles radio community. He is a class act, and you show none.

When the ratings come out, cluster managers and program directors line up at LARadio.com to put their spin on the numbers. Advertising buyers subscribe to have their finger on the pulse of L-A radio.


 

 

[dbdigital]

A great assessment of radio for 2007 and what's in store for '08 written by radio expert, Don Barrett can be found on today's LA Radio site. Although Don is directing his comments to the #2 radio market his observations can apply anywhere.

I particularly enjoyed this thought:

"Radio is a small cog in the entertainment food chain, but L.A. Radio is significant with $1 billion up for grabs and the hundreds of jobs provided by the 82 radio stations. HD Radio is not the answer. HD is only a distraction. The real answer rests in content. In this area, radio is no different than the movies or television. You must have content or there is no reason for you to exist.

I remain ever optimistic about the future of radio and L.A. Radio in particular. But, and this is a big BUT, it will never happen if we do nothing. More simulcasting and more voicetracking is not the answer."

Of course, there are a couple of radio professionals here who firmly believe that converting to HD Radio is a ticket out of obsolescence and irrelevancy and into a new era of hipness and public rediscovery ("if only the pesky public would get with the program and buy one of these darn HD receivers and forget about web radio").

But Don, who has interviewed and rubbed shoulders with nearly all of the PD's and station managers in Los Angeles and the OC, tells it straight as to the future success of radio (hint: it has nothing to do with HD Radio).

http://www.laradio.com/

db

Great! Another blog from a washed-up old has been from the cocaine era of radio. I'm sure it's compelling stuff.

Since he used the ever popular "HD is only a distraction" that all the other washed up old broadcasters turned bloggers have already used, I know it will be just another intellectually lazy retread, and I think I'll skip it.

Now for the usual retorts... "But Radioman! Don was the only PD to ever program a #1 station in LA and New York at the same time. Back in '75 that guy was really something!"

Great, another running-off-at-the-mouth by a <<SELF-EDITED INFLAMATORY>> know-nothing.

This Don Barrett guy you so quickly dismiss is a very highly-regarded former Los Angeles FM radio GM who runs a web site that happens to be the hub of the Los Angeles radio community. He is a class act, and you show none.

When the ratings come out, cluster managers and program directors line up at LARadio.com to put their spin on the numbers.Advertising buyers subscribe to have their finger on the pulse of L-A radio.

And again R100 misses the point. Don's essay was a summation of conversations he's had with L.A. radio pros this past year...YOUNG and old. In fact, the only L.A. radio honcho I know of who has been a vocal proponent of HD Radio has been Saul Levine and he's (what do call them Radioman? An old coot?) in his 70's. But, of course, age is irrelevant.

db

 

[Radioman100]

Great, another running-off-at-the-mouth by a <<SELF-EDITED INFLAMATORY>> know-nothing.

This Don Barrett guy you so quickly dismiss is a very highly-regarded former Los Angeles FM radio GM who runs a web site that happens to be the hub of the Los Angeles radio community. He is a class act, and you show none.

When the ratings come out, cluster managers and program directors line up at LARadio.com to put their spin on the numbers.Advertising buyers subscribe to have their finger on the pulse of L-A radio.

And yet the "class act" offers no constructive advice on HD Radio, just bashing I bet. Again, am I close?

And wow, he operates a chest thumping site. Woo hoo! You're right. I totally had him all wrong.

 

[oldjohnny]

The owner of your borrowed Sony PSP certainly BOTHERED to upgrade the free firmware.

Nope, I had to ask for permission to upgrade, He didn't even know of the upgrade. The only way to find out of any upgrades is to constantly check back to the official sony webpage. Oh and he tried the Radio feature, and he was impressed with it, but also thought of it as a stupid idea as how in the heck is he going to get internet every where he goes.

How is HD radio better? You have to buy a new radio. You have to attach an antenna, often a dipole or Yagi to get a signal that is not guaranteed to be reliable. You only receive a very limited number of stations-in-a-box. And fewer than a half-million have been purchased in the last 4 years.

Yes, and staying in a Wi-Fi spot (and sometimes paying for it) without moving much is certanly better than HD radio.
Oh, Let's just say, I want to go jogging, and I need music, and the only thing I have is this PSP. Well, let me pick it up and OH WAIT, THERE IS NO WI-FI IN THE PARK! Come on be real! are you seriously thinking that every city in the U.S has city wide Wi-Fi for free (or at all even)?? At the very least, HD radio will probably one day soon be portable

I already own a Roku Soundbridge, so I don't need to buy another Internet radio right now. Ten million Sony PSP owners just got a totally free one. What's to complain about? Is free too expensive for you?

Well then why don't you take it along with you on the way to work? I'm pretty shure it will work miracles. : Seriously buddy, before saying anything about the PSP, at very least go try a PSP at a local retailer and see how it works. It has very bad way of tuning into stations and it is limited to a couple of stations. I got tired of just tuning from station to station from the annoying static it makes while it tunes. Very bad!

What's to complain about? Is free too expensive for you?

Well, why do you complain about HD radio, isn't it free to the consumer too? Or is Free expensive for you?

 

[dbdigital]

In acknowledgment of the hard work Bob Savage and Bill Norman do to keep AM alive and vibrant (without the need for HD Radio), there was this observation on the L.A. Radio website yesterday:

"AM radio is dead – not!: Rumors of AM radio’s demise appear to be premature, at least if one were to follow the fortunes of news/talk KFI.With Robin Bertolucci at the helm, the station attracts more English-speaking listeners than anyone else. Bill Handel continues to stay in the top tier, so does Rush Limbaugh, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, and John & Ken. And a strong news department is a big asset to the currently-25,000-but-maybe-someday-once-again-50,000-watt station."

KFI has consistently stayed in the #2 spot in Los Angeles for 2007 (despite the fact that it has been running at half power due to a fatal light plane accident in 2004 which took down the station's tower).KABC and KNX still rank in the middle of the pack ahead of many FM's in the L.A. basin.

Again, when a station has content people want to hear they will listen regardless of what band it's on.

db

 

[Radioman100]

In acknowledgment of the hard work Bob Savage and Bill Norman do to keep AM alive and vibrant (without the need for HD Radio), there was this observation on the L.A. Radio website yesterday:

"AM radio is dead – not!: Rumors of AM radio’s demise appear to be premature, at least if one were to follow the fortunes of news/talk KFI.With Robin Bertolucci at the helm, the station attracts more English-speaking listeners than anyone else. Bill Handel continues to stay in the top tier, so does Rush Limbaugh, Dr. Laura Schlessinger, and John & Ken. And a strong news department is a big asset to the currently-25,000-but-maybe-someday-once-again-50,000-watt station."

KFI has consistently stayed in the #2 spot in Los Angeles for 2007 (despite the fact that it has been running at half power due to a fatal light plane accident in 2004 which took down the station's tower).KABC and KNX still rank in the middle of the pack ahead of many FM's in the L.A. basin.

Again, when a station has content people want to hear they will listen regardless of what band it's on.

db

That's a nice observation, but KFI is hardly signal challenged, even after the disaster. 25,000 watts is nothing to sneeze at.

 

[vsa]

Great, another running-off-at-the-mouth by a <<SELF-EDITED INFLAMATORY>> know-nothing.

This Don Barrett guy you so quickly dismiss is a very highly-regarded former Los Angeles FM radio GM who runs a web site that happens to be the hub of the Los Angeles radio community. He is a class act, and you show none.

When the ratings come out, cluster managers and program directors line up at LARadio.com to put their spin on the numbers.Advertising buyers subscribe to have their finger on the pulse of L-A radio.

And yet the "class act" offers no constructive advice on HD Radio, just bashing I bet. Again, am I close?

And wow, he operates a chest thumping site. Woo hoo! You're right. I totally had him all wrong.

Constructive advice on HD radio? I haven't read much from him about HD radio. Actually, nobody involved in Los Angeles market radio seems to even talk about it. Go ahead, keep speaking volumes about yourself.

 

[vsa]

The owner of your borrowed Sony PSP certainly BOTHERED to upgrade the free firmware.

Nope, I had to ask for permission to upgrade, He didn't even know of the upgrade. The only way to find out of any upgrades is to constantly check back to the official sony webpage. Oh and he tried the Radio feature, and he was impressed with it, but also thought of it as a stupid idea as how in the heck is he going to get internet every where he goes.

How is HD radio better? You have to buy a new radio. You have to attach an antenna, often a dipole or Yagi to get a signal that is not guaranteed to be reliable. You only receive a very limited number of stations-in-a-box. And fewer than a half-million have been purchased in the last 4 years.

Yes, and staying in a Wi-Fi spot (and sometimes paying for it) without moving much is certanly better than HD radio.
Oh, Let's just say, I want to go jogging, and I need music, and the only thing I have is this PSP. Well, let me pick it up and OH WAIT, THERE IS NO WI-FI IN THE PARK! Come on be real! are you seriously thinking that every city in the U.S has city wide Wi-Fi for free (or at all even)?? At the very least, HD radio will probably one day soon be portable

I already own a Roku Soundbridge, so I don't need to buy another Internet radio right now. Ten million Sony PSP owners just got a totally free one. What's to complain about? Is free too expensive for you?

Well then why don't you take it along with you on the way to work? I'm pretty shure it will work miracles. : Seriously buddy, before saying anything about the PSP, at very least go try a PSP at a local retailer and see how it works. It has very bad way of tuning into stations and it is limited to a couple of stations. I got tired of just tuning from station to station from the annoying static it makes while it tunes. Very bad!

What's to complain about? Is free too expensive for you?

Well, why do you complain about HD radio, isn't it free to the consumer too? Or is Free expensive for you?

To listen to Internet radio in my car, I use Verizon Wireless' Broadband Access (EV-DO) with my smart phone. Audio out goes into my car's AUX input. Cake. Robust and reliable everywhere I drive in California and adjoining states. Wi-fi is great at home or even at work. When Mobile Wimax arrives in vehicles, the system's modem/router will allow all of your wi-fi devices to work with it seamlessly. Intel is preparing to release new combination Wimax/wi-fi chips that would bypass any dependence on a Wimax modem/router. When taking a walk, I listen on my smart phone. Been doing that for more than two years! When will you be able to do that with any HD radio?

HD radio is not free. You have to pay for a radio. Is anyone giving any away free?

Internet radio, as with the Internet radio firmware upgrade for the Sony PSP, does not require the purchase of, or payment for, anything you don't already have right now. Free. Sure, you can buy or pay for additional hardware or services, but it's not required to hear Internet radio!

 

[Radioman100]

To listen to Internet radio in my car, I use Verizon Wireless' Broadband Access (EV-DO) with my smart phone. Audio out goes into my car's AUX input. Cake. Robust and reliable everywhere I drive in California and adjoining states. Wi-fi is great at home or even at work. When Mobile Wimax arrives in vehicles, the system's modem/router will allow all of your wi-fi devices to work with it seamlessly. Intel is preparing to release new combination Wimax/wi-fi chips that would bypass any dependence on a Wimax modem/router. When taking a walk, I listen on my smart phone. Been doing that for more than two years! When will you be able to do that with any HD radio?

HD radio is not free. You have to pay for a radio. Is anyone giving any away free?

Internet radio, as with the Internet radio firmware upgrade for the Sony PSP, does not require the purchase of, or payment for, anything you don't already have right now. Free. Sure, you can buy or pay for additional hardware or services, but it's not required to hear Internet radio!

And just think, when Pandora's prediction that the new CRB rates will put an end to internet radio comes true, you'll be able to hear that you've got mail beep on your phone with amazing clarity!

 

[vsa]

To listen to Internet radio in my car, I use Verizon Wireless' Broadband Access (EV-DO) with my smart phone. Audio out goes into my car's AUX input. Cake. Robust and reliable everywhere I drive in California and adjoining states. Wi-fi is great at home or even at work. When Mobile Wimax arrives in vehicles, the system's modem/router will allow all of your wi-fi devices to work with it seamlessly. Intel is preparing to release new combination Wimax/wi-fi chips that would bypass any dependence on a Wimax modem/router. When taking a walk, I listen on my smart phone. Been doing that for more than two years! When will you be able to do that with any HD radio?

HD radio is not free. You have to pay for a radio. Is anyone giving any away free?

Internet radio, as with the Internet radio firmware upgrade for the Sony PSP, does not require the purchase of, or payment for, anything you don't already have right now. Free. Sure, you can buy or pay for additional hardware or services, but it's not required to hear Internet radio!

And just think, when Pandora's prediction that the new CRB rates will put an end to internet radio comes true, you'll be able to hear that you've got mail beep on your phone with amazing clarity!

Once again, I ask you to list any Internet radio stations/streams that have shut down in recent months. I'm still waiting for your list.

Reading radio trade publication headlines is not a substitute for direct knowledge of the situation. Internet radio is not going away. Time will prove you to be wrong.

 

[oldjohnny]

To listen to Internet radio in my car, I use Verizon Wireless' Broadband Access (EV-DO) with my smart phone. Audio out goes into my car's AUX input. Cake. Robust and reliable everywhere I drive in California and adjoining states. Wi-fi is great at home or even at work. When Mobile Wimax arrives in vehicles, the system's modem/router will allow all of your wi-fi devices to work with it seamlessly. Intel is preparing to release new combination Wimax/wi-fi chips that would bypass any dependence on a Wimax modem/router. When taking a walk, I listen on my smart phone. Been doing that for more than two years! When will you be able to do that with any HD radio?

HD radio is not free. You have to pay for a radio. Is anyone giving any away free?

Well my firend, were your smart phone and Roku Soundbridge free? It is true you have to buy a new receiver to enjoy HD radio, but it is the same story with Wi-Fi radio, you also have to buy the receiver. By the way, how much will these chips be? I doubt they'll be cheap.

I see no point in your argument about buying a new receiver.

Internet radio, as with the Internet radio firmware upgrade for the Sony PSP, does not require the purchase of, or payment for, anything you don't already have right now. Free. Sure, you can buy or pay for additional hardware or services, but it's not required to hear Internet radio!

So what you are telling me is that I have to carry my desktop around in order to listen to Wi-Fi radio (and buy a router). The only way Wi-Fi radio will work is by being portable.

I mean seriously. that's absurd. You make a good point about Wi-Fi radio going portable soon, but even you contradict yourself. You still have to buy the equipment in order to listen to Wi-Fi radio. Same thing as HD radio.

P.S. Go try a PSP, Its radio is lousy and I'm pretty shure that every American teen wil soon get tired of listening to its web radio and start playing Grand theft Auto instead (Neat game by the way ;D)

 

[Radioman100]

Once again, I ask you to list any Internet radio stations/streams that have shut down in recent months. I'm still waiting for your list.

You'll be waiting a while! Like I said, I don't care, and I have no intention of wasting any time finding out.

Reading radio trade publication headlines is not a substitute for direct knowledge of the situation. Internet radio is not going away. Time will prove you to be wrong.

If you say so. The quotes I offered earlier were directly from Pandora. I've also read direct quotes from the people behind AOL and Yahoo's streaming efforts. They are all saying basically the same thing Pandora is.

I'll take the words of the people behind those major web radio operations over an anonymous chat board user that can't even find the right forum for his posts any day.

 

[PhilJSmith67]

To listen to Internet radio in my car, I use Verizon Wireless' Broadband Access (EV-DO) with my smart phone. Audio out goes into my car's AUX input. Cake. Robust and reliable everywhere I drive in California and adjoining states. Wi-fi is great at home or even at work.

Okay, so I *almost* took your advice, which would have cost me $2,477.28 over the two-year contract of Smartphone/data service, *without* tax which is another 12+ percent here. I confirmed that at the Verizon store on 159th Street in Orland Park, IL. Call them up yourself if you fail to believe. That is the CHEAPEST I can get Verizon Broadband access on any new phone in the Chicago area. You *must* get the data access plan, which is an additional $45.95/month, with any of these smartphones. Exactly what bullcorn are you trying to feed people here, vsa? What do you have to gain from it? Are you a Verizon stockholder? Let's see, my JVC HD Radio for the car cost $180. Done. No contract. No more expenses. And no, I'm not an iBiquity stockholder, before you even ask.

 

[Chuck]

Let's see, my JVC HD Radio for the car cost $180. Done. No contract. No more expenses. And no, I'm not an iBiquity stockholder, before you even ask.

Yes, and it doesn't do anything but tune in radio stations. People buy most wi-fi devices for reasons that have nothing to with radio. I have a Nokia PDA that does an neat job of sending and receiving email, surfing the web, reminding me of appointments, keeping my addresses straight, looking up maps, even responding to stuff on this forum. It can take pictures, works as a web cam and works great as a telephone using Skype. It also plays my mp3 music library. All in all, it's a pretty good "Swiss Army Knife." Oh yes, it also receives Internet radio. In fact, it even has an analog FM tuner built in too. Sorry, no HD.

Most people aren't going to buy a stand alone internet radio, at least not right now, but it is a fairly safe bet that they will be buying equipment that can receive Internet radio. In fact they may already own some. I think you will see even more of it at this week's CES show. The ability is bundled into all kinds of devices. HD needs to get itself included with some of those bundles, or it will just become another Betamax.

The problem with new and intriguing technology is we are inundated with it on a daily basis. People are not going to buy everything that comes along. There are always some failures along the way. The consumer will ask, "What's in it for me?" If the answer isn't very compelling or gratifying, the technology will fail in the marketplace. It has happened over and over and it is not unique to HD Radio. Study history a bit, and you'll see a long trail of products that have been left behind simply because they did not deliver enough “sizzle" to ignite the interest of the buying public.

 

[vsa]

Let's see, my JVC HD Radio for the car cost $180. Done. No contract. No more expenses. And no, I'm not an iBiquity stockholder, before you even ask.

Yes, and it doesn't do anything but tune in radio stations. People buy most wi-fi devices for reasons that have nothing to with radio. I have a Nokia PDA that does an neat job of sending and receiving email, surfing the web, reminding me of appointments, keeping my addresses straight, looking up maps, even responding to stuff on this forum. It can take pictures, works as a web cam and works great as a telephone using Skype. It also plays my mp3 music library. All in all, it's a pretty good "Swiss Army Knife." Oh yes, it also receives Internet radio. In fact, it even has an analog FM tuner built in too. Sorry, no HD.

Most people aren't going to buy a stand alone internet radio, at least not right now, but it is a fairly safe bet that they will be buying equipment that can receive Internet radio. In fact they may already own some. I think you will see even more of it at this week's CES show. The ability is bundled into all kinds of devices. HD needs to get itself included with some of those bundles, or it will just become another Betamax.

The problem with new and intriguing technology is we are inundated with it on a daily basis. People are not going to buy everything that comes along. There are always some failures along the way. The consumer will ask, "What's in it for me?" If the answer isn't very compelling or gratifying, the technology will fail in the marketplace. It has happened over and over and it is not unique to HD Radio. Study history a bit, and you'll see a long trail of products that have been left behind simply because they did not deliver enough “sizzle" to ignite the interest of the buying public.

Chuck, you are so right. I'm getting bored with explaining the all-too-obvious to certain people here. They just don't want to hear it.