I hate paying for TV

[pocket-radio]

I hate paying for cable TV... And I've toyed with the idea of just watching free over the air television.

But then I think, can I really live without CNN, Speed Channel, Sifi and History Channel? It’s a tough choice and I guess not..

If I could find this content on free TV, I'd give up cable at once!

Hello this is what's missing from HD radio! Playing more of the same hits or simulating news talk on HD is a waste and doesn’t motivate me to buy another radio..

And why would it? Hearing Sean insanity in HD ain't no big deal..

 

[landtuna]

I agree (with both your cable TV and HD radio thoughts).

HD radio isn't, by itself, enough of a technical "improvement" (and I use that term sarcastically) to get me to buy yet another electronic appliance. It's going to take content, content, content - an opinion expressed by several posters in other threads. The lack of content will likely be its ultimate undoing.

As for the cable TV part.....the only thing I've seen so far in my local area on the sub-channels is weather and news loops (not counting the one religious broadcaster) and RTN. RTN is not enough, by itself, to get me to ditch the cable offerings that are unavailable elsewhere but it is getting pretty close. Cable has gotten very irritating with its multitude of repetitive commercials airing endlessly. As it is I hardly watch anything live any more choosing to zip the commercials.

 

[landtuna]

There are a substantial number of radio listeners who spend a lot of time in areas not served by terrestrial radio and would become the nucleus of satradio. Unfortunately, there were not enough of them to fully support the industry so services were chopped and homogenized ala "free" radio and the promise was lost. In addition, management paid handsome sums for broadcast rights to NASCAR, MLB, NFL and other "talent" which did not pay off in increased subscribers.

Unlike HD radio, satradio did offer a technical improvement over terrestrial radio that was, once, probably worth the subscription but insufficient demand will eventually kill it.

HD radio's advertising accentuates the "free" aspect in comparing itself to satellite but it isn't, really. And offers no discernible technical improvement to the average listener. A death wish.

 

[scanman1]

HD radio secondary channels are generally garbage, take bits away from the main format and cause the digital component to sound inferior to its analog counterpart. At least Sat. radio offers some great content to make up for its less than stellar audio quality.

 

[clouseau]

advertising accentuates the "free" aspect in comparing itself to satellite but it isn't, really...

Yeah, we all know if you don't send that HD payment to you local radio station, you lose HD radio service...

Great Take.

Clouseau

 

[landtuna]

advertising accentuates the "free" aspect in comparing itself to satellite but it isn't, really...

Yeah, we all know if you don't send that HD payment to you local radio station, you lose HD radio service...

Great Take.

Clouseau

Obviously everyone got my meaning but you O Great Defender of things HD.

I was referring to the need to buy new equipment. Something not many people are doing.

Great death wish.

 

[clouseau]

Obviously everyone got my meaning but you O Great Defender of things HD.

I was referring to the need to buy new equipment. Something not many people are doing.

Great death wish.

Ah yes, I noticed how now that XM and SIrius have merged, I can get them on my FM radio without new equipment.

Just hit scan and there's XM 102. RIght above Z-100.

Got it.

Clouseau

 

[ddsparxx]

Heck, I don't like subscribing to anything.

 

[vchimpanzee]

The worst thing about HD is that you either pcik up perfectly or not at all.

So if you're too far away from the stations, forget it.

Sort of like what's happening now with TV.

I had to get cable, but it doesn't cost too much considering. It's actually cheaper than the alternative. And I haven't even taken advantage of all the channels.

And I pick up about half a dozen main channels plus subchannels just with the converter box.

 

[KB1OKL]

Obviously everyone got my meaning but you O Great Defender of things HD.

I was referring to the need to buy new equipment. Something not many people are doing.

Great death wish.

Ah yes, I noticed how now that XM and SIrius have merged, I can get them on my FM radio without new equipment.

Just hit scan and there's XM 102. RIght above Z-100.

Got it.

Clouseau

You have to buy new receivers for both iBlock and Satrad. Satrad receivers are cheaper than HD's and the range is just a little bit better, HD: 20- 30 miles max on a good day with frequent dropouts unless you put up your old 1950s's Yagi with rotator on the roof and maybe double the distance on a good day probably with frequent drop outs. Satellite: the whole country with virtually no drop outs.

 

[clouseau]

You have to buy new receivers for both iBlock and Satrad.

Ah "I-Block". Straight from the "Loser's Lexicon". Always first in the race to the third grade, right, KB?

Satrad receivers are cheaper than HD's and the range is just a little bit better, HD: 20- 30 miles max on a good day with frequent dropouts unless you put up your old 1950s's Yagi with rotator on the roof and maybe double the distance on a good day probably with frequent drop outs. Satellite: the whole country with virtually no drop outs.

You know, I read this all the time. How about a truthful answer to this question. At "MY" house, My neighbors Sirius Boombox does not work on my dining room table. No Signal. Does your satrad work in your house unless it's next to a window? On the front lawn under a tree in the summer? My HD radio works fine sitting on the dining room table. So I guess as long as the government hasn't taken the roof from over my head, for me and many others, at home, HD radio will work better. Now that may all change when I have to move under a nearby bridge, thanks to our wonderful governement financial stewardship. Oh wait, Satrad doesn't work under bridges, either. Never mind.

Both systems have limitations. "Range" just doesn't do a lot for me. HD works when in town. I doesn't work when out of town. (Way out) I go to San Antonio... Pretty much HD is solid inside 1604. Houston? Works well in the metro where I go. In "Oakville"? Not so much

When you actually live on the edge or actually BEYOND the service area as you do, probably not so much, either.

As for the "Cheaper" radios... you can get a great deal on a radio that recieves nothing unless you subscribe for $14 a month. I suppose you think cell phones are "Free" also, right? Funny. I get $39.95 unlimited Talk, text, and long distance with no contract. Not suprisingly, I had to pay $125 for my Razr phone. Of course if I'd have gone with ATT, I'd have gotten it for free. (Along with a $30 a month upcharge on a two year commitment.) As I move into month 5th of service, I'm liking the return.

Of course YOUR perception might be different. Mine isn't.

Clouseau

 

[KB1OKL]

You have to buy new receivers for both iBlock and Satrad.

Ah "I-Block". Straight from the "Loser's Lexicon". Always first in the race to the third grade, right, KB?

Satrad receivers are cheaper than HD's and the range is just a little bit better, HD: 20- 30 miles max on a good day with frequent dropouts unless you put up your old 1950s's Yagi with rotator on the roof and maybe double the distance on a good day probably with frequent drop outs. Satellite: the whole country with virtually no drop outs.

You know, I read this all the time. How about a truthful answer to this question. At "MY" house, My neighbors Sirius Boombox does not work on my dining room table. No Signal. Does your satrad work in your house unless it's next to a window? On the front lawn under a tree in the summer? My HD radio works fine sitting on the dining room table. So I guess as long as the government hasn't taken the roof from over my head, for me and many others, at home, HD radio will work better. Now that may all change when I have to move under a nearby bridge, thanks to our wonderful governement financial stewardship. Oh wait, Satrad doesn't work under bridges, either. Never mind.

Both systems have limitations. "Range" just doesn't do a lot for me. HD works when in town. I doesn't work when out of town. (Way out) I go to San Antonio... Pretty much HD is solid inside 1604. Houston? Works well in the metro where I go. In "Oakville"? Not so much

When you actually live on the edge or actually BEYOND the service area as you do, probably not so much, either.

As for the "Cheaper" radios... you can get a great deal on a radio that recieves nothing unless you subscribe for $14 a month. I suppose you think cell phones are "Free" also, right? Funny. I get $39.95 unlimited Talk, text, and long distance with no contract. Not suprisingly, I had to pay $125 for my Razr phone. Of course if I'd have gone with ATT, I'd have gotten it for free. (Along with a $30 a month upcharge on a two year commitment.) As I move into month 5th of service, I'm liking the return.

Of course YOUR perception might be different. Mine isn't.

Clouseau

I have a Satrad receiver in my car and it very rarely loses reception, and then it is only for seconds and this is in the whole New England area and I can go weeks without reception problems. I get Satrad on my computer, I don't own a home Satrad receiver nor do I plan on buying one, when I have to start paying for home service bye bye Satrad. I am not thrilled with the new XM-Sirius at all as a matter of fact. After my current contract runs out I may leave it behind, but not because of any inherent limitations in the service ala iBlock (glad you like that one Inspector although you spelled it wrong) but because since Sirius took it over the play lists have been getting tighter and tighter, in fact some of the stations sound just like FM oldies stations.