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In need of a cheap HD receiver

You are exaggerating greatly. They certainly thought they would sell a lot of Zune HD's and in turn, it would introduce people to HD Radio and HD Radio would compliment the Zune. It had disappointing sales, but it had nothing to do with HD radio. HD radio was not meant to be a significant driving force. They knew very well that it would not save HD Radio. It could have really helped though if Microsoft had not messed up their opportunity with the high prices and lack of support for other services.

The Zune HD is a worthy opponent to the Ipod if the person only cares about audio and video. Unfortunately Apple has deep roots and continues to sell their products that are designed for aesthetics instead of performance.
 
"Leaders of the radio broadcasting industry were quick to congratulate Microsoft on its vision in featuring digital radio technology in its groundbreaking personal entertainment product."

"This will be a popular feature this fall when the product becomes available.” (Dan Mason, CEO, CBS)

"This brings a vast new group of consumers the high-quality, innovative HD2/HD3 programming only available through HD Radio broadcasts. Microsoft is blazing a trail for a whole new generation of small, hand-held HD Radio enabled products. We are planning with the HD Radio Alliance to promote Zune HD to consumers.” (Bob Struble, CEO, Ibiquity)

So the 'exaggeration' you speak of, really isn't at all. You can read the entire self-congratulatory falderal surrounding the announcement of the Zune HD here:

http://www.ibiquity.com/press_room/news_releases/2009/1349

What's even funnier is that there are far more press releases announcing an add-on appendage designed to bring HD Radio to the always hated, always envied, always copied iPod then there are announcing HD Radio in a Zune. See, it isn't being inside some wonky also-ran by Microsoft that Ibiquity covets but a spot, however small, on the largest selling media player of all time and its iTunes environment. Why else would the company bother with iTunes tagging or spell its name as "iBiquity" small "i"? But, alas, there proves to be no "halo effect" for them in this instance.
 
It is still an exaggeration.

The HD-Radio alliance made a lot of hype about it (don't they with everything?) but the results achieved were expected. Ibiquity did assume that HD radio would help sell the Zune, which it probably did. In no way did it hurt the sales. They congratulated Microsoft. The product got HD radio into new consumers hands. It was one of the smallest portable HD Radio's created. It complemented a good but over-priced device. It was a fairly well advertised feature, no less than any other feature. Sales were bad, but it had nothing to do with HD Radio. It had everything to do with Microsoft and Apple. It made a small but noticeable impact.

You have to realize that the original Zune appealed to a very small amount of people to start off with. To expect the Zune HD to change that based solely on HD radio is unfair. It is very difficult to get people to switch media players, because at the time DRM music ruled. Now purchased apps that only run on a single platform rule. I don't know anyone who was unhappy with a Zune or Zune HD. I know plenty of people that hate their Ipods.

It is about money. Of course they would push an add-on to a device with over a 70% market-share over a device with a very small market-share. They were happy that Microsoft joined their party, but it is a lot easier to sell an add-on to a consumer for an existing music player then it is to sell a new music player. Simple logic would show that they want to get HD Radio out to as many people as possible and they must market accordingly. The fact that neither way has proven effective is irrelevant.
 
Ummmmm.....so in a discussion of Zune HD and the claims made for it by IBOC supporters, I'm the one accused of "exaggeration?" The irony is rich! :D

Look, this discussion isn't about whether or not the Zune HD is a great piece of gear. I'm sure it's well-designed, rugged and sounds terrific. That's not the point. I merely said the claims that the Zune was going to lead a predicted new wave of HD acceptance among consumers and broadcasters - were then, and have conclusively been proven since, abject nonsense and no-cred hype.

If you're okay with ignoring the typical quotes cited by Carmine here, then....well, that's where you are when it comes to HD Radio.

Further to this debate - gooroo, I'm glad you like the Zune HD as an audio source for remotes and appearances, but that has nothing to do with the general acceptance of HD by the public, much less the Zune's alleged role in that. Plenty of engineers thought the Gates DynaMote was a pretty swell piece of gear, but I never saw any kid listening to Dick Biondi on one. ;)
 
Firstly, I am not a supporter of IBOC. I am simply trying to make a point here that a lot of people here are inaccurate and have opinions that they are trying to push off as facts.

Secondly, It did lead to a new wave of acceptance. A very small wave and much less hype than they hoped for, but it did make an impact.

Thirdly, I did not ignore the quotes. However, I will respond to the quotes directly anyway.

"Leaders of the radio broadcasting industry were quick to congratulate Microsoft on its vision in featuring digital radio technology in its groundbreaking personal entertainment product."

This is true. No one can argue this.

"This will be a popular feature this fall when the product becomes available.” (Dan Mason, CEO, CBS)

It was popular among those interested in Zunes.

"This brings a vast new group of consumers the high-quality, innovative HD2/HD3 programming only available through HD Radio broadcasts. Microsoft is blazing a trail for a whole new generation of small, hand-held HD Radio enabled products. We are planning with the HD Radio Alliance to promote Zune HD to consumers.” (Bob Struble, CEO, Ibiquity)

This is also true. It did bring HD Radio to a new group of consumers. Microsoft did make a new generation small hand-held HD Radio. They did promote it to consumers.
 
Casey said:
Firstly, I am not a supporter of IBOC. I am simply trying to make a point here that a lot of people here are inaccurate and have opinions that they are trying to push off as facts.

Secondly, It did lead to a new wave of acceptance. A very small wave and much less hype than they hoped for, but it did make an impact.

Thirdly, I did not ignore the quotes. However, I will respond to the quotes directly anyway.

"Leaders of the radio broadcasting industry were quick to congratulate Microsoft on its vision in featuring digital radio technology in its groundbreaking personal entertainment product."

This is true. No one can argue this.

"This will be a popular feature this fall when the product becomes available.” (Dan Mason, CEO, CBS)

It was popular among those interested in Zunes.

"This brings a vast new group of consumers the high-quality, innovative HD2/HD3 programming only available through HD Radio broadcasts. Microsoft is blazing a trail for a whole new generation of small, hand-held HD Radio enabled products. We are planning with the HD Radio Alliance to promote Zune HD to consumers.” (Bob Struble, CEO, Ibiquity)

This is also true. It did bring HD Radio to a new group of consumers. Microsoft did make a new generation small hand-held HD Radio. They did promote it to consumers.
Click to expand...

Don't waste your time with facts Casey. These guys aren't interested in facts.

It makes them feel good to think HD Radio has something to do with the Zune HD's lack of success. The Zune brand never achieved any real success. There were three previous generations of Zune flops before the 4th generation Zune HD came out.
 
radiogooroo said:
[

Don't waste your time with facts Casey. These guys aren't interested in facts.

It makes them feel good to think HD Radio has something to do with the Zune HD's lack of success. The Zune brand never achieved any real success. There were three previous generations of Zune flops before the 4th generation Zune HD came out.
Click to expand...

Not so. I only indicated that adding HD Radio did nothing to enhance the Zune brand--meaning that sales of the media player did not perk up because of its having a digital radio (contrary to the hopes of MS, Ibiquity and others in the industry). Big difference from saying that HD Radio caused Zune to fail in the marketplace.

But now from the "Don't Give Ibiquity Any Ideas" file, here's a product that is sure to be a hit; bringing digital radio to the tired, hungry masses--DAB in toaster.

http://smarthouse.com.au/Appliances/Kitchen/L6G2T7E9

On sale in the UK and Australia for $79. Sure it failed in a Zune, failed as a standalone tuner and failed as a tabletop radio but could HD Radio finally find love and acceptance with consumers as a toaster? Only your English muffins will know for sure.
 
Oh. I see. We're concerned with "facts," are we? Would everyone kindly turn in your hymnals to Replies 15, 19, 21 et seq. - THIS very thread, please??

If you would, please quote where anybody - ANYbody would do - blamed HD for the Zune's lack of success. (Don't bother because nobody did. All we did was point out how the claims for the Zune in HD flavor were typically hyped beyond all reason, and held it up as an example of why HD has no credibility among broadcasters. Period.)

I was challenged for examples of the claimed "hype" over the Zune HD, and before I could Carmine did it for me, citing several. After which you claimed those examples were somehow insufficient and then changed the subject to how the Zune is a great device and how it's getting a bad rap.....which while it's probably true (I actually don't know) has nothing to do with HD Radio.

Nice try.
 
Carmine5 said:
radiogooroo said:
[

Don't waste your time with facts Casey. These guys aren't interested in facts.

It makes them feel good to think HD Radio has something to do with the Zune HD's lack of success. The Zune brand never achieved any real success. There were three previous generations of Zune flops before the 4th generation Zune HD came out.
Click to expand...

Not so. I only indicated that adding HD Radio did nothing to enhance the Zune brand--meaning that sales of the media player did not perk up because of its having a digital radio (contrary to the hopes of MS, Ibiquity and others in the industry). Big difference from saying that HD Radio caused Zune to fail in the marketplace.

But now from the "Don't Give Ibiquity Any Ideas" file, here's a product that is sure to be a hit; bringing digital radio to the tired, hungry masses--DAB in toaster.

http://smarthouse.com.au/Appliances/Kitchen/L6G2T7E9

On sale in the UK and Australia for $79. Sure it failed in a Zune, failed as a standalone tuner and failed as a tabletop radio but could HD Radio finally find love and acceptance with consumers as a toaster? Only your English muffins will know for sure.
Click to expand...

"We expect the Breville Radio Toaster to be very popular with our customers" says Ben Fowler, head of product development at a major UK retailer. "It's a quirky, unique kitchen product that'll make a great gift for house proud home owners and couples."

hahahahahaha!!!!!!!! Is this for real?

You gotta click the link, there's a toaster with a telescoping antenna coming out of the top, talk about the hot 100!
 
hubcity said:
Sooooo close. The *fridge*! Put it in the *fridge*!
Click to expand...


Crosley made a radio/fridge combo. In the early 90s I saw one, STILL WORKING, in the platemaking department of printing company in Erlanger, Ky, just across the river from Cinncinati.
It must have been 50 years old then.
 
KB1OKL said:
Carmine5 said:
radiogooroo said:
[

Don't waste your time with facts Casey. These guys aren't interested in facts.

It makes them feel good to think HD Radio has something to do with the Zune HD's lack of success. The Zune brand never achieved any real success. There were three previous generations of Zune flops before the 4th generation Zune HD came out.
Click to expand...

Not so. I only indicated that adding HD Radio did nothing to enhance the Zune brand--meaning that sales of the media player did not perk up because of its having a digital radio (contrary to the hopes of MS, Ibiquity and others in the industry). Big difference from saying that HD Radio caused Zune to fail in the marketplace.

But now from the "Don't Give Ibiquity Any Ideas" file, here's a product that is sure to be a hit; bringing digital radio to the tired, hungry masses--DAB in toaster.

http://smarthouse.com.au/Appliances/Kitchen/L6G2T7E9

On sale in the UK and Australia for $79. Sure it failed in a Zune, failed as a standalone tuner and failed as a tabletop radio but could HD Radio finally find love and acceptance with consumers as a toaster? Only your English muffins will know for sure.
Click to expand...

"We expect the Breville Radio Toaster to be very popular with our customers" says Ben Fowler, head of product development at a major UK retailer. "It's a quirky, unique kitchen product that'll make a great gift for house proud home owners and couples."

hahahahahaha!!!!!!!! Is this for real?

You gotta click the link, there's a toaster with a telescoping antenna coming out of the top, talk about the hot 100!
Click to expand...

I pondered the idea of HDR in a fridge but I think a toaster might be a better fit. With the significant amount of heat those HD Radio chips generate, the toaster probably wouldn't need coils. Just crank up your favorite morning zoo or NPR show and wait. Of course, I've never tried convection-toasted bread.
 
Getting back to cheap HD radios, I just purchased one of the Best Buy Insignia portables. It was the only HD example in the store, other than an “Open Box Special” AC operated version that looks suspiciously like a Sangean wearing the “Insignia” logo.

Perhaps, I got a bad one, but this is radio is very disappointing. A $20 Sony “Sports” radio I got at Walmart blows it away. I got this thing to monitor a Class A FM whose transmitter is less than 6 miles, line of site, from my home. The only way I can pick it up without a lot of noise and static is if I go outside and even then it fades in and out as I move. It does not get enough signal to activate the RDS display.

HD reception is nonexistent. To be fair, there are only two HD stations in the area that I can receive on a Sony HD radio, but this radio is deaf. It is going back to the store.
 
Just think, if the Smarthouse radio-toaster is ever made in HD version, the chipset could do the toasting all on its own! No nichrome heater elements necessary! :D

"Rats. I mixed up the slots and wound up toasting my iPod. But the cherry Pop-Tart now shows 'four bars...'" ;D
 
KB1OKL reported:

... there's a toaster with a telescoping antenna coming out of the top, talk about the hot 100!
Click to expand...

I don't believe I have ever seen anything quite like that. What a marvelous way to get a little morning toast with your radio! I wish I had thought of that.
 
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