Low Cost HD Radio Announced

[PocketRadio]

"Radiosophy to Offer New HD Radio Receiver"

http://home.nestor.minsk.by/computers/news/2007/04/1303.html

"Low Cost HD Radio Announced"

"The HD100 has all the common clock radio functions - alarm, snooze, and sleep and users can select up to five FM station presets and five AM station presets. Additionally, the receiver allows for the connection of external AM and FM antennas."

http://www.ipdgroup.com/pr-news/8913-low-cost-hd-radio-announced

Funny, none of our analog AM/FM alarm clock radios need to have external antenna jacks - same problems, new package. I'll stick to my $25 < analog radios, thanks !

 

[R.F. Burns]

"Radiosophy to Offer New HD Radio Receiver"

http://home.nestor.minsk.by/computers/news/2007/04/1303.html

"Low Cost HD Radio Announced"

"The HD100 has all the common clock radio functions - alarm, snooze, and sleep and users can select up to five FM station presets and five AM station presets. Additionally, the receiver allows for the connection of external AM and FM antennas."

http://www.ipdgroup.com/pr-news/8913-low-cost-hd-radio-announced

Funny, none of our analog AM/FM alarm clock radios need to have external antenna jacks - same problems, new package. I'll stick to my $25 < analog radios, thanks !

OK, enjoy your listening experience. By the way how much was your computer? 50$, Your I-Pod? Oh that's right you don't have one because it's so expensive, your internet connection? how much a month? Ahhh who needs high speed anyway. With your nickle and dime philosophy you'd never make it in my city. It cost 7 dollars just to get into Manhattan from Long Island, each way and to park on the east side? Maybe 40 or more for 12 hours. From the west you can drive in for 6$ each way and to park? Mmmmm 20 dollars for 12 hours. Welcome to the real world. 100 dollars for new technology? Go play with your pokiemon. This isn't 1942 y'know.

 

[Mike Walker]

Actually GOOD table radios have always had external antenna jacks. My Cambridge Soundworks has one. So does my 1980s Sony, my 1950s Zenith, 1970s Panasonic, 1940s Zenith, 1960s Hallicrafters, etc. I wouldn't buy a radio without the ability to hook up a proper antenna, because I CARE ABOUT RECEPTION.

 

[Mike Walker]

A couple of suggestions to Radiosophy.

First, call that "headphone jack" a "headphone/line output", thus taking away the argument that "it doesn't have a line output" for those too stupid to know you can hook up ANY device with a headphone jack to your audio system with a "y" adapter from Radio Shack, or borrowed from your portable cd player.

Second, and this is critical, DELIVER THE DAMN THING ON TIME! The wait on your first model was inexcusable, and turned off lots of people!

 

[radiopilot]

"Radiosophy to Offer New HD Radio Receiver"

http://home.nestor.minsk.by/computers/news/2007/04/1303.html

"Low Cost HD Radio Announced"

"The HD100 has all the common clock radio functions - alarm, snooze, and sleep and users can select up to five FM station presets and five AM station presets. Additionally, the receiver allows for the connection of external AM and FM antennas."

http://www.ipdgroup.com/pr-news/8913-low-cost-hd-radio-announced

Funny, none of our analog AM/FM alarm clock radios need to have external antenna jacks - same problems, new package. I'll stick to my $25 < analog radios, thanks !

Who really cares to listen to 'HIGH QUALITY' music at 5:00-7:00am in the morning anyway? Most times these people are 1/2 awake when the clock radio alarm goes off... then while the radio is playing do you listen to it while you're in the shower... what's the point of HD CD quality music at that point, unless you're 'glued' to the clock radio in bed listening before you get up in the morning? At night most people have a decent quality stereo system in their room or a high quality portable.

It's totally WORTHLESS to have HD on clock radios with 2-3 inch speakers!

Radiopilot

 

[radiopilot]

Most people buy Ipods by choice regardless of the audio quality, as do many other devices, but they do it by choice!

The fact that alot of people don't have a need to replace their alarm clock radios simply because they'll get a slightly better sound is ridiculous!

If they TRULY want better sound they'll buy a better radio or stereo, not another 'clock radio'.

The same goes with satelite, people would rather pay for this service because of the non-commercial format than to listen radio for free with all it's nonsense commercials and poor programming choices!

Comparing computers, internet, etc. is a poor way of hyping HD radio... it isn't catching on... PERIOD!

Radiopilot

 

[R.F. Burns]

Most people buy Ipods by choice regardless of the audio quality, as do many other devices, but they do it by choice!

The fact that alot of people don't have a need to replace their alarm clock radios simply because they'll get a slightly better sound is ridiculous!

If they TRULY want better sound they'll buy a better radio or stereo, not another 'clock radio'.

The same goes with satelite, people would rather pay for this service because of the non-commercial format than to listen radio for free with all it's nonsense commercials and poor programming choices!

Comparing computers, internet, etc. is a poor way of hyping HD radio... it isn't catching on... PERIOD!

Radiopilot

I'd take that bet. You have no idea what you are talking about. No one is forcing anyone to buy a digital radio. The fact that I've provided demos of IBOC signals heard both on a digital radio as well as analog and also recordings of existing non IBOC stations means nothing to you guys. Time for you guys to find another windmill to fight.

 

[radiopilot]

Most people buy Ipods by choice regardless of the audio quality, as do many other devices, but they do it by choice!

The fact that alot of people don't have a need to replace their alarm clock radios simply because they'll get a slightly better sound is ridiculous!

If they TRULY want better sound they'll buy a better radio or stereo, not another 'clock radio'.

The same goes with satelite, people would rather pay for this service because of the non-commercial format than to listen radio for free with all it's nonsense commercials and poor programming choices!

Comparing computers, internet, etc. is a poor way of hyping HD radio... it isn't catching on... PERIOD!

Radiopilot

I'd take that bet. You have no idea what you are talking about. No one is forcing anyone to buy a digital radio. The fact that I've provided demos of IBOC signals heard both on a digital radio as well as analog and also recordings of existing non IBOC stations means nothing to you guys. Time for you guys to find another windmill to fight.

The average Joe out there could care less about your demos... They'll go into Radio Shack, Circuit City, Best Buy, Wal-Mart, etc. and see and listen to the HD radio.... if they're not happy with what they hear, they won't buy... unless of course you're there with that handy demo to offer them to make up their mind!

Radiopilot

 

[Tom Wells]

Most people buy Ipods by choice regardless of the audio quality, as do many other devices, but they do it by choice!

The fact that alot of people don't have a need to replace their alarm clock radios simply because they'll get a slightly better sound is ridiculous!

If they TRULY want better sound they'll buy a better radio or stereo, not another 'clock radio'.

The same goes with satelite, people would rather pay for this service because of the non-commercial format than to listen radio for free with all it's nonsense commercials and poor programming choices!

Comparing computers, internet, etc. is a poor way of hyping HD radio... it isn't catching on... PERIOD!

Radiopilot

I'd take that bet. You have no idea what you are talking about. No one is forcing anyone to buy a digital radio. The fact that I've provided demos of IBOC signals heard both on a digital radio as well as analog and also recordings of existing non IBOC stations means nothing to you guys. Time for you guys to find another windmill to fight.

C'mon guys. Let's go find another windmill. This one is riddled with termites and will fall of its own accord soon enough.

But we just can't help ourselves. The technology is so pie-in-the-sky it begs for ridicule.

Like any good comedy, we can't wait for the final act and climax. Good show so far, if you can suspend disbelief.

 

[Mike Walker]

Now analog fm stereo, AS ADOPTED, was a helluva' "windmill". 20db noisier than mono! Restricted hf response (which was 20khz or more) to 15khz (in most instances..I'm aware it CAN be better). FAR more prone to multipath than mono. We once HAD "cd quality" sound, or damn near it. Then the Zenith FM stereo system was adopted, and away that went! HD successfully addresses each of these issues, plus has much lower distortion, AND extra channels. It means people like me in rural areas can actually get noise-free, STEREO reception, something that many in urban/suburban areas take for granted.

 

[Tom Wells]

Now analog fm stereo, AS ADOPTED, was a helluva' "windmill". 20db noisier than mono! Restricted hf response (which was 20khz or more) to 15khz (in most instances..I'm aware it CAN be better). FAR more prone to multipath than mono. We once HAD "cd quality" sound, or damn near it. Then the Zenith FM stereo system was adopted, and away that went! HD successfully addresses each of these issues, plus has much lower distortion, AND extra channels. It means people like me in rural areas can actually get noise-free, STEREO reception, something that many in urban/suburban areas take for granted.

This is why I am willing to accept the slight degradation in FM analog quality for ibiquity's system.

The AM, on the other hand, is a pig no matter what cosmetics or coture fashions are draped over it.

Will ibiquity ever accept the massive difference in compatibility?

 

[EbolaMonkey]

Funny, none of our analog AM/FM alarm clock radios need to have external antenna jacks - same problems, new package. I'll stick to my $25 < analog radios, thanks!

I detoured through the "electronics section" of my drug store the other day and was pleasantly surprised to see some nice looking clock radios in the $9.99 to $14.99 range. The $25 models often included a CD player and other bells and whistles.

Sorry... but $99 ain't my idea of a low-cost HD Radio, much less a low-cost clock radio.

 

[Mike Walker]

If you're happy with the performance and sound quality of a fifteen dollar radio, is a forum on HD radio REALLY the place for you? Because if you can't see how 99 dollars is freakin' remarkable for a device with a cpu, sync detection, d/a conversion, assorted dsp filtering, etc...then you aren't really very knowledgable about digital audio.

And clock radios with cd players cost quite a bit more than 25 dollars, even at the drugstore, six months after their introduction. In fact, they cost about a hundred bucks just a few years ago. I know, I bought one for my mother.

Look...prices for "entry level" HD radios have come down by SEVENTY FIVE PERCENT in less than a year (300 bucks to 100). And they'll come down more. Even for the most ardent HD haters, it's pretty hard to put a negative spin on that. HD radios are doing what consumer electronics always do...they're getting better, AND CHEAPER with time.

 

[PocketRadio]

If you're happy with the performance and sound quality of a fifteen dollar radio, is a forum on HD radio REALLY the place for you?

Well, I am very happy with the performance of my $10 Sony pocket-radio, and I'm here too !

 

[EbolaMonkey]

Because if you can't see how 99 dollars is freakin' remarkable for a device with a cpu, sync detection, d/a conversion, assorted dsp filtering, etc...then you aren't really very knowledgable about digital audio.

Go to the Best Buy web site, and I think you'll be surprised at the clock radios you can get in the $99 to $119 range. And they aren't one-trick ponies, like the HD unit. They arrive with some nice extras. I'd invest my 99 bucks in one of them over the HD model.

My point about the $10 to $15 clock radios isn't that I'd choose one for good sound quality. I'm saying, don't give me a "low-cost" HD clock radio (with three inches of stereo speaker separation?). Give me a real low-cost HD Radio--with a pair of good antennas in the box and extendable speakers; and do it for under $50.

And I know people here will counter that the technology is too new for that--that all new technologies gradually get cheaper. But HD Radio doesn't have that luxury, I'm not thinkin'.

 

[PocketRadio]

Funny, none of our analog AM/FM alarm clock radios need to have external antenna jacks - same problems, new package. I'll stick to my $25 < analog radios, thanks!

I detoured through the "electronics section" of my drug store the other day and was pleasantly surprised to see some nice looking clock radios in the $9.99 to $14.99 range. The $25 models often included a CD player and other bells and whistles.

Sorry... but $99 ain't my idea of a low-cost HD Radio, much less a low-cost clock radio.

"First $99 HD Radio announced"

http://www.engadget.com/2007/04/13/first-99-hd-radio-announced/

Engadget also reviewed this "cheap" clock radio - be sure to check out the reader comments !

 

[Mike Walker]

I don't care about the reader comments, because anyone with a brain knows it's the same few people going around from site to site posting the negative crap. All either side is doing is angering the other, because people buying clock radios, or table radios aren't in HD forums or blogs. Only radio nerds, and those with an agenda are here. I fit in the former category (radio nerd). Which are you?

 

[Mike Walker]

Alarm clock, clock radio, line input for portable devices (mp3 players, etc.)...sounds to me like this radio knows plenty of "tricks" for 99 bucks. I WILL BUY ONE, but will do nothing while it's vaporware. Too many people gave Radiosophy their charge card numbers, then waited FOREVER for their first product. I WILL NOT be the first, but I WILL buy one.

 

[EbolaMonkey]

I was just looking at the Best Buy site, and for $120, you get a Sony with:

CD, AM/FM, TV Audio, Weatherband

-- 4-band digital synthesized tuner with 25 presets (5 AM, 10 FM, 5 TV, 5 weatherband)
-- 3D sound system with adjustable bass will make you want to dance when you wake up
-- Auto dimmer brightness control
-- Gentle wake and gentle sleep settings gradually increase or decrease the volume
-- Triple alarm (3 times and 3 modes: CD/radio/buzzer)
-- Snoozinator nap timer gives you 10 minutes per tap to sleep up to a maximum of 60 minutes

And for $80, there's a Timex with:

CD, AM/FM, MP3 line-in

-- Wake up to your favorite CDs, AM or FM radio station, buzzer or nature sounds; programmable sleep lets you fall asleep to CDs, the radio or nature sounds
-- Line-in jack makes it easy to connect your portable MP3 player
-- AM/FM radio with smart knob tuning
-- Dual alarm system with individual wake times and alarm sounds
-- 100-year calendar (2000-2099) with year, month and day; time and date are preset (Eastern Standard Time), so just plug it in and it sets itself -- Multifunction LCD display with adjustable backlighting

 

[PocketRadio]

And clock radios with cd players cost quite a bit more than 25 dollars, even at the drugstore, six months after their introduction. In fact, they cost about a hundred bucks just a few years ago. I know, I bought one for my mother.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/bestseller...pf_rd_t=2101&pf_rd_p=221591101&pf_rd_i=509322

Looks like Amazon has quite a few less expensive best-selling clock radios.