Scion Chooses Lackluster HD Radio For Its Audio-Centric Customers

[KB1OKL]

Toyota hasn't gotten that hint that HD Radio is floundering, big time. This whole marketing thing is pretty new to Scion, as well.

Despite HD Radio's recent attempts to revitalize its name, the fact of the matter is that HD Radio is a niche that nobody wants to explore, especially the youth-demographic that Scion desperately wants. Oh, and the last time we checked being "in tune with audio offerings" doesn't mean "adopting technology on the brink of extinction, Toyota and Scion.

http://jalopnik.com/381031/scion-chooses-lackluster-hd-radio-for-its-audio+centric-customers

 

[radiopilot]

Young kids are just packing in Scion vehicles...

Nissan got it right with the entertainment systems it now is boasting in it's new cars, especially the new Murano crossover..

http://www.nissanusa.com/murano/

Click the entertainment button to see what is offered... does 'IPOD' ring a bell along with a harddrive and web based system?

I wish I could get a system like this on my cars NOW!

Radiopilot

 

[clouseau]

Yeah, HD radio in Toyotas

Just another of the final nails in the HD radio coffin.

Clouseau

 

[Savage]

Suggestion to all: let's just see how well they sell in Scions. I think the truth will come out over the next few months.

While you mull this, go to the links associated with the story in KB1OKL's initial post. It could provide a clue as to the likely trajectory.

 

[Mike Walker]

Better yet go to HD Radio Dot Com and check out all the movement in this exciting new technology secgment. More radios from more BIG NAMES. Dozens of new products.

 

[KB1OKL]

Better yet go to HD Radio Dot Com and check out all the movement in this exciting new technology secgment. More radios from more BIG NAMES. Dozens of new products.

Selling like hotcakes I would imagine too just like all the other exciting iBlock models of the past few years, and yet I've still never seen one anywhere in any store, house or apartment and personally do not know a single person who owns one or even seen one. This lead balloon never took off.

 

[dumber than a box of hair]

Better yet go to HD Radio Dot Com and check out all the movement in this exciting new technology secgment. More radios from more BIG NAMES. Dozens of new products.

NEWS FLASH: The Department of Homeland Security has just outlawed rose-colored glasses. The Secretary of DHS, Boris Kar...er, Michael Chertoff, said in a prepared statement: "HD radios cannot be used as an excuse to fail to protect our children from terrorists..."

(Gawd, do I need a cup of coffee or what?)

 

[Mike Walker]

Rose colored glasses? What I said wasn't subjective. There are MANY new models. Major manufacturers are putting HD in cars (yes, I know not most cars yet!) These aren't looking through "rose colored glasses", and they're not subjective. They're objectively, demonstrably true. Just as it's true that HD is being included in more things that people buy anyway (cars, home theater receivers, shelf systems, and later this year portables, perhaps even the Ipod...considering Apple's interest in HD technology). Again, not "rose colored glasses", but a realistic, objective assesment of what's happening NOW!

 

[dumber than a box of hair]

Rose colored glasses? What I said wasn't subjective. There are MANY new models. Major manufacturers are putting HD in cars (yes, I know not most cars yet!) These aren't looking through "rose colored glasses", and they're not subjective. They're objectively, demonstrably true. Just as it's true that HD is being included in more things that people buy anyway (cars, home theater receivers, shelf systems, and later this year portables, perhaps even the Ipod...considering Apple's interest in HD technology). Again, not "rose colored glasses", but a realistic, objective assesment of what's happening NOW!

My caffeine-deficient "rose-colored glasses" comment means something very different from your interpretation. It means that there can be five receivers available, or five hundred, but it won't make any difference. Consumer reaction to this product is indifferent at best, and outright rejection at worst. It's poorly promoted, poorly marketed and poorly executed...let's not even discuss poorly engineered...it's a fix for something that isn't broken, and it will definitely NOT fix what the radio business expects it to fix.

Putting more passengers on the Titanic just means it will sink faster.

 

[Savage]

Mike, with all due respect...

Receiver sales for HD, from all outward appearances - all we have to work with since iBiquity and the Alliance are unable/unwilling to release reasonably verifiable information - have all but stopped. BA? Disco'ed. Radio Shack? Most locations, no longer a store-stock item, and the smart money says that when the current Accurians are gone HD will be history at RS. I was able to unearth a measly three HD receivers in four hours of purposeful local shopping, two of which were obvious returns. From posts here and elsewhere my experience is the norm, not the exception. Catalog sales like Crutchfield? Invisible.

At the NAB and at other recent broadcast professional gatherings, notwithstanding the lame ibiquity/Alliance hype which continues to play to a dwindling and increasingly skeptical audience, mention HD among rank-and-file station operators and you get rolled eyes and laughs. The product has zero credibility among its core constituents - RADIO BROADCASTERS. The majority view HD with something between ambivalence and utter hostility.

Interference problems continue. The proposed increase in digital signal levels on HD-FM may not even happen, but if it does: (a) it will be implemented by a tiny handful of stations, since increasing digital from 1db to 10db will essentially require new transmitting plants from processor to antenna, and (b) interference complaints will arise - essentially a replay of the debacle on AM. On the AM band there is the equivalent of 1.5 stations operating HD 24 hours PER STATE.

Sorry, Mike. I know the patient meant a lot to you. If you'd like we can all let you have a few moments alone with HD Radio before it's wheeled off to the parts bin.

 

[landtuna]

I've got no dog in the HD Radio fight and am struggling to understand the technical aspects of the issues impacting roll-out. As an older listener whose hearing is already taking a dump I haven't heard anyone saying HD radio is a compelling improvement over FM today.

I can quite easily understand the marketing issues: everybody already has tons of AM-FM equipment and is probably not going to rush out and replace it. And as most OEM car radio's are being delivered with MP3 input capability I'm not sure those folks would want commercial radios to replace their custom-tracked sounds.

Here in the Phornix area BMW is advertising HD radios are standard equipment in some or all of its new models (I don't listen to those ads too closely because a Bimmer isn't on my radar) so apparently there is some sense by some manufacturers that an opportunity exists but BMW is the only one so far.

Is this effort something like the ill-fated AM-stereo fiasco of years past?

 

[KB1OKL]

I've got no dog in the HD Radio fight and am struggling to understand the technical aspects of the issues impacting roll-out. As an older listener whose hearing is already taking a dump I haven't heard anyone saying HD radio is a compelling improvement over FM today.

I can quite easily understand the marketing issues: everybody already has tons of AM-FM equipment and is probably not going to rush out and replace it. And as most OEM car radio's are being delivered with MP3 input capability I'm not sure those folks would want commercial radios to replace their custom-tracked sounds.

Here in the Phornix area BMW is advertising HD radios are standard equipment in some or all of its new models (I don't listen to those ads too closely because a Bimmer isn't on my radar) so apparently there is some sense by some manufacturers that an opportunity exists but BMW is the only one so far.

Is this effort something like the ill-fated AM-stereo fiasco of years past?

That ill-fated AM-stereo fiasco of years past was a whopping success compared to iBlock. At least one car company committed to it for all their cars: Chrysler, I had an 88 Plymouth with AM-stereo and enjoyed it, ain't no one going to force an IBOC receiver down my throat though. I guess that's one more reason to not buy a BMW. I prefer Buicks anyway though myself.

 

[landtuna]

After posting my earlier comment I found an excellent description of HD radio on the 'net. I am an old navy radioman and once understood. I can learn. Think I do now and although I have no personal experience with any of the IBOC (and other HD forms) technology I join most of the posters here in thinking it is a 'solution' searching for a problem (and bringing significant side effects along with it).

Fortunately, with the economy in the tank and without the prospect of a quick return to prosperity I doubt many people will be spending their incentive money on receivers (or broadcast equipment for that matter).

KOOL here in Phx used to plug the hell out of their HD.1 stream though. Wonder why if they're having so much trouble with their main channel???

 

[SUPERCASTER]

I've got no dog in the HD Radio fight and am struggling to understand the technical aspects of the issues impacting roll-out. As an older listener whose hearing is already taking a dump I haven't heard anyone saying HD radio is a compelling improvement over FM today.

I can quite easily understand the marketing issues: everybody already has tons of AM-FM equipment and is probably not going to rush out and replace it. And as most OEM car radio's are being delivered with MP3 input capability I'm not sure those folks would want commercial radios to replace their custom-tracked sounds.

Here in the Phornix area BMW is advertising HD radios are standard equipment in some or all of its new models (I don't listen to those ads too closely because a Bimmer isn't on my radar) so apparently there is some sense by some manufacturers that an opportunity exists but BMW is the only one so far.
Is this effort something like the ill-fated AM-stereo fiasco of years past?

Your local BMW dealers may be running some sort of special HD radio promotion trying to revive this dying HD radio technology, but it has been available as a factory installed option ($500) on all BMW's since last year, and on some models for 2 years. Not many takers so far.

Option available on all BMW models produced after April 2007.

http://resource.bmwusa.com/Image_30644e05-f8ee-48b0-8d3e-835ec3a87170.arox

 

[Carmine5]

I've got no dog in the HD Radio fight and am struggling to understand the technical aspects of the issues impacting roll-out. As an older listener whose hearing is already taking a dump I haven't heard anyone saying HD radio is a compelling improvement over FM today.

I can quite easily understand the marketing issues: everybody already has tons of AM-FM equipment and is probably not going to rush out and replace it. And as most OEM car radio's are being delivered with MP3 input capability I'm not sure those folks would want commercial radios to replace their custom-tracked sounds.

Here in the Phornix area BMW is advertising HD radios are standard equipment in some or all of its new models (I don't listen to those ads too closely because a Bimmer isn't on my radar) so apparently there is some sense by some manufacturers that an opportunity exists but BMW is the only one so far.
Is this effort something like the ill-fated AM-stereo fiasco of years past?

Your local BMW dealers may be running some sort of special HD radio promotion trying to revive this dying HD radio technology, but it has been available as a factory installed option ($500) on all BMW's since last year, and on some models for 2 years. Not many takers so far.

Option available on all BMW models produced after April 2007.

http://resource.bmwusa.com/Image_30644e05-f8ee-48b0-8d3e-835ec3a87170.arox

Apparently, offering HD Radio is just an interim step for BMW. Here is where they're ultimately going for in-dash information/entertainment:

http://reviews.cnet.com/BMW_in_car_Internet/4660-11443_7-6847322.html

And as the commentator says: "this is the future for the automotive industry".

C5

 

[landtuna]

Just what we need. Front seat video requiring interaction by the uberdriver. These people can't drive and talk on their cell phones now! And it will take legal action by most states which do not allow video up front.

I think it might be an uphill struggle.