Should HD capability be required on all AM/FM receivers

[Plate Blocker]

Also, GM is happy to sell you a subscription to the built-in SiriusXM satellite radio receiver. Why would they voluntarily give you HD Radio that competes with that (even if just hypothetically), for free?

Yes, but my point was more about this being a newer trend. My 2012 and 2019 Yukon Denalis had HD.....now the 'Ultimate' doesn't bother, for three bucks in licensing fees.

My point is that FM HD appears to be officially following the path to doom that AM Stereo did.

I use Android Auto a lot...perhaps mostly. I'm a longtime XM subscriber, and now I can listen to the 'extra' channels on the 2025 via the onboard internet modem, rather than via my phone, bluetooth and android auto. But I still twiddled around FM from time to time, and it was good to have the HD option.

Whatever the reasons.....it's simply a statement about how the newest, latest, greatest, (and really, the only) advancement in terrestrial FM broadcast appears to be irrelevant.

And I still hold tightly on to the main reason is that Ibiquity, then DTS, then Xperi did (does) an absolutely rotten job of showing the Joe and Mary Sixpack listeners what it can do....or even how it works. All they want is the licensing fees.

 

[Plate Blocker]

GM is actually removing these interfaces from their vehicles as they get refreshed. For example, the Cadillac Lyriq has it, but the new for 2025 Cadillac Optiq does not.

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2025 Cadillac OPTIQ and Android Auto​

Android Auto Compatibility​

The 2025 Cadillac OPTIQ features Google built-in capability, which includes support for Android Auto. This allows users to seamlessly integrate their Android devices with the vehicle's infotainment system.

Key Features of Android Auto in OPTIQ​

• Navigation: Access Google Maps for real-time navigation and traffic updates.
• Music and Media: Stream music from popular apps like Spotify and YouTube Music directly through the vehicle's audio system.
• Voice Commands: Use voice commands to make calls, send messages, and control apps without taking your hands off the wheel.

Additional Technology Features​

The OPTIQ is equipped with a 33-inch diagonal advanced LED display that serves as the central hub for all infotainment functions, including Android Auto. This display offers high resolution and vibrant colors, enhancing the overall user experience.

Conclusion​

The 2025 Cadillac OPTIQ provides a modern driving experience with its Android Auto integration, making it easier for drivers to stay connected and entertained on the road.

 

[PTBoardOp93]

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The 2025 Cadillac OPTIQ features Google built-in capability, which includes support for Android Auto. This allows users to seamlessly integrate their Android devices with the vehicle's infotainment system.

It appears you have pasted an incorrect AI summary.

Consumer Reports review of the Optiq:
That’s not to say we like everything about the new Optiq. A few aspects give us pause and are considerations for buyers to ponder over. These include some fairly unintuitive controls, a lack of Android Auto or Apple CarPlay compatibility, and constricted outward views.

And Car and Driver's review:
But there is a catch, of course. You're not going to pair your phone as usual through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. You'll still pair it, though, and get phone and music through Bluetooth

 

[ted chittenden]

With regard to HD radio, I am an unusual person. I actually own (courtesy of the local radio reading service for the blind which uses one of the HD channels of KBAQ-FM, Phoenix's classical outlet) a desktop (or in this case a file cabinet top) HD receiver. It has access to all FM HD channels and all AM stations running the programming. Some points I would make:

1) The HD sound on both the AM and FM channels is better than the analog sound. The caveat is that to get the HD sound, you have to be 1) close enough to the transmitter to receive the signal as a local signal; and (2) for AM only, you have to be able to either change the radio's direction or the direction of its loop antenna (if your receiver has one--which mine does) so that it points towards where you get the strongest sound from the AM signal. For example, from my location in north central Phoenix, while I can receive nearby KGME no matter which direction I point the AM antenna, I can only get the HD signal if the antenna is pointed west or southwest from my location.

2) I listen to, and enjoy, some of the HD channels, especially the HD2 channel of KDKB-FM that carries the programming of KAZG fed to its 92.7 translator. However, the same first caveat applys here as in 1).

3) Whether it was intentional or not, I've always thought that the reason that broadcasters were promoting the HD channels was because they didn't have to pay SoundExchange for the music played on those channels; in other words, broadcasters were promoting their HD channels to try to get people to stop listening to their streams on which more money had to be paid to SoundExchange than had to be paid to Ibiquity for the HD signals (though I didn't know about the Ibiquity payments until I read this thread). And if you compare what is available via HD subchannels to what is available over the Internet, the Internet, regardless of where you are (unless where you are has no Internet service) will always outperform the HD service.

 

[wadio]

And Car and Driver's review:
But there is a catch, of course. You're not going to pair your phone as usual through Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. You'll still pair it, though, and get phone and music through Bluetooth

My 13 year old Jeep will let me do that!

 

[Anton P]

Not every station is set up properly.....I would wager that most are not

In my experience there are engineers who should not have access to a processor and those who make stations sound amazing. I'm trying to become the latter. I found that Orban processors make HD sound very tinny and way too sharp and when coupled with audio compression artifacts played on modern car stereo with boosted high frequencies it makes it unlistenable, especially to young women. Some would turn off HD altogether because of that.

 

[Plate Blocker]

It appears you have pasted an incorrect AI summary.

It appears that you are indeed correct....thank you.

The reason I checked is that the report seemed so obtuse.....and apparently, a bunch of consumers feel the same way. A whopping percentage state that the non-inclusion of Car Play and Android Auto would be a deal breaker. It most certainly would be for me.

I'm on a four or five year cycle for vehicle purchases; I'm sure everything will change by then.

 

[XCountry285]

It appears that you are indeed correct....thank you.

The reason I checked is that the report seemed so obtuse.....and apparently, a bunch of consumers feel the same way. A whopping percentage state that the non-inclusion of Car Play and Android Auto would be a deal breaker. It most certainly would be for me.

I'm on a four or five year cycle for vehicle purchases; I'm sure everything will change by then.

Do you lease your car?

 

[Plate Blocker]

Do you lease your car?

No. I pay cash, run them for 5 or so years or 125,000 miles, and get another.

If this one blows up or gets totaled, and GM has discontinued Android Auto, next one will be a Ford. It's a shame, as this is the fifth Yukon Denali XL for me, but I want what I want.

If, in five years, GM has developed something better than Android Auto, I might give it a try, but it will involve renting a couple of vehicles with it and giving it a careful try.

 

[radiofan2023]

No. I pay cash, run them for 5 or so years or 125,000 miles, and get another.

You drive 25,000 miles a year?!

 

[PTBoardOp93]

You drive 25,000 miles a year?!

Probably not uncommon for broadcast engineers (which I'm assuming based on the profile pic)
One guy I worked with in Indianapolis was a contract engineer for stations in 4 states (IN, IL, KY, OH). Another engineer was employed by a consolidator, who was responsible for three clusters, with the furthest about 300 miles from his home base.

 

[KC8UOK]

That ship sailed years ago.

I think the fact that many HD-n channels are used to feed analog FM translators speaks for itself.

That was the main reason I wanted HD in the car but ended up without it and simply stream it via Tunin. There are several places I drive the little 250 watt FM translator of KDWN doesn't get out to very well.

 

[RFCCRadioAudio]

I ordered a Sangean HDR-14 from eBay and it just came today. Been playing around with it, and it took a few minutes getting used to the HD1 have to settle in before going to HD2 and beyond on the stations that have it. It's worth it, because I have a handful of new stations to listen to, plus some translators that are hard to get to on analog are right there for me on some HD2s and beyond.

 

[CentralFL]

I ordered a Sangean HDR-14 from eBay and it just came today. Been playing around with it, and it took a few minutes getting used to the HD1 have to settle in before going to HD2 and beyond on the stations that have it. It's worth it, because I have a handful of new stations to listen to, plus some translators that are hard to get to on analog are right there for me on some HD2s and beyond.

You can set a preset for HD2+ rather than going to the HD1 every time and waiting for it to lock in before going to the HD2. Of course it still will take a moment for the radio to lock in to the signal.

 

[Fighting Irish]

You can set a preset for HD2+ rather than going to the HD1 every time and waiting for it to lock in before going to the HD2. Of course it still will take a moment for the radio to lock in to the signal.

I have one of those Insignia HD radios (a steal for $3.99 from Goodwill!). I can preset subchannels.

And my Kenwood car deck (with HD Radio) will let me do the same.

 

[umfan]

iBiquity's investors would have been well served to have subsidized HD radio into cars about 20 years ago. I do believe that technology was the most viable way to ease FM brand crowding. I believe had this been done, the technology might've achieved critical mass and economic viability, but the window to do this is now closed. Few HD channels left in Detroit. I bought a portable seeking a non-subscription to Satellite radio when iHeart still ran iHeart 80s and Sunny Radio on subchannels, and there was a Smooth Jazz format on another one, but HD programming is now largely non-existent having never established the needed audience.

 

[davideduardo]

iBiquity's investors would have been well served to have subsidized HD radio into cars about 20 years ago. I do believe that technology was the most viable way to ease FM brand crowding.

But iBiquity's only real revenue source was in the licensing of the receiver technology. There are, and were, a limited number of stations that would pay fees for HD transmission tech; the only revenue possibility comes from radios.

And HD is not a practical solution for portable radios or, beyond that, a feature of FM receiver circuits in cellular phones due to the high battery drain of DAC chips.

I remember when Strube presented HD to a meeting of all the HBC (Hispanic Broadcasting Corporation) executives and GMs when the tech was introduced. I asked about the future use in and availability in portable radios and "boom boxes" and was told, vaguely, that such a feature was "under development". I knew instantly that HD would not really be directly commercially viable.

I believe had this been done, the technology might've achieved critical mass and economic viability, but the window to do this is now closed. Few HD channels left in Detroit. I bought a portable seeking a non-subscription to Satellite radio when iHeart still ran iHeart 80s and Sunny Radio on subchannels, and there was a Smooth Jazz format on another one, but HD programming is now largely non-existent having never established the needed audience.

Again, when introduced there were zero radios. And HD, unlike FM stereo, was not backwardly compatible by adding additional channels or program services to existing stations.

Nearly a quarter century later, HD is not in a high percentage of cars, and in nearly no other kinds of radios. It's useful to sustain analog translators that use the HD channel as the originating source, and for a few unique services, particularly in other languages.

 

[umfan]

I knew instantly that HD would not really be directly commercially viable.

You clearly were proven correct in that regard. The iBiquity revenue model clearly didn't work despite the fact that nothing sense has provided any solution to the corwding on the FM dial.

 

[CTListener]

You clearly were proven correct in that regard. The iBiquity revenue model clearly didn't work despite the fact that nothing sense has provided any solution to the corwding on the FM dial.

But what the failure of HD Radio also indicates is how little potential there is for niche musical formats on commercial radio.

 

[secondchoice]

IMHO: the only way HD would work, would be for the NAB ( or someone who cares about OTA Radio) to buy out IBbiquity and the patents become open source or free. The the FCC could mandate ALL receivers and car radios have HD capabilities. All commercial band stations would have a mandatory date to become HD capable. I would allow AM stations to go all digital at reduced power to limit interference if they chose unless they are an EAS input station. I am sure someone could come up with a really economicial "box" for AMs to go all digital. Of course you are talking about a 20 or 30 year time line with automobiles being replaced until it really becomes viable percentage. I am assuming the big operators don't destroy OTA with cost-cutting to pay their debt. The indash entertainment / navigation should "find" an FM radio station that "covers" the location with EAS*. If the receiver "hears" a warning (weather watches NOT included) it comes on and the message is played temporarily overriding what ever is playing. Remember there still is large parts of the country that don't have reliable cell service. This would be a backup to cell service in other places.

*I suggest using a zip code system for the "extra data" within the RDS using the vehicle's GPS. Likely is someone else has a better way to make sure the receiver "finds the correct" station to monitor.