Thumbs Down review for Insignia portable HD radio

[Don Juannn]

I have no idea how parroting KB's responses advances the discussion[/b]

Nobody is parroting anything...just offering thoughts which you can't seem to handle.

but I would offer, regarding "responses 1 and 2"....yes, satellite works (technically) to a satisfactory degree (as opposed to HD, which does not)

All a matter of opinion...of which yours in not the only one. HD works satisfactorily to many. Satellite is unsatisfactory to many.

and it does offer pretty good (not ideal) programming and tons of choice.

So doesn't HD.

There are hundreds of channels on the Bird, as opposed to a max of FOUR on an HD-FM,

Hundreds? You know I am dying to hear C-Span3 3 audio when I am driving down the street. ;-0

HD In Boston offers 20 extra channels. (Sorry they don't offer MSNBC audio like XM does.) ;-)

and whatever faults XM-Sirius' programming have - the material beats lame, repetitive formats-in-a-box, simulcasts of News-Talk AMs and out-of-market sister FM products.

Another opinion...of which yours in the only valid one?

90-95% of America still uses regular broadcast radio every week.

(And another prevalent HD-FM subchannel format: "dead air," frequently programmed because the closet computer has frozen or crashed and nobody's got time or interest to fix it.)

Reminds me of FM in the the late 60's early 70's. ;-)

I love how a guy with a flawed 500 watt nighttime facility (from 20 miles out of town no less) likes to throw stones at others. ;-)

As far as the argument "it's hard to beat free," I would differ.

Of course you would. What else would one expect from you.

You have no other position except that HD should cease immediately.

 

[Don Juannn]

I have no idea how parroting KB's responses advances the discussion

Nobody is parroting anything...just offering thoughts which you can't seem to handle.

but I would offer, regarding "responses 1 and 2"....yes, satellite works (technically) to a satisfactory degree (as opposed to HD, which does not)

All a matter of opinion...of which yours in not the only one. HD works satisfactorily to many. Satellite is unsatisfactory to many.

and it does offer pretty good (not ideal) programming and tons of choice.

So doesn't HD.

There are hundreds of channels on the Bird, as opposed to a max of FOUR on an HD-FM,

Hundreds? You know I am dying to hear C-Span3 3 audio when I am driving down the street. ;-0

HD In Boston offers 20 extra channels. (Sorry they don't offer MSNBC audio like XM does.) ;-)

and whatever faults XM-Sirius' programming have - the material beats lame, repetitive formats-in-a-box, simulcasts of News-Talk AMs and out-of-market sister FM products.

Another opinion...of which yours in the only valid one?

90-95% of America still uses regular broadcast radio every week.

(And another prevalent HD-FM subchannel format: "dead air," frequently programmed because the closet computer has frozen or crashed and nobody's got time or interest to fix it.)

Reminds me of FM in the the late 60's early 70's. ;-)

I love how a guy with a flawed 500 watt nighttime facility (from 20 miles out of town no less) likes to throw stones at others. ;-)

As far as the argument "it's hard to beat free," I would differ.

Of course you would. What else would one expect from you.

You have no other position except that HD should cease immediately.

Make that almost 30 miles....

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Rochester,+NY&daddr=42.85444,+-77.71083&hl=en&geocode=FcaVkgIdVsBf-ylTsxSWBbPWiTEe5iVB_B8AWg%3BFSjojQIdEjpe-w&mra=ls&sll=42.85444,-77.71083&sspn=0.027119,0.055189&g=42.85444,+-77.71083&ie=UTF8&z=10

 

[nd2023]

I have no idea how parroting KB's responses advances the discussion, but I would offer, regarding "responses 1 and 2"....yes, satellite works (technically) to a satisfactory degree (as opposed to HD, which does not) and it does offer pretty good (not ideal) programming and tons of choice. There are hundreds of channels on the Bird, as opposed to a max of FOUR on an HD-FM, and whatever faults XM-Sirius' programming have - the material beats lame, repetitive formats-in-a-box, simulcasts of News-Talk AMs and out-of-market sister FM products. (And another prevalent HD-FM subchannel format: "dead air," frequently programmed because the closet computer has frozen or crashed and nobody's got time or interest to fix it.)

As far as the argument "it's hard to beat free," I would differ. If consumers think a product has no merit, they won't touch it even if it IS free. Examples: like most cities, we have one of those free-circulation "City" newspapers here full of lefty news and personal ads for hookup dating lines, massage parlors and "adult entertainment" venues. They leave stacks of these papers in coffee houses and laundromats, and 98% go into the recycling bins unread.

Then there was the local big radio group who partnered with a leading car dealer to give a free HD Radio converter with every car sold. After 90 days the dealership asked station management to come and pick them up. Nobody wanted HD radio, even when it cost NOTHING.

I would not want an HD radio in my car if I couldn't force it to analog. Too many stations are out of sync with their analog and HD1, and too many stations use different processing for analog and HD. There's also problems like dead air on the HD1 so I can't hear the main station on an HD radio without attenuating the signal so the HD drops out. Or sports on an HD station that doesn't delay the analog during a live game.

There are people complaining about their HD radios.

 

[Don Juannn]

There are people complaining about their HD radios.

Pretty simple...don't like it...don't buy one!

 

[Savage]

And that's precisely what most consumers are doing, Donnnnnnnnnnn Juannnnnnnnn.....

"Not buying HD."

Good call!! Take the rest of the day off and add a few more "Ns" to your nnnname.

 

[Don Juannn]

And that's precisely what most consumers are doing, Donnnnnnnnnnn Juannnnnnnnn.....

People don't go out and replace things like TV's and dishwashers that are still working for them.

It's when they get replaced that they buy new technology.

Instead HD Haterz just keep whining and whining.....

I think Radiogooroo characterized it best when he summed you up! LOL!

....you're an obsessed, irrational, and apparently paranoid man whose judgment is apparently tainted by this war you're waging. Don't hurt yourself while you're jumping to conclusions.

And even if I was taking a swipe at you and your station, which I wasn't, wouldn't that be fair? You ridicule and deride this technology on a daily basis. You call the people behind it out by name, making all sorts of outlandish claims against them that have little to no basis in fact. You purport that the FCC has been bought off. PROVE IT! Frankly, I have to think you're lucky that these people have lives and have better things to do than mess with you or you'd find yourself on the wrong end of a libel suit.

WYSL is your life's work. HD Radio is the life's work of others, and it's a component of what I do. I'm just as proud of every HD installation I've done as I am of every analog project.

 

[Don Juannn]

And that's precisely what most consumers are doing, Donnnnnnnnnnn Juannnnnnnnn.....

People don't go out and replace things like TV's and dishwashers that are still working for them.

It's when they get replaced that they buy new technology.

Instead HD Haterz just keep whining and whining.....

I think Radiogooroo characterized it best when he summed you up! LOL!

....you're an obsessed, irrational, and apparently paranoid man whose judgment is apparently tainted by this war you're waging. Don't hurt yourself while you're jumping to conclusions.

And even if I was taking a swipe at you and your station, which I wasn't, wouldn't that be fair? You ridicule and deride this technology on a daily basis. You call the people behind it out by name, making all sorts of outlandish claims against them that have little to no basis in fact. You purport that the FCC has been bought off. PROVE IT! Frankly, I have to think you're lucky that these people have lives and have better things to do than mess with you or you'd find yourself on the wrong end of a libel suit.

WYSL is your life's work. HD Radio is the life's work of others, and it's a component of what I do. I'm just as proud of every HD installation I've done as I am of every analog project.

BTW...it looks like sock-puppet "HDRadioTSB" is gone. Boy, wonder what ID he'll choose next! LOL What a hoot!

 

[kc1ih]

Getting somewhat back to the original topic, I doubt Best Buy would be introducing a new HD portable had the original model sold as poorly as some of the people here say it, and HD Radio in general, does.

 

[KB1OKL]

People don't go out and replace things like TV's and dishwashers that are still working for them.

It's when they get replaced that they buy new technology.

Instead HD Haterz just keep whining and whining.....

Donny, I think your giving yourself away with your juvenile misspellings of haters, your name and your baiting of the adults here. You're a 16 year old kid who's using your mother's computer aren't you?

 

[RadeoEngineer]

Gawd it's hilarious how this goes all back and forth and gets emotional. Any engineer that understands RF also understands that this system doesn't work sufficiently well to stand on its own. As to who's going to increase power to the -10dB level, let's see how many put that kind of scratch into something they've already spent hundreds of thousands on for no ROI.

 

[tomservo]

People don't go out and replace things like TV's and dishwashers that are still working for them.

It's when they get replaced that they buy new technology.

Except that people don't buy radios anymore. They buy other devices with radio embedded. Alarm clocks, mp3 players, cars, home theater receivers.

Practically no one outside us wee geeks buy a radio for a radio's sake. The GE Superradio? A niche product. The Tecsun PL-259orwhatever? A niche product. The Insignia HD portable? A niche product.

I keep banging my head up against this wall and I'll do it again: iBiquity needs to stop enticing consumers and start enticing manufacturers. Consumers will NOT go out and buy a radio, but they will not shy away from a product with HD if it's priced competitively and works. (Even if that means shipping the radios with HD off by default.)

 

[Don Juannn]

People don't go out and replace things like TV's and dishwashers that are still working for them.

It's when they get replaced that they buy new technology.

Instead HD Haterz just keep whining and whining.....

Donny, I think your giving yourself away with your juvenile misspellings of haters, your name and your baiting of the adults here. You're a 16 year old kid who's using your mother's computer aren't you?

No baiting....just giving it back on the same level. ;-)

Be polite....and you'll get polite back.

And a long ways from 16! LOL!

 

[Don Juannn]

As to who's going to increase power to the -10dB level, let's see how many put that kind of scratch into something they've already spent hundreds of thousands on for no ROI.

Stations are already seeing ROI...although no where near what they need....but that will come. As I said, it's already started.

 

[mmnassour]

Please name one above that's not NPR.

 

[Don Juannn]

Please name one above that's not NPR.

CBS is selling infomercials on one of it's HD Channels.

They also get spot sales for their Freeform and BCN stations.

Greater Media just sold a bunch of sponsorships for their HD Channels....and spots.

In NYC some station just leased one of their HD channels to do Russian programming.

One station I am quite familiar with, has been approached by people who want to do EWTN Catholic programming on one of their HD channels....however, as a policy, have decided not so lease or sell time on them as of yet.

That's 5 in one market.

It will only get better.

 

[radiogooroo]

CBS is selling infomercials on one of it's HD Channels.

They also get spot sales for their Freeform and BCN stations.

Greater Media just sold a bunch of sponsorships for their HD Channels....and spots.

In NYC some station just leased one of their HD channels to do Russian programming.

One station I am quite familiar with, has been approached by people who want to do EWTN Catholic programming on one of their HD channels....however, as a policy, have decided not so lease or sell time on them as of yet.

That's 5 in one market.

It will only get better.

Don't forget the stations broadcasting data services via HD and getting paid for it.

 

[BRNout]

CBS is selling infomercials on one of it's HD Channels.

They also get spot sales for their Freeform and BCN stations.

Greater Media just sold a bunch of sponsorships for their HD Channels....and spots.

In NYC some station just leased one of their HD channels to do Russian programming.

One station I am quite familiar with, has been approached by people who want to do EWTN Catholic programming on one of their HD channels....however, as a policy, have decided not so lease or sell time on them as of yet.

That's 5 in one market.

It will only get better.

Oh, infomercials, Russian programming and EWTN! Wow, those programming choices will REALLY bring in the audiences! :

This is going the route of graveyard AM already. LOL!

 

[Savage]

I think there is a prevalent misunderstanding here about what "ROI" means. "Return On Investment" means...you MAKE MONEY on an endeavor. Not: wow! Look at that! THIRTY DOLLARS just came in the mail today - I've got ROI!!!"

Most HD installations, particularly those in major markets, represent capital investments up into six figures. Ongoing elevated utility, rent, maintenance and licensing costs make HD a very costly proposition.

So CBS has sold a few infomercials and a Russian-language and Catholic subchannel lease or two? Somebody's selling data services (until the consumers discover how lousy the coverage is and cancel)? B - F- D. CBS and its co-nitwits in HD Radio have pounded millions down the HD Radio rathole. HD will generate true "ROI" on the day it starts raining $50 bills (assuming CBS has people in engineering management smart enough to run outside and start raking them up.)

 

[Don Juannn]

Oh, infomercials, Russian programming and EWTN! Wow, those programming choices will REALLY bring in the audiences! :

Well, like all radio, it's a question of seeling out everything in sight....and garnering audience. Some operators have chosen not to sell *anything* on HD radio to keep the value to the listener. Broadcasting has always been a balance.

With the gobs of new channels, there is nothing wrong with assigning niche formats to HD3's.

RE: EWTN......It's not on the air...but people are ready to give money to the radio station the minute the station wants it.

I think there is a prevalent misunderstanding here about what "ROI" means. "Return On Investment" means...you MAKE MONEY on an endeavor. Not: wow! Look at that! THIRTY DOLLARS just came in the mail today - I've got ROI!!!"

More whining from Savage about something he knows nothing about.

You have no clue as to how much money is being brought in with HD in the major markets.

 

[local oscillator]

You have no clue as to how much money is being brought in with HD in the major markets.

So, enlighten us; who, how, and how much?

I'm interested in real ROI -- by Savage's definition. Most major market groups started this multi-year trudge seven-figures in the hole unless they had a sweetheart deal with iBiquity and/or the equipment manufacturers.