Where is the public outcry against HD?

[ElCheapo]

If HD radio were anywhere near as destructive as most of the guys here claim it is to other stations (and in the case of AM, to those stations themselves) where is the massive public outcry?

There are 1,000 HD stations on the air now - most major market FM signals are converted to HD and many AMs are.

Strangely, outside a few bloggers that hate commercial radio in general and the DX enthusiasts in this forum that decry the interference that HD is supposedly generating, I can't find anyone knocking HD Radio.

If this was truly keeping large numbers of people from listening to their favorite stations and making Rush Limbaugh unlistenable on AM, you would think the public outcry would be impressively large.

I can't find it though. Perhaps someone could point me in the right direction?

 

[700WLW]

There is no massive outcry yet, because only a handful of AM stations are running IBOC and none are running it at night, where IBOC would cause the most adjacent-channel interference, due to skywave propagation. Most of the HD stations are owned by members of the HD Radio Cartel and WGN and WZZN turned off their IBOC, as others have done, due to listener complaints:

http://groups.google.com/group/rec....d507c2?lnk=gst&q=iboc&rnum=2#87e056625bd507c2

There are 13,500 radio stations, so 1000 represents are very small percentage.

"Running Interference"

http://beradio.com/features/radio_running_interference/

 

[vsa]

ElCheapo wrote: "...where is the massive public outcry?"

Can't you think like a listener does? HD Radio-caused interference does not contain anything that tells the unwashed public where the hell the AM buzz is coming from. To the regular listener it sounds like either the affected station is screwing up - or some mysterious source of NOISE is coming out of nowhere. On FM, it just comes across as not being able to pick up the station anymore. Who would expect that the government would actually allow some broadcasters to dish out noise or signal on top of another station's frequency and be able to get away with it? It just serves to drive yet more people away from AM and FM radio.

That is why HD Radio is suicidal. That is why HD Radio broadcasters will eventually shut their noise-makers down. They'll eventually come to their senses - probably long after it's too late.

 

[ElCheapo]

ElCheapo wrote: "...where is the massive public outcry?"

Can't you think like a listener does? HD Radio-caused interference does not contain anything that tells the unwashed public where the hell the AM buzz is coming from. To the regular listener it sounds like either the affected station is screwing up - or some mysterious source of NOISE is coming out of nowhere. On FM, it just comes across as not being able to pick up the station anymore. Who would expect that the government would actually allow some broadcasters to dish out noise or signal on top of another station's frequency and be able to get away with it? It just serves to drive yet more people away from AM and FM radio.

That is why HD Radio is suicidal. That is why HD Radio broadcasters will eventually shut their noise-makers down. They'll eventually come to their senses - probably long after it's too late.

As I just pointed out in another thread - if it truly were a problem, TV and newspaper would be all over it.

There are lots of TV stations owned by companies with no interest in radio whatsoever. Do you think their engineers are oblivious to HD technology?

If there truly was interference that is objectionable to the majority of radio listeners, wouldn't TV and newspaper be all over it?

 

[audiophile.]

ElCheapo wrote: "...where is the massive public outcry?"

Vsa Wrote:
"Can't you think like a listener does? HD Radio-caused interference does not contain anything that tells the unwashed public where the hell the AM buzz is coming from. To the regular listener it sounds like either the affected station is screwing up - or some mysterious source of NOISE is coming out of nowhere. On FM, it just comes across as not being able to pick up the station anymore. Who would expect that the government would actually allow some broadcasters to dish out noise or signal on top of another station's frequency and be able to get away with it? It just serves to drive yet more people away from AM and FM radio.

That is why HD Radio is suicidal. That is why HD Radio broadcasters will eventually shut their noise-makers down. They'll eventually come to their senses - probably long after it's too late."

---------

Exactly!

 

[SUPERCASTER]

ElCheapo wrote: "...where is the massive public outcry?"

Can't you think like a listener does? HD Radio-caused interference does not contain anything that tells the unwashed public where the hell the AM buzz is coming from. To the regular listener it sounds like either the affected station is screwing up - or some mysterious source of NOISE is coming out of nowhere. On FM, it just comes across as not being able to pick up the station anymore. Who would expect that the government would actually allow some broadcasters to dish out noise or signal on top of another station's frequency and be able to get away with it? It just serves to drive yet more people away from AM and FM radio.

That is why HD Radio is suicidal. That is why HD Radio broadcasters will eventually shut their noise-makers down. They'll eventually come to their senses - probably long after it's too late.

As I just pointed out in another thread - if it truly were a problem, TV and newspaper would be all over it.

There are lots of TV stations owned by companies with no interest in radio whatsoever. Do you think their engineers are oblivious to HD technology?

If there truly was interference that is objectionable to the majority of radio listeners, wouldn't TV and newspaper be all over it?

The public is outraged and almost unanimously against granting big media additional outlets as HD would provide.
Haven't you been reading the papers, watching TV, or listening to the radio (HD or analog)?
Where have you been, HD dreamland?
Are you deaf yet?
Just follow the links:
http://www.freepress.net/news/18082
http://freepress.net/news/18110
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-fcc4sep04,1,3888365.story?coll=la-headlines-business&ctrack=1&cset=true
http://news.com.com/Hollywood+bashes+media+consolidation/2100-1026_3-6122447.html
http://www.examiner.com/a-325664~Media_ownership_hearings_in_Los_Angeles.html
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/1004-01.htm
http://www.fcc.gov/ownership/hearings.html
http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/fcc.html
http://www.democraticmedia.org/issues/mediaownership/index.php
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/23/business/main2115593.shtml?source=RSSattr=Politics_2115593
And dozens of additonal sources....

 

[ElCheapo]

The public is outraged and almost unanimously against granting big media additional outlets as HD would provide.
Haven't you been reading the papers, watching TV, or listening to the radio (HD or analog)?
Where have you been, HD dreamland?
Are you deaf yet?
Just follow the links:
http://www.freepress.net/news/18082
http://freepress.net/news/18110
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-fcc4sep04,1,3888365.story?coll=la-headlines-business&ctrack=1&cset=true
http://news.com.com/Hollywood+bashes+media+consolidation/2100-1026_3-6122447.html
http://www.examiner.com/a-325664~Media_ownership_hearings_in_Los_Angeles.html
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines06/1004-01.htm
http://www.fcc.gov/ownership/hearings.html
http://www.pbs.org/now/politics/fcc.html
http://www.democraticmedia.org/issues/mediaownership/index.php
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2006/10/23/business/main2115593.shtml?source=RSSattr=Politics_2115593
And dozens of additonal sources....

No, the public doesn't care - special interests care.

At the latest FCC hearings, many of the independent producers in Hollywood suggested the FCC implement rules that require the networks to carry their stuff.

Huh?

Never mind quality - we want to be Hollywood writers and producers, so the government should create a protected class of employment for us. Heck, for a short while when I was a kid, I wanted to be an astronaut. I think the FCC should mandate that too.

These are the cousins of the crowd that puts a crucifix in urine, calls it "art" and demands that the government pay them for it. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piss_Christ

Then there's the musicians, politicians who claim there isn't enough election coverage and the race baiting crowd.

In the Constitution, nobody promised anyone a career as a rock star or rapper.

Politicians are always going to gripe and try to make political hay. It's easier to say "I couldn't get the exposure I needed to win" than to admit you lost because your ideas didn't resonate with voters.

Then there's Jesse Jackson and his protégés. There's good money to be made in race baiting, and convincing minorities that big media is keeping them down might just help finance that next Cadillac or adulterous affair.

That's not "the public." That's special interests with financial interests they want to have vested.

 

[Chuck]

That's not "the public." That's special interests with financial interests they want to have vested.

I'm shocked.... Tell me that NAB, Ibiquity and the "Alliance" aren't special interest groups... Tell me it isn't soooo!

I'm so disillusioned. :-[

 

[ElCheapo]

That's not "the public." That's special interests with financial interests they want to have vested.

I'm shocked.... Tell me that NAB, Ibiquity and the "Alliance" aren't special interest groups... Tell me it isn't soooo!

I'm so disillusioned. :-[

Of course they are - special interest groups that want their industry to maintain its market share and grow if possible. Nothing too unusual about that.

On the other hand, ALL of the articles that SUPERCASTER posted were the typical "poor me - my garage band can't get its song on the radio" or "you should give political candidates airtime" type arguments.

These are people who all want something from broadcasters that isn't necessarily in the public interest. Garage bands around here go on myspace and lambast my rock station for not playing their music. Friday night, we had a Halloween concert with nothing but local bands.

I decided to skip it, but I met up with the program director and a few others that went for some late breakfast afterward. The PD had a headache because it was several hours of loud, screaming, poorly played crap - and this is a guy who lives for hard rock!

If these guys had talent, they might get somewhere - but instead of admitting they don't - they whine. It's much easier to blame your lack of success on the big, evil broadcasting companies than it is to admit you have no talent or insufficient talent to attract their interest.

 

[vsa]

ElCheapo wrote: "...if it truly were a problem, TV and newspaper would be all over it."

TV stations that are themselves switching over to HD television, and are hoping everyone will buy an expensive new HD television, are going to be willing to be critical of something called HD radio? You're kidding, right?

Newspapers barely know anything yet about HD Radio, let alone the problems it is causing. Only knowledgeable people know what is actually causing the higher level of noise and interference on the AM and FM bands.

If it was the smaller stations causing the interference to members of the HD Radio cartel, there certainly would be a lot of very public complaints. NAB head David Rehr would also most certainly send a well-publicized letter to the FCC urging an immediate remedy.

 

[ElCheapo]

ElCheapo wrote: "...if it truly were a problem, TV and newspaper would be all over it."

TV stations that are themselves switching over to HD television, and are hoping everyone will buy an expensive new HD television, are going to be willing to be critical of something called HD radio? You're kidding, right?

Newspapers barely know anything yet about HD Radio, let alone the problems it is causing. Only knowledgeable people know what is actually causing the higher level of noise and interference on the AM and FM bands.

If it was the smaller stations causing the interference to members of the HD Radio cartel, there certainly would be a lot of very public complaints. NAB head David Rehr would also most certainly send a well-publicized letter to the FCC urging an immediate remedy.

Exactly, if it's a problem - and it's not - someone else in the media would have taken notice.

Do you really think the HD label would stop TV? They'd eat their own if they thought it would get ratings.

 

[SUPERCASTER]

ElCheapo said:

On the other hand, ALL of the articles that SUPERCASTER posted were the typical "poor me - my garage band can't get its song on the radio" or "you should give political candidates airtime" type arguments.

I have no interest in garage bands or lobbying politicians as the HD cartel does.
So your claim is just another of the mountains of lies that HD supporters are telling to sell expensive, defective HD radios, and create much more interference to block and jam competition, and maintain control over what the public is allowed to hear.