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Wonder why none has posted this yet?
- Thread starter jras20
- Start date
R
rbrucecarter5
Guest
jras20 said:
The main reason why someone would buy such a radio is to avoid tying up their computer to stream. At $349, it is still cheaper than all but the most basic of computers. I've seen internet radios for much less than that.
Of course the holy grail is to get streaming reliably into cars. When they do that - game over for satellite and HD.
Getting internet radio in cars will happen very soon. As soon as the TV stations vacate their analog channels a whole bunch of bandwidth is going to open up for just that purpose. A lot of the HD2 stations are simulcasting a clusters News Talk AM stations in many markets. In Atlanta, WSB is on HD2, In Orlando, WDBO is also on the HD2 and in Tampa, WFLA is on an HD2. In my opinion there is a rosey future for the HD channels, but it is not music. The HD channels will be leased to niche programmers that dont compete with the main channel. Probably a lot of ethnic, and religious folks. That programming will also sell receivers.
Getting internet radio in cars will happen very soon. As soon as the TV stations vacate their analog channels a whole bunch of bandwidth is going to open up for just that purpose. A lot of the HD2 stations are simulcasting a clusters News Talk AM stations in many markets. In Atlanta, WSB is on HD2, In Orlando, WDBO is also on the HD2 and in Tampa, WFLA is on an HD2. In my opinion there is a rosey future for the HD channels, but it is not music. The HD channels will be leased to niche programmers that dont compete with the main channel. Probably a lot of ethnic, and religious folks. That programming will also sell receivers.
You can buy an Internet Radio for around $100 if you shop around a bit. Nobody ever said CCrane was a bargain.
When I was in Ireland last spring, I investigated several local electronics stores just to see what was on the shelves. They all sold some type of Internet Radio. The most I ever saw on display was about a half dozen models, some of which I'd heard of, and some brands that were quite unfamiliar to me. They appeared to be selling. At least that's what the shopkeepers said.
Although we Americans like to think of ourselves as "technology leaders," we really aren't when it comes to the Internet. Most of Europe has a far better Internet service than we do. That's probably because the European phone companies have traditionally been draconian state owned companies that were inflexible at best. When the 'net came along it provided a means to bypass the state monopolies. I found it was pretty easy to find free Internet in most hotels that operated at what most of us would consider "screaming" speeds.
We're fairly far behind the curve in this country. I suspect that will eventually improve, maybe in the near future. As Bruce points out, until Internet becomes commonplace in cars, Internet radio will be an interesting sideline.
When I was in Ireland last spring, I investigated several local electronics stores just to see what was on the shelves. They all sold some type of Internet Radio. The most I ever saw on display was about a half dozen models, some of which I'd heard of, and some brands that were quite unfamiliar to me. They appeared to be selling. At least that's what the shopkeepers said.
Although we Americans like to think of ourselves as "technology leaders," we really aren't when it comes to the Internet. Most of Europe has a far better Internet service than we do. That's probably because the European phone companies have traditionally been draconian state owned companies that were inflexible at best. When the 'net came along it provided a means to bypass the state monopolies. I found it was pretty easy to find free Internet in most hotels that operated at what most of us would consider "screaming" speeds.
We're fairly far behind the curve in this country. I suspect that will eventually improve, maybe in the near future. As Bruce points out, until Internet becomes commonplace in cars, Internet radio will be an interesting sideline.
The price will eventually come down, then you’ll see gains in market share.
I’d expect to see more devices. Remember the internet and the technology that makes it run is still very young. Memory, power, storage and so on will increase whiles prices will drop.
Unlike HD radio there’s no licensing fee associated with the receivers, so manufactures have more options. As the chips advance you’ll see pocket wifi/wimax radios.
“Chris Anderson, the editor of WIRED, explores the four key stages of any viable technology: setting the right price, gaining market share, displacing an established technology and, finally, becoming ubiquitous.”
As he spoke I was thinking about HD radio. While the price has fallen, it hasn’t achieved critical mass. See the link below to see the video.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/chris_anderson_of_wired_on_tech_s_long_tail.html
I’d expect to see more devices. Remember the internet and the technology that makes it run is still very young. Memory, power, storage and so on will increase whiles prices will drop.
Unlike HD radio there’s no licensing fee associated with the receivers, so manufactures have more options. As the chips advance you’ll see pocket wifi/wimax radios.
“Chris Anderson, the editor of WIRED, explores the four key stages of any viable technology: setting the right price, gaining market share, displacing an established technology and, finally, becoming ubiquitous.”
As he spoke I was thinking about HD radio. While the price has fallen, it hasn’t achieved critical mass. See the link below to see the video.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/chris_anderson_of_wired_on_tech_s_long_tail.html
What about for those who don't have High speed Internet? I have DSL, but at my place in the country I can only get dial up. If I want to spend big bucks on Satellite internet I could, but I don't need it that bad out there. I usually just listen to my analog radio out there. HD is pretty decent, but not many new choices.
I use cable broadband and regularly listen to Internet radio while surfing the net (like right now) with no problems. I have XM satellite in my car and you get many of their channels for free at home on your computer with the car subscription. Lots of choice, last night was was the AC-DC channel, tonight it's decade's 60's. Forget it with dialup though.
I also subscribe to Live365 which again has many worldwide channels, many more than Satellite. You can get brand new Internet tuners even cheaper than 100.00 on line just hook them up to your stereo and you're in business.
I also subscribe to Live365 which again has many worldwide channels, many more than Satellite. You can get brand new Internet tuners even cheaper than 100.00 on line just hook them up to your stereo and you're in business.
jras20 said:
CC is less than a bargain [I still like them for their customer service]; but I’m a bit intrigued about their brand offering in WI-FI radio – the CC WiFi. All said: My experience with this company has been nothing-but-GOOD!
They have a laudable analog AM fetish, and ARE NOT fans of "HD Radio". They join the numerous ranks of those that are mute in supporting IBOC... GOOD FOR THEM!
Back to the “AM Issue”... I wish many of you readers here could hear 1580 WIFE Connersville, Indiana over-the-air with its new BE rig and Cuting-Edge proc under the command of Bob Hawkins [Indiana's "Mr. AM Radio"]... It ‘Sounds like FM on Jeff Deck’s Meduci AMX-2000 hand-built tuner in my boyhood bedroom at my parents' home there... And AWESOME on the “garden variety” Sangean and Tivoli radios, also! Maybe, too-little-too-late for AM radio :'( but nonetheless worth a listen, consideration, and professional praise
They [WIFE Radio, Jeff Deck, and Bob Hawkins] have EARNED-IT!Within the local contour, WIFE [in analog] sounds MUCH BETTER then the WLW iBOC digital signal – and it doesn’t trash its defenseless neighbors and further the axiom “AM Problem”—interference.
If you have an AM station in your community worth listening to, I’d give you a “high-five” for Jeff Deck’s effort... He will “build it for you” – and you WON’T be disappointed! Just say "YES" and place an order!
Do you remember when AOL charged like $50.00 or more for dial up, now it’s $9.99 or less, almost free. The same scenario is happening with broadband, competition drives prices down. And given time the same will happen with wireless. The phone companies will sell you DSL without requiring landline service. The traditional phone company we all grew up is being forced to change. Because of technology their new focus is providing multimedia services, like TV service. So expect better service from your cable company too.
Someday wireless will reach critical mass and for $10.00 a month you’ll be surfing the web, while driving down the road at 80 mph.
That’s why HD is obsolete out of the box, newer, better technologies are just around the corner.
“Chris Anderson, the editor of WIRED, explores the four key stages of any viable technology: setting the right price, gaining market share, displacing an established technology and, finally, becoming ubiquitous.”
As he spoke I was thinking about HD radio. While the price has fallen, it hasn’t achieved critical mass. See the link below to see the video.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/chris_anderson_of_wired_on_tech_s_long_tail.html
Someday wireless will reach critical mass and for $10.00 a month you’ll be surfing the web, while driving down the road at 80 mph.
That’s why HD is obsolete out of the box, newer, better technologies are just around the corner.
“Chris Anderson, the editor of WIRED, explores the four key stages of any viable technology: setting the right price, gaining market share, displacing an established technology and, finally, becoming ubiquitous.”
As he spoke I was thinking about HD radio. While the price has fallen, it hasn’t achieved critical mass. See the link below to see the video.
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/chris_anderson_of_wired_on_tech_s_long_tail.html
pocket-radio said:
I would be foolish for me to argue that "Someday" wireless will not be ubiquitous. But I would point out that "Someday" is a long way off. And for the life of me, I don't see how we get the cost cut by 80%.(Assuming you can get decent wireless for $49.99 now. Cricket has it, but their coverage areas are so narrow you are lucky if you get a broadband signal when you get at the back of a highway rest stop. At least for data)
Cell towers are expensive to build and maintain. They're paying low end retail shopping rates for the land those towers sit on. I know, Verizon assisted me in retiring with their cell lease.
Building cell towers in high traffic areas makes good sense. When you get outside of the main areas, your "Low hanging fruit" providers are VERY slow to go there. If at all. Their answer is "Roaming". Even Sprint, (Which I beleve has a national license for their band) covers WAY less that half the actual square miles in the US. You'll need to zoom in, but check out the stellar Sprint coverage in South Dakota... http://coverage.sprint.com/IMPACT.jsp?language=EN. Don't get too "Urban-centric" with the "Everybody has it" stuff. And in order to get a good price you're going to need actual online competitors. For a good chunk of South Dakota, it doesn't look like they have any cell service at all.
I actually dug a little deeper into Wi-max after my failed attept to use Clearwire's service while mobile. I was surprised to see they have a good number of sites very close to me (2 within 2 miles - One on each side.) I am still a customer of their's down at the office. But their mobile was dismal.
I have no doubt you will eventually see "The Net" everywhere. But I think these claims that Wireless will kill radio are overblown... at least for now. Cell phones have hurt the home landline business as many have decided to drop their home phone service in favor of their cell phones. I think you'll find it's going to be a lot longer before you see a radio left out of a car.
Just a thought...
Clouseau
clouseau said:
For the same reason HD isn't likely to replace analog radio, Internet Radio probably won't become the primary source of listening for quite some time. That's because of the estimated eight billion analog radios that are out there in people's homes and cars. It will be quite some time before they are all in land-fills.
On the other hand, Internet radio comes bundled with another service (or services) that people have demonstrated they want. Among those are email, instant messaging and surfing the web. Because there is substantial demand for this, the technology will continue to improve. Internet radio gets brought along for the ride.
I do agree with my friend the Inspector that it will be some time before Internet radio surpasses terrestrial analog broadcasting. But it probably will happen, unless something better comes along. My guess is that will probably be at least ten years. That's longer than I plan to be in the Broadcasting biz (although you never know). In the interim, I think a wise broadcaster will figure out how to embrace web streaming and make it a part of what they really do: that’s providing content. The method of delivery is more or less irrelevant.
Unfortunately, our HD side-track seems to be eating up a lot of resources that could be put to better use. So far, the only really cool feature I've seen about HD is its ability to provide traffic and detour information to GPS and GPS enabled Radar Detector devices. But that is not "broadcasting" in the terms most of us think of.
And that cool feature is, unfortunately for those who believe in HD Radio, negated by the well-documented ongoing problems facing HD: relatively few stations have implemented IBOC, and the conversion rate has slowed enormously with only about 16% of US stations using the system. The receivers are no longer widely available (if they ever were), vary considerably in performance, and are relatively expensive. And HD coverage stinks in comparison with the analog signal - best estimates are that the digital stream has less than half the reliable coverage of analog.
All that being said, don't exepct the tenfold increase in digital power on HD-FM currently being squeezed for, to provide much of a fix. Most objective engineering opinion (including NPR) has it that 10db digital will provide not much improvement in digital reception but an enormous increase in interference. And for many installations, such as urban transmitters atop office buildings, there aren't available facilities which can accomodate the necessary gear - even if the operator is willing to spend up to a million bucks to retrofit entire transmitter sites, itself a highly dubious prospect.
All that being said, don't exepct the tenfold increase in digital power on HD-FM currently being squeezed for, to provide much of a fix. Most objective engineering opinion (including NPR) has it that 10db digital will provide not much improvement in digital reception but an enormous increase in interference. And for many installations, such as urban transmitters atop office buildings, there aren't available facilities which can accomodate the necessary gear - even if the operator is willing to spend up to a million bucks to retrofit entire transmitter sites, itself a highly dubious prospect.
I can also see what you people are saying that the average person wont go that much trouble to hook up a radio. It took me some time to find the spot for HD 84 miles out. Even my home place 30 miles from Austin transmitters it is hard. Even 12 miles from KBPA if 103.7 skips up here from Corpus it blocks it out. If that happened to a average user they'd probably take the radio back thinking something is wrong with it.
I don’t think wireless will replace radio totally either, however given time it will make a dent in total audience and TSL. TSL is already being effected people still listen just not a long. I blame that on time scarcity and deluge of electronic devices clamoring for attention. Also Wall Street’s repetitive corporate radio approach hasn’t help anyone.
Cell phones that everyone carries will be called on to do more and more, from making calls, surfing the web, listening to music and watching full length movies.
And I’m afraid a cell phone has replaced the pocket radio that you and I spent many hours with in bed, under the covers, an experience that’s forever lost to this generation. Boy do I really feel older
Cell phones that everyone carries will be called on to do more and more, from making calls, surfing the web, listening to music and watching full length movies.
And I’m afraid a cell phone has replaced the pocket radio that you and I spent many hours with in bed, under the covers, an experience that’s forever lost to this generation. Boy do I really feel older
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