Discovering HD Radio
We are certainly being bombarded by buzz words from all directions and some stand out more than others such as satellite radio, Dolby Digital, and the more famous one being HD. HD means high definition which you could apply to many types of businesses and products. But the one we are interested is the one for sound. We live in times where retro is cool and we want a touch of modern in it also. We like our hot rods in their original style but with disc brakes, fuel injection, air conditioning, power steering and many other cool amenities.
In audio we want to have variety for listening and also have good sound quality. Satellite radio has certainly given us the variety of genres that we can choose from when driving down the road, but with an average cost of about $7.00 a month for subscription. Not bad when you consider most people spend that on a fast food lunch meal. The downside is the sound quality is not quite there since the signal coming from the satellite is compressed similar to an MP3 song. Between the two companies that offer satellite radio, XM Radio and Sirius, each one claims one is better sounding or have a greater variety of genres. The greatest downside is we have to pay for it. So you ask is it death for the local channels since the selection is better on satellite radio? Not really because they have a secret weapon known to a few currently, but in the near future it will be known to many. HD Radio is their secret weapon.
What is that you ask? Well for starters it is free!!! It offers FM stations now with CD-quality sound. Just crystal clear reception with no audio distortion. You get new music from new artists and personalities, genres, music from abroad and new formats. You have stations from jamin oldies, urban, classical, jazz, sports, comedy, caf�, morning show and many more. More info on your dial, such as traffic data and stock info. Real-time artist and song IDs. Free of charge like radio should be. No subscription costs, no plans and no monthly bills. The signal transmitted is all digital which means no hiss, distortion or station drop-off.
So ask how does it work? Basically, digital radio works the same as conventional radio. There�s a signal on one end and a receiver on the other. But there are a few key differences.
1. Instead of sending out one analog signal, stations send out a bundled signal � both analog and digital. Because it is digital, textual data such as traffic, stock info and song titles can be sent out, as well.
2. The digital signal layer is compressed.
3. The combined analog and digital signals are transmitted.
4. Inevitably, radio signals bounce off objects, causing what is called multi-path distortions. This is what causes the static in conventional radio receivers. HD Digital radio receivers are designed to sort through reflected signals, reducing static, hiss, pops and fades.
5. Finally, the signals reach their destination. Both broadcasts are free, with no subscription fee. To hear the digital broadcast, all you need is an HD Radio receiver.
Have you ever wondered how technology can split the radio signal into analog and digital channels and then transmit it over the existing AM/FM bands? It�s a process known as In-Band On-Channel (IBOC) Broadcasting. It�s DIGITAL, and it�s FREE. HD Digital Radio supports CD-quality sound as well as song titles and artist names. And because the digital signal piggybacks onto a conventional broadcast signal, it is free to the listener. With HD Radio, broadcasters can use the current radio spectrum to transmit free analog simultaneously with new higher quality digital signals. This eliminates the static, hiss, pops and fades associated with today�s radio along with reducing noise and interference. With IBOC-based HD Radio technology, radio receivers and other consumer electronics will receive traditional analog broadcasts from stations that have yet to convert and digital broadcasts from stations that have converted.
Current analog radios will continue to receive the analog portion of the IBOC-based broadcast, allowing for a smooth transition to a digital world. In fact, specific features have been designed into HD Radio-supported receivers to improve the existing analog reception during the "Hybrid Mode."
As the market reaches maturity, broadcasters will transition out of analog broadcasts and offer an "all-digital mode". As a result of our digital architecture, enhanced services such as increased data capacity, surround sound or other multicasting solutions can be made available across this unused bandwidth.
Now you ask where can I get it? Well many car manufacturers such as BMW and Jaguar offer it in their vehicles. In the aftermarket side where we play there are a few companies that are pioneering the development such as Alpine Electronics, Dice Electronics, Directed Electronics, JVC, Kenwood and Visteon. In the home side Accurian, ADA ( audio design associates), Boston Acoustics, Cambridge Soundworks, Day Sequerra, Niles, Polk Audio and many others.
How does it install in the vehicle? It goes in a few different ways. There are stand alone units that transmit via an FM modulator. Some companies have separate modules you can buy that connect to your stereo and you can control it directly from the head unit. Installation is not difficult or time consuming at all since it does not require an additional antenna; it connects to your existing antenna. If you ask me I would get it. I encourage you to go to WWW.HDRADIO.COM and check out the demo between regular and HD radio stations. It gives the old AM stations a whole purpose in life.
