With HD Radio broadcasts, you'll enjoy crystal-clear audio sound. When you tune in to HD FM broadcasts, you'll experience up to CD-quality sound. Plus, the power of digital technology allows us to add multiple channels, providing our listeners with more program choices. You'll even be able to see displayed text and images on your HD Radio receiver, which could include song and artist information, advertisements and more.

The main benefits are:

• More radio stations: catering for all kinds of interests and groups of people
• Better reception: none of the hiss, crackle, fading or station overlap that you get with AM or even FM radio
• Easy tuning by pressing a button: no need to remember frequencies, fiddle with a dial to get a good signal, or retune your car radio when on the move
• Display screen on the radio: gives you information about what you're listening to (such as song details, news headlines, email addresses); some radios now have an electronic programme guide (EPG)
• Radio on TV and online: digital radio stations also broadcast via digital TV and on the internet.
 

The HD Radio™ system has been developed by iBiquity, and has now been selected by the FCC in the USA. It will take the place of both the existing AM and FM transmissions, and offers many advantages for both listeners and broadcasters alike:

• Improved audio quality - it is claimed that HD Radio™ broadcasts on the AM bands will be as good as current FM services and those on the FM band will offer CD quality audio.
• Reduced levels of interference. AM transmissions in particular are prone to static pops and bangs as well as high levels of background noise. HD Radio™ will almost eliminate this.
• Opportunity to use additional data services. By using digital technology, HD Radio provides the opportunity to add data services such as scrolling programme information, song titles, artist names, and much more.
• There is also the possibility of adding more advanced services such as surround sound, multiple audio sources, on-demand audio services, etc.
• Easy transition for broadcasters and listeners. Although new HD Radio™ receivers are required to receive the new transmissions in their digital format there is considerable re-use of infrastructure and spectrum.
 

HD platform was launched in US in 2005, (you can read in detail about HD technology on following sites: www.ibiquity.com, www.hdradio.com) and now has over 1800 HD Radio™ stations across US. The iBiquity have launched a massive advertising campaign throughout the country to promote the new format. All experts in radio industry believe that HD Radio™ would be the new radio format, and it would be the most advanced technological jump in last 50 years, just like FM was in the 1950. Experts believe that switch to HD will happen at very fast rate, just like switch from cassette tape to CD and now to MP3 format.

Many electronics manufacturers such as Microsoft, Insignia, Sony, JVC, JBL, Jensen and many more came out with various HD Radio players for home, car, portable and dock-able devices. Price range of HD Radio receivers are anywhere from $20 to $150 depends on the features and needs.

Almost half of the US car makers have HD Radio as a standard feature and others as optional, on some US cars it was standard feature since 2006. European Car Manufacturers will offer HD Radio on 2010 models some had it since 2007.

HD Radio platform is absolutely free just like FM with 4 times more stations on the dial (for example NY will have 194 HD stations currently on the air 116).The only comparative technology is a Satellite Radio which costs about $12 per month and you need to sign a long term contract.

Very important factors are, once the consumer purchased a HD Receiver, they can listen to regular FM and some AM stations as well. Sound quality of HD is just like CD and on the display you can see text information and next events coming up. Apple Corporation developed a tagging technology for HD radio, which gives you ability to purchase the song once you've heard it.

 

Interesting hints about the future of HD Radio


 

There was an interesting article recently in the Seattle, WA paper. It consisted of interviews with a number of top Seattle radio executives where they were asked about the future of radio in 2008. Here were two of the more noteworthy responses.

 

The quotes


 

"Commercial radio's audience will continue to shrink as younger listeners find music on other technology, and listeners of all ages (especially women) go to public radio and other media for information.
"People are still tuning in to commercial radio at about the same rate as 10 years ago, but they're not listening as long. Time spent listening has dropped overall by 15 percent (three hours and 15 minutes per week), even more among younger listeners and women. High turnover is a sign listeners aren't finding what they want ... and they're going elsewhere to get it."
Bryan Lowe, program director, KING-FM/98.1: "KING-FM will continue to expand its presence online and on HD radio, allowing us to present even more of this great classical music.

"The new mantra is 'what you want, when you want it,' and our HD and online channels will deliver. Listeners will be able to tune in and listen to operas on demand or devote their weekend to the great symphonies of Beethoven, Brahms or Tchaikovsky."