[Master Theseus]

You have all seen me posting up here in the shameless attempt to get people to buy my comapanies radios, but this post is to see whay you like about HD Radio.


We have seen many place reasons they don't like it, but for those of you who do, tell the public why you like it! Is it the sound, the extra programing, or simply that it is new technology.


I like HD Radio because to my ears the audio quality is dramatically improved and closer to my CD collection than some would like to admit.


I like the fact that I can hear music on the multicast channels that would normally be the "Clean" version on the main analog signal. I can hear the music like it was meant to be.


I like that, due to the astounding failure of most stations to broadcast RDS info, I can see what artist I am listening to so that if I like it enough I can buy it without jumping up on the dining facility and screaming from the top of my lungs for someone to tell me what I am listening to.


I like that I can hear AM stations without the annoying high-tone squeel that caused me to shun AM in the first place.


And I really like that I can for once pretend to know more about something than 98% of the country.

 

[scowl]

I like HD Radio because it's the only way I've ever been able to get listenable FM reception at work.

 

[TydalForce]

To me, analog FM sounds reasonable. I'm no audiophile, but I can appreciate good music.


My driving force for HD Radio has been content. WXPN in Philadelphia is now broadcasting "Y-Rock", a formerly online-only stream (and formerly Philly's only Alt Rock radio station, long story) on their HD-2. I want this, so I bought my HD Radio. Hopefully I'll get to install it in the next couple days.


Not an audiophile? Yes, but if the sound quality is noticeably better I am sure I'll appreciate it. There's a local AM Radio station that recently showed up, 1340, which also plays modern rock. Their range is kinda crappy, but they get me home from work. The problem? Uh, AM Radio doesn't sound all that great :b~ But it's tolerable. I'm looking forward to hearing the difference HD makes.


So, if you're looking for a vote, it's content. Content all the way. If I was just after quality, I'd be flipping CDs.

 

[Picspop]

I ordered my HD radio in eager anticipation of improved fidelity. In that regard, I was both pleased and disappointed. Pleased that on my favorite station the improvement is clearly audible, but disappointed that some other stations sound just as bad in digital as in analog. Blame the stations, not the technology.


By the time I finally got my hands on a receiver, my favorite station had started multicasting. That feature makes me delighted with HD radio. As others have commented on this and other boards, it's the content, stupid. My station doesn't bother to provide Program Associated Data, but they play the music I like. Other stations display artist/title information, and I listened to them until the novelty wore off. Then I gravitated back to the music I like.


Corporate consolidators darn near ruined the AM/FM bands. Now they are fighting for survival. Good. Let them offer real program choice with the additional channels they have gotten for free (except for Ibiquity's royalties). Put real talent behind real microphones. Let kids program some streams, and put graybeards in charge of others. Stop trying to compete for the largest share of whatever some consultant says is the dominant demographic. And let advertisers target their preferred market instead of making them pay for rating points that produce little impact on sales.

 

[Master Theseus]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Picspop /forum/post/0


I ordered my HD radio in eager anticipation of improved fidelity. In that regard, I was both pleased and disappointed. Pleased that on my favorite station the improvement is clearly audible, but disappointed that some other stations sound just as bad in digital as in analog. Blame the stations, not the technology.


By the time I finally got my hands on a receiver, my favorite station had started multicasting. That feature makes me delighted with HD radio. As others have commented on this and other boards, it's the content, stupid. My station doesn't bother to provide Program Associated Data, but they play the music I like. Other stations display artist/title information, and I listened to them until the novelty wore off. Then I gravitated back to the music I like.


Corporate consolidators darn near ruined the AM/FM bands. Now they are fighting for survival. Good. Let them offer real program choice with the additional channels they have gotten for free (except for Ibiquity's royalties). Put real talent behind real microphones. Let kids program some streams, and put graybeards in charge of others. Stop trying to compete for the largest share of whatever some consultant says is the dominant demographic. And let advertisers target their preferred market instead of making them pay for rating points that produce little impact on sales.

While your positive comments are noted, I would like to keep this a "Why I like HD Radio" and less of a "They should do this" "I don't like that" thread.

 

[jr_tech]

I like the PAD display and sound quality in general, but the big deal for me is the LACK of multipath distortion! Lots of hills around Portland, and wet trees (much of the time) make for fairly poor FM reception... HD fixes this problem !

 

[scowl]

Here's another thing I realized. We have a Jazz/Blues station broadcasting 7.1KW and a classical station broadcasting 8.7KW. Since they're broadcasting 96 Kbps, they actually sound better than the 100KW megastations in town who are only broadcasting 48 Kbps streams. HD Radio lets the little guys sound better than the big guys if they want.

 

[Mike Walker]

I like that, even though I live 60-80 miles from most HD stations, their signals are rock-solid and noise free...unlike their analog fm stereo signals! I also like being able to FEEL the impact of bass drums over the radio, the same as when I heard my first Telarc cd!

 

[jras20]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Walker /forum/post/0


I like that, even though I live 60-80 miles from most HD stations, their signals are rock-solid and noise free...unlike their analog fm stereo signals! I also like being able to FEEL the impact of bass drums over the radio, the same as when I heard my first Telarc cd!

What kind of antenna are you using? I got a 20' up in the air Yagi and it drops out, but I love the SQ and the HD-2 channels! Finally I got a dance channel on the airwaves again

but I just wish my reception was a little more stable.!

 

[Mike Walker]

I have a Magnum Dynalab SR100 (Silver Ribbon) that cost 30 bucks. It's on the top shelf of my closet, on top of some boxes, with the elements just touching the ceiling. That's right...an INDOOR antenna.

 

[jras20]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike Walker /forum/post/0


I have a Magnum Dynalab SR100 (Silver Ribbon) that cost 30 bucks. It's on the top shelf of my closet, on top of some boxes, with the elements just touching the ceiling. That's right...an INDOOR antenna.

Where did you get it? I may get it for my secound place, I got a 12 element Yagi there going to Victoria its 20' up. The problem with there is that its either or direction out there, I want to get Houston also. and their HD when I upgrade out there.

 

[mattdp]

jras20 - Get a rotator!


A good one (Channel Master 9251) is $60 online. Includes a remote control.


While Mike might have some luck with his Silver Ribbon, it's never gonna perform as good as a 12 element yagi 20' in the air (the laws of Physics say so).

 

[jr_tech]

jras20:


12 element ?... have you stacked 2 of the common 6 element Radio Shack antennas together? or is it another brand. If you are using 2 stacked 6 element antnnas, are they indeed connected in phase so that the signals add? You can get a bigger antenna from this company:

http://www.antennaperformance.com/


I agree that a rotator would be important.

 

[RCbridge]

I like the overall improved sound, some of the stations are still tweaking.

I like the alternative music stations which for now are commercial free!! (million dollar question will they stay that way??)

 

[Mike Walker]

You're right Mattdp that my Silver Ribbon won't out-perform a multi-element Yagi. As good as my reception is, I KNOW it would be better (WILL BE BETTER!) with a more substantial antenna. But short of the opportunity for a big rooftop rig, my experience is that an indoor antenna CAN work far better than many may think.


Judge for yourself. Here's what distant HD sounds like at my house http://www.theproductionroom.net/hd.wma

 

[TydalForce]



Quote:
Originally Posted by RCbridge /forum/post/0


I like the overall improved sound, some of the stations are still tweaking.

I like the alternative music stations which for now are commercial free!! (million dollar question will they stay that way??)

Y-Rock on 88.5 will, because that's the nature of WXPN. However, most of the others I suspect over time will work commercials in.


Honestly, I don't mind commercials that much. Advertising pays for stuff so I don't have to. I'm OK with commercials; I can change the station, or put up with them. As long as they don't get *too* commercial-heavy, and of course THE CONTENT IS WORTH LISTENING TO.


I would much rather have a great station with some commercials than a lousy station with no commercials.

 

[jras20]



Quote:
Originally Posted by jr_tech /forum/post/0


jras20:


12 element ?... have you stacked 2 of the common 6 element Radio Shack antennas together? or is it another brand. If you are using 2 stacked 6 element antnnas, are they indeed connected in phase so that the signals add? You can get a bigger antenna from this company:

http://www.antennaperformance.com/


I agree that a rotator would be important.

Its the radioshack one, 6 element I gues its 6 element, I might of miss counted. Yeah a rotater may be what I need to do, but its almost just as easy for me to go and turn the pole. I have 2 20 foot poles and another 25 foot pole, I have a big HD TV antenna on one 20 foot pole and my FM antenna on the other pole. I would also use my TV antenna but I have it going to San antonio, so FM is pretty much on a skip that way.