HD Radio worth it?
HD Radio worth it? I've been shopping around for head units lately and all the ones I've seen which appeal to me have been around 200 dollars. At that price, it seems like half offer the ability to add an HD radio tuner while half dont.
I'm asking if anyone has HD radio and if it's any good or not? Is it really worth it? I plan on renewing my sirius subscription but I don't really even know what HD radio offers. Is it just the same old **** but higher quality or is it like a sort of satellite-like idea which is just music uninterrupted by commercials?
Can anybody give me their opinion of it? Thanks.
I'm asking if anyone has HD radio and if it's any good or not? Is it really worth it? I plan on renewing my sirius subscription but I don't really even know what HD radio offers. Is it just the same old **** but higher quality or is it like a sort of satellite-like idea which is just music uninterrupted by commercials?
Can anybody give me their opinion of it? Thanks.
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I'd wait to see what Sirius and XM are gonna do now that they've merged and neither are compatible with each other!! Next move might be the best one yet as they may offer the best of both worlds in each in a compatible package.
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From: Fort Worth / Crowley / Burleson, Texas
Originally Posted by Walking-dead
I'd wait to see what Sirius and XM are gonna do now that they've merged and neither are compatible with each other!! Next move might be the best one yet as they may offer the best of both worlds in each in a compatible package.
Yea, right, don't count on that. The SEC is looking into that merger. It might not happen. That would put XM/Sirus into a "monopoly" with not competition and make it not possible for other competitors to enter. This has not happened, and probably won't!
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Originally Posted by Walking-dead
I'd wait to see what Sirius and XM are gonna do now that they've merged and neither are compatible with each other!! Next move might be the best one yet as they may offer the best of both worlds in each in a compatible package.
Originally Posted by Jeff 97 Formula
I thought that current Sirius or XM radios will not become obsolete after the merger. That's according to BOTH sides.
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From: Fort Worth / Crowley / Burleson, Texas
Originally Posted by dragonrage
I don't think it'd be a monopoly. There're plenty of other radio technologies out there. But we'll see.
Name another satellite radio company that's not Sirus or XM.
Radio technology has nothing to do with it. It's about what is already out there in the market and who offers it.
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From: Massachusetts
Who cares about satellite radio? What does it matter? There is other RADIO technology that accomplishes the same thing.
It's like saying ZOMG! VERIZON IS THE ONLY CDMA CELL PHONE PROVIDER! This is not the case, even in the US alone, but point is that it wouldn't matter if it was the case because THERE WOULD STILL BE OTHER WAYS TO GET CELL PHONE SERVICE.
It's like saying ZOMG! VERIZON IS THE ONLY CDMA CELL PHONE PROVIDER! This is not the case, even in the US alone, but point is that it wouldn't matter if it was the case because THERE WOULD STILL BE OTHER WAYS TO GET CELL PHONE SERVICE.
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From: Jacksonville, FL (originally from Toronto Canada)
That's the argument that Sirius and XM are going to use in front of the FTC - that their competition comes from other sources besides satellite (HD radio, MP3 players, CDs, regular radio, etc.). If the FTC accepts that then the merger will take place. If however, the FTC takes a more narrow view of competition and declares that the merger would leave no competition in satellite radio then the merger will be blocked. At this point it's really up to the lawyers.
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Buffalo, NY.
So to answer the question about HD radio.
There are claims that the signal is of higher quality than standard FM...if so, definitely not by much.
There are still commercials.
The big thing with HD radio is the ability to multiplex stations much the same way HD television works. For example, there would be a 98.5-1, 98.5-2, etc. It would essentially be the same radio station you're used to but multiplexed. The multiplexing allows them to target a broader audience. A pop/hip hop/rock station could broadcast channel 98.5-1 for pop/hip hop and then 98.5-2 for rock.
Hope that helps.
There are claims that the signal is of higher quality than standard FM...if so, definitely not by much.
There are still commercials.
The big thing with HD radio is the ability to multiplex stations much the same way HD television works. For example, there would be a 98.5-1, 98.5-2, etc. It would essentially be the same radio station you're used to but multiplexed. The multiplexing allows them to target a broader audience. A pop/hip hop/rock station could broadcast channel 98.5-1 for pop/hip hop and then 98.5-2 for rock.
Hope that helps.
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Buffalo, NY.
Originally Posted by dragonrage
Who cares about satellite radio? What does it matter? There is other RADIO technology that accomplishes the same thing.
It's like saying ZOMG! VERIZON IS THE ONLY CDMA CELL PHONE PROVIDER! This is not the case, even in the US alone, but point is that it wouldn't matter if it was the case because THERE WOULD STILL BE OTHER WAYS TO GET CELL PHONE SERVICE.
It's like saying ZOMG! VERIZON IS THE ONLY CDMA CELL PHONE PROVIDER! This is not the case, even in the US alone, but point is that it wouldn't matter if it was the case because THERE WOULD STILL BE OTHER WAYS TO GET CELL PHONE SERVICE.
However, when Dish Network & DirecTV tried to merge, the gov't screamed monopoly, even though there are other ways of receiving television (ie - off-air antenna, cable, etc).
I don't know how the gov't is going to respond to the merger when it gets down to it.
Well, for those thinkin it wasn't gonna happen...I just received my official letter from XM's CEO Hugh Panero. They will be offering the "best of both companies programming". "Rest assured that any radios or equipment that you currently use will be fully supported". "Following the merger, we expect that existing radios will be able to receive a mix of programming from both services". These were direct quotes from the letter. This could be very cool for those who want satelite radio or for those who are currently subscribing.
I'll give you my opinion.
HD Radio:
Your Same Channels (good IMO as I like local stations, but it means commercials)
Quality about as good as Satellite
No Subscription Fee
Better Reception
Censored Music
Satellite:
Fewer Commercials
No Local Stations, but good National Content
Monthly Fee
Crap (In my experience) reception in any urban or wooded environment
Uncensored
Me? I only listen to the radio for local baseball games and to hear some new music. Majority is MP3's on either MP3 DVD's or my ipod. Satellite doesn't offer me much value. In fact, you'd have to pay me to use it over regular radio, let alone "HD Radio". I'd go with a HD Radio/MP3 DVD player or a HD Radio/iPod Combo.
HD Radio:
Your Same Channels (good IMO as I like local stations, but it means commercials)
Quality about as good as Satellite
No Subscription Fee
Better Reception
Censored Music
Satellite:
Fewer Commercials
No Local Stations, but good National Content
Monthly Fee
Crap (In my experience) reception in any urban or wooded environment
Uncensored
Me? I only listen to the radio for local baseball games and to hear some new music. Majority is MP3's on either MP3 DVD's or my ipod. Satellite doesn't offer me much value. In fact, you'd have to pay me to use it over regular radio, let alone "HD Radio". I'd go with a HD Radio/MP3 DVD player or a HD Radio/iPod Combo.
