Was thinking about putting in a HD Radio head unit in my car, I've discovered some very cool channels that my local Indie music radio station plays via streaming that they also broadcast via HD Radio.

Is this worth doing? I'm reading some very conflicting info about it, that it's been a flop and basically streaming radio killed it? I like the idea of not burning up my data plan to listen to the same music and better quality audio talk radio (AM). Does anyone here have a HD Radio receiver?

I love HD radio! Both head sets in my two vehicles are equipped with it. I live in a metropolitan area, though, and I don't know how well they would work in a more rural area.

quote:

Originally posted by synthplayer:
I love HD radio! Both head sets in my two vehicles are equipped with it. I live in a metropolitan area, though, and I don't know how well they would work in a more rural area.

Not an issue with me, I live in the Philadelphia metro region.

I finally upgraded my head unit to an HD Radio. I love it! Most classic rock stations put modern rock on the HD channels and the modern rock stations put 90's music on theirs. 102.9 puts 50's music on their hd station. I live too far away to get MMR's hd channels most days, but they have 2 hd channels. One is all live music and the other I don't remember what it is. Best of all...it's free! My favorite 4 letter "F" word

Mrs. Angus' car has HD and XM radio. My casual observations:

I really like HD programming. Most stations in Houston have 3 HD channels per frequency. Good variety of music.

I think HD radio sounds better than XM radio.

The range of the HD stations seems less than the regular analog stations.

The HD radio shows album art. XM does not.

I like HD radio.

What makes it HD?

HD sounds better than regular FM. I have it in my car. I listen to several stations' HD channels and like them.

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
HD sounds better than regular FM. I have it in my car. I listen to several stations' HD channels and like them.

I figured that much ... anyone know the technical details off hand? Otherwise I can just google it.

quote:

Originally posted by SIGnified:

quote:

Originally posted by jhe888:
HD sounds better than regular FM. I have it in my car. I listen to several stations' HD channels and like them.

I figured that much ... anyone know the technical details off hand? Otherwise I can just google it.

It's a digital signal, like HD OTA TV, they can provide multiple channels for one station.

The "HD" is pure marketing though and doesn't really mean "high definition" radio like people assume.

The new van has HD Radio but I have not really gotten to fool with it yet.
Guess I need to figure out the extra stations.

The HD is supposed to be more of a CD quality sound. Though like HD television, there is no static. It is either sound or nothing.

We have a portable HD radio. The one channel we listen to makes it worth it.

 
What is "Indie"? [honestly]
 

I love listening to commercials and goofy DJs in HD!



Not.

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:
 
What is "Indie"? [honestly]
 

Independent music, non-commercial, i.e. not crap.

quote:

Originally posted by petr:
The HD is supposed to be more of a CD quality sound. Though like HD television, there is no static. It is either sound or nothing.

This is true with stations that broadcast in HD only. The vast majority of HD stations also broadcast in non-HD, so if your head set can't bring in the HD signal, it will settle for the non-HD signal.

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:
It's a digital signal, like HD OTA TV, they can provide multiple channels for one station.

The "HD" is pure marketing though and doesn't really mean "high definition" radio like people assume.

I'm not certain what HD actually means, but when I listen to a station in HD, the signal sounds much clearer than when I tune it in without HD. It's like the difference between a cassette tape and a CD.

Go here for more info, including which stations in your area are broadcasting in HD:

https://hdradio.com

quote:

Originally posted by PASig:

quote:

Originally posted by henryaz:
 
What is "Indie"? [honestly]
 

Independent music, non-commercial, i.e. not crap.

Ohhh there is plenty of indie crap out there.

quote:

Originally posted by Angus the Kid:
The HD radio shows album art. XM does not.

I have no commment on HD radio, but this is not correct. My SiriusXM radio absolutely shows cover art or whatever graphic the station broadcasts (if a non-music channel).

-Rob

quote:

Originally posted by BurtonRW:

quote:

Originally posted by Angus the Kid:
The HD radio shows album art. XM does not.

I have no commment on HD radio, but this is not correct. My SiriusXM radio absolutely shows cover art or whatever graphic the station broadcasts (if a non-music channel).

-Rob

You are correct. My XM radio in the garage has graphics but Mrs. Angus' car does not. I reckon it depends on the radio and/or car installation.