Since I worked at the CES show for SRS labs, I thought I'd share some info to my fellow MINI friends.

For those interested in knowing what HD Radio is and why you'll probably want it, here's a brief run-down (I can't wait to get a head unit with it):

1.) The high definition replacement for AM and FM
2.) Fits in the existing bands so you tune in the same stations you do now
3.) Same quality as satellite without any subscription fees. Buy one head unit and you're done.
4.) There are over 80 stations nationwide now broadcasting in HD
5.) 298 more have signed licensing agreements and are awaiting equipment to install
6.) SRS Circle Surround decoders due in head units within a year's time, to decode 5.1 surround sound broadcasts transmitted from HD Radio stations

SRS Circle Surround Automotive decoders will provide surround decoding, stereo-to-surround for CD playback, SRS Focus to elevate the sounstage of floor mounted speakers up to ear level, and SRS Trubass to make even small speakers sound much deeper in bass response.

You can have Siruis AND HD Radio if you'd like, then you'd get out of area content with no commercials, as well as your locals in HD.

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HD radio sounds cool but from what I've read they're going to use it to beam text commercials to you as well as the audio ones. It'll sound great but you still get the never ending commercials. I'll stick with my sat. radio.

 

This is true. Commercials never really bother me much as subscription fees. On rare occasions they actually help me because they are usually my primary source for finding out about local live concert events.

It would be nice to be able to tune in out-of-market stations though.

 

I'm confused by the out-of market stations feature... How does this work? Does HD radio have a longer range than traditional AM and FM? If so how do they pull that off?

 

HD radio looks cool, but I would think it's going to be the same
top 40 stuff, commerical bleh! I hope I'm proven wrong :smile:

Besides NPR and talk, XM radio is my only source of
modulated audio :smile:

 

HD Radio is EXACTLY the same stations in use today. The digital signal is carried in a sideband of the existing radio frequencies.

So if your local radio stations are all pop, that's what they'll be on HD.

With satellite radio you can get out-of-market stations. This means a listener in Los Angeles can tune in content from New York.

HD Radio covers the same local regional area as current your current AM and FM bands cover, they just sound WAY better than analog AM/FM.


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On what service? Not Sirius, and not from what I see on XM. Sirius and XM run their own content on the music channels, they don't pipe over local stations onto the satellie. As for the talk stuff, some of it is piped over from radio networks, and some is specific satellite radio content.

Who carries dedicated out of market content? Who do I subscrbe to in order to get New York's Z-100 or WPLG in Washington DC? Or Washington DC's WHUR or WJFK in Memphis?

 

When will the HD radio head units be available? Any news?

I wonder if an adaptor can be purchased to decoded the HD radio signal to use in conjunction with the current non-HD head units. I was planning on doing a system for my MINI, but I might postpone it until the HD radio units are available.