I have a 2003 S-model with the standard factory stereo. In the last couple of months, I am noticing that when listening to a particular local station, I get name of band and song scrolling on my display. Does this have something to do with satellite radio? I keep hearing about how the 2003s were built with "satellite ready" systems. Why is only one radio station doing this? Why is this happening at all? Can anybody explain this strange phenomenon??? I'm not crazy about this station, but I find myself tuning in quite often just cuz I get such a kick out of it!! My MINI always amazes me.

 

I think that radio stations agree to broadcast their info, but I've found that not many do. When I listen to my local NPR station, the info scrolls, but that's the only one I can think of off-hand that does.

Clo/Wanda

 

This year most Chi-town FM stations are now broadcasting with text showing

titles, station id, etc. I think it's pretty cool.:smile:

 

Here's a link to a thread about RDS.

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&highlight=RDS

Z-

 

Some stations do and some don't. I know that a Detroit station had Ho Ho Ho continuously scroll during Christmas.

 

Agreed... XRT and NPR in Chicago do for sure... I think it is kind of neat!:smile:

 

Your radio is picking up information imbeded in the radio station's signal. If you push the button below the PTY displayed on the radio display, if the radio station so choses, it will display the format (ie: Rock, Country, ect.) and then reset to the station freq. or the stations call letters.


I have found in certain markets they also display the title of the song and the artists name. I even found one station that scrolled the words to the song !

 

I knew the MINI's radio was capable of doing this but St. Louis only had 2 stations when I got the MINI. Now we have about a dozen & it's kind of fun seeing the name of the song & the artist. Only problem is you can't play "Name that Tune" anymore.

Lois

 

if you dont want that then hit the button on the bottom right that says RDS. it is informative and a cool gadget but if u dont want it then its possible to disable it

 

I've noticed that around the NYC area, most stations take advantage of this technology.. Some display song information, some only the stations call letters or a message...

 

I wish my display would scroll like yours. I have one of the first 2003's with the HK upgrade, and when the information is displayed, they break it up into chunks and display each chunk for a short time.

So The whole message is "99 KEZ Some Ficticious Band Name Made up Song title" and it goes something like this (I can't remember the exact lengths...)
"99 KEZ" -- displayed for a sec or two
"Some ficti" -- displayed for a sec or two
"cous Band" -- displayed for a sec or two
"Made Up" -- displayed for a sec or two
"Song Title" -- displayed for a sec or two
then repeats

It'd be lovely if the unit would scroll it across the display rather than chunking it up.

 

I misspoke - it does "chunk" and not "scroll". In other words, it's doing the same thing yours does (very good description of it, I might add!!)