High Definition Radio

[Sean M 2]

Recently heard about high definition radio. It is a free service, and supposedly excellent sound quality. I am thinking about getting it for the ST, mostly because it has expanded stations including two country ones. (which there are none of on LI) Does anyone know if I have to buy an entire new head, or is there an adapter that I can use to pick up the HD signal. I know that no new antenna is needed, and that the stock AM/FM one works fine. I have the Pioneer 290 watt system in my ST from the factory. I just like the in dash Cd changer and would hate to lose that with an aftermarket head unit. Thanks for any info you all may have.

 

[Todd Z]

Not knowing much about this, I have only seen complete new radios you need to install, I haven't seen a add on unit yet...



May be out there, Don't know...



The radio stations here say go to their radio station and click on the HD radio link..



Worth a try in your local market..



Todd Z

 

[biznaga]

I just orded onefrom Crutchfield. On sale for $175.00 after $100 discvount and $25.00 rebate. Click on link to see specs. They have many others but this seems to be a good price and 59 people give it good rating.

 

[A1cntrler]

This is so that you can hear all the screaming car slaes ads in High Definition.



Seriously though, the sound quality is supposed to be amazing. Sat Radio touted that it was CD Quality in the beginning, however it has gone downhill since then as they added more stations using up thier limited bandwidth. The sound isn't really apparent unless you switch to it right after listening to a CD or even FM radio. Then you hear how flat the sound really is. Some channels are better then others, and some of them sound like you are listening to internet radio at a low kbps. Internet radio even sounds better. Sirius and XM both have the sound problem. IF you have a FM modulator for the XM or Sirius, the problem is amplified, but most who would have a setup like that (vs a direct line in/Aux input adapter) are using the factory stereo and would not really notice the hit in sound quality...



I would like to hear the HD radio in person. I hear some stations while I was travelling (Just got back from Atlanta) saying that they were now broadcasting in HD....

 

[Nelson Atwell]

Europe has had this technology for 10 years. I am surprised it has taken us so long to begin adopting this. The radio in my 3 month old Mazda will be useless when I reach Poland, since it will only receive analog signals. I'll have to get a new head unit to listen to all of those Polkas now.



It's pretty sad to think Poland is technologically advanced to the US in this area. Analog TV is also a thing of the past there.

 

[Kevin Palmer]

Nelson, I have to admit that is funny...



Were just not use to a sentence that says Poland is more advanced... LOL

 

[Tom Schindler]

Europe has had this technology for 10 years. I am surprised it has taken us so long to begin adopting this.

The FCC has more important things to worry about than the latest techology. I mean, what would you rather hear? Radio in HD or no words like "poop", "fart", or "crap" on the radio.



Europe has always and will always be more advanced then we in the USA.





Tom

 

[Sean M 2]

Thanks guys for all the feedback. Im guessing that I have to buy a whole new headunit as no adapters are available. I just hate losing the cd changer. O well, thanks guys