HD Radio

[pickerdd]

I tried searching for "HD Radio" on the forum, but couldn't find anything, so I'll post my query here.

What are your thoughts on HD Radio? I was considering going to sat radio, but with the possible merger of XM and Sirius I 'm uncomfortable moving in that direction at this time. And it looks like HD radio is free (other than having a receiver that picks up the signal), which is always a good thing.

Does anyone make an HD receiver that will plug into the Toyota JBL synthesis system like the XM and Sirius receivers?

Thanks,

 

[tarheeltp17]

HD is nice, but personally I think its over rated.

It's free because it's still the radio. Most people go to XM/Sirius for commercial free radio and a wide variety of music. Plus with the merger of Xm/Sirius there is talk of HD Sat radio, and that will be sweet.

Personally I'd go with Sirius or XM before this merger happens, because price will likely go up and if you lock it in for a year, you get the cheaper price.

 

[toybox]

I have an old stereo in my rec. room that I have been wanting to replace. I decided I'd wait until I could get an HD receiver but I have looked and asked about them at several stores and they are, for the most part, not out yet. Many said this quarter or next quarter they will be introducing HD receivers. The only HD radio's available now are little tabletop radios. I assume that the portable ones are also not available yet. They may even take more time as they introduce the receivers first.

And sat. radio.........well I am so sick of the expanding montly bills for stuff like cable and internet along with all the other bills that I can't see myself signing up for another monthly bill.

 

[ProMed]

If by portable you mean car receivers, they are already available at just about any audio store. I love my XM and have had it in all my cars for the last 4 years. Once you get used to not having to listen to the car dealer commercials after every song it is tough to go back!

It would be good to also be aware that HD radio is not actually "high-definiton". They just stole that term from the somewhat recent HD video craze in an attempt to compete with the satellite radio. Imo HD radio is a solution in search of a problem.

This guy did some test comparisons of HD vs. regular radio:
http://www.neilschubert.com/HDRadio/hdradio1.html