HD radio WTF

[Monte Smith]

This week, many stations in DC are going over to HD Radio format. HD, I learn, is a brand name, not a description of a technology. That right there will tell you it sucks. And then you learn that Congress chose this as a new broadcast standard. My question is WTF? I see that HD radios, for the home, are about $200. I smell the vile odor of progress. Now you can still get the old stations with your old radio. But this is a move to digital, right? My premise is that digital is always worse than analog. Have a problem with an analog signal and it is hard to hear; have a problem with a digital signal and there is nothing to hear. Maybe I am old but this is the end of civilization. I want Jack Benny and vacuum tubes.

[Scott Dolan]

Agreed.

This is just as bad as when Congress passed a bill back in the 90's saying everything had to be broadcast digitally by, what was it, 2002?

That worked out real well.

[Monte Smith]

I dunno. But if you want the complete history of Congress and broadcasting, I suggest you consult the V Chip.

[Scott Dolan]

Is that the one in my head Dick Cheney speaks to me through?

[Monte Smith]

I think Russ Feingold replaced Dick Cheney on your interior speakerphone some time in 2006. But no. The V Chip was a mythical technology mandated by Congress in the Clinton 90s to solve the problem of cultural decay on television. And it did what it was designed to do: cost money and end debate.

[Scott Dolan]

Originally Posted by Satan

I think Russ Feingold replaced Dick Cheney on your interior speakerphone some time in 2006.

I thought Dick just had a cold or something. It was a hard winter, Monte.

[Monte Smith]

Do you have any interest in hunting quail, Scott? It's just a voice in my head, but maybe I can get you into the Vice President's hunting party.

[BFrank]

FWIW, HD radio gives you digital readouts of songs playing, etc. It has some interesting features. Not worth picking up a $200 'radio' that's cheaply made, though.

[Scott Dolan]

Originally Posted by Monte Smith

Do you have any interest in hunting quail, Scott? It's just a voice in my head, but maybe I can get you into the Vice President's hunting party.

Guns should be outlawed, Monte. The second Amendment says nothing about..........

*beep beep beep....we're sorry, all circuits are busy right now. Please remain quiet until further notice*

Crap.

Now, what were we talking about?

[Monte Smith]

Guns don't shoot political affiliates in the face, Scott. People who are twice elected VIce President shoot political affiliates in the face.

*beep beep...signal loss...WARNING...message breach*

[Scott Dolan]

Wait just a minute here!!

What is this small cut behind my left ear........................

*bzzz*

*pop*

*bzzzzzzzzz*



*tell Monte to make his bed and put on his black Nike's*

[Gary Sisco]

My best buddy's a talk radio fan because he's a housepainter who works alone. It passes the time. He was also a radio star on Madison's WORT, as was his gal pal, when they lived there. Anyway, a radio guy but not music radio. Yesterday I got an email from him from San Diego where they currently live, saying that the only station he listens to is switching to all-sports-blather, all the time. He says there are already six such stations.

[kedoane]

Originally Posted by Scott Dolan

Agreed.

This is just as bad as when Congress passed a bill back in the 90's saying everything had to be broadcast digitally by, what was it, 2002?

That worked out real well.

Television is heading that way now after a few false starts. By Feburary 2009, all broadcast TV stations are to be broadcasting on their HD channels. In addition, all new TV sets being built for the US market need to be HD sets. The only thing that I haven't heard much is when the converter boxes will be made available for those folks who still have a working analog TV or how much money Congress will make available for those folks who can't afford to buy a converter box to be reimbursed.

[LennyH]

To clarify: In Feb of 2009, all TV broadcasts will have to be in digital but they don't have to be in HD.

Even FIOS doesn't have nearly enough bandwidth to send everything in HD.

[BFrank]

From what I understand, HD radio is not the same thing as HD television - as in "high definition". HD is a brand name.

It's all here: HD Radio [© 2007 HD DIGITAL RADIO™. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED]