HD Radio Cites Gains with Auto Makers

Paul writes:

HD Radio Cites Gains with Auto Makers
http://www.twice.com/articletype/news/hd-radio-cites-oem-gains/105801

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Comments

[Keith Beesley]

I had an aftermarket HD radio in my car for a year or so. It worked ok, but the HD signal would cut in and out when more than 5 or 10 miles from the transmitter. Annoying when listening to an HD-2 or HD-3 signal; it would disappear entirely. Maybe the factory-installed models are better.

[brandon]

LOL @ them bragging about a mere 20 percent of vehicles in 2012 having HD radios. I'm guessing that less than 5 percent of all automobiles on the road have HD radio installed in them.

[Gary]

HD Radio currently has very limited range compared to analog radio. This applies to both AM and FM.

It's odd that they seem to be pushing HD Radio for cars while most of the units for the home have disappeared from the market. If people like listening to a certain FM HD2 or HD3 feed, wouldn't they also like to listen at home?

[Keith Beesley]

Gary, I think the home HD radios never caught on because listeners quickly figured out that they could listen to the same programming (and much more) on Web streams without buying any additional equipment. Also, home HD receivers were priced too high due to the Ibiquity licensing fee. I know some FM DXers like them, because they are very sensitive to weak (non-HD) signals when they are connected to an outdoor antenna, especially a certain Sony unit.

[Drive-In-Freak]

More people had AM stereo in their cars in the '80s, and that's really saying something.
The problem with IBOC is twofold; It's range sucks, and nobody cares about it. Ask five non-radio people (i.e.people that aren't as into it as we are)what that think about HD radio and I'd be willing to bet that not one of them have never heard of it and/or could care less. Also walk into your local department store and look for a radio of any kind. There used to be quite a wide variety, but now you'd be lucky to see five and that's including all types put together. Even Radio Shack dosen't have much of a selection anymore. Why? They don't sell. If people are buying so few normal analog radios, why would they think anyone would be willing to by a more expensive one that's HD compatible? There's no market for them.

I hate to be all negative gloom and doom, but it's the truth.