JUNE 21, 2009, 11:10 P.M. ET Worth It? Static Free Radio
By LAUREN GOODE THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ONLINE http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124544407761732319.html When I recently decided to test a tabletop HD radio receiver, I had two initial questions: Do people still listen to tabletop radios? And what exactly is HD radio? Turns out tabletop radios aren't as archaic as I thought. Unit sales of tabletop devices that combine MP3 docks with clock radios actually rose in 2009, according to an NPD Group report. In times of a recession, we nest. And what better way to nest than sharing the audible soundtrack of our lives with friends and family. That requires something a little bigger than white ear buds. So what exactly is HD radio? When people think of HD, they often think of high definition images on their television screen, not radio broadcast, even though the first HD receiver came to the market in 2005. Adding to the confusion is the fact that HD doesn't stand for high definition; it's just a marketing term for the digital upgrade of FM and AM radio stations. Most people still aren't quite sure what HD radio is, even though the first receiver came to the market in 2005. WSJ's Lauren Goode tries to determine whether it's worth it to buy a tabletop HD radio or wait for portable devices due out in the fall. HD radio is not to be confused with satellite radio; there is no subscription fee for HD radio. With HD radio, you're simply tuning in to digitally transmitted radio signals. (There are nearly 1800 stations nationwide broadcasting in HD, with some stations offering HD2 and HD3 local channels.) HD receivers are relatively inexpensive, with some starting as low as $50. The TEAC HD-1 I tested currently retails for $99 at Costco. When I first turned on the TEAC HD-1, it took several seconds for the receiver to transition from analog to digital (this also depends on the reception in your location). A small HD symbol flashed on the radio's screen while it searched for the signal. But once the receiver picked up the HD signal, the difference in sound quality was obvious. FM sounds as clear as a CD, minus the skipping. Some static bled through while I was listening to AM stations, because the HD signal can fade in and out. One small note: the receiver doesn't have any AM or FM radio buttons. The "function" button on the remote serves as a switcher between all things AM, FM, auxiliary, and iPod/iPhone. When I used the receiver as a dock for my iPod, I was again impressed by the sound quality. Newer TEAC models boast something called tuned-port enclosures, which are described as speaker "chambers" that improve sound. So even when not listening to radio, the listening experience is said to be enhanced. I liked the idea of a feature called iTunes tagging, which enables you to "save" a song on the radio and later download it onto your iPod. You place your iPod on the dock, tune into FM radio, and with the lithium-battery-operated remote, press "HD Tag" when you hear a song you like. The TEAC HD-1 can store up to fifty songs at a time. Theoretically, when you take your iPod off the dock and plug it into your computer, you'll be prompted to purchase the songs you tagged from the iTunes store. Easy, right? Unfortunately, my iPod Nano is so old that it does not support iTunes tagging. No iTunes-tagged 99 cent bundles of audio joy for me. Also, there's an alarm built into the receiver. Which sounds like an alarm. I didn't throw the covers back, hop out of bed, and exclaim, "Holy smokes! Listen to that sound that clarity!" It is difficult to fully appreciate anything that goes off at 5:30 in the morning. Soon, HD radio will be going portable. Microsoft is planning to include HD radio in its upcoming version of the Zune, due out on the market this fall. iBiquity Digital Corporation, the company that owns the intellectual property rights to and licenses the HD radio technology, is also introducing their own version of the portable HD radio within a few months. So if you're nesting at home, then upgrading to an affordable tabletop HD radio receiver might be a good way to go. But if you like your music to be mobile, I recommend waiting to see what's in store for HD radio. ================================================= George Antunes Voice (713) 743-3923 Associate Professor Fax (713) 743-3927 Political Science Internet: antunes at uh dot edu University of Houston Houston, TX 77204-3011 *********************************** * POST TO [email protected] * *********************************** Medianews mailing list [email protected] http://lists.etskywarn.net/mailman/listinfo/medianews
