[BC] HD Radio's lack of upgrade capability

[WFIFeng@aol.com]

In a message dated 10/22/2005 11:03:36 AM Eastern Daylight Time, 
curt at spam-o-matic.net writes:

>  It *would* make those portions issued under an open source license
>   available to all, but might not make them all the same, and might not
>   necessarily eliminate the problem presented here, which is a bunch
>   of different, and potentially proprietary patches.

That's why everything would have to be standardized. The basic codec software 
would all be the same. It takes in the received raw data, sifts it, decodes 
it, and spits-out the proper bits. The codec system would be the open-source, 
clearly-defined standard, spitting-out a string of PCM data bits. (Essentially, 
streaming WAV format data.) That part would be standard across all platforms. 
Once the chips and code are spitting-out the bits, it's up to the 
manufacturer to decide what kinds of whoopies to add on to manipulate the sound, for 
their own feature set and options. (bass, treble, ambiance, echo, yadda yadda)

Any changes to the codec system would only affect the quality/content of 
those PCM data streams, not their format.

Analogy: AC power distribution in the USA. Every appliance has a standard 
pair of 120v AC outlet blades on its plug. 

This "open source" codec & chipset scheme is the equivalent to the power 
distribution that brings that 120VAC to your outlets. Whether that power comes 
from a solar array, windmill, hydroelectric, nuclear, gas, oil, etc plant, it's 
all 60Hz sinusoidal AC. Every outlet eventually spits-out the same 120vac for 
that common 2 prong "input". The idea is to make the actual *data* stream 
emenating from each station identical, (the outlet) so that the common chipset (the 
prongs on the plug) all work the same. What you do with that current once 
it's delivered is up to you.

When the power company changes-out a generator or a transformer, you don't 
have to change your plugs or your appliances. With an open-source codec scheme, 
they can change codecs every 30 minutes, but your decoded data stream would 
continue, unchanged.

Willie...