[BC] HDradio & our digital future

[Rich Wood]

------ At 09:03 AM 12/21/2006, WFIFeng at aol.com wrote: -------

>So then you're telling me that there are a significant number of these radios
>out there... and stations that light-up HD are going to start annoying the
>owners of these vehicles, thus-equipped.

My Jeep had a great Jensen receiver. I suspect it would have the same 
problem. It was AM Stereo with nothing but a small red unlabeled 
indicator. I replaced the Jeep with a Nissan Maxima SE with a great 
radio. I notice a whine on the only station in the area listed as 
IBUZ. The AM on the Accurian is too noisy to get any HD, so I can't 
tell if they're actually operating. I hear the same whine on the Accurian.

I think I may take the Accurian out to the car and use my inverter, 
though I expect that's not going to be quiet power.

>I agree with you here, as well... while I don't think the iPod is only a fad,
>I don't see it as the "doom" of Radio, either. It will continue to succeed,
>because there is a benefit to the consumer. Radio has the opportunity to
>capitalize on it, for "podcasts", etc.

One of the long-forn TV magazine shows recently did a piece on 
Boomers and technology. One of its main points was that Boomers 
aren't technically illiterate. One guy transferred his CD collection 
to his computer, then his iPod and threw the discs away. Boomers' use 
of the Internet is very substantial. I think the show was 60 Minutes 
but I'm not sure.

>You are 100% correct on the broadband/WiFi concept. Now *that* is the digital
>"killer app" to be watching and preparing for. HD is too little, too late.

I have mixed feelings about WiMax. Sprint/Nextel's 4g Wireless 
Broadband Network is being watched closely. However, it won't be 
free. The current services of Verizon and Cingular don't cover many 
markets with full speed and aren't available in any but major 
markets. Beyond paying the phone company for even more (probably pay 
per use) will they have the capacity to deliver high quality audio to 
audiences equal to broadcast? I currently pay Cingular on a per use 
basis. Imagine what it would cost me to listen to a single hour of 
programming. Unlimited use is about $60 a month.

Rich

Rich Wood
Rich Wood Multimedia
Phone: 413-454-3258