[BC] What is "better?" HOW do we get there?

[Barry Mishkind]

At 01:05 PM 1/21/2006, Goran Tomas wrote
>--- At 21.1.2006 11:51, Barry Mishkind wrote: ---
>>         It would seem that, at least for the near future,
>>         upgrading the codecs is not a viable option.
>
>So you can't increase bandwidth, you can't change codec... It 
>doesn't look to me there's a lot left you _can_ improve on!
>
>Haven't followed the discussion you mention, but what about the new 
>codec that is backwards compatible with the current one? Those who 
>bought the old radio listen to the same quality they were listening 
>before (or perhaps somewhat reduced quality) and those who buy new 
>radios enjoy better sound? Unless I'm missing something, that could 
>work and would be simple and transparent to the end user. It would 
>also drive new radios sales.

         I guess, looking at your quote of my words,
         it may not have said what wanted.

         What I meant to say was the manufacturers generally
         do not see it as a viable option. As you say, it
         does depend upon the Ibiquity code as to the
         level of compatibility with the audio between
         generations of receivers.

>And another question if anyone can answer it - why isn't the current 
>IBOC codec aacPlus v2, but some derivate that seems to sound not as 
>good. At those bitrates, every bit counts (literally)! So why not go 
>with the best possible of what we have today?

         I could easily be misinformed here, but
         as Ibiquity doesn't release the details of
         what is "underneath the hood," I'm told
         your question isn't easy to answer.  It is
         probably one reason no one else has attempted
         a compatible system to compete.

         It is supposedly proprietary ... but it
         would seem that - to satisfy those who
         seek alternatives, if nothing else - the
         FCC should at least provide some sort
         of "specifications" so Curt, or someone
         else, could develop an alternative "exciter."

         b