[BC] Re: HD Receiver

[Xmitters@aol.com]

In a message dated 2/11/07 12:12:35 AM Central Standard Time, 
broadcast-request at radiolists.net writes:

<< Doug and Dave both make valid points.
 
 This has been said so many times that it sounds tired.  But, good radio is
 all about content.  Not the delivery system.
 
 Just as "topicality" was the buzzword years prior to consolidation, "make it
 local" should be the mantra of today.  Making it local doesn't mean a return
 to local hayseed radio, but integrating the station into the listener
 community.  Notice I didn't say "the community."  Our signals reach far
 beyond geographic boundaries.  
 
 Radio is not a one way street.  Listeners want to communicate.  Real local
 radio is a two way exchange.  Good local radio is "call and response." >>

Stan:

You make very good points. I agree completely. Since the introduction of HD, 
I have been rather paranoid about becoming an obsolete thinker with regard to 
content versus delivery system. I wonder if these same arguments were made 
when FM came out? Sure, FM had a very noticeable improvement over AM which 
probably helped it sell.

 The difference between HD and FM is not that dramatic and thus, is missing 
that WOW! Factor. I want to remain optimistic about the public's acceptance of 
HD or digital radio in general. I must admit that it is very hard to convince 
myself that the public will buy into it. 

Personally, I don't really care about the quality of a station's signal when 
I have my "Joe Blow Listener" hat on. I tune around the band looking for my 
favorite song :-) I continue listening when I find a station that plays a lot of 
my favorite songs. My time spent listening does however, drop like a rock 
when listening to an aggressively processed station. I just cannot tolerate that 
grinding, ice pick in the ear sensation I get when listening to such stations. 
I will take music on AM any day over a highly processed FM station.

I would like to hear from some of the old timers that may know of some common 
dialog during the time of the birth of FM. FM obviously took off like a 
rocket since its introduction thus leaving the naysayers with egg on their face. 
What were some of the common arguments about why FM won't work or why the public 
does not want/need it? Anyone have some stories?

Jeff Glass
Northern Illinois University