[BC] IBOC "secrets" and my opinions.

[padrino]

Broadcasters' Mailing List <broadcast at radiolists.net> writes:
> > > Right. But, Frank, you gotta have sugar to make lemonade, and so far
> > > I don't see any in the kitchen.

Dave,

It's the process of making lemonade. I'm sure that whenever its was first
'developed', there were 'issues', like bitter, sour taste. Someone came up
with an idea to add sugar...or...work was done to create the flavor that
people like. Same holds true here. Before the slash-n-bash comments appear
from the HD Radio 'haters' exclaiming that it creates bitter/sour sound,
let's give consideration that there are plenty of folks out there working
to optimize the performance of the system. Not a rocket science thought,
as many have already done this with our existing broadcasting technologies.

I've said this before, most tech when it appears, some will find issues
with. As life plays out, 'others' will find ways/means to improve it. Same
holds true here. 

I'm wondering if a lot of this is a reflection of our society? We now live
in a world, where just about *everyone* expects perfection from step one.
I see this quite a bit, and it's a pondering issue. I've lurked, and
participated in this group of threads on HD Radio for quite awhile. There
are definitely two camps, and they've become extremely polar. The lovers
and haters of this tech. I have to wonder why this is? Is it due to the
use of coded audio, or due to the iBiquity business model? Think about it
as these are fair question.

Just about all, in this group, are around data reduced audio in some way.
Thus, it's already a part of your life. But, the same tech keeps getting
bashed on these lists. Yes, I know and understand that there's a religious
war about the sideband hash. The HD Radio bashers are holding that as
their candle in the wind. But, now, the FCC has made their comment, and it
has strength. Whether you like it or not, it is here. Now what? My take is
that it comes down to the developers of the system and receivers to see to
it that we make the most out of it. That's where the lemonade comes in. :)

Computer analogy. Mac vs PC. I cannot stand Windows, but most programs
that enable me to do my job designing equipment requires me to use a
Windows platform. So, I must make a choice...Use Windows and get my work
done, or choose not to use Windoze, go out of business, and live in the
local bus shelter.

>No secrets, really. I was pondering the effects of digital noise vs 
>analog noise as seen by a receiver (on channel, off channel, 
>whatever), and wondered if someone might be able to design a method 
>to remove the digital hash from a receiver using some "magical algorithm.

Again, it will come down to the creative/innovative types who will find a
way to do this. Let's not sell innovation short.

-Frank

PS: Dave, if you make it to NAB, stop by and I'll spring for some
lemonade!! :)