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Technology news and Jobs 
Fuzzy Logic Crystal clear: two new HD Radios from Sony
Fuzzy Logic Crystal clear: two new HD Radios from Sony | Crystal clear: two new HD Radios from Sony |
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| by Alex Zaharov-Reutt | |
| Tuesday, 29 May 2007 | |
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Digital ‘High Definition’ or HD Radio gives channels the sound quality you expect from CDs, just as you get with satellite radio, but there are no monthly fees to worry about. Over 1300 stations broadcast in the HD Radio format in the US, over 2500 US stations are committed to HD Radio broadcasting, with over 600 new HD radio channels on the way, with 90% of the US population able to receive an HD Radio broadcast within the next two years. Interestingly, HD Radio’s backers say that it “enables FM stations to offer new channels as well as AM and FM stations to broadcast in crystal-clear digital sound, displaying the artist name and song title information and doesn't require any monthly subscription fees”. It’s into this mix that Sony have decided to release two new HD Radio models, with the XDR-S3HD designed as a ‘table radio’ you’d place on the shelf at home, while the XT-100HD is designed for in-car use. Due in July, the impressive looking XDR-S3HD will retail for US $200, is AM/FM/HD compatible, has 20 separate AM and FM presets, a wireless remote control, built-in clock, alarm, sleep timer and even has an auxiliary input so you can plug in an mp3 player to use the radio as a speaker system if so desired. The rectangular yet classy XDR-S3HD has a “large back-lit blue LCD display set in a mesh-covered front panel and cabinet with rich cherry wood finish”. Sony further informs us that the radio sports “stereo speakers with a simulated surround sound function, a built-in AM/FM/HD digital tuner and separate bass and treble controls, the table radio with HD Radio capability offers high-quality stereo sound in a small package”. Looking slightly less impressive, although by design, the XT-100HD for in car use isn’t actually an in-dash car radio but is a ‘hideaway model’ that connects through an existing Sony radio’s ‘bus interface’, playing HD radio through your existing (compatible) Sony car radio. Sony says that it “feeds rich information, including artist names and song titles, to the car stereo's display. Additionally, it can display radio station names and genres, where available”. Steve Haber, Sony's senior veep of marketing for the Digital Imaging and Audio Division, said that “Sony is one of the first leading consumer electronics companies to offer quality HD Radio-enabled devices. We're adding it to a long list of technologies that support digital music trends”. So, in a world where we already have AM, FM, Satellite Radio, Internet radio and shortwave radio comes HD Radio, marking yet another high audio quality listening choice for today’s consumer, with the benefit that once the actual radio has been purchased, there are no ongoing costs. That’ll certainly be appealing to some customers, although given the wide breadth of choice available on satellite radio, it will, as always, be an interesting battle in the marketplace. {moscomment}
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