HD Radio: Wave of the Future

With HDTV about to become the standard across the country, radio is following suit. HD Radio will be the broadcasting standard for AM and FM signals next year. HD Radio improves the sound of both bands; according to the HD Radio site, AM will sound like FM and FM has CD-quality sound. Because HD Radio is a digital signal, listeners can get more of their favorite content. As they listen, they can digitally receive song titles, artist & album information and other data that can be displayed on your HD Radio’s screen. Digital broadcasts can also carry more than one signal at the same time; along with the text information, listeners can enjoy “multicasting” and get several shows on a single channel.

Besides the added content and higher signal quality, HD Radio boosters & fans point out that it’s free. You have to buy an HD-compatible radio to receive the digital signals, but unlike XM and SIRIUS you don’t have to pay for a monthly subscription. With radio ratings down and satellite subscriptions up, HD Radio may be just the innovation traditional AM/FM radio needs to stay competitive. If you’d like to experience what this new kind of radio has to offer, we’d recommend picking up the Cambridge Soundworks 820HD. It’s a great way to learn about what HD Radio has to offer, in a familiar table radio format. You’ll get more news, more talk and more music — all in crystal-clear fidelity and with no subscription fee.

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