5.1.2 HD

Há mil rádios HD mas quantos as ouvem?

«During the NAB, iBiquity head Bob Struble reportedly indicated that there are "less than 100,000 HD radio chipsets sold" to date and, as has been much better publicized, 1,000 or so HD stations across the country. Now let's make some assumptions. First let's assume there's one chipset per radio. Since 100,000 is a suspiciously round number, let's assume it's a round-up from 90,000 (likely a bit high). Now let's assume 10,000 of these chipsets are in radios in the hands of broadcast industry professionals (perhaps a bit high). Now let's assume 10,000 of these chipsets are in the manufacturing and distribution pipeline - not yet in radio form (perhaps a bit low). Now let's assume 10,000 of these chipsets are in radios but locked in inventories. That leaves a very, very rough estimate of 60,000 HD radios in the hands of consumers. Or - 60 radios for every HD station on the air.»

Mark Ramsey em Hear2.0, If you build it will they come? 18/10/06

Os terceiros canais do HD

«WAMU-FM DC has begun airing Bluegrass Country on its third digital channel, WAMU HD-3. The station, formally known as WAMU's Bluegrass Country, will broadcast on-air content currently available exclusively online via Bluegrasscountry.org. (…) " WAMU's HD-2 Channel is currently AAA "Xponential Radio."
RBR observation: WAMU is among 15 or so broadcasters nationwide airing HD-3 formats. Most of them, however, offer NOAA weather or simulcasts of sister AM stations. A further waste of what HD multicasting could be bringing to the table in each market in the way of increased format variety, but give it time. Many stations may end up opting for only one multicast channel (HD-2) - each HD broadcast has 96 kbps to divide up between the main signal and multicasts. Music-intensive stations may wish to keep the sound quality higher than add two more music HD channels» Fonte: RBR News, Volume 23, Issue 199, Jim Carnegie, Thursday Morning October 12th, 2006

Mil rádios HD

«98 Rock Baltimore has made history as the 1,000th station in the United States to broadcast with digital HD Radio technology. “In just over a year, the number of HD Radio stations on the air has nearly doubled, and we expect to finish 2006 with 1,200 stations,” said Robert Struble, president and CEO of iBiquity Digital Corporation, developers and licensors of HD Radio technology. “Equally exciting is the corresponding growth in HD2 multicasting, which provides listeners with increased content and program choices, and the rapid influx of new HD Radio receivers, that expands the range of product categories and price points. From a consumer standpoint, there has never been a better time to experience HD Radio.”

“Our motivation in upgrading to HD Radio technology was to provide listeners with the best radio experience possible, including CD-like sound quality, crystal-clear reception and innovative multicast programming,” said Ed Kiernan, vice president/general manager WBAL/WIYY Radio. “We are thrilled to have earned the distinction as the 1,000th HD Radio station on the air, and we look forward to using our new digital capabilities to increase the variety of programming and services we offer on free radio.” »

fonte: Radio Ink, HD Radio Breaks 1,000 Station Mark 18/10/06

O grande problema do HD é este:

«Tucson's Clear Channel stations planned to add four new formats today. But hardly anyone will be able to hear them. That's because the four new stations are being broadcast in a new "high-definition" format, which requires special radios that aren't yet widely available»

http://www.azstarnet.com/business/148932.php

O HD precisa dos carros:

Mas , diz Mark Ramsey, a coisa não está fácil:

1. The money broadcasters will pay them to liquidate their expense in providing HD radios as a standard feature
2. The sales for HD radios on the market, regardless of whether there are one or a million and one stations in HD
3. The number of inquiries they get directly from customers via their dealer network demanding HD radio
4. The sense from their own internal research that the presence of HD radio will lead consumers to buy the car that has it over the one that doesn't
5. The idea that they can make more money by offering HD radio than they can be not doing so

fonte Hear2, http://www.hear2.com/2006/10/why_should_detr.html

Consumidores de HD andam confusos

«Widespread misconceptions about the nature of HD Radio prevail among radio-oriented consumers, according to a new research study released by Mark Kassof & Co. Study findings suggest that about 5 percent of 18 to 64 year old respondents think they are receiving HD Radio from at least one of the FM stations they listen to, but have not actually purchased an HD Radio-capable radio, while only 1 percent say they have purchased a HD Radio-capable radio. Among those listeners who say they are receiving HD Radio but haven't purchased a HD radio, 46 percent say it is "about the same" as regular FM radio, while 12 percent of them characterize HD Radio as "a lot better" than regular FM. Mark Kassof, president of the research firm that conducted the study, said the research suggests that "stations contribute to confusion when they say they are 'broadcasting in HD' without offering an explanation of what HD provides and what is required to receive it. As a result, some listeners wrongly think they are receiving HD." The findings are based on 752 telephone interviews completed between Sept. 13 and Sept. 17 in the United States.»

HD promove-se para sair do limbo

«Ibiquity Offers Promotional Radios to Stations
Dallas - Sep 21, 2006 - NAB Radio Show - HD Radio broadcasters across the country will begin new promotions this winter by giving away thousands of new radios. The HD Radio receivers span three product categories, highlighted by a connector that quickly upgrades listeners' current car radios to receive all HD Radio programming. In addition, a tabletop radio and component tuner for home audio systems will be made available, providing broadcasters with the ability to appeal to a range of market segments. Ibiquity Digital is making these products available to HD Radio stations at $99 or more.

Robert Struble, president and CEO of Ibiquity Digital, said, "This is a unique opportunity to accelerate consumer adoption of the technology, build listenership and grow stations' ROI." Ibiquity expects to see a proliferation of creative promotions across the country that leverage these products over the next six months. Broadcasters can order new radios at the exclusive, broadcast-promotion prices by visiting www.ibiquity.com. The three products are:

·  A car connect adaptor from Directed Electronics. MSRP is $199.

·  A tabletop unit from Directed Electronics. This three-piece tabletop radio offers two detached stereo speakers in a compact frame. External AM and FM antennas are provided. MSRP is $249.

·  HDT-1 Tuner from Sangean . This is a component receiver for home use. MSRP is $299. Radios will ship from their manufacturers directly to stations with expected delivery at the beginning of December.

 fonte: http://beradio.com/currents/radio_currents_091806/#promo~

Aumenta a oferta de receptores de HD (outras marcas)

«Sangean to Debut HD Radio Products
Los Angeles - Sep 19, 2006 - Sangean America is developing two HD Radio receivers to be available to consumers for the 2006 holiday season. The HDT-1 radio component tuner will be priced under $200, and the HDR-1 tabletop radio will be priced under $250. Both receivers are multicast capable. The HDT-1 tuner offers a PLL Synthesized Digital Tuning System, backlit LCD Display and available FM RBDS capabilities with PS, PTY, RT and CT features. The HDR-1 features an auto-tuning system, remote control and a digital output that allows it to be extended to an existing home theater system. The HDR-1 also includes a plug-in to accommodate an MP3 player. Both units will display scrolling text, and each unit will receive analog signals from local AM and FM stations who have yet to upgrade to HD Radio broadcasting. fonte: http://beradio.com/currents/radio_currents_091806/#san

Uma evolução técnica no HD para melhorar o FM?

Uma alteração que «will "allow the introduction of a more efficient digital emission mask facilitating the successful introduction of HD Radio»

A lista dos canais HD2

Esta lista permite perceber quais são as apostas das rádios EUA no multicasting (os tais nichos mais apertados) e permite também ouvir as que transmitem estes segundos canais de HD em streaming...

No entanto, a lista não condiz com a da iBiquity, a empresa detentora da tecnologia HD:

«Meanwhile, back at Radio & Records, this trade mag brings up a point of contention in its newly-posted "comprehensive HD Radio Station Links page." As of 6/18/06, R&R has 285 HD Radio stations listed which claim to be "on air" with HD signals. But the number of stations there does not jive with what iBiquity Corporation is telling us at its web site - that there are "822 HD Radio stations on the air in the US."

I trust Radio & Records. It would never print a negative story about the radio industry and, therefore, must be telling the truth when it says this is a "comprehensive" list of HD2 stations» (http://www.audiographics.com/agd/061906-1.htm)

Canais de HD2 silenciosos

«(...) Each time, I'd tuned the Recepter to the "HD2" channel of a local radio station -- but the station had allowed this second, digital-only broadcast to go silent for no apparent reason. The first offender was WTOP; instead of its HD2 feed's usual pleasant classical music, I heard silence. Rather, I heard nothing -- with no music to awake me, I enjoyed an extra hour of blissful shut-eye.

WAMU pulled the same stunt a couple of weeks later, silencing its second channel.

Much as I enjoyed my bonus nap time, this kind of thing does not bode well for HD radio's future. If the radio stations offering HD2 broadcasts (all of whom have shelled out some non-trivial cash to do so) can't be bothered to keep them on their air full-time, why should anybody at home bother risking their cash on this technology?

HD radio does have other selling points, but they hardly compete with the dramatic expansion of listening choices that HD2 broadcasts could bring. Digital FM just doesn't sound that much better than analog. Digital AM does, but it's too hard to find and is still limited to daylight hours.»

fonte: «HD Radio Needs Wake-Up Call» 19/6/06, Washington Post

O HD tambem digitaliza a AM

«News that Radio Sangkakala in Indonesia has signed on with an AM HD Radio signal on 1,062kHz is being touted as the first foray of AM HD Radio hybrid technology in Asia by Broadcast Electronics, the transmission system vendor.

While a number of countries outside of the United States have granted experimental permits for FM HD radio broadcasts, little testing of Ibiquity's AM hybrid technology has been undertaken outside of the Western hemisphere.

The medium-wave HD Radio system was installed for Radio Sangkakala's owner, Pohan E. Harliman in April--15 years after private AM stations in Indonesia migrated to FM, virtually abandoning the medium-wave band. The station, reportedly the first privately owned AM operation to return since the 1991 exodus, purchased the rights to three channels and is operating its carrier in the center of the available bandwidth with an output power of 10kW.

Coverage and reception of the digital signal has been reported as "excellent" by the station's owner/operator.»

fonte: «AM HD Radio on Air in Indonesia», beradio, 21/6/06

O aproveitamento dos canais HD para nichos (nichos?)

«Clear Channel Radio Chicago has announced that Gay Radio has arrived in the Windy City [Chicago]. WKSC-FM’s HD2 Side Channel will be the new home of Pride Radio. The company adds that this move will not affect the current programming on WKSC/Kiss-FM.

“Chicagoland is home to one of America's largest gay populations, and our new Pride Radio channel is designed to be a voice and a source of entertainment for the gay community,” said Darren Davis, Clear Channel RVP of Programming. “The music will be mostly upbeat, dance-oriented, and energetic. It's an idea that's so fabulous; we just had to do it in High Definition on HD Radio.”

fonte: WKSC-FM Chicago’s HD2 Side Channel Is All About Gay Pride, Radio Ink, 19/6/06

HD opcional nos BMW

A recepção HD vai aparecer como opção nos novos BMW serie 5. É um sinal (a medo, é certo, mas um sinal)

fonte: HD-R Now on BMW 5 Series, 12/6/06,  Radio World

HD ainda pouco conhecido nos EUA

«A new survey from Mark Kassof & Co. finds that there is still low awareness and understanding of HD Radio among the general public. The phone study conducted during the last week in May found that only 38 percent of those surveyed had heard of HD Radio. Though seven percent have merely heard of the term, but did not know precisely what HD Radio is. Six percent knew it meant "high definition radio" but nothing more.

Therefore, 25 percent were familiar enough with HD Radio to have an understanding about it. Additionally, only one percent of 18-64 year-olds surveyed believe that HD Radio will bring more stations and programming options. And three percent believed it is the same as satellite radio»

fonte: «Study: Few Believe HD Radio Brings More Choices», FMQB, 8/6/06, http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=228026

Ouvintes digitais prometem continuar a ouvir AM/FM

«An Arbitron/Edison Media Research study has found that three-quarters of the “digital radio” audience predict they will continue listening the same amount to AM/FM radio. Seventy-seven percent of respondents said they expect to listen to AM/FM radio as much as they do now despite increasing advancements in technology. The same holds true for Internet radio listeners and those who have tried audio podcasting.

Satellite radio subscribers showed slightly less dedication to traditional broadcasting, with 64% saying they expect to continue listening to the same amount of AM/FM radio.

Additionally, AM/FM radio does not appear to be losing Time Spent Listening to the new digital radio platforms».

fonte: «Most Will Continue Listening To AM/FM Radio», Radio Ink, May 24, 2006

Há interesse no HD

(O estudo é este: http://www.arbitron.com/downloads/im2006study.pdf)

«An Arbitron/Edison Media Research study finds that more than one-third of respondents are interested in HD Radio. When read a description of HD Radio, 8% said they were “very” interested, and another 27% said they were “somewhat” interested.

Thirty-five percent of Americans are willing to pay $50 for an HD Radio. More than one third said they would be likely to purchase a new HD Radio if the cost was $50. Nine percent of all consumers would be likely to pay $200 or more for an HD Radio receiver; and 5% said they would be likely to purchase at a price of $300.

More than four in ten satellite radio subscribers are either “very” interested or “somewhat” interested in HD Radio. Ten percent of satellite radio subscribers said they were “very” interested in HD Radio, and 33% said they were “somewhat” interested in HD Radio»

fonte: «Interest In Hi Def Radio Exists», RAdio Ink, 24/5/06

O HD continua a despertar dúvidas

Este texto faz um ponto da situação: «Durante quanto tempo a janela de oportunidade se manterá aberta para a rádio IBOC/HD?»

«Silicon Valley has the highest percentage of high-tech gadgetheads in the United States, and they have oodles of disposable income.  But there seems to be absolutely no consumer interest in IBOC/HD radio among those gadgetheads.

The linked article above repeats a common mistake made by IBOC/HD boosters; it assumes the lack of IBOC/HD receivers in retail stores is somehow the fault of the stores. The possibility that IBOC/HD is simply not attractive to consumers, and therefore retailers,  is never considered-----the ramifications of that possibility are just too awful for IBOC/HD supporters to contemplate. 

Even Radio World, long a reliable booster of IBOC/HD, is starting to panic a little bit.  There is a forced attempt to be hip by describing IBOC/HD radio as "the bling of terrestrial radio," but the article once again treats IBOC/HD as a technical issue instead of grasping it is compelling content----or lack of it----that will determine the fate of IBOC/HD.

People are also starting to recognize the interference problems caused by IBOC/HD might be greater than previously supposed; the Corporation for Public broadcasting is seeking participants for a study of IBOC/HD interference (thanks to Glenn Hauser and his World of Radio site for this info).»

fonte: «How Much Longer Will The Window Of Opportunity Be Open For IBOC/HD Radio?», 8/5/06, Harry Helms

O HD em vários partes do mundo

Por inicaitiva da Broadcast Electronics: 

Puerto Rico: WPRM-FM, owned by Uno Radio Group, became the first station in Puerto Rico to adopt HD Radio in April 2005, using a BE FMI 31 HD Radio transmitter system into a separate antenna. San Juan, Puerto Rico, ranks as market 13 by Arbitron and is a highly saturated radio market with more than 120 radio stations in the area. This is the first reported HD Radio installation in the region, sparking interest in HD Radio in the Caribbean and Latin America.

Brazil: KISS-FM in Sao Paulo went on the air with HD Radio on Sept. 17, 2005, becoming the first station to transmit FM HD Radio in Brazil. The station is using BE’s FMI 73 transmitter package into a separate antenna.

New Zealand: On October 19, 2005, a BE HD Radio system delivered the first HD Radio signals heard in New Zealand. Transmitting on 106.1MHz from the Skytower in Auckland, the broadcast is under a special demonstration license from the Radio Spectrum Management division of the New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development.

Philippines: Philippines President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo officiated HD Radio broadcasts in Baguio City on Nov. 9, after BE turned on the country’s first HD Radio station during a conference there.

France: Towercast, in partnership with independent broadcast syndicate SIRTI and NRJ Group, began broadcasting an HD Radio signal on 88.2MHz there in March 2006, using a BE low-powered transmission system. In the next phase of the trials, Towercast plans to multicast two or more channels of programming.

Thailand: In yet another digital radio first, BE installed an HD Radio system for a public radio network targeting mass transit commuters in Bangkok. The system was acquired by RNT Television, which has a contract to broadcast to buses in Thailand using a portion of existing licensed FM frequencies.

Indonesia: In April 2006, BE delivered the first AM HD Radio system in Asia. AM HD Radio went on the air in Surabaya, Indonesia, on 1,062kHz using a BE AM 10A transmitter.

Indonesia: Also in April, BE installed HD Radio FM on JDFI-FM 101.8MHz, part of the Prambors Radio Group in Jakarta.

fonte: «BE Works on HD Radio Around the World», 1/5/06, http://beradio.com/currents/radio_currents_050106/index.html#be

Uma rádio HD a emitir em 5.1 Surround

Pela primeira vez uma rádio nos EUA está emitir em 5.1 Surround, o «formato» sonoro equivalente/idêntico ao Superaudio CD - ou seja, permitindo (com um descodificador) a recepção em cinco colunas.

Jorge Guimarães Silva esclarece, a meu pedido: «Equivale à passagem do Mono para o Estéreo, mas a primeira transmissão em surround 5.1 foi feita pela União Europeia de Radiodifusão (EBU), em 12 de Outubro de 2003, aproveitando o "Dia da Rádio". escrevi um texto sobre isso em 12/10/2003: http://telefonia.weblogger.terra.com.br/200310_telefonia_arquivo.htm»

«Telos Systems and CBS Radio said WZLX(FM), Boston would become the first station in the nation to broadcast all of their format in 5.1 surround sound using the MPEG system on its HD Radio signal. The change is expected to occur within the next 90 to 120 days. The companies hope the move will attract the attention of Boston-based receiver makers such as Boston Acoustics and Bose, as well as other stations, to get them excited about MPEG Surround sound capability, said Steve Church, chief executive officer of Telos Systems and Frank Foti, president of Omnia. "This is going to create a significant boost to radio's aural impact and will be an important motivation for consumers to buy HD Radios," said Church. The station will hold off on promoting the 5.1 surround until there are compatible MPEG Surround receivers in the market, said Church and Foti, who added MPEG has developed a reference design for receiver makers. Other stations are interested in adapting their studios and music formats to surround sound, said Foti, who added the classic rock and classical formats currently have the most music recorded in 5.1 surround. Telos/Omnia is helping WZLX convert its record library to surround and Fraunhofer is providing the MPEG Surround encoder. WZLX is a Classic Rock-formatted station».

fonte: WZLX to Go 5.1 Surround, RWonline, By Leslie Stimson