Anybody have any experience with HD Radio? If you did hopefully it was a good experience because I just ordered a head unit from Crutchfield.

I checked it out thinking it was an interesting idea. From my brief research, it seemed like it wasn't even trying to be an open standard, and was completely owned by one company. It also seemed that instead of trying to use it for interesting purposes, it was going to be used for more of the same radio stations, instead of more interesting radio stations, or higher quality audio. Also, "the plan" involved comerciall free music on the extra stations for some time, but not once it started taking off.

If it could reuse the AM bandwidth more efficiently, it's be great, but the main value in that would be for the owners of AM bandwidth, not the radio listeners. If it was an extra twenty bucks and I was buying a head unit, sure, but as it is it seemed like I would be paying royally to enable extra profits for the radio stations.

Matthew

Are the naughty words in songs still bleeped out? Having to listen to the radio a lot I'm a bit fed up with not being able to hear the real lyrics.

Which one did you get? Is the Boston the only one currently available? How is the reception? Does it allow you to pick up weak stations better?

A lot of questions, I know, but I am very interested in your first hand experiences. I live in a somewhat remote area where my favorite radio station is difficult to pick up reliably in the bedroom or bathroom. They do offer a pair of HD channels though.

Thanks...

I ordered one of these....

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-pOH8scJaC2M/cgi-bin/ProdView.asp?i=257KDHDR1&id=detailed_info

For $160 (after rebates) with a CD player I didn't think it was too bad a deal. The reviews seemed good. It’s currently on backorder. I’ll let you know what I think when it arrives. I live out in the sticks as well. I’m also hoping the HD is good quality. From what I read it seems like the bitrates from the stations can be different. I didn’t get satellite radio because of the poor bitrate, and the fees.

Now I just have to find some place to put it in my car.

I’m not so much on the politics or conspiracy theories. I just want more station and a better sound while not paying a monthly fee.

I've also had my eye on an HD unit. There is a lot of good info out on the AVS Forums which may prove helpful too.

Let us know how your works!
Tim