Here is a list of the primary benefits to going HD:
1. FM stations broadcasted in the digital format will have near CD like quality while AM stations will sound like current FM stations. Digital signals are less vulnerable to reception problems and interference. This means clear sound without static, hiss, pops or fades.
2. If an HD Radio receiver loses its HD signal it will transition seamlessly back to FM until the HD signal returns.
3. Multicasting (HD2 Stations): The digital signals that HD Radio uses have larger bandwidth than analog signals so they can carry one extra music channel and three addition talk channels. This means you can tune in to one station and then select any alternate channels on that station.
4. HD Radio receivers can display text data (artist and song information) or even show updates on the weather, stocks, sports scores and more.
5. iTunes Tagging: HD Radio receivers can “tag” a song which will later show up in your iTunes for purchase. This only works if your iPod can be directly connected to the HD Radio receiver and that HD station has tagging enabled. A “tagged” song will load up in your iPod and then transfer to your iTunes when your iPod syncs up again. iTunes then gives you the option to purchase that song.

Radio stations will continue to broadcast regular analog signals along with HD signals. This will allow older radios to continue to receive AM/ FM signals. There are no current plans to shut down analog radio stations or to stop analog broadcasts, even in the near future. The biggest advantage of HD Radio is, besides the higher quality, that it is free to any listener with an HD radio. Additional features such as surround sound and other multicasting options will be made available as time progresses and the full realization of extra bandwidth usage is made clear.

How does it work specifically?

1.  Radio stations send out a bundled signal comprising both analog and digital. The digital signal is comprised of textual data such as stocks, sports scores, song information and traffic.
2.  This signal is compressed by a computer and digitized into “1”s and “0”s, similar to how MP3 files are a compressed version of WAV files.
3. The combined analog and digital signals are transmitted via specially equipped transmission towers capable of handling both signals.
4. Radio signals bounce off of object such as buildings which is a big contributor to static in conventional radios. HD Digital radio receivers sort through and repair the reflected signals getting rid of artifacts such as hiss, pop and fades.
5. Both analog and digital signals reach their destination and remain free to the listener. HD Receivers decode the information for a clear listening experience.

More and more aftermarket car receivers come with HD Radio preinstalled or as an add-on module giving you high quality radio with a bunch of added features. You can add HD radio to your factory car stereo or aftermarket car stereo using an HD radio add-on kit. These types of kits allow you to add HD radio to your factory or after market stereo using a 3.5 mm headphone jack, RCA connectors or a wired FM modulator. HD Radio can also be found built-in to aftermarket car stereos or as add on modules to these radios. An aftermarket radio with HD radio capability can also come with additional features such as bluetooth, navigation, iPod integration and more.

With no additional costs, an added HD radio is a great investment, especially because most stations will be broadcasting a digital signal in the foreseeable future.  With so many ways to add HD Radio to your life there is no reason you can’t take advantage of this high quality, crisp, clear and FREE radio.

The post What Is HD Radio? appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

Pioneer MVH-P7300

To start off, we are introducing a head-unit that has the ability to play streaming music from your iPhone, or even tag your favorite songs on the radio to later view and download in your iTunes. The Pioneer MVH-P7300 seamlessly integrates all of your digital media into your vehicle with style and quality. The Advanced Sound Retrieval system restores frequencies that are typically lost with digital music compression. With the optional Pioneer CD-MC20 Auto-EQ microphone that detects and adjusts playback you won’t ever have to adjust your music levels again.

• Advanced Sound Retrieval Technology
• Pioneer CD-MC20 Auto-EQ Microphone

Alpine iDA-X305S

Next on our list is the Alpine iDA-X305S. This receiver is packed full of bells and whistles that will take you days to explore. The optional IMPRINT Audio Processor enhances audio reproduction by improving sound stage and overcoming vehicle acoustics by calculating the optimal playback frequencies for your listening area. The Power IC Off function will power down the built-in amplifier when you are using external amps to eliminate extra induced noises from the high powered speaker outputs. This function also reduces heat production, and lowers power consumption.

• IMPRINT Audio Processor
• Power IC Disabling

Kenwood KIV-BT901

Finally, one of the more impressive digital media receivers of the year 2011 is the Kenwood KIV-BT901. One of the great features of this stereo is the internal 512mb flash drive that is used to store your music or other media. The dual zone functionality allows for simultaneous playback of different media sources in your vehicle so the backseat passengers can enjoy their music or movie while you listen to yours. The Sound Excellence Digital Sound Processor (DSP) offers smooth digital time alignment and the ability to change your iPod’s equalizer settings.

• Internal 512mb Flash Drive
• Dual Zone Source Control
• Sound Excellence DSP

These digital media receivers are all worth every penny, and you won’t go wrong with any of them. For more information on any of these stereos you may follow the links to our product pages. We hope this guide helps you understand the convenience of having a digital media receiver in your vehicle. Happy listening!

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By Seth Wilde – Product Specialist

For a few years now, a new phenomenon has swept through the aftermarket car audio industry that has enabled drivers to receive crystal clear radio station as well as many other advanced features.  This incredible and relatively new technology is called HD Radio and it is making a huge statement in the car audio world.  HD Radio, which stands for High Definition Radio is a revolutionary design that broadcasts a digital signal along with the traditional analog radio frequencies that we have relied for our entire lives.  The digital data that the HD Radio tuners are able to accept allows the driver to receive track and artist information so they always know who they are listening to.  HD Radio also allows “multicasting”, which enables one radio frequency to broadcast several different audio programs at the same time.  These multicast stations can only be heard with the appropriate HD tuner.  One of the most used features of the HD Radio technology is the iTunes tagging, which allows the user to save the song information on a attached iPod and load that song in the Apple store next time the connect that iPod to their iTunes. For more information of HD Radio and iTunes Tagging, check out Sonic Electronix’s FAQ Guide to HD Radio. This great technology has allowed listeners to discover new music and grow their music collection.  Until now, the HD Radio tuners have only been available in aftermarket car stereos.

Ford has announced that particular vehicles in their 2010 lineup of vehicles will feature a built-in HD Radio tuner.  In addition to the basic tuner, many of the Ford factory OEM systems will feature the popular iTune tagging feature.  For the first time in a factory audio system, this high definition radio service will be available to the public.  The HD audio is just the beginning.  We can look forward to HD Radio assisting OEM navigation systems in the future, just as it is with the JVC KW-NT3HDT.  By utilizing the HD Radio network, this aftermarket navigation device can receive free live traffic updates, weather, sports scores, as well as all the other HD Radio benefits that were listed above.   HD Radio is the future for OEM car stereos.

The post iTunes Tagging to be Installed in New Ford Vehicles appeared first on Sonic Electronix Learning Center and Blog.

By Chelsey P. – Product Specialist

You may have heard about iTunes Tagging recently but you may not be sure about what it is or what it does exactly. Well, it is actually a way for listeners to engage with the HD Radio programming that they have on their receiver. If you have an iTunes tagging HD Radio receiver, the tagging process becomes really simple. Once you find an HD Radio station, the screen will display artist and track details. After finding the information you want to save, just press the “Tag” button to save song information that you like. The receiver than stores the song information and stores it onto a connected iPod. Now, how do you receive the song information that has just been saved to your iPod? Once your iPod has been synced to your computer, iTunes builds a playlists based on the tagged songs so that listeners can preview, buy and download their favorite songs. This comes in particularly handy if you tend to forget the names of your favorite songs.

Radio is one of the easiest ways for listeners to discover new music that they have never listened to before. And with iPod and iTunes becoming more popular every day, it is no wonder why they have decided to combine with HD Radio to make music easier to listen to. By having this integrated into your receiver, you will be able to download music conveniently to your iPod. The JVC KD-AHD69 is a perfect example of a head unit with the iTunes Tagging feature. It comes with built-HD radio with the iTunes tagging feature that will allow you to tag your favorite songs and put them on your iPod for later purchase.  This tagging feature is an innovative option that is not seen on most receivers just yet. As you can see above though, it is a neat option that will make listening to music easier than ever.

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