Best Buy releases first portable HD radio

[thataveragejoe]

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10284790-1.html

http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/12/insignia-ns-hd01-first-ever-portable-hd-radio-on-sale-at-best-b/


Anyone try this thing yet? It looks like it has less features than a one speed scooter.

[dumber than a box of hair]

Note no mention of battery life, although the battery is rechargeable.  I also noted this comment by the manufacturer: "The sound quality...is phenomenal"...as if anyone using earbuds will be able to notice the difference between analog and digital.

[pocket-radio]

The Cnet testers said the sound quality is good, not great. Garbage in garbage out, if the station signal is overly compressed it will sound no better than a poor internet stream at 28k 

The authors pointed out, if you aren't happy with radio as is, then having additional HD2/HD3 won't make you happy.

They gave great praises to WBGO's classic jazz, it sounded rich and full.

To recap, if the station cares a hoot about sound quality and their engineers knows what they're doing HD can sound good. If you stand still, with your arms stretch-out, like a bird in flight, the HD signal will lock on. If you don't like radio with it's endless streams of commercials and promos you won't be happy either way..

Though the price point is nice at $50.00 and it's a nice way to experiment with HD without losing your shirt..
If reminds me of the old FM converters.. with an ipod plugin you've got an HD capable car radio..




 



 

[BRNout]

It might be worth a try just for the sakes of kicks and giggles, given the price tag.  I am definitely considering it, being the radio geek that I am.  But somehow I doubt it will be a big seller. 

However, the most interesting thing about it is that it DOES NOT HAVE AM!  It's FM only.   Given that it's such an important product for these HD sales slime, you'd think they'd include AM.  That they didn't certainly makes room for lots of conjecture about the future of HD on AM - even from Ibiquity's point of view. 

Also, I wish the reviewers would have given some consideration to comparing it's sensitivity and selectivity to other comparably priced pocket-sized radios out there.  If it's reception characteristics are anything like my Insignia HD/FM/AM/CD rack system, then it'll crash and burn faster than a Molotov cocktail!   

[KB1OKL]

Also, I wish the reviewers would have given some consideration to comparing it's sensitivity and selectivity to other comparably priced pocket-sized radios out there.  If it's reception characteristics are anything like my Insignia HD/FM/AM/CD rack system, then it'll crash and burn faster than a Molotov cocktail!   

All I will say it will perform like a 50 dollar HD radio and will be of course a waste of 50 bucks. I consider my Sony XDR-F1HD to be a waste of 84.00 and as far as HD radio goes (and we all know how far that is  ) it performs well. Of course that is like saying I got one of the best performing Yugos made, it is all relative.

[ddsparxx]

Hmmm...interesting...no AM, maybe an AM ferrite stick may be too big to fit in the unit. makes me wonder...How high will the battery consumption be? I wonder if Best Buy would end up having trouble selling it? What manufacturer makes this unit? If it performs as well or almost as well as my XDR-F1HD on FM then 50 bucks might be worth it to me.

[BRNout]

Hmmm...interesting...no AM, maybe an AM ferrite stick may be too big to fit in the unit. makes me wonder...How high will the battery consumption be? I wonder if Best Buy would end up having trouble selling it? What manufacturer makes this unit? If it performs as well or almost as well as my XDR-F1HD on FM then 50 bucks might be worth it to me.

Insignia makes it, so I have my doubts that it will perform anything like the XDR-F1HD.  Follow the links above and you'll find some description of how it comes with a sealed, rechargeable battery that is probably pretty big to give it 10 hours of use time.  Which isn't much really.  It's still big for a pocket sized radio, but I have a feeling that they have it crammed full with the battery and HD stuff so there was no room for a ferrite bar.  But I also have a feeling that they aren't concerned about the AM anyhow.  That would be great - any encouragement for AM broadcasters to shut off the buzz makers is fine with me. 

[jhardis]

Insignia makes it, so...

Insignia is the Best Buy house brand.  There are a variety of OEMs that agree to supply Insignia private-label products, some good.  For example, the Insignia DTV converter box was a re-branded version of the LG sold elsewhere.

[KB1OKL]

I wonder how long it will take to burn a hole in your pocket?

[scanman1]

I remember saying a while back if a portable HD radio was ever offered I'd run right out and buy one (this was before all my negative experience with iboc). Now, I just yawn as I read this news, especially given the far better alternatives (pocket-sized SiriusXM radios and MP3 players for example). I also believe they will not function properly and receiving even local stations will be quite a challenge!