The Sony XDR-S10HDiP features an HD Radio tuner, as well as an iPod dock for iTunes tagging.

FM radio with near CD-quality sound

Digital technology allows a radio station to transmit more information in the same radio wave. Primarily, this means higher quality sound. So much more so that FM transmissions sound nearly as good as CDs.

AM radio that sounds as good as FM Stereo

AM radio uses smaller sections of bandwidth than FM. There is not enough bandwidth for HD Radio to give AM stations the same CD-quality signal as FM stations. But there is enough room to give AM stations clarity equivalent to current analog FM stereo radio. This boost in sound quality is expected to make AM radio a viable alternative to FM, which means more options for listeners.

No more static, pops, crackles or fades

The digital signal is less vulnerable to reception problems. The radio tuner's digital processors eliminate the static, pops, hisses, and fades caused by interference. You hear only clear, clean, rich sound.

Should you lose the digital signal for some reason (obstructing terrain, nearing the edge of the broadcast area, etc.), HD Radio technology defaults back to analog mode, similar to the way current radios switch from stereo to mono mode when receiving a weak signal. The radio sacrifices detail in an effort to boost reception.

Transmission of additional information

Another benefit of digital radio is the radio station's ability to transmit additional information along with the music signal. This can take the form of scrolling text on your receiver's display, such as a song's artist and title, station call letters, and so on. Stations can also include local and regional information, such as weather updates or even traffic alerts.