What HD Radio technology is not

HD Radio technology is not a subscription service, like satellite radio. It is the same free, over-the-air broadcast radio that we've always known. Only better. It is not something that consumers have to buy into. Everyone can choose to continue listening to their current radios, but eventually all AM/FM radios will incorporate digital technology. It is a natural evolution of the medium.

HD Radio is not the same as satellite radio. Rather, it's an improvement to terrestrial AM and FM radio. Satellite radio, on the other hand, is an alternative to broadcast radio, in the same way that cable or satellite TV are alternatives to broadcast television. Even if you do have satellite radio, there are often times when you want to listen to your local station — and that's where HD Radio comes in.

The Kenwood KTC-HR200 is an add-on HD Radio module that can connect to many of existing car stereos.

Hear it for yourself

If we do want to join the digital radio world, it'll mean spending a little more for a new HD Radio-compatible car stereo system or a home stereo HD Radio component than for comparable systems without the HD Radio option. But prices continue to decrease as more manufacturers enter the HD Radio receiver market. HD Radio receivers are being offered as optional equipment in an increasing number of new automobiles.

The Some car receivers, like the Kenwood KDC-HD942U come with an HD Radio tuner already built in.

There's a new sound in town

You can go to hd-radio.com to see the stations in your area that are on-the-air with HD Radio, as well as those stations that have licensed the technology and will eventually be broadcasting with it.

Now that HD Radio tuners and receivers are commercially available, more radio stations are investing in the upgrade. They want to keep up with the enhanced sound quality of digital radio. And whether we upgrade right away or wait until our next vehicle has a built-in HD Radio receiver, we, as listeners, win.