Robert Struble, President of iBiquity Digital.

Electronics consumers are making the switch to digital products: CDs, DVDs, digital satellite radio, digital TV, digital cell phones, digital cameras — the list goes on. One notable area that has yet to make the transition to digital is radio broadcasting. We still rely on broadcast technologies developed in the 1920s and 1930s when listening to our local AM and FM radio stations. That's about to change, as HD Radio technology emerges as a new force in the radio marketplace.

The 2004 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas featured nearly 2500 exhibitors and was attended by over 120,000 people. Among the incredible range of products and new technologies on display, HD Radio technology generated an enthusiastic buzz. Digital radio promises to revolutionize radio broadcasting, with improved sound quality, text and information display, and the possibility of interactive functionality. Unlike the confusing switch to digital television, there is no need to create an entirely new broadcast infrastructure. Radio stations that go digital simply add a digital carrier signal onto their existing broadcast, so there are no compatibility issues with older radios — they'll still receive the same AM or FM signal they always have. When you buy a new digital radio, you'll be able to enjoy the improved sound quality and functionality of digital broadcasts. The transition is much like the one between black and white and color television.

iBiquity Digital is the driving force behind HD Radio technology. They are the sole developer and licenser of the technology and software that will make the promise of digital radio a reality. Crutchfield's Todd Cabell caught up with iBiquity Digital president Robert Struble at the 2004 C.E.S. show in Las Vegas. His enthusiasm for this new technology was evident as we talked to him about HD Radio technology. (Transcription and introduction by the Crutchfield's Ken Nail.)

Q: Let me ask you first — what is HD Radio technology, and why would I, as a consumer, want it?

A: HD Radio technology is the conversion of AM and FM radio from analog to digital. Consumers are now well aware of every other consumer media essentially going digital — albums to CDs, VCRs to DVDs; digital cell phones; digital cameras, and digital televisions. At a high level consumers get that digital means some things — it means higher quality, it means convenience, it means choice, it means interactivity — and all that stuff?s going to come with radio.

You start with upgraded sound quality — FM is going to sound like CDs; AM like FM, so you?re going to see music again on the AM band! You?re going to eliminate the static, the hiss and pops you get driving around town so it?s really like a CD experience in your car. In addition to that great audio, you?re talking about a host of new, previously unavailable data services. That can be as simple as song and artist, CD title scrolling on the screen; traffic and sports.

We?ve got apps now where the station can relay real-time traffic information which can be overlaid on a navigation screen, so you can dynamically re-route to get around traffic blockages. There?s thousands of other cool apps we haven?t even thought of yet — once you get radio onto the digital platform all that stuff becomes available. Once you go digital the whole world opens up, and radio is going to have those same experiences.

Q: Let?s talk about the sound quality. How does the sound quality compare? We know that FM stations are restricted in their frequency range, from 50 to 15,000 Hz — any restrictions with digital radio?

A: We?re talking a little bit in different terms, here. The digital in FM is broadcast at 96 kilobits per second, with a specialized CODEC compression technology designed for the system. That tests out to CD quality on FM. On AM, you have a much smaller bandwidth, so we?re operating at 36 kbps — that approximates FM, so you?re talking about full stereo with much broader dynamic range. You hear the highs and you hear the lows, you?re not listening to it like it?s in a paper bag!

Make up your own mind! Click here to listen to the difference between regular radio and HD Radio signals.