James Delahunty
29 May 2007 18:58
Sony Corp. has announced it will begin offering HD Radio products in July this year. According to the HD Digital Radio Alliance, more than 1200 radio stations in the U.S. have adopted the technology, which allows them to deliver extra music content on up to four side channels that piggyback on the frequency it already uses.
For the end-user, a special radio receiver is needed to tune in. HD Radio also boasts improved sound quality. About 50 models are available already, made for home audio equipment and car stereos. "Digital terrestrial radio is the last frontier in audio," said Andrew Sivori, a senior product marketing manager at Sony's personal audio division.
He added: "And it's coming to price points that are becoming more reasonable for consumers." Sony will offer XDR-S3HD, a $200 tabletop AM/FM/HD radio, and the XT-100HD, which is a $100 tuner module for vehicles that will work with most Sony car stereo units. The first products debuted more than two years ago with price tags around $800. With significantly lower prices, the HD Digital Radio Alliance expects more than 1.5 million HD Radio devices to be sold in 2007.
Source:
Yahoo (AP)