Amazon.com Buying Guide

What is HD Radio?
What Do I Need to Tune in?
Why is HD Radio Better?
How Much Does it Cost?
See How HD Radio Works:

Like the evolution from records and cassette tapes to compact disks, HD Radio technology brings analog radio signals into the digital age. After upgrading to a digital broadcasting system developed exclusively by a company called Ibiquity Digital, your favorite radio stations can transmit digital audio signals. More stations are converting to HD Radio technology all the time and most major cities now have a wide selection of broadcasts. For a complete list of HD Radio broadcasters, visit hdradio.com.

The Recepter Radio HD's impressive audio performance stems from Boston Acoustics' years of experience in designing and manufacturing high-performance audio equipment. The key to the radio's topnotch sound is its Boston-designed wide-range driver, which is optimized specifically for the radio, and its digitally equalized amplifier outfitted with proprietary BassTrac circuitry for full, satisfying, distortion-free bass regardless of the volume level. The audio performance is coupled with the radio's AM/FM tuner and its 20 easy-to-access station presets. The digital technology even enhances the AM and FM bands' audio fidelity--AM sounds more like FM does today, while FM signals boast a CD-like quality. Best of all, the static, hiss, pops, and fades commonly found on today's radios are virtually eliminated, ensuring crystal-clear reception.

And don't worry, your analog radio will work just fine with HD Radio. The system is designed to broadcast analog signals right alongside the digital ones. Find HD Radio stations near you.

When you decide to upgrade to an HD Radio receiver, you'll notice a big difference right off the bat. When listening to FM stations in HD, you'll experience CD-quality sound with crystal-clear reception. The technology behind HD Radio means that there's no hiss, distortion, or station drop off. Meanwhile, AM stations will offer FM-quality sound. Yes, now you can listen to your favorite AM sports, news, and talk in full stereo.

HD radio also offers features that only a digital signal can offer, such as real-time artist and song IDs, traffic alerts, stock tickers, sports scores, and other valuable information.

In most cities, the radio dial is pretty crowded and there's not much more room for additional programming. HD Radio changes all of that by offering multiple channels on the same frequency. For instance, KMTT, a station in Seattle, can offer Adult Album Alternative (AAA) radio on HD1 while also offering comedy on its HD2 channel and news on HD3. All three of these stations are contained within the 103.7 frequency, so it's easy to see how HD Radio makes it possible to have much greater diversity across the dial. You'll experience broader song lists, undiscovered artists and music, and new blends and mixes of formats. And of course, you'll get lots more talk, comedy, and news.

Are you interested in HD Radio now? There's one more thing that might just make you take the leap: It's all totally free. Once you have an HD Radio receiver, you're set. There are no subscriptions or activation fees. It's just like the radio you've always enjoyed, just a lot better.

Ever wonder how technology can split the radio signal into analog and digital channels and then transmit it over the existing AM/FM bands? It’s a process known as In-Band On-Channel (IBOC) Broadcasting. It’s DIGITAL, and it’s FREE.

HD Digital Radio supports CD-quality sound as well as song titles and artist names. And because the digital signal piggybacks onto a conventional broadcast signal, it is free to the listener.

The Power of Free

With HD Radio, broadcasters can use the current radio spectrum to transmit free analog simultaneously with new higher quality digital signals. This eliminates the static, hiss, pops and fades associated with today’s radio caused by conditions known as multipath, noise and interference.

With IBOC-based HD Radio technology, radio receivers and other consumer electronics will receive traditional analog broadcasts from stations that have yet to convert and digital broadcasts from stations that have converted.

Current analog radios will continue to receive the analog portion of the IBOC-based broadcast, allowing for a smooth transition to a digital world. In fact, specific features have been designed into HD Radio-supported receivers to improve the existing analog reception during the "Hybrid Mode."

As the market reaches maturity, broadcasters will transition out of analog broadcasts and offer "all-digital mode". As a result of HD Radio's digital architecture, enhanced services such as increased data capacity, surround sound or other multicasting solutions can be made available across this unused bandwidth.