HD Radio FAQ

1. What is HD Radio?
2. What does IBOC stand for?
3. Does HD Radio sounds better than my regular radio?
4. Where can I find out if the local radio station is broadcasting in HD Radio?
5. Will my regular radio become obsolete in a couple of years?
6. Where can I buy a HD Radio compatible radio?
7. Do I get more programming with HD Radio?
8. Does HD Radio require paid subscription like Satellite Radio?
9. How does the HD Radio reception compare to Satellite Radio?
10. Where can I buy HD Radio unit?

1. What is HD Radio?

Answer: HD Radio is a digital broadcasting technology of iBiquity Digital Corporation’s. It allows radio stations to broadcast their programming with the sound approaching CD-Quality. HD Radio is the IBOC standard format adopted for this type of radio broadcasting in the United States.
Read more about HD Radio visit What is HD Radio?

2. What does IBOC stand for?

Answer: IBOC stands for “In Band On Channel” and it is for the technology that HD Radio use to broadcast radio programming digitally. The digital signal of HD Radio is carried on the same bandwidth as the station’s FM or AM signal. The digital signal is hidden within the band of the analog radio channel, hence “In Band On Channel.”

3. Does HD Radio sounds better than my regular radio?

Answers: HD Radio is broadcast using digital signal, so your radio programming will have a sound quality that approached CD-Quality. A good way to compare the sound quality between regular radio broadcasting to HD Radio is like comparing the sound quality from a tape player (FM or AM radio) to a CD player (HD Radio.)

4. Where can I find out if the local radio station is broadcasting in HD Radio?

Answers: You are in the right place. HDRadioFind.com lists out stations in your area that are currently broadcasting programming digitally using HD Radio technology. Use this drop down to find out what stations are broadcasting in HD Radio in your market area.

5. Will my regular radio become obsolete in a couple of years?

Answers: No, the radio stations use the same bandwidth to send out both their analog programming and HD Radio programming. You still can hear the station’s analog programming over the air, however you will not be able to hear the digital multicast channels with your regular radios.

6. Where can I buy a HD Radio compatible radio?

Answers: There are now many types of HD Radio unit available. They range from a table-top HD Radio to in-dash HD Radio car unit. Visit our HD Radio Buyer Guide to find out where you can buy a HD Radio. Looking for HD Radio products and where to get them? Try our HD Radio Buying Guide.

7. Do I get more programming with HD Radio?

Answers: Yes, HD Radio signal can be divided in to two or more channels in addition to the regular programming simultaneously. This technology is called “multicasting.” To get these additional digital programming your will need multicasting-capable HD Radio. The multicasting channels are often specialized programming that are being offer by your radio stations. These channels often use the term HD2 in additional to the primary HD Radio channel, HD1.

8. Does HD Radio require paid subscription like Satellite Radio?

Answers: No, Unlike Satellite Radio digital programming, HD Radio programming is free to listen to. You will however have to buy a HD Radio tuner.

9. How does the HD Radio reception compare to Satellite Radio?

Answers: HD Radio is broadcast digitally using FM or AM bandwidth, so you can receive this digital programming without special antenna require for picking up Satellite Radio signal. Weather will also have less effect on HD Radio broadcasting when compare to Satellite Radio. HD Radio, however, has the similar range of a typical FM or AM radio station.

10. Where can I buy a HD Radio unit?

Answers: HD Radio unit is now being produce by many well know electronic manufacturers like Polk Audio, Radiosophy, Boston Acoustic, Kenwood, Alpine and JVC. You can visit our online HD Radio Store powered by Amazon to find the latest HD Radio unit. Don’t forget to read our HD Radio Buying Guide with information on latest HD Radio units.