OK, we admit that this might be more appropriate on Engadget than Autoblog, but it is about BMW audio, so here goes. HD Radio technology is said to be one of the most significant advances in radio broadcasting history. Their words, not ours, but it's probably true. Just like HDTV, which gives viewers an unprecedented amount of visual sharpness and clarity, HD Radio gives listeners crystal clear, noise-free reception.
HD Radio can also multicast and display text information like station name, or track and artist info. Multicasting allows FM stations to broadcast multiple channels of programming on one frequency. Imagine your favorite station pumping alt-rock, hip-hop and country through one dial setting and you can see how cool this technology can be. And unlike satellite subscription services like XM or Sirius, HD Radio is free to anybody with an HD receiver. Not a huge group right now, but with 1,000 HD stations out there broadcasting HD programming, we expect it to be a hot sector in the near future.
BMW was the first to offer an OEM HD Radio on its 2006 7-series models. They added it to the 6-series in '06, and then announced that HD Radio would appear on the 5-series models in '07. Well, that group will soon include BMW 3-series owners as well. Starting with the Hardtop Convertible, HD will start showing up in 3s in 2007 as well, for around $500. For a list of HD stations, check out www.hdradio.com.
[Source: MWerks]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rassel @ Dec 23rd 2006 4:42PM
The HD Radio option on the all-new 2007 BMW 3 Series Convertible will have a Suggested Retail Price of $500.
Adam @ Dec 23rd 2006 5:20PM
My 2006 3-Series already tells me the station name and the song playing, what else does it do for me?
Howard Kerr @ Dec 23rd 2006 6:51PM
I'm not all that surprized that something has come along as an (indirect?) challenger to satellite radio. My question is...will HD radio mean that now all the annoying commercials on FM and AM will also be present in HD?
I'm old enough to remember when FM was nearly commercial-free, now listen to it? Satellite radio, isn't it supposed to be commercial-free?
SOhp101 @ Dec 23rd 2006 8:06PM
It's also offered as an option in their M5/M6 models as well. From my understanding, if you do choose the HD radio option (for BMWs) you lose the real-time traffic nav function. Personally I'd rather stick to an MP3 player integration and keep the real time traffic.
"When most people first hear of HD Radio, they often assume it's like HDTV, but for radio. HD Radio is a very different technology, however. Unlike the "HD" in HDTV, the "HD" in HD Radio is not an abbreviation for "High Definition." Although some have said that it actually means "Hybrid Digital," according to iBiquity, "HD" is a trademarked brand name and doesn't actually stand for anything [Source: Crutchfield Advisor]."
6 @ Dec 23rd 2006 11:41PM
That car looks 2 ft too long.
Rob @ Dec 24th 2006 4:31AM
HD Radio is a digital broadcast of the FM stations you already listen to.
if you get a BMW 3er with HD Radio, you cannot have RTTI (real time traffic info). Which one is more important? Higher quality audio for commercials, or dynamic rerouting around traffic?
I have a 2007 BMW 335i - I chose the RTTI and Sirius. :)
Andrew Eller @ Dec 24th 2006 12:52PM
Yes. SOhp101 is correct. HDRadio really doesn't mean High Definition. It is just a naming gimmick that seems to be working, as most people assume it means high definition.
I am sticking with my Sirius thank you very much.
mavkato @ Dec 26th 2006 9:09AM
my wife's 2002 Pontiac Sunfire tells me what song is playing, and the radio station. What is the big deal again?
mike @ Dec 26th 2006 4:54PM
SOhp101 is correct. HD does NOT stand for high definition. This is a marketing trick only. Basically with HD Radio, you get a digital signal (which does NOT mean CD quality) AND you get multi-casting. The stations have initially agreed with each other to keep commercials to a minimum to get users to use HD radio...then overtime commercials will increase.
Redwood @ Dec 27th 2006 5:17PM
My '99 BMW 3-series already shows the song information. We need more than that. That option really needs to be $200, not $500.