Arggg! I Need Hd Radio

kstell · May 22, 2009

OK, I was at the dealer getting my battery replaced under warranty. After picking it up, I noticed that the radio was playing some music that I charactorize as being "south of the border". No problem, I figured the tech wsa listening to a station of his choseing whilst repairing said vehicle.

However, I noticed that it was on my favorite Smooth Jazz station preset. At first I thought, WTF..I moved around the dial, came back to to it and sure enough the format changed suddenly. For those in the Chicago area it was WNUA 95.5

So I get home, fire up their webpage and notice a letter announcing the format change. However, the original format is still availaable on HD radio. Of course, I do not have HD Radio, just a non-subscribed XM radio module that is wasting space and electrons. I recall that an XM to HD module was in the works or being discussed.

I have the Nav unit that I tolerate and XM is overpriced, sneaky and overcompressed to warrant my exchanging of Federal Reserve Notes to their keep.

So what is the word on the street for this option?

5-0stank · May 23, 2009

I'd like to know as well...I CANNOT STAND the quality of xm....to me it just sounds like s#!t.

Paul58 · May 23, 2009

I brought this up to Chris at CoSTAR Tech, and he seemed interested in the concept, but I think he's still busy completing a complete line of BlueSTAR kits for the GM line. I did start a thread on the CoSTAR website forum, maybe if there was a show of interest he may up the priority for the development of an HD Kit for our vehicles. Here's a link to the CoSTAR Forums Thread.

thecraft · May 23, 2009

People still listen to crappy corporate radio?

Noturday · May 23, 2009

i just bought a new jensen VM9312HD screen with HD radio (my jensen VM9312 screen was stolen so i upgraded) and it sounds great and wasnt that expensive. not every station is in HD, but those that are are very clear and sound nice over my alpine speakers.

granted it is aftermarket, but i have a screen and it is Nav. capable as well as back-up camera ready, with HD radio, ipod/"anything-with-a-headphone-jack" connectivity, and its even XM capable if you want to go that route as well.

i'm only using the ipod interface and HD radio at the moment, but the camera is soon to come. i dont plan on using the nav. or xm features.

i can get pics tmrw if you would like, but the install wont be 100% complete until i get my custom head unit mount, which looks and fits 500x better than what i have in it now.

hell it looks the exact same as my old one i'll just post pics of that

the only difference in appearance is that the new one says HD radio on the front