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HD Radio (FM) for $50

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by KK6PD, Oct 3, 2009.

  1. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    Well for all of you who have been wanting a HD Radio tuner for your car, I FOUND ONE!!!

    http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage...p=&qp=&list=n&iht=y&usc=All+Categories&ks=960

    I just bought one, it actually works quite well, well at least here in L.A. I have it plugged into the 1/8th Ipod jack. Its about 2" X 2" X 3/4". and comes with a USB charging cord and Headphones. I will build a charger for the car, nice toy!!

    SWEET!!!

    OK kids, now go out and be the FIRST on your block to have HD RADIO in your Prius!!!
     
    #1 KK6PD, Oct 3, 2009
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  2. garygid

    garygid Senior Member - Blizzard Pearl

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    Re: Hd FM 4 $50

    What is "Hd" FM?
     
    #2 garygid, Oct 3, 2009
  3. mgb4tim

    mgb4tim Noob

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    #3 mgb4tim, Oct 3, 2009
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  4. rrolff

    rrolff Prius Surgeon

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    Re: Hd FM 4 $50

    Interesting - But what about reception??? - A remote interface

    I still wnat to mount this to the roof of my Prius AMPLIFIED VHF UHF FM HAM RADIO HDTV HD ROTOR TV ANTENNA - eBay (item 180415142380 end time Oct-04-09 07:30:07 PDT).... You can rotate it remotely to pull in signals, and I think it will look cool...

    It's a very nice idea - funny there aren't more aftermarket boxes out there... Ebay shows little in that regard...
     
    #4 rrolff, Oct 3, 2009
  5. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Re: Hd FM 4 $50


    [ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HD_Radio]HD Radio - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]
     
    #5 Paradox, Oct 3, 2009
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  6. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

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    Re: Hd FM 4 $50

    whoops! paradox beat me to the copy / paste
     
    #6 hill, Oct 3, 2009
  7. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    Re: Hd FM 4 $50

    Sorry about the name SNAFU...oops.

    Anyway the unit is a pocket carry around thing. Comes with a armband holder. I just reall wanted the HD Audio...I pretty much know the names of the tunes I am fond of!! There is a front panel display that displays the info, but I don't need another visual distraction!! Only having had the thing for 6 hours, the reception is terrific, however I am sure this will be updated when reality sets in!!
    The sound is great!!!

    OK UPDATE TIME.. just got finished with a 20 minute drive around listening to KLOS-FM, JACK-FM and KROQ-FM. WHAT EXCELLENT SOUND! I kept the unit in the center console, cranked it up, for what I paid, I LOVE it. Nice thing is, I can take it with me, and use the headphones!!!
    A nice inexpensive venture in to HD Radio
     
    #7 KK6PD, Oct 3, 2009
  8. rrolff

    rrolff Prius Surgeon

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    Re: Hd FM 4 $50

    Can you roll to some more off-beat traffic down the dial - in the 88s? In LA (I'm in a corner of the OC), we all get Jack, KLOS, the biggies - I'm more wondering about the less powerful (college/PBS) stations... It does sound cool though.

    Not sure about the interface (you may as well have an iPod, and scroll through it while driving)...... Great concept!!! I'm sure the sound is as good as CD.....
     
    #8 rrolff, Oct 4, 2009
  9. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Re: Hd FM 4 $50

    Zune HD has the radio tuner for HD too.

    It works well. My local NPR channel doesn't have HD content for all their stories. I can see the Zune switch between FM and HD automatically to provide that high quality when available.

    By the way, the playback (in 16:9, of course) looks pretty sweet on that OLED screen.
    .
     
    #9 john1701a, Oct 4, 2009
  10. snijd

    snijd DIY or die

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    Re: Hd FM 4 $50

    I've considered adding HD, but this is a portable unit, right? Has anyone added a more permanent tuner, like this http://www.amazon.com/JVC-KTHDPK1-KT-HDPK1-Transportable-Receiver/dp/B0019SFBKQ?It's $50 as well. But then I suppose it'd become thief bait, as an easily-removed add-on. OTOH, my Scangauge II hasn't disappeared yet, and it's been in plain view for over a year.
     
    #10 snijd, Oct 4, 2009
  11. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

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    Re: Hd FM 4 $50

    Well living in the bottom of the LaCrescenta valley as I do, I hardly get any "College/PBS" stations up here. So my results were pretty bleak. It seems if you have a ERP (Effective Radiated Power) in the MANY kilowatts range, this unit will pick it up. Low Power stations, uness you are in the stations Prime Footprint, I don't see it working too well.
     
    #11 KK6PD, Oct 4, 2009
  12. Arniesea

    Arniesea New Member

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    Re: Hd FM 4 $50

    We have a Sony model XDR-F1HD hooked to our home stereo that is fantastic and has recieved top reviews in HD Radio forums for pulling in weak stations.

    Sony makes an automobile version, model XT-100HD for $150 that I am thinking about getting once my intro SAT subscription expires. The XT-100HD plugs into the SAT port near as I can tell from the on-line description but don't know for sure. I will post here once I make the leap. HD radio is the way to go if you live in an urban market. Many secondary stations to choose from for free without the SAT $$$.
     
    #12 Arniesea, Oct 4, 2009
  13. jayvee

    jayvee Member

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    Re: Hd FM 4 $50

    I tried this JVC unit - somewhat difficult to mount, and too many wires required. (Two antennas, power, line out). I believe one kit (maybe the one you indicate) comes with an inline antenna connection, to use the stock antenna. But you still need two antenna wires going to the unit, I believe.)

    But the main reason I returned it was it gets WAY, WAY TOO HOT. I also read reviews of some of them dying soon after installation - and with it as hot as it was, I believed it.

    I ended up buying the Best Buy (Insignia) unit as well - it's OK, somewhat touchy reception, because it uses the headphone lead as an antenna. But it's not bad for $50.
     
    #13 jayvee, Oct 6, 2009
  14. wjterry

    wjterry New Member

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    The reception and sound I get from the radio in my Gen III is quite good. I am not an audiophile, but am interested in what advantage I might receive with HD reception which would be a "noticable" improvement over current set up.
     
    #14 wjterry, Oct 6, 2009
  15. Indyking

    Indyking Happy Hyundai owner...

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    Very good... as far charging:

    http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Mini-Charger-Adapter-Black/dp/B001HZI2ZC

    That would solve the problem.
     
    #15 Indyking, Oct 6, 2009
  16. jayvee

    jayvee Member

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    HD signals are digital, and are not very susceptible to static, etc, unless you are on the fringe of the signal range, at which point the signal tends to drop out. The sound quality is similar to CD, compared to FM.

    Another benefit is that most HD stations transmit multiple HD channels on the same frequency, often with widely varying content. For example, near me there is an all-comedy channel, which you probably won't find on FM.
     
    #16 jayvee, Oct 7, 2009
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