Panasonic now offers an HD ready HU

http://www.crutchfield.com/S-0V4xdPqWkfc/c...a=0&cc=01&avf=N

 

I stand corrected. Dammit, Now I gotta go and buy a new head unit.

 

I finally found a list of stations broadcasting digital. Most of the information and press releases surrounding IBOC (ibiquity's digital radio technology) involves licensing agreements. But those agreements alone don't guarantee digital signal is actually being broadcast.

I think I just found a list that does, the most recent additions are from January of this year:
http://www.beradio.com/eye_on_iboc

Interestingly KROQ in LA has been broadcasting digital since Sept 29, 2002.

 

Yeah. I read the same article as Jeffbrig.

It said the first HU's would have it on them in spring of 2004. With it being standard issue on HU's by 2006.

The article said the expected adoption rate by the AM/FM broadcasters would be extremely fast as it would only cost stations about $80k in hardware to begin transmitting the new Hi-Def radio signals. This is a very different situation from hi-def TV adoption rates. Cost issues do not exist for the broadcasters. I can't recall if the article mentioned if the industry standards have already been set and agreed to. If so this means this is very close to wide spread roll-out.

I guess AM radio will get a new lease on life.

 

INTERESTING....

that does make adoption of the new standard much easier...