WBOI-FM 89.1
is the first FM station in northeast Indiana to
broadcast in the new HD Radio format, and the first
public radio station in Indiana to offer multicasting
on a digital signal!
HD Radio expands public radio's
public service with more listening choices and
higher quality sound!
What Is HD Radio?
What
Are the Benefits of HD Radio?
How is HD Radio™ different from satellite radio such
as XM™ and Sirius™?
Does WBOI's HD signal improve the reception of WBNI's classical music?
Where can I purchase an HD Radio? And when?
Links for More Information on HD Radio
What Is HD Radio?
HD Radio is
the name for the digital upgrade of local broadcast
radio. The high definition technology provides
higher quality sound and permits
"multicasting," which splits the digital signal
allowing stations the opportunity to provide more
program channels at the same dial position.
With an HD Radio tuned to 89.1 FM, three program
services are now available:
WBOI- HD 1 --- WBOI NPR News, Jazz
WBOI- HD 2 --- WBNI Classical Music
WBOI- HD 3 --- New! 24-Hour Jazz
To hear the expanded and improved digital broadcasts
people need an
HD Radio receiver (these units also pick up
standard analog signals.)
Nearly 1,000 stations are now broadcasting using
the high definition format developed by
iBquity Digital.
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What
Are The Benefits of HD Radio?
HD Radio technology
enables AM and FM radio
stations to broadcast their programs digitally using
the existing AM and FM bands while at the same time
preserving the existing analog broadcast service for
as long as is necessary. These digital broadcasts
provide:
-
FM radio with near CD-quality sound; AM radio that
sounds as good as FM stereo
HD Radio technology allows a radio station to
transmit more data in the same amount of bandwidth.
Primarily, this means higher quality sound. FM
transmissions sound nearly as good as CDs. There is
not enough bandwidth to give AM stations the same
CD-quality signal as FM stations. But there is
enough room to give AM stations clarity equivalent
to current analog FM stereo radio.
Hear
the difference!
-
No more static, pops, crackles or fades
The digital signal is less vulnerable to reception
problems. The radio tuner's digital processors
eliminate the static, pops, hisses, and fades caused
by interference. Multipath distortion, caused by the
radio signal being reflected off buildings and other
surrounding obstructions, is removed.
See graphic on
How HD Radio Works.
-
Multiple Streams or Multicasting
Thanks to
NPR’s Tomorrow Radio Project with audio
manufacturers Kenwood and Harris, digital technology
gives stations the capacity to subdivide the digital
portion of their signal. This permits
"multicasting," — that is, the ability to broadcast two or more
programs simultaneously at the same dial position! Using an HD Radio tuned to 89.1 FM,
three services are now available:
WBOI- HD 1 --- WBOI NPR News, Jazz
WBOI- HD 2 --- WBNI Classical Music
WBOI- HD 3 --- New! 24-Hour Jazz
Read NPR's release on HD multicasting (pdf)
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How is HD Radio™ different from satellite radio such
as XM™ and Sirius™?
While Sirius and MX use digital transmission, a
key difference is that our digital broadcasts will be
over-the air and available FREE to all listeners,
whereas satellite radio is a monthly pay subscription
service. There is no monthly charge to enjoy HD Radio.
Further, while XM and Sirius offer a greater number of
channels, they are national services that do not
provide local news, weather, or other local content.
However, like the satellite services, HD Radio
listeners will have to purchase new receivers.
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Does WBOI's HD signal improve the reception of WBNI's classical music
service?
YES! Here's how: An FM digital
radio signal can be broken into multiple channels.
Thanks to
NPR’s Tomorrow Radio Project
digital technology permits reception of at least two
different radio services at the same dial position
using a high definition (HD) radio receiver.
See graphic.
Using an HD Radio receiver tuned to 89.1,
WBOI-HD 2 broadcasts WBNI’s
24-hour classical music service in digital stereo.
With WBOI’s
50 kw signal, the digital transmission permits WBNI's
programming to be heard by more people and
reach communities such as Huntington, Bluffton,
Decatur, Columbia City, Kendallville, Auburn, Berne,
Hicksville (OH) and Paulding (OH). View
coverage maps (pdf).
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Where can I purchase an HD Radio? And when?
The rollout of HD Radios to retailers is underway!
Models include component tuners, car adapters, and
tabletop models.
View a buyer's guide (pdf) compiled by
commercial broadcasters of the
HD Radio Alliance. Meanwhile,
National Public Radio has
also established a Multicast Receiver Team, comprised
of seven NPR member stations: WOSU-FM, Columbus; WUSF-FM,
Tampa; WFAE, Charlotte; WNYC New York Public Radio;
Chicago Public Radio; Northeast Indiana Public
Radio; and Colorado Public Radio. The team is
holding detailed conversations with selected receiver
manufacturers aimed at a nationwide multicast
receiver initiative for public radio listeners. More
information on this will be posted as soon as
details are available.
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Links
for More Information on HD Radio
WBOI Begins Broadcasting in HD Digital Sound
(Journal Gazette, October 2005)
To Engage and Enrich Digitally: Northeast Indiana
Public Radio Uses Multicast To Extend Its Footprint
(Radio World; May 24, 2006)
HD Radio Q & A from WOSU-FM, Columbus, Ohio
HD
Radio Resources at Crutchfield.com
Radio World Newspaper Online
iBquity Digital
HD Radio Alliance
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