Our Tech Editor Takes a Candid Look at HD Radio

In addition to being able to listen to SmoothJazzChicago.net anywhere in the world on internet with your computer, smart phone, or tablet, we are excited to announce that Chicagoans can now listen to Smooth Jazz Chicago without an internet connection.  We are now on WTMX 101.9 HD2!  By pairing our new signal with an HD radio, we hope to provide listeners with another way to take your favorite smooth music with you on the go.

HD (hybrid digital) radio provides a CD quality simulcast of many traditional AM and FM terrestrial radio stations plus addition new “sub stations” which feature content that cannot be picked up on an analog terrestrial radio.  Like traditional terrestrial radio, no subscription fee is required to listen to any of the stations.  Smooth Jazz Chicago’s new terrestrial radio home, WTMX 101.9 HD2 is one of these stations. When using an HD radio, first tune to 101.9FM and then wait a few seconds for the HD signal to lock in.  On most HD radios, a small indicator light with the HD radio log will appear on the screen.  Once the HD signal is locked in, turn the tuning knob or button up once to receive WTMX 101.9 HD2 Smooth Jazz Chicago.  Additionally, the song and artist titles should appear on your HD radio’s screen. 

 

(When you have access to an internet connection, I still highly recommend using it to listen to Smooth Jazz Chicago on computer by visiting SmoothJazzChicago.net, on smart phone or tablet using our free custom apps available in the App Store for iOS devices and the Google Play store for Android devices, or an internet radio for the most optimal and reliable signal and audio quality when compared HD radio.)

 

While HD radio has been around for over ten years, it is still in its infancy in many respects. The key advantage of HD radio is that you are not required to subscribe to a cellular data connection in order to listen on the go.  Over the past few years, more and more automakers have been integrating HD radios in the dash on their new vehicles. Click here for a list of new vehicles that offer HD radios as either standard equipment or as an available option.  A handful of automakers, including BMW and Volkswagen, have offered HD radios in their vehicles for at least the past five years.  Check your owner’s manual or consult your dealer to see if your car may already be equipped with an HD radio.  At the moment, other HD radio offerings for at home or on the go are limited but growing. For more info please visit the Official HD Radio website.

 

If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email! 

 

(It's Rick O'Dell.  Let me jump in here with an additional request.  If you currently have an HD radio--portable, tabletop or in-car--please send us an email and let us know how satisfied you are with it.  Please be honest because your experience with HD will serve as a guide to others who are in the market for an HD radio right now.  I'll include listener comments in our next blog on this subject.  Thanks.  My email:  [email protected])

 

Stay warm,

Danny Rigoni

[email protected]

 

Our Smooth Video of the Day: From his solo debut The Nightfly here's one of my all time favorite musicians, Donald Fagen of Steely Dan (who celebrated his birthday on Friday, January 10th) with "I.G.Y."

 

 

Comments

[Margie]

Thank you, Danny, for this informative article. I've never used HD radio, however I'm surprised that the internet is recommended for a more reliable signal. Though I LOVE listening though SJC.net, there are times when the stream pauses to buffer, then resumes after a few seconds.

[Super Dave]

Thanks for the info, Danny. Your article confirms all my research into HD radio vs. Internet connections.

[Scampster the Dog]

I have tried both - and there are issues with each - Internet will time itself out every time I have tried such - as providers don't want you running for hours on end without touching the keyboard. Issue with HD radio is same as digital television - signal is all or nothing - there is no static // just failure if you loose the signal // will still say HD and song/artist info and will come back if it can catch the signal again. Both versions I have tried so far are substandard to regular FM radio - As is Digital Television have the blocks or picture freeze issue at times on over the air stations - even with cable television! Living far away was better to have a bit of static than have the picture freeze or worse - message the signal is lost - usually in short bits or time.

[Art B.]

Danny, Thanks for the info, especially for someone ( me ) who has no knowledge of HD Radio, I will still listen through the Internet ... and as head of the " Dan Devotees " on Dinner Party ... Cool video !!!

[Cora]

On the contrary, I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THIS INTERNET STATION, (smoothjazzchicago.net)other than occasional buffering which is "normal"!. I didn't encounter a "timer" that it stop by itself after 6 hrs (night or day)or so, because I am online listening all day for more than 12 hrs the most!! I call this, the radio net station that NEVER SLEEPS!!
KEEP IT ON!!!

(^_*)