Radio Manufacturers Introduce Wide Range of New HD Radio Products, Lower Prices
ADA, Polk, Radiosophy, Rotel, Sanyo and Yamaha Introduce New HD Radio Receivers in response to growing number of HD Radio stations on air
LAS VEGAS, NV, National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show — April 19, 2005 — Executives representing Boston Acoustics, Good Guys, Panasonic, Polk Audio, Radiosophy and Sanyo joined iBiquity Digital at NAB today to discuss the growing number of new HD Radio receivers coming to market. Highlights of the event included sneak peeks at HD Radio tabletop receivers from Polk Audio and Radiosophy (formerly RIVERadio), new in-dash receivers from Sanyo and Panasonic, home receivers by Yamaha, ADA, and Rotel and additional details on the Boston Acoustics Recepter Radio HD expected to reach consumers this summer.
“At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, 21 of the nation’s leading broadcast groups announced their commitment to the accelerated implementation of HD Radio technology at 2,000 stations across the country. With a nationwide broadcast network being implemented and over 6 out of 10 people across the USA able to receive HD Radio signals, these receiver manufacturers have joined us at NAB to show their commitment to building and marketing a variety of products to meet the growing consumer demand for digital AM and FM radio,” said Robert Struble, president and CEO of iBiquity Digital Corporation. “By the end of 2005, we expect to see at least a dozen different manufacturers offering HD Radio products across categories that include aftermarket and OEM automotive, tabletop, and high-end home. Just as importantly, prices of comparable receivers are falling by 50% or more from 2004 levels, making HD Radio products available to a wider range of consumers.”
Demand has been steadily building for Boston Acoustics’ Recepter Radio HD, a sleek new addition to the enormously popular Recepter Radio family. “With more stations converting to digital each day and multicasting on the verge of taking off, it is a perfect time to be launching the Recepter Radio HD,” said Stephen Shenefield, Senior Director of Product Development, Boston Acoustics. “We are excited to be the first tabletop HD Radio receiver on the market, and we look forward to bringing the Boston Sound to consumers of digital AM and FM radio.”
“As one of the first regional consumer electronics retailers to stock HD Radio receivers when they went on sale last year, we have been a consistent champion of this technology. With a wider variety of HD Radio receivers now reaching the marketplace, exciting new features like multicasting, and prices falling dramatically, the prospects for HD Radio look extremely bright,” added Tim Coakley, SVP of Merchandising, Good Guys.
Panasonic debuted the industry’s first car audio receiver with integrated HD Radio tuner in the spring of 2004 and recently introduced its second-generation mobile CD receiver with integrated HD Radio, model CQ-CB8901U. In addition to a built-in HD Radio tuner, the CQ-CB8901U features a motorized, detachable, fold-down face, 7-band Sound Quality EQ (SQ7), and a Super Bass Control Subwoofer.
“As an industry leader, Panasonic prides itself on developing and embracing new technology,” commented Rob Lopez, Group Manager for Panasonic Mobile Electronics Group. “Digital technology touches our lives in almost every way, so HD Radio is a natural evolution of the digital lifestyle and experience. We are confident that our new CQ-CB8901U receiver has the right mix of features and functionality to capitalize on the growing consumer demand for HD Radio.”
“Polk Audio is very excited to be among the first hardware manufacturers to feature HD Radio. Our newest product is the I-Sonic, a total home entertainment solution featuring HD Radio and built-in DVD player in a compact easy-to-use package. It combines HD Radio digital technology with legendary Polk speakers for astounding sound quality, all for a fraction of the price of cumbersome component systems. For many consumers, Polk’s I-Sonic is capable of being the only home entertainment system they’ll ever need,” said Matthew Polk, Chairman of Polk Audio.
“Early last year, our CTO recognized that HD Radio technology, with its multicasting capability, would revolutionize AM and FM radio,” remarked Richard Skeie, President and CEO, Radiosophy. “We knew listeners would need affordable radios, so we formed our company to provide them with high-quality, low-priced HD Radio receivers. Our design is versatile and transportable so you can connect it to your existing sound system or take it with you to the den, kitchen, car or boat. Wherever you go, the Radiosophy MultiStream radio will deliver crystal-clear digital sound.”
“For too long, AM and FM radio listeners have watched as all other communications media made their transitions to digital,” said Tom Van Voy, VP of Sales and Marketing/AV Division, Sanyo. “With HD Radio, the technology is now available to take radio into the digital age. For car owners, this means everything from the elimination of multipath interference to on-demand access to news, traffic and weather. This is truly an exciting time in the field of mobile entertainment. HD Radio is one of a few technologies that have the potential to transform the way we access information.”
HD Radio technology transmits digital audio and data alongside existing AM and FM analog signals, allowing listeners with HD Radio compatible receivers to enjoy CD-quality sound and virtually eliminating the static, hiss, and pops associated with analog radio. The technology also provides a platform for advanced digital services that will deliver listeners information such as song titles, artist names, traffic updates, weather forecasts, sports scores, and more. Additionally, HD Radio’s multicast feature — which was recognized as an honoree in the Innovations 2005 Design and Engineering Showcase held in conjunction with this year’s CES — will allow FM stations to divide their broadcasts into multiple, distinct program streams, thereby increasing the diversity of content available to consumers.
iBiquity is exhibiting the latest HD Radio receivers and features in Booth N2437 at NAB.
About iBiquity Digital
iBiquity Digital is the sole developer and licenser of HD Radio technology in the U.S., which is transforming today’s AM and FM radio stations to digital, enabling radically upgraded sound, crystal-clear reception and new wireless data services. The company’s investors include 15 of the nation’s top radio broadcasters, including ABC, Clear Channel and Viacom; leading financial institutions, such as Grotech Capital Group, J.P. Morgan Partners, New Venture Partners, Pequot Capital and J&W Seligman; and strategic partners Ford Motor Company, Harris, Texas Instruments and Visteon. iBiquity, named one of Deloitte’s Fast 500 Companies, is a privately held company with operations in Columbia, MD, Detroit, MI, Belmont, CA and Warren, NJ. For more information please visit: www.ibiquity.com.
