Farewell HD Radio...

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

When I worked at Broadcast Data Systems ( 1999-2005 ) one of the stations I monitored was CHTZ out of Toronto. And due to the Canadian Content rules, holy smokes did I learn a LOTTA Canadian music.

St. Catherines. 97.7 It was (probably still is) a pretty good rock station. Listened to it a lot in the 90s.

 

[Channel98]

I have a CHTZ survey from November 7 1998 and Big Sugar's The Scene is #10. (Number one was Offspring's Pretty Fly For A White Guy). The Scene eventually went to number one on Canada's alternative rock chart. Big Sugar formed in 1988 in Toronto. They've released 29 singles, 11 studio albums and two live albums and continue to tour and record. Among their Canadian hits are Girl Watcher, Roads Ahead, Turn The Lights On, Diggin' A Hole, If I Had My Way and Better Get Used To It but they've never had any hits in the United States, not even on the mainstream rock chart or alternative rock chart. Why??? Here is The Scene. I think Gordie Johnson used the same cameramen that filmed The Blair Witch Project.

 

[Channel98]

Here is the survey. And yes, I'm assuming the songs are listed in rank order. Soft was a pick hit. Second Coming formed in 1990 in Los Angeles. Soft reached #16 on Billboard's mainstream rock chart.

 

[MonoStereo]

Big Sugar Diggin' A Hole

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall these years later, I still remember this title 100%. The other band I really remember getting a crash course in was The Tragically Hip ( as you'd expect ). Going in, I knew ZERO of their songs. Eventually, I bet I knew 2 dozen or so.

 

[machpost]

Unfortunately most of the subchannel programming on HD Radio in my area is pretty useless and sounds terrible due to its low bitrate, but where the format really helps is with eliminating multi-path interference when you're surrounded by tall buildings. My local NPR affiliate sounds terrible in my apartment until it locks on to the digital signal.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

Unfortunately most of the subchannel programming on HD Radio in my area is pretty useless and sounds terrible due to its low bitrate, but where the format really helps is with eliminating multi-path interference when you're surrounded by tall buildings. My local NPR affiliate sounds terrible in my apartment until it locks on to the digital signal.

There is spot in my parking garage where it loses the HD and switches to analog. The sound difference is very noticeable. A lot more noticeable switching to XM during commercial breaks too.

 

[scotchandcigar]

There is spot in my parking garage where it loses the HD and switches to analog. The sound difference is very noticeable.

When they started broadcasting Boston area radio stations in HD, I'd be listening on my way to work in the north suburbs, and it was constantly switching. It didn't take long before I had to shut-off the auto HD on the radio, and just listen to regular-D.

 

[IdRatherBeSkiing]

When they started broadcasting Boston area radio stations in HD, I'd be listening on my way to work in the north suburbs, and it was constantly switching. It didn't take long before I had to shut-off the auto HD on the radio, and just listen to regular-D.

So far this is the only place that does. No issues under overpasses, by buildings and other areas where XM will drop out.

I have notice if I pause it (a nice feature if going through a drive thru), my playback is in standard def not HD.

 

[HecticArt]

Sometimes when I rent a car for work and start scanning stations, I'll get the "HD Signal" notification on the screen and it reminds me that HD radio is still a thing.