Car Audio Technology - Digital Media Receivers
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Have you ditched the whole CD phase already and moved on to completely digital music now? I guess the CD players aren’t much use to you. There is a new stereo emerging on the market, called a Digital Media Receiver. The biggest difference is that it doesn't include a CD player. This does save some cost and size, but doesn’t really provide many other features.
Some Boss receivers have built-in iPod docks. You don’t even need a cable to connect your iPod to your stereo. You push a button and the dock comes out from the receiver, into which you can put your iPod.
HD Radio
What about HD radio? I’m sure you have heard the ads promoting it. What is it, and is it better?
HD radio provides better quality radio. Think of it as similar to the TV signal change we went through not so long ago. HD radio can provide more stations and better quality, but you need a new receiver. Some receivers come standard with this, but many will require a $100 add on to be able to hear the HD stations.
I have an HD tuner in my stereo, and it does sound better. Unfortunately, right now there are few stations that have HD, and even fewer I would ever want to listen to. Of course this varies per your location (and tastes). I found a bunch of NPR and classical music stations listed.
While there is never any static, I do get some weaker signals where the music volume will play at a lot lower level than its physical setting. This is just as annoying as having static.
Honestly, if you’re on the fence, I say hold off. The idea hasn’t hit a home run yet, and isn’t catching on that fast. This may die out before it gets popular.
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