HD Radio in our 2010's?

No.

 

The only option for you at the moment would be to swap out the factory radio, and install a HD Radio tuner.

Now, while I have not yet heard HD radio, I have heard that all it really does is take the crap that is broadcast on terrestrial radio and make it sound like crap in higher definition. Satellite radio still has much better, and more varied content.

HD Radio still broadcasts the same type of content that you can find on terrestrial radio, which is still boring, and causing folks to leave the Radio dial in favor or iTunes, SiriusXM, or streaming internet radios.

 

Hey, to each his own. If HD Radio is your thing, well more power to you. Personally though it seems like the answer to a question no one's asking. People didn't embrace iPods and other music player because of poor sound quality on FM. They embraced iPods because of repetitive commercials, anonymous announcers, and more than anything ... the "product" that comes from the music industry, some of which I would hesitate to call music.

 

Visteon sells a portable unit called the "HD Jump". I had this in my car before I got my 2010 Prius (a Saturn Vue). There is a bracket in which you slide in the unit. This bracket is hooked into the car's antenna. Then you can either plug the radio into your head unit via a mini stereo plug or pick up the signal via a FM transmitter (included). There is also a home bracket which can be plugged into you home stereo ... so when not in you car you can listen at home.
I also listen to my iPod in my car ... better sound. However, my local NPR station is broadcast on AM ... in a HD radio, AM quality is equivalent to FM quality on a regular radio ... and FM is equivalent to CD quality. Plus ... many FM stations will broadcast in several signals ... and because of the new technology, some of these multicasts are commercial free. The sound quality is much superior to satellite.
HD is a nice alternative ...

 

Here is the link for it:

http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Global-Technologies-HDP250-Jump/dp/B000PCM18C

 

OK, sorry to jump on your post like this, I promise I'm not trying to pick on you, just want to clarify some things.

There is a very interesting option from Kenwood, KOS A300, which gives you a USB port for less than the factory USB upgrade (+/- $210.00), is iPod ready, and allows you to connect Kenwood's HD Tuner (+/- 100.00 add'l). The whole thing connects through the AUX input and has its own 5-line screen (variable color!) and control wheel. Actually really neat! I know, it's not cheap... I had a Dual CD/HD Tuner/USB headunit that cost me under $100, but this option does keep the factory look and can be moved to another car so you don't lose the investment.

If you haven't heard it... how can you be so sure? I have had HD in my previous car and I promise you I would not trade it for satellite. There are many more channels (almost twice as many) on the HD dial as on the regular FM and the same station can have very different content from one of their channels to another. There are also substantially fewer or no commercials on the HD-only channels. Check for availability in your area. Miami/Ft Laud. has good availability.

 

Where I'm located (Minneapolis), the sat radio sounds awful. There is also maybe 20 channels I can receive, and that is intermittent at best. The HD radio stations available locally are excellent and numerous. Plus you don't have to pay ridiculous charges to listen. My 2010 III came with free satellite radio for I don't know how long. The dealer didn't tell it was there, and the owners manual said nothing. I really want to swap it out for HD. I was complaining to my wife about it the first time she was in the car and I reminded her that it's not controlled by the FCC. I switched it on to show her the crappy quality and the first word out of the speakers was "nigg*#." She was less than pleased.

 

We have a Sony model XDR-F1HD hooked to our home stereo that is fantastic and has recieved top reviews in HD Radio forums for pulling in weak stations. I also get several channels with no ads so it is like SAT radio in that regard only free.

Sony makes an automobile version, model XT-100HD for $150. I am thinking about getting one once my intro SAT subscription expires. The XT-100HD plugs into the SAT port near as I can tell from the on-line description but don't know for sure. I will post here once I make the leap. HD radio is the way to go if you live in an urban market. Many secondary stations to choose from for free without the SAT $$$.

 

Unfortunately, the XT-100HD requires a Sony head unit.

As far as HD goes, I think it's great. High quality sound, more channels (including some like all-comedy, etc.). To each his own, but I will not be paying for satellite. I use a $50 Best Buy (Insignia) portable HD Radio unit plugged into the AUX port for now, until someone comes out with a decent add-on for the SAT port.