CA&E: But if you combine satellite radio with iPod users, people using more and more multimedia handhelds...
PF: Actually the thing that concerns me the most is the cell phone. Radio is something you consume while you're doing something else. You're listening while you drive or at work. It's a companion. When you talk on the cell phone, that becomes an exclusive event. That particular device has got such ubiquitous coverage - especially while driving cars. You see people with their cell phones up to their ears all over. And they're not listening to the radio. That's a bigger concern than any other thing right now.
CA&E: You might have to lobby for the illegalization of cell phone use in the car.
PF: How about that! I doubt we would get to that. But I'll tell you what we will do. We're going to work hard over time to get HD Radio into cell phones.
CA&E: A key feature for HD Radio is multicasting. How many signals can a station broadcast?
PF: You can broadcast up to eight different channels. But every time you add a channel and you reduce the amount of bandwidth, it degrades the overall quality. Until the consumer gets used to the idea of HD, we're looking at doing a on-band broadcast of the analog format in digital followed by a secondary channel, HD 2 of new content and in some instances we'll do HD 3.
CA&E: What do broadcasters have to do to be able to broadcast HD? In Los Angeles we have some great local stations that we would like to see make the upgrade.
PF: First of all, it requires a substantial capital investment. It's in excess of $100,000 per radio station to switch it to digital. Probably more. You may require antenna or tower work or transmitter updates. L.A. is one of the markets on the fast-track to do it.
CA&E: How long before HD Radio has coverge in all the major urban areas?
PF: Keep in mind that there are other broadcast companies outside of the alliance that are also doing HD. But right now there are 3000 radio stations licensed; there are over 700 currently on the air. I think over time you will see everyone convert over to it. Of course the alliance members will be quicker. For instance, L.A. is pretty much rolled out, as far as alliance members are concerned.
CA&E: How extensive will the traffic and weather information be on HD Radio?
PF: It can be very extensive. That's one of the great things about HD Radio. It's more than just sound, it's also data. It can stream information, it can create an overlay of traffic plot points on a nav screen. Some different companies-I know that Clear Channel is involved in working that in an aggressive fashion. So there are opportunities for what they're calling a Buy Now button. If somebody was listening to the radio in their car and heard an ad or a song, they can hit the button and register their interest in buying a given product. There's a lot of future features that digital radio brings to the consumer beyond just great sound and more content.
CD
Marta Gomez
Entre Cada Palabra
Chesky Records
Rating: 1111r
Entre Cada Palabra (Between Each Word) is a beautiful collection of Latin folk tracks (with a jazz influence) by Co- lombian singer/song- writer Marta Gomez. The quality of the material is matched by the quality of the recording. Chesky states that it uses a single point mic to capture the music and the space in which its recorded, with no overdubs or compressors. It's a purist approach that pays off handsomely. This CD has a great live feel, accurately capturing the dynamics of Gomez's precise and clear vocals, the variegated acoustic guitar playing of Julio Santillan, the head-shaking drum and percussion work of Franco Pinna and Fernando Huergo's electric bass. The combination of diverse rhythms and folky, sometimes jazzy instrumental arrangements and Gomez's lovely voice make Entre Cada Palabra a great CD for repeat enjoyment and to audition your audio system.-Ben Oh