Blessed with a tin ear, I am immune to technological leaps like high-definition radio.
To me, high-tech is a CD of a 1935 recording by Django Reinhardt. But I keep reading that HD Radio from iBiquity Digital Corp., the sole developer of the technology, is sweeping the nation. I believe it, but not in my car.
While the signal is free, the receiver is not. Get this: An HD receiver for your car can cost between $500 and $1,000. I’d sooner turn up my crummy old analog radio to Extra Loud.
A lot of Colorado stations are already in high definition. The latest to join the revolution is Crawford Broadcasting, which owns six stations here, including the all-sports KLZ 560-AM. Three of its AM stations will flip to HD in late September.
The digital signal for both AM and FM has been described as “a tremendous technological leap.” But why do I need it? “AM sounds like FM, that’s why,” said Cris Alexander, Crawford director of engineering. “FM sounds like CD. There’s no static, no fading, no crackles, no flutter. It’s way better.”
For now, the technology is way ahead of the programming. “We have this great six-lane highway to nowhere,” in Alexander’s words. There are only 314 HD stations nationwide but another 2,000 waiting in the wings. There are many wonders to come – stock tickers, sports information, even a buy-now feature where, if you hear a song you like, you can punch up a purchase order.
“It’s the future of radio, and it’s here now,” Alexander enthused.
Going for No. 700
He’s closing in on Art Linkletter.
“Hollywood One on One,” Scott Patrick’s stargazing interview show, is turning 14. The show doesn’t appear on American TV but is on in more than 100 countries. He’s taping his 700th show this week.
Patrick figures he’s done 12,000 interviews for “One on One.” His toughest? “I don’t think Tommy Lee Jones will be at the 700th celebration. I don’t know how Al Gore got along with him.”
Around the dial
Dom Testa, morning man at KIMN 100.3-FM, leads a writing workshop for teens at 1 p.m. Friday at Smoky Hill Library. Testa’s first novel, “Galahad 1: The Comet’s Curse,” was published recently. Reservations, 303-693-7449 … Moneybags: The automotive industry is expected to spend $33.5 billion on advertising in 2005-06 … Prominent television executive Xernona Clayton headlines the fundraising dinner for Denver Community TV at the Denver Marriott Tech Center on July 27. Info at 303-295-4040, ext. 10 … Quotable: “If people want to hear prehistoric Hungarian folk music, that’s great, they have a place for that.” – Paul Cannell, Citadel Communications, on satellite radio.
Dick Kreck’s column appears Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. He may be reached at 303-820-1456 or dkreck@denverpost.com.
