HD Radio(TM) Receivers Bust the $100 Barrier Creating Even More Value for
Consumers
Affordable Home, Office and Automotive Units Now Available from Coby, iLuv,
JVC, Pioneer, Radiosophy and Sony
COLUMBIA, Md., July 9 /PRNewswire/ -- iBiquity Digital Corporation, the
developer of digital HD Radio(TM) technology for AM and FM broadcasting, today
announced that the all-important $100 price point for HD Radio receivers has
been smashed. The new under $100 HD Radio devices from Coby, iLuv, JVC,
Pioneer, Radiosophy and Sony will see home, office and automotive uses. The
latest prices represent a 30 percent reduction compared to a year ago. In that
same time frame, HD Radio receivers have added a spate of new and exclusive
features, including iTunes(R) Tagging, providing consumers with a unique radio
experience.
"This price point brings the superior performance of HD Radio receivers
with attractive functionality to a much broader audience," said Bob Struble,
President and CEO of iBiquity Digital. "Having world-class device
manufacturers throw their support behind HD Radio broadcasting, and bring
devices of this outstanding quality to the retail market at such an affordable
price is yet another signal of the mainstream interest in the technology."
Just as impressive, many of the same top manufacturers are offering home,
office and automotive units for under $200. Coby, Dual, iLuv, Insignia, Jensen
and Sony have new receivers between the compelling prices of $119 and $179.95,
some of which include iTunes Tagging, iPod docks and iPhone compatibility.
With the marriage of a reasonable price tag and a multitude of
functions/services, the value proposition for consumers just keeps getting
better!
Developed by iBiquity and supported by the leaders of the broadcasting,
consumer electronics, retail and automotive industries, HD Radio technology is
a significant advance in radio broadcasting. HD Radio broadcasts are available
to 83 percent of Americans and more than 1,700 HD Radio stations are already
on the air with over 800 new FM multicast channels (HD2/HD3) that are
exclusive to HD Radio listeners -- all subscription free.
Beyond additional free channels, high-quality sound, and premium
location-based services, iBiquity, Apple(R) iTunes(R) and radio broadcasting
groups have joined forces to create the newest mass-consumer service enabled
by and exclusive to HD Radio technology called "iTunes Tagging." iTunes
Tagging allows consumers to "Tag" songs heard on the radio with the touch of a
button. The song information is transferred and stored in an iPod when cradled
to an HD Radio receiver. The next time the iPod is synced to iTunes, the
tagged songs will appear as a list, which can be previewed, purchased and
downloaded. Hear it. Tag it. Download it. Never forget it!
The abovementioned component tuners, along with other HD Radio receivers
for the home, office, and car, are conveniently listed in a buyer's guide
accessible at http://www.hdradio.com/buyers_guide.php. The selection for HD
Radio units has been growing at a rapid pace, with more than 60 unique models
now available from manufacturers that include Polk Audio, Dual, JBL, Alpine,
Kenwood, Jensen, JVC, and many more. Program selection has also been
increasing at a steady rate, with multicast formats that can only be heard
with an HD Radio device, spanning formats from "Local Rock" to "Chick Rock,"
and from "Pre-Beatles Oldies" to "Punk Young Alternative."
About iBiquity Digital Corporation
iBiquity Digital Corporation is the developer of the HD Radio(TM) system,
which allows AM and FM stations to broadcast digital signals in tandem with
their analog signals. This new technology provides broadcasters with a
platform to offer crystal-clear, CD-quality sound as well as scrolling text
and graphics. The additional digital signal enables multiple channels of
programming on the same FM frequency (multicasting) and advanced services such
as traffic updates. Over 1,700 HD Radio stations are now on the air, offering
additional content via more than 800 subscription-free multicast channels.
Inspired by its ability to deliver digital quality sound and services while
leveraging existing analog spectrum, HD Radio technology is now being tested
or adopted in many countries around the world, including Brazil, Canada,
China, Germany, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland,
Switzerland and Thailand. For more information, please visit
http://www.hdradio.com and http://www.ibiquity.com.
Note to editors: The "HD" in HD Radio(TM) is part of iBiquity Digital's
brand name for its advanced digital AM/FM system. It does not mean hybrid
digital or high-definition digital; both of these are incorrect.
PRODUCT INFORMATION GUIDE
The following is a sample of the growing HD Radio receiver segment that
offers superior performance at consumer-friendly prices:
UNDER $100
Home/Office Receivers
-- Coby's HDR-650 is a palm-sized, tube-shaped model with a
brushed-aluminum chassis and RCA outputs to existing stereo systems that is
coming out this summer for the incredible price of $99.
-- iLuv's i168 has an MSRP of $99.99 and features a digital clock and date
display with dual alarm function in addition to all of the standard benefits
of all HD Radio devices.
-- The compact Radiosophy HD100 unit features an MP3 input, standard clock
radio functions and HD-exclusive scanning option to help consumers choose
among the clearest stations available for $99.
-- Compatible with virtually all audio systems, Sony is offering its
lowest priced tuner, the XDR-F1HD, at only $99.99. The unit, which includes a
wireless remote control, is currently available at retail.
Automotive Receivers
-- The JVC KT-HD300, with an attractive price point of $99, is compatible
within the new lineup of in-dash units and adds HD Radio tuning to all JVC HD
Radio Ready receivers.
-- Priced at just $99, Pioneer's GEX-P10HD is a hideaway module that is
designed to receive high-quality HD Radio broadcasts that connects through the
Pioneer head unit's IP-BUS interface.
-- The Sony XT-100HD is a super valued $99 automotive tuner module that
includes high fidelity FM/AM Digital Radio with HD Radio technology and will
work with most Sony car stereo units.
UNDER $200
Home/Office Receivers
-- This summer, Coby will introduce the HDR-700, a battery-powered,
portable tabletop unit coming in at $149, which provides up to five hours of
play time, a remote and a splash-proof case.
-- The iLuv i169 takes the superior quality of HD Radio technology and not
only incorporates a digital clock display with dual alarm function, but also
an iPod dock for the moderate price of $169.99.
-- With a MSRP of $149.99, the Jensen JiMS-525i is a fully-equipped,
aggressively-priced speaker system with FM and AM HD Radio tuning, video-out
functionality, and iTunes Tagging. It is the first unit to feature iPhone
compatibility in addition to standard iPod compatibility.
-- Combining high fidelity HD Radio technology and an iPod docking
station, Sony's XDR-S10HDiP with iTunes Tagging will be the first tabletop
radio of its kind from the manufacturer when it hits the market this summer at
$179.95.
Automotive Receivers
-- Built-in HD Radio reception with CD and MP3 playback and the
convenience of a detachable faceplate: that's the Dual XHD6420 receiver at an
MSRP of $119.00.
-- Insignia's NS-C5112 in-dash CD deck with detachable faceplate features
a built-in HD Radio tuner and CD and MP3 playback for an MSRP of $119.00.
SOURCE iBiquity Digital Corporation
Vicki Stearn of iBiquity Digital, +1-443-539-4345, stearn@ibiquity.com; or
Matthew Levison, levison@braincomm.com, or Nancy Zakhary, nancy@braincomm.com,
both of Brainerd Communicators for iBiquity Digital, +1-212-986-6667
