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| Sony XDRF1HD HD Radio Tuner | 
 enlarge | Brand: Sony
Category: CE
List Price: $99.95
Buy New: $78.07
You Save: $21.88 (22%)
New (16) Used (2) Refurbished (1) from $78.07
Avg. Customer Rating:  28 reviews
Sales Rank: 264
Color: BLACK
Media: Electronics
Autographed: No
Memorabilia: No
Shipping Weight (lbs): 2.7
Dimensions (in): 6.4 x 7.1 x 2.4
MPN: XDRF1HD
Model: XDRF1HD
UPC: 027242730304
EAN: 0027242730304
ASIN: B00168Q248
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
Great value August 8, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is just what it says it is. A great little tuner with "HD" capabilities. Easy to set up. Reception is better than I thought. 20 miles north of Boston and I get all but one of the HD stations in the area. My only gripe is that it doesn't save presets if you unplug it. Nonetheless, for $50 (after rebate) it is providing great value.
HD problems August 4, 2008
HD FM and AM requires a much stronger signal than their analog frequency mates. The FM HD sidebands are 30 dB lower in strength than the main analog carrier. Hence excellent indoor or outdoor FM specific antennas may be necessary to provide enough signal to enable the tuner to process the HD sidebands. AM HD is at least as bad plus it is very poor at night due to unpredictable nighttime propagation which may interfere with distant analog AM stations.
The Sony XDR-F1HD has been hightly regarded by the WTFDA* for its sensitivity, selectivity, and front-end overload resistance on FM. Its HD function reflects a questionably designed system (IBOC) that is the current standard for the US.
*Worldwide TV and FM DX Association.
 HD means Hybrid Digital NOT High definition!!!!! July 31, 2008
2 out of 4 found this review helpful
Pros : Compact, Looks good, Easy To Set Up
Cons : Cheap connectors (not gold), No digital output!, below average Reception, Compressed audio
For $50 after rebate this is a decent tuner (if you're looking simply for a stand alone FM tuner). However, the hype over "HD" radio is way overblown. HD means Hybrid digital NOT High Definition (high bit rate). I didn't learn this until after I made the purchase. Silly me, I just assumed that when it's advertised as "HD" radio and said to be CD quality.....
Unless you are seriously hearing impaired, there is NO WAY you'll agree the sound is "CD Quality". Sure, there is no static when you pick up an 'HD' channel, but the audio is so compressed (due to bandwidth issues obviously) that the increase in sound quality over FM is minimal at best. I work about 17 miles from the transmitter tower of the station I listen to most. This tuner will not pick up that signal in 'HD'. Yes--I checked and they DO broadcast in 'HD'. The straight FM signal is picked up and processed better through my $200 Harmon Kardon receiver's tuner, so even as a stand alone FM tuner, it's not worth it (to me). Until a True HD radio signal with a higher bit rate than even marginally sounding MP3s (160 kbs) is on the market - pass over this current phase of 'HD' radio from iBiquity. In my opinion, touting it's "CD Quality" sound verges on false advertising.
To the people who posted negative comments to other reviewers like myself, I'd just like to say that I'm not an audio snob. I had 4 different people in my office to listen to this and ALL of them said the difference between FM and the so called 'HD' signal (from the few 'HD' channels I did receive in suburban Minneapolis) was minimal.
I really feel like I ended up purchasing a $50 clock with a pretty blue LCD display.
Didn't work with any antenna at my house July 25, 2008
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
Got absolutely no AM, and few FM HD stations. A real disappointment. I returned it.
Very Unimpressed with HD July 19, 2008
2 out of 6 found this review helpful
In this case, HD may be better suited for "highly dodgy" than for "high definition." The reception is nowhere near CD quality and high definition it is not. The sound quality is hollow with echoes and periodic drops. Don't consider this an upgrade
I purchased this for my home office and just received it today with great anticipation. I'm a music lover that is always looking to expand my horizons without always having to shrink my wallet. I was hoping the HD radio stations would be high quality hidden gems and decided that it might be worth the price.
Pros:
- Straight forward setup - comparable to a clock radio
- It picks up the "HD" stations.
Cons:
- Below average radio sound quality for the digital stations.
- A cheap RCA patch cord isn't included (basic AM and FM antennas are).
- The unit runs hot - I do not understand
I will be spending more time with the HD stations trying to decide whether or not I return.
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