ROANOKE, Va—
You may have heard of something called HD radio and wondered what it is. There are a lot of misconceptions.
HD radio is not like satellite radio. You don't have to pay for a service. You just have to buy a HD radio. They start at about $170.
HD radio also isn't like HD (high definition) TV.
HD radio stands for hybrid digital radio.
It essentially gives you more choices. Take WROV Radio. It's main channel play classic rock. The HD channel plays alternative rock.
Steve Cross works for WROV. He told News 7 "it's a digital broadcast. It's like a stream that you would hear out of your computer in a lot of ways except it's far better quality."
HD radio is popular in big cities but hasn't exactly caught on in our area.
Audiotronics in Roanoke admits HD radio's aren't exactly flying off the shelves. Matt Hartberger told News 7 "they haven't caught on as we had hoped. They are doing better than they are in some cities. What is holding us back right now is our selection."
Just four radio stations in the Roanoke/Lynchburg market broadcast in HD. They are WROV, WJJS, K-92, and WVTF public radio.
