Analog tuners in the digital age

I've been listening to the MusicChoice channels on Time Warner Digital Cable for about 2 years now. The sound quality is simply amazing, and there are no commercials.

I'm wondering if this is a 'preview' into the HD Radio. I spoke to a guy at DaySequarra and he informed me that HD Radio broadcasts at 44.1 kHz. The new DaySequarra has a digital out where you can feed your DAC. So they are simply using the air waves to broadcast the digital signal.

Now go back to MusicChoice on Time Warner Cable, digital cable that is. I'm sure they are simply streaming a 44.1 kHz signal over Time Warner's digital cable distribution network. I wonder what kind of digital signal, if any, comes out of my cable box for the Music Choice channels? I'm currently using the simple 2 channal RCA out.

We are talking about the same thing here, just different means of delivery.

What I've been able to do is use my Apogee Digital BigBen digital clock as a 'digital switch' between different devices such as my DVD player, CD Transport and a Windows based music server. I still have 1 additional AES/EBU input that is open for another future device. The BigBen has a temendous improvement in sound reclocking the digital signal that feeds my DAC.

Don't get me wrong, I love analog radio. I'm stunned by the transparency when listening to a live or taped classical FM broadcast, it's really impressive. I hope we don't loose that when switching to HD Radio.

David I agree with you about politicians. They are addicted to spending our money on something so they can have a building named after them. I will check out a digital to analog device and see if I can integrate it into my system just to see what happens to the signal with various tuners.

Don't underestimate the tenacity of public servants(what an ironic name), to interfere in our lives. We in the UK and Europe have had 2nd rate, DAB radio forced on us for years. Analogue radio and TV is due to be stopped around 2008-14, whether we like it or not and we don't. Rather a case, if it a'int broke, fix it anyway. I cling to my Creek T50(best value little analogue tuner you will find) in my HiFi system and have a DAB tuner in the kitchen.
I have a great idea, why don't we pay politicians to do nothing and fine them if they change anything. This is rather like the chinese system of paying Doctors when you are well and stop when you are ill, a very wise race the Chinese. Politicians I am sure have this feeling they are not doing a good job if they are not tinkering.

I agree with Sugarbrie; and I work in the television industry. Congress is mostly interested in converting the TV broadcast system from analog to digital so they can auction off the current TV spectrum for BILLIONS OF DOLLARS. I have heard little to convince me that digital radio is going to go anywhere soon. The few receivers I've seen are expensive - lots more than the average radio listener will usually part with. And frankly since I already get XM Radio through my DirectTV system and have two great MacIntosh tuners to get first rate AM & FM - why should I invest a dime in a technology that I suspect few are listening to.
I suspect there are lots of audiophiles who will agree.

Slim Devices makes a Digital to analog device to go from your computer to the amp so if radio ever goes totally digital then a converter will probably be avaliable

Makes sense to me Sugarbrie.

Is there a converter for radio that currently exits for digital to analog broadcast signals?

How many people do you know who have digital radios (not counting satellite)? If people won't buy them, then analog will be around for a long time. Even new cars still come with analog radios.

It is possible, that if most urban areas become one big broadband hotspot, then people will get their music that way, and digital radio will become obsolete before it even starts.

Broadband radio if it comes could even kill off satellite. Remember you heard it here first..

We have one local station who broadcasts in digital. They also still broadcast in analog. I wonder if they really have any digital listeners.

They keep pushing back the deadline for cutting off analog TV, because the public is not buying the new TV sets in enough volume. Besides, with cable and satellite so readily available, who cares about digital broadcast television anyway.

They even put a bill through congress to give everyone a $250 voucher paid by the government to purchase digital converters for analog TV's, in the hope it will of help kill off analog at some point (date uncertain).

Analog radio will likely go away someday, but I don't see a firm date at this point. The analog broadcast equipment is all bought and paid for. Besides the money in radio is in the advertising. If the ears for advertisers are mostly still on analog so will be the stations.