Sony, the receiver manufacturer with arguably the largest market share in this country, according to the HD Digital Radio Alliance, has introduced two HD Radio products.
The company says it plans a full line of HD Radio gear.
Sony has long been an Ibiquity licensee and says with its new HD Radio tabletop and car tuner, it has a “long-term commitment to developing and distributing a range of HD Radio-enabled consumer products over the next several years.”
Alliance President/CEO Peter Ferrara told RW Online, “Sony is the big dog” among receiver manufacturers with “tremendous manufacturing” capability and a strong retail distribution channel.
The AM/FM/HD table radio (model XDR-S3HD) features an auxiliary input jack and supplied cable to connect an external music device, a wireless remote control and clock radio features. It will be available in July for about $200 at retailers and www.sony.com.
The mobile HD Radio tuner (model XT-100HD) connects to most Sony head units. Many of Sony’s car stereos come with front aux-in and USB inputs, play MP3 CDs and are iPod and satellite radio-ready. The new tuner will be available in July 2007 for about $100.
The alliance will support the Sony launch with new ads, Ferrara said.
