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Digital radios we will have whether we like it or not. At present the price far exceeds the value. The hifi concept is a bit of an overkill and really only produces an advantage to those who believe it is better.
The noise reduction quality will be great but remember you will need a satisfactory S/N ratio for reliable reception. This will give a lot of bother with portable operation until all the cold spots are filled with repeater transmitters as there will be either good reception or none.
When it comes to streaming radio over the internet, that is already available and is digital in anycase and will only be really satisfactory on a large scale with high speed internet and unlimited down loads. Ipods/Ipads are already in the same boat.
Incidently the direct digital broadcast I imagine will be a continuos stream whereas the internet variety is by packets at a much higher bit rate.
You may think I am a sceptic but being involved with radio/radar/Tv communication for 60 years I love the new technology but believe there will be a lot of disappointment and anger from the general public due to problems that will need to be addressed in the first 10 years of it.
I think a satisfactory price for a basic unit should be around $15 but that won't come for a while yet. I will most certainly have one when they reach that price or near to it.
Barry
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