Insignia NS-HD01 portable HD radio hands-on and impressions
By Darren Murph 
posted Jul 17th 2009 5:34PM
posted Jul 17th 2009 5:34PM
_103x88.jpg)
_103x88.jpg)
_103x88.jpg)
_103x88.jpg)
_103x88.jpg)
For $49.99, you get the player itself, a few instruction manuals, a bundled set of lackluster earbuds and a decent enough black armband. As you could probably guess from the brand name, the unit is being sold exclusively in Best Buy stores and through BestBuy.com. We've had the device in our possession for a few days now, and we have to say -- unless you're a huge, huge fan of listening to FM radio over your own library of tracks, we're not exactly sure why you should take interest.
As for build quality, we'd say the definitely-plastic device is just fine for what it is, though the glossy black coating attracts fingerprints in the worst way. Also, the player is "small" compared to the alternative of slinging an HD Radio boombox over your left shoulder like it's 1989, but it's definitely not diminutive compared to other portable FM players (and especially not portable DAPs). Placed beside Sony's newest E-series Walkman, the unit looks ginormous. And incredibly enough, there seems to be an expanse of wasted space; sure, there are few tiny buttons, a couple of rocker switches on the side and a 1.5-inch color LCD, but there's certainly a lot of free space on the exterior as well. The top-mounted 3.5 millimeter headphone jack was nicely placed, and the microUSB charging port is definitely welcome.
We must say, however, that the buttons and display were somewhat lacking. For a $50 device, we can't say we'd expect much more, but seriously -- this LCD is one of the poorest ones our eyes have seen on a portable device. The panel looks remarkably washed out, with its only saving grace being that it's fairly readable even in direct sunlight. In practice, the "Seek" function worked stupendously well, skipping over stations with an annoying amount of hiss and locking into stations that had a decent enough signal to warrant a listen. The reception signal indicator was also rather accurate, and in our testing, the device did a respectable job of holding tight to the HD Radio signal or the FM signal instead of switching in and out.
As for the sound quality? Not bad, not bad at all. HD Radio channels sounded markedly better than standard FM stations, and the radio information text was always on-screen just moments after we locked in. We definitely missed the inclusion of AM radio (hey, we love the local sports talk guys -- what can we say?), but those who know of a few solid HD Radio stations in the area will definitely enjoy the sound. We won't go so far as to say that HD Radio jams matched "CD quality," but it was certainly close enough for a $50 device that you can strap onto your arm whilst running.
If you're asking us if we'd recommend this over, say, an even cheaper MP3 player, we'd have to say no. Who wants to deal with Ryan Seacrest and endless commercials when you can carry a smaller, cheaper device loaded up with tracks you actually care about? If you're really into HD Radio and just have to have it in a portable form, this is absolutely your only option -- and a fine one, at that -- but we can't honestly see this thing doubling up the amount of folks in America who tune in HD Radio (or radio at all, really) on a daily basis.
Eh, this looks like something ill eventually want.
Completely lame product. Why do you need a color display for track information if the product ONLY does HD radio??? It's unnecessary, and overly expensive. This is a lame attempt at making the scam of HD radio look better. Sure it's a digital signal, but jeez... do your research people. All of the radio stations that went HD are getting SKROOOOOD!
The Zune has always done what this does, so your article is WRONG when it says this is your ONLY option for portable HD radio.
Jeez, seriously, enidiot, I mean Engagnet... I mean Engagdget... fix your comments section already. Do you just like to hear people bitch?
So yeah. I already tried to reply... and I said that the newer Zune has HD radio, making this "new" product obsolete. Have a nice day.
Uhhh, none of the current Zunes have HD Radio, only FM. Only the new Zune HD coming out in the fall with have HD Radio.
I wish my 16GB Zune had HD Radio...and what's with all these devices with radios never having AM, especially with the sound quality bump with HD Radio. I would love to listen to some baseball or basketball games while I am running in the evening.
I thought so as well until I bought a first generation Slacker 4GB for $56 shipped on Ebay today. That cured me of this dilemma...
@ GadgetGeek the slacker G1 is great! be sure to run a sync to download the new firmware before starting to sync stations tho.
It does look interesting, too bad I can't get it in Britain, i don't think.
http://answermylife.wordpress.com/
Note that HD Radio is Hybrid Digital - not High Definition. The encoding is 96kbps, so perhaps not that much step up from those 96kbps mp3s after all...
From what I've read on Wiki it uses an HE-AAC based audio codec, so the quality should be very good in comparison to a 96kbps MP3. Heck, with a good encoder 64~70kbps HE-AAC sounds like 128kbps MP3 material.
FM is somewhere between telephone and cassette tape quality. Even a low (96 kbps) quality mp3 would be a step up.
Another fact to keep in mind: many stations are multicasting HD, which cuts down the quality. My station is transmitting 2 48kbps streams. That said, HE-AAC is an incredible codec, and even 48kbps sounds better than FM - although it is a bit of an apples and oranges comparison.
Cool, pretty much every single grip they had(minus the ads on HD radio, obviously) is solved in the Zune HD. Can't wait.
Gripe, damn it! Gripe!
Who cares about HD radio? Any form of terrestrial radio is absolute garbage.
You must be a fan of that worthless, bankrupt crap known as "satellite radio." Which one do you have? No matter, they're the same company now. Yay for choices!!!
You must conflicted with terrestial repeaters used to extend the range of otherwise worthless satellite radio in even moderate cover like a simple parking garage.
If I had an aux input on my stereo I'd probably use this on my commute to work since I listen to a morning talk show, but other than that it'd be useless to me.
the word Radio on the front looks really close to the logo for "Radio Shack"
I hardly ever listen to the crap music on the radio these days. I'm perfectly happy with AM sports radio and NPR news. OK, there is one station I still listen to in FM..KUSC 91.5 (so-so classical music station.) Too bad KMOZART 105.1(Best classical music station in L.A.) got sold to a damn country music station.
I cant bare NPR propoganda and their affiliates' beggathon in my region, my hd radio has BBC piggy backed on the NPR channel which I can escape to from time to time for a little different source of propoganda
No AM tuner? They are aware that there is such a thing as AM HD radio, right? Most of the major AM stations in the NYC area are HD now.
HD Radio is inane. 90% of the time you're in an environment where the differences between "hd" and "normal" are inaudible. And 97% of the time terrestrial radio content sucks.
Sorry, boys, I ain't ever *paying* for HD Radio. Maybe if it is already in a device, fine, but even then if I can buy an HD version and non-HD for less you know which way I'll lean.
Good thing for the Zune HD then eh?
Hate to burst your bubble in a sense... but this whole HD Radio hype, and griping about "paying for something that should be free/included" is heard every decade...
I bet rewinding back to the 70s/80s (don't ask me... I am too young for that) and people would give you the death-state for a Walkman... something any young person back then would get a hard-on to have.
Now... they're all sitting in a drawer collecting dust somewhere.
Give HD Radio some time as well, its gonna head the same path... but whining about having to pay for the device? Geez...
Battery life?
I bought one yesterday. My living room (ground level) and family room (below ground) have good-quality audio receivers that don't get FM worth diddly. Hooked this unit up using a mini-plug-to-RCA cable and WHAM! room-filling, no-static, FM. Good-bye rabbit ears antenna that only let me hear static. If you're the other guy on the planet who enjoys FM content, it's $50 well spent. Plus, the arm strap also fits my iPod.
It's nice to hear someone actually stick up for something for once. How many here have actually listened to HD Radio? I've had it in my car now for a few years and have to say that the sound quality is a marked improvement over standard FM. Add to that the availability of alternate broadcasts from the same station and it really offers a nice option for those uninterested in satellite radio.
I will be buying this tomorrow. The Ticket is barely a 5000w AM station in DFW. They have an FM signal, but it's way too weak as well. Lucky for me they have an HD channel too. After 15 years I'm finally going to be able to listen to my favorite station without the buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!
although I'm fan of radio and welcome digital radio (I hate the word HD Radio), I'm not sure if this $50 portable toy is good investment to the living room... there are much better non-portable HD radios out there (for example Sony XDRF1HD HD Radio for less than $85 if you plan to add it to home stereo system) plus I would personally shoot for internet radio instead (that's just my personal preference in the living room).
what is this thing? a portable radio?
the 1960s called, they want their gadgets back
A portable HD radio, meaning it get significantly better sound quality and each station can have multiple sub-channels with different songs on each on(if you don't like a song on one you can try the next one) along with song tags and possibility for itunes tags for buying songs(or, in the case of the Zune HD, zune marketplace tags)
I use the HD box Alpine makes available for my tuner and while there are only 4 commercial free HD2 stations worth listening to, I really like it. It has great sound with outstanding bass. Most stations in town here are HD at the very least, so I'm looking forward to the new HD2 channels when they roll them out. Some posters (presumably on Meth) that say all terrestrial radio sucks haven't been paying attention because this is a winner. Sat radio is not listenable with a decent audio system. It's like listening to a poorly recorded cassette tape. A 20 dollar radio used by an employee at work sounds acceptable.
I picked one up and returned it in less than one hour.
It felt like a cheap childs toy.
I got 1 HD station in New Hampshire.
The other stations would break up if the signal was low.
Really didn't sound good otherwise.
If they offered it for like $15.99 they might have something
oh ya, the display stinks!
I get it, people listen to radio on the go. But does the device have to be so... ugly? I normally bite my tongue when it comes to aesthetics, but why does this gadget have to look like a glossy version a Rio Diamond MP3 player from 12 years ago? Do matte plastics and discrete logos cost that much more to make?
Give me AM/FM/HD in one unit and you've got a sale. I'd rather my iPhone and Pod do it, but that is one of their greatest failures.
I am personally just going to get a ZuneHD. As much as I like my own tracks, sometimes I just wanna listen to the radio, and HD radio in my area has some great Indie stations. A standalone player though... not so much. ZuneHD should be awesome.
Peruse, not pursue.
That is all.
Allow me to rephrase... The NEWER Zune has an HD radio tuner. Like more than 6 months ago. I bought my daughter one of the little ones, pink no less, and it has HD radio. So, to clarify, you are STILL WRONG.
No, that has FM radio, with RDS track information. The RDS probably has you confused.
Sorry to burst your bubble, but even Microsoft does not agree with your statement.
"REDMOND, Wash. — May 26, 2009 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the evolution of Zune, the company’s end-to-end music and entertainment service, to a new platform and new markets. Zune will extend its video service to Xbox LIVE internationally this fall. This marks an important development in the Zune strategy and brings the Zune brand to more than 17 million international Xbox LIVE subscribers. In addition, Microsoft confirmed the next generation of the Zune portable media player, Zune HD. Available in the U.S. this fall, Zune HD is the first portable media player that combines a built-in HD Radio receiver, high-definition (HD) video output capabilities, organic light-emitting diode (OLED) touch screen, Wi-Fi and an Internet browser."
http://www.zune.net/en-us/press/2009/0526-zunehd.htm
I'm going to send my kid to school with this radio and a Peek email device... he's going to get all the hot nerdy girls.
1. hideous.
2. enormous.
3. overpriced.
4. huge glossy display probably kills battery life.
5. logo stolen from radio shack.
i do listen to some radio programs (mostly the evening news) but not enough to justify buying this monster. almost everything is podcast now, with the exception of morning DJs-- and i consider that a blessing.
FM is still alive.
Too bad Apple REFUSES to include an FM tuner in the iPods!
Why no AM tuners (for sports) or baseball games broadcast in FM??!
Either way, radio is still around, like it or not.
Apple won't put an FM tuner in an iPod because if you can get fresh music free over-the-air competes with you buying music from them. Just a guess.
Maybe I'm too far down in the comments but isn't there HD AM and HD FM? If so does this unit have only HD FM? The only real reason that the radio remote for my iPod is really worth it is because the local NPR station is on the FM band.
You do live in New Hampshire afterall. I heard you just got indoor plumbing there.
god damn trolls.... who cares about how well the Zune HD will be... even though you have no idea considering it didn't come out yet
I came very close to buying this today because of the low price. Then I checked the hd radio website for my city and I didn't feel like I'd be gaining that much more valuable content. And I'm not that picky about sound quality, as long as it's not staticky. And I'm kinda glad -- the font used in the UI looks like the DOS font complete with the slash through the zero. Geez, people, license or borrow a decent font -- Arial at least! And the UI generally looks cheesy.
Interesting how many people, even people with presumed gadget interest, have convinced themselves that HD Radio is inherently superior to FM.
FM radio, if you're lucky enough to have a good source (meaning live music) is the highest fidelity medium available to home users: better than CD, SACD, LP, even professional open reel tape. HD is compressed sound that has all of its juice extracted. Get the difference?
If you can't, it's because your FM radio was made to the same crappy standard as the HD Radio. It's true that brain dead FM engineers process the sound to within a inch of its life, but I wouldn't assume they're providing a cleaner feed to the HD transmitter.
"It's true that brain dead FM engineers process the sound to within a inch of its life, but I wouldn't assume they're providing a cleaner feed to the HD transmitter."
It's not us FM engineers... It's the program directors who whine to the managers who force us to squeeze the life out of the audio. Because, after all, the loudest station on the dial always wins, right? NOT!
FWIW - HD radio is a solution looking for a problem.
I would buy this if it had AM.
Aside from the colour screen, it looks straight outta '98.
Just the name Insignia instantly turns me off, but even that aside I'm still saving up for the Zune HD.
Now if only I had a job that payed more than $30 a week!
Where is that totally awesome gloss???
This is great! Now I can listen to commercials with much better sound quality. Sat Radio is the way to go, and the article above doesn't even mention it. Instead it mentiones iPod?
Hmmm. I guess Cnet, has a financial interest in HD radio.
How about a portable tv to get local stations, can anyone make that?
I like tv on my phone, but the channel selection is very limited and everything is repeat after repeat.
HD radio, really, who cares, it's full of commercials and it's always the same songs, portable Sirius is the only way to go.
You're right, the worst part about HD radio is that you have to listen to commercials FOR HD Radio. It's pretty frustrating that HD Radio stations broadcast commercials that say "If you had HD Radio you would have access to new stations!" There's no content difference between an analogue station and it's HD counterpart... and that sucks.
does anyone know if this can be plugged into a car radio via a 3.5mm cord?
Yeah, absolutely it can. Just get a 3.5mm-to-3.5mm cable and plug it into your head unit's aux input jack.
Is this thing worth it? Can anyone pick up HD commercial stations that play more than 10 minutes of music an hour? I'm glad I got surprised that I radio I installed in my car has A2DP because HD radio is a joke.
Very interesting device.
ToddDiroberto
http://www.prwebphotowire.com/releases2/imid1448864.htm?id=1448864&prid=2437704
http://www.docstoc.com/search/Degrassi-The-Next-Generation-Episodes-Online/
http://www.newsguide.us/art-entertainment/movies/
I hope this is not a bad sign but mine seems to have died last Friday after only a week and a half. When I plugged it in to recharge it the screen came on for a few moments and then nothing. It will not turn on and it will not charge. I am very disappointed because it is not in stock at my local Best Buy. Has anyone else had this happen?
I'm glad I checked out a review first. I have no need for FM, I have a better collection of music myself. I needed a portable radio with AM hd capability. I live just a little too far away from L.A. to reliably pick up KLAC and KSPN. I was hoping hd radio would improve this situation. I miss my sports coverage.