HD Radio™ - limitations
Certain factors may limit HD radio reception.
Limitations
- Main channel vs. sub-channels (FM only): The main channel is the only channel that can receive in hybrid mode (both digital and analogue). If a frequency has sub-channels, they are broadcast in digital mode only. The main FM channel will be displayed as, for example, 93.9 WNYC (Volvo uses the symbol ">" to indicate there are sub-channels available) The sub-FM channels will be displayed as 93.9 – 2 WNYC, 93.9 - 3 WNYC, etc.
- Reception coverage area: Due to current IBOC transmitter power limitations, the reception coverage area in digital mode is somewhat more limited than the station's analogue coverage area. Please be aware that as with any radio broadcast technology, terrain, time of day, foliage level and building location can have positive or negative effects on radio reception.
- Analogue to digital/digital to analogue blending: Analogue to digital blending will occur as the signal strength reaches a preset threshold in the receiver. This will be noticeable in fringe areas (areas with weak reception) and is normal.
Note
There may be a noticeable difference in sound quality when a change from analogue to digital or digital to analogue occurs, such as:
- Volume increase or decrease
- Equalizer settings, i.e., Bass/ Midrange/Treble cut or boost
- Time alignment (Digital program material in extreme cases can be as much as 8 seconds behind the analogue). This will noticeable as a "stuttering" effect.
The above items are dependant on the broadcaster's equipment settings and do not indicate a fault in the vehicle's radio receiver or antenna systems.