Sony Tunes In to HD Radio

By Geoff Duncan Updated May 29, 2007

Sony Electronics has announced a “long-term commitment” to the nascent HD Radio technology, and is stepping into the market with its XDR-S3HD table-top console radio and XT-100HD hideaway tuner module for most Sony car stereos.

“Sony is one of the first leading consumer electronics companies to offer quality HD Radio-enabled devices,” said Steve Haber, senior VP of marketing for Sony’s Digital Imaging and Audio Division. “We’re adding it to a long list of technologies that support digital music trends.”

The XDR-S3HD console is a classic design that might seem suited to grandparents’ kitchens or family rooms: a cherry table-top cabinet with stereo speakers set behind a black mesh front panel, which also boasts a large backlit LCD display. The XDR-S3HD offers AM/FM/HD tuners, treble and bass controls, and an aux input for connecting to (say) a portable media player. The unit also sports an alarm built-in clock, and a wireless remote control. The XDR-S3HD should land at retailers in July for about $200.

For folks who need their HD Radio on the go, Sony’s XT-100HD HD Radio tuner is a designed to work with most Sony car stereos as a hideaway module: it works with most Sony head units, and (in addition to tuning into HD Radio stations) can feel artist names, song titles, station names, genre, and other info to the car stereo display. It should also be available in July, with a suggested price around $100.

Sony’s announcement makes Sony one of the biggest consumer electronics manufacturers to get on board with the HD Radio format, and the company’s commitment to the format may help it gain traction in its efforts to compete with satellite radio, MP3 players, and over-the-air streaming services.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…

Audio / Video

Great for a movie night, this HD projector down to $90 for Prime Day

The Smonet Movie Projector attached to a smartphone.

If you've been planning to buy a projector for your living room or bedroom, now's the perfect time with the discounts that you can enjoy from Amazon's Prime Day deals. Here's a tempting offer that you wouldn't want to miss -- the Smonet Movie Projector for a very affordable $90, which is less than half its original price of $220 following a $130 discount. We're not sure if this bargain will be available throughout the shopping holiday though, so if you're interested, you're going to have to push through with the purchase as soon as you can.

Why you should buy the Smonet Movie Projector
Make your movie nights at home feel like you're watching at the cinemas with the Smonet Movie Projector, which is capable of 1080p HD video output at 7,500 lumens. In comparison, some of the best projectors only go beyond 3,000 lumens, according to our guide on how to choose a home theater projector. You'll be getting extreme brightness with the Smonet Movie Projector so you won't be missing any detail on what you're watching, even in dark scenes. Additionally, it's capable of a projection display as large as 200 inches, with a recommended distance from your wall or projection screen of between 4.9 feet and 16.4 feet. You'll want to check out our guide on how to set up a home theater projector for help on the perfect arrangement.

Audio / Video

Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones are a great buy at over $100 off

Sony WH-1000XM4 Wireless Industry Leading Noise Canceling Overhead Headphones

Let's not bury the lede here: When the Sony WH-1000XM4 headphone came out, they were the best headphones available. They've since been passed only by the new model, the XM5s. Right now these incredible headphones have a sweet discount as part of Prime Day deals. You can grab them for just $248 right now, down a full $101 from their usual price of $350. These were worth it at their most expensive -- they're an even better deal now. Grab them before Prime Day headphone deals are over.

Why you should buy Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones during Prime Day
If you want to read about the all of the cool features that make these headphones incredible, you should dive into our in-depth Sony WH-1000XM4 review. We'll summarize the biggest points here too. After all, you have to decide whether to take advantage of this deal before Prime Day ends. For starters, the build is very comfortable and sturdy. Sony didn't change the design between the XM3 and XM4 (although they did change it for the XM5). It has nice padding, adjustable cups, and a folding design that makes storage easy. The sound quality is excellent. You can expect the best from Sony. Sony added a new system into the XM4s called DSEE Extreme. This is a built-in AI that upscales lossy content like MP3 and AAC. This is great for people who stream a lot of their music on the go and don't always have access to lossless media. The noise-cancelling is top notch. Low-end sounds are all but muted, and mid-range sounds, like conversations in a coffee shop, are significantly reduced. Play some music while noise-cancelling is on and you will be transported to your own world.

Audio / Video

These Sony noise-canceling headphones are under $100 today

Sony WH-CH720N Noise Canceling Headphones on the ground

Finding a good quality set of headphones can be a bit difficult, especially if you don't want to spend a ton of money on the best headphones on the market. With so many great Prime Day deals going on right now, you don't have to and can grab these Sony WH-CH720N for just $98. While that's still a bit pricey, you are getting quality headphones from Sony, and the original price was $150, so it's a substantial $50 discount and well worth grabbing, especially compared to the Sony WH-1000XM4, which is going for nearly triple that at $250.

Why you should buy the Sony WH-CH720N Noise-Canceling Headphones
The Sony WH-CH720N is essentially the same as the Sony WH-CH710N headphones, the slightly more updated model with a few improvements here and there. As a mid-range set of headphones, you get slightly different designs than what you'd find in the high-end, such as the circular headphones, which, surprisingly, are very comfortable to wear for long periods. Similarly, the headband padding isn't too bad and doesn't grip too tight, making this a great pair of headphones to wear for a long period. Luckily, the battery life is also pretty great, lasting around 38 hours, and that's with Artificial Intelligence Noise Cancellation (AINC) turned on; if you turn it off, you can get about 50 hours out of it.