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Divide and ... conquer?: High-definition radio not only makes your music soar sonically, it allows stations to split their signals into multiple listening options. Cool technology, yes. But will it fly with the AM/FM and satellite radio sets?

…broader programming choices than in the past.

What this means is that existing AM and FM stations -- such as contemporary hits KHKS/106.1 FM ("KISS-FM") or classical WRR/101.1 FM -- now not only enjoy improved audio but have the option of splitting their signal, offering two (or, in the future, more) distinct channels of programming. The catch: You need a special HD radio receiver, available for home or car, to appreciate the clarity of the old stations (sometimes dubbed HD1) and hear the new stations (called HD2).

Many outlets have been broadcasting as HD radio for months; roughly 700 of 12,000 commercial U.S. stations -- including 13 in the Dallas-Fort Worth region -- have already hitched their stars to the HD bandwagon. But Monday marked the official launch of a nine-week promotional blitz by the broadcasting industry to make the public aware of terrestrial radio's first major upgrade in more than 50 years.

"And there's no subscription fee," says Peter Ferrara , CEO of HD Radio Alliance, a trade group. "So when people go out to get a new radio, they will get an HD radio."

"For classical [music], it's huge," says Kurt Rongey, operations and programming manager at WRR, a station that's now HD, though its signal-splitting is still in the planning stages. "In classical, whose appeal comes so much from its dynamic qualities, there's very…

…it. The iKeychain's fit and finish are impressive, as is the variety of available styles. The basic models come in a number of anodized colors; for a bit more money, A-1 also offers two-color, multicolor, and chrome-, silver-, and gold-plated models. You can even have your iKeychain engraved (VERY GOOD 1/2; macworld.com/1092).

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Shuffle Sweats

The shuffle is probably the most popular iPod for exercising, and iMojo's $19 (for a two-pack) shuffle Sweats make it an even better fit. These terry-cloth sweatbands include an elastic band that holds your shuffle securely in place. Worn on your forearm, the Sweats put your iPod within easy reach (and view). They also include a pair of silicone wraps you can use to tie up excess headphone cables, so the cables won't get caught on gym equipment. And the shuffle Sweats are machine washable--how many iPod cases can make that claim (VERY GOOD; macworld.com/2156)?

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For the Car

DRIVE+PLAY

Harman Kardon's $200 (plus optional installation) Drive+Play addresses two important concerns raised by using your iPod in your car: sound quality and safety. Because the Drive+Play hooks up directly to your existing stereo system, the quality of what you hear is as…

…Associates' Omega CB AV distribution system is capable of routing 32 high-definition video sources and 64 digital audio sources to up to 106 independent zones. Each zone is capable of receiving a 7.1-channel surround sound signal. Multichannel music can include Dolby, DTS, THX Ultra2, and upconversion of 2-channel CDs to multichannel sound. Either stereo speaker pairs or full 7.1 surround sound speaker arrays can wire to the mainframe via simple speaker wire, where they connect to centrally located Omega CB Zone controllers. a* Audio Design Associates www.ada-usa.com

SPEAKER

Recently named an Electronic House Product of the Year for 2006, StereoStone's Tree Stump speaker provides an alternative outdoor speaker system that complements various landscapes. The weatherproof 15in.-high speaker is available as a 125W two-way 8in./8I[c] speaker, a 250W 8in./8I[c] subwoofer, or a 125W dual-voice coil 8in. stereo speaker. It also comes with a lifetime warranty. a* StereoStone | www.stereostone.com

CONVERTER

Hall Research Technologies' VHD-HDMI video-to-HDMI converter with audio is used to connect the VGA video signal from a PC or the YpbPr signal from a DVD player or similar device to the HDMI input of a plasma or LCD screen. The unit features a switch for input format selection (PC-RGB or component-YpbPr), supports up to 1600x1200 at 60Hz VGA input or up…


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