RDS?

[Rom]

Hi all,

Why is it that I can't find a decently priced head-unit that actually has RDS in the US? The radio stations obviously broadcast with RDS (as my CDR-220 picks up all the station names and song details), but none of the head-units seem to support it... I bought an Alpine head unit which is pretty loaded with features, and I just got done installing it. When I tuned a local station that has RDS I didn't get any names... Sure enough, I checked the specifications and found that it doesn't have it! I was quite upset that they missed off this simple feature and was about to go look at another manufacturer - and now I see that virtually no major manufacturer has it! Pioneer has it on some units, but only upwards of $450. That is an option, but it's kind of limited. I checked Sony, Kenwood, Alpine and Pioneer - the 4 major players.

So, considering that in Europe even the most basic no-name in-car system has RDS (including all OEM units), does anyone know why aftermarket manufacturers don't have it here? Almost every station (at least in California) broadcasts with it... Unless it's a money-making scheme? They'll start releasing units with the "NEW" RDS feature? I know Alpines new Blackbird system has it (and they mention it as an "important feature"), but that costs a lot more than a standard head unit.

Comments?

Thanks!

Shash

[her_986]

ROM --

I think you can find your answer in the first couple of line here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radio_Data_System

I would also add that perhaps with the coming of 'HD' radio, all of this is going to be part of the HD format. As an owner of a MY03, head units choices are very limited.

her_986