Though HD digital AM-FM radio, which has been branded HD (high-definition), has been around for a few years now, conversion to the new technology has moved at a glacial pace. That could now change quickly, though, as very recently the prices for HD Radio receivers, including HD portable Radios, have rapidly come down to affordable levels that are as $79.

The granted slow transition to Digital HD Radio is a matter of when, and not a matter of if, observers say. This technology is now being added to more new cars, SUVs, and trucks, and also being added as a feature to table top radios. Also, the development of low power chipsets is allowing for handheld and portable HD radios as soon as this fall and into next year.

American bought almost 400,000 HD radios in the U.S. in 2007. However, that is a small drop in the bucket compared with total annual radio sales of over 70 million.