February 1, 2008 - By John P. Falcone (CNET.com) -- HD Radio is the new digital broadcasting standard that has been available in the U.S. for the past several years. The radio The clock and alarm functions are all well and good, but if you're buying the Sangean HDR-1, it's to listen to some digital radio. But the big selling point here is that--unlike satellite radio--the HD Radio content is completely free.