Radio delay/echo

Has anyone else had any issues with certain radio (FM) stations repeating/echoing about 2 seconds of audio? About three weeks ago, I noticed that one of my stations (106.1 in Dallas) would repeat about 2 seconds of audio every couple of minutes. At first I thought it was just the station, then I found two others that did the same thing. I then thought that maybe it was several stations owned by the same company and they had a problem with their transmissions. I figured it would be resolved, but a couple weeks later it hadn't and I couldn't find anything about it on the web. Figured if this was affecting other people in a city the size of Dallas, something would be out there. Here's what I've seen:

1. Problem is only with FM (satellite which has a buffer is fine)
2. Occurs within 5 seconds of changing the station to one affected. Otherwise happens about every 3-5 minutes.
3. Occurs when I go into a garage which leads me to think that it has to be my car and not the transmitting station
4. Happens on HD and standard stations (not all though)
5. Noticed on 102.1, 102.9 and 106.1 in Dallas
6. My wife's car (non BMW) doesn't have an issue so it's either my radio, or my radio not meshing with those stations

Any thoughts?

Found the issue. This only occurs when the radio has HD enabled. I've heard from 2 others that have the same issue. Disabling HD resolves the problem, but it seems like a crappy solution.

Originally Posted by alienranch

Found the issue. This only occurs when the radio has HD enabled. I've heard from 2 others that have the same issue. Disabling HD resolves the problem, but it seems like a crappy solution.

Had the same problem in my 2010 535i in the NY-NJ area. I also disabled the HD and the problem was gone . So much for free HD.
cheers
vern

I also have this problem in my 2011 328i in the Austin, Tx area. I have to agree that having to turn HD off is a crappy solution for such a car. Nonetheless, how do you turn it off on a 328i without iDrive? Please be specific.

Is there possibly a firmware or software upgrade that will resolve this?

That's generally because the radio station is misconfigured -- their HD and analog streams should be in sync, not a few seconds apart. Otherwise, the transition between t
The two won't be seamless if you're in a poor HD reception area

I understand why and wasn't asking... but thanks. I just want to know how to turn it off on my radio. Do you know how?

Originally Posted by vern

Had the same problem in my 2010 535i in the NY-NJ area. I also disabled the HD and the problem was gone . So much for free HD.
cheers
vern

Interesting. I only listen to a few HD stations, but they are crystal-clear with no reverb.

BJ

Originally Posted by alienranch

Found the issue. This only occurs when the radio has HD enabled. I've heard from 2 others that have the same issue. Disabling HD resolves the problem, but it seems like a crappy solution.

My guess is that you are far away enough from the station's transmitter that you are on the edge of its HD coverage. So as you are driving and moving about, you are alternately getting and losing HD. It sounds like a delay and an echo because the normal "analog" signal is a different signal from the digital HD signal, and they might be a few seconds apart, depending on the station. I noticed this when I was driving away from Chicago and got to about Michigan City, IN. But when I am in the city, no problem.

Think this might be it?

Originally Posted by gwpass

I also have this problem in my 2011 328i in the Austin, Tx area. I have to agree that having to turn HD off is a crappy solution for such a car. Nonetheless, how do you turn it off on a 328i without iDrive? Please be specific.

Is there possibly a firmware or software upgrade that will resolve this?

It's because you live in CP, and the HD signal don't come with the same strength out here. Happens to me also, but it doesn't do it all the time just a few times. Once you get more in to town it doesn't do it as much or at all. Sorry can't help you disabling it, got the iDrive.