New HD Radios are capable of delivering stereo compatible surround sound formats. There are a few separate and very different surround sound technologies that are competing for adoption by radio stations converting to digital broadcasting.

Firstly HD Radio is a trademark of iBiquity Digital Corporation and “HD” is simply a brand name. There is no connection to HDTV or “high definition” terms whatsoever. It does give you enhanced capabilities over the old analog format – such as 5.1 surround sound – but the name was chosen simply for marketing purposes rather than anything else.