XM & Sirius Satellite Radio

mtngal · October 2005

It seems like satellite radio is turning out to be more resilient than most people imagined. They've managed to survive attacks by the radio industry and it wouldn't surprise me to see them survivie the music industry. It's a little late for the record companies to complain about recording music off broadcast anything, I can't see the difference between a satellite receiver having something internal to record the broadcast and a radio with a cassette recorder. I agree with Paul - digital technology isn't going to go away so everyone should figure out a way to make it work for them, rather than fight it.

I'm delighted that both XM and Sirius are thriving and I hope it continues.

pao · October 2005

try this...but its XM

http://www.myradiostore.us/xm-radio-receivers/xm-direct-receiver-bmw-mini-cooper.html

and some more info
http://www.xm411.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1804

kit is 190....

rich67 · October 2005

Hey Mike: MANY THANKS for the code.... I bought a new 2006 Avalon with the same brochure....dealer didn't have a CLUE...the code worked and now am happy listening to some good Latin music on XM....
Rich

jfergus · October 2005

A message to RIAA: It's called Fair Use. Get over it. It's legal.

Many analysts believe that if this goes to court XM and Sirius would win. I can "time shift" my TV programs legally with a DVR. Radio isn't any more special.

I think the labels and RIAA are just trying to squeeze as much money as they can out of these alternative choices (legal downloads, satellite radio), because they know that the days of selling $18 CDs with only a handful of good songs out of 15 or so is over. I would rather pay $1 for each of those 5 songs I like and save the other $13 for other songs I like from other albums/artists. They worry that people can pick and choose, because now every song on an album has to be good, not just a few. Otherwise people go à-la-carte, and don't buy whole albums.

fdthird · October 2005

I've been listening to my Sirius Radio since last January and I do think that they have a lot to offer and I will probably always have a subscription. That being said, we had a discussion recently at work about the DJ Channels vrs the NON-DJ Channels. My take on it is that if the DJ has something to offer about the music and or the artist then I like it. If, however, the DJ is just doing DJ patter (such as reading tidbits found in the paper, commenting on a ball game or event unrelated to the music or the like) then I'd rather have the music with an occasion jingle or some other imaging.

What do others think?

mstem · October 2005

I couldn't agree more! I have only had XM radio for a month in my new Toyota. I am more than willing to pay the $13 bucks a month to escape the endless chatter on regular FM. But it isn't only the commercials I want to leave behind, but also the incessant rambling of the so-called DJ's. I am just looking for music that matches my tastes. I always have the news and weather channels available when needed, but most of the time I want non-stop, chatter free music! Just my thoughts... Mike

mtngal · October 2005

It depends on what my mood is. I often listen to a channel that has a DJ and many of their shows are informative and fun. Others are intrusive (i.e., either mostly just that DJ patter about nothing much or else music choicdes I don't like) then I'll change to a channel with all music. I go back and forth, though right now we've been going home listening to hockey (and we're still enjoying it even when it takes us 3 hours to get home, like tonight).

lenscap · November 2005

Nissan and Infiniti will start offering XM as a factory-installed option with the 2008 model year (PR dated 11/2/05):

http://www.xmradio.com/newsroom/screen/pr_2005_11_02.html

This follows XM being factory-installed in Toyota and Lexus vehicles starting in calendar year 2006 (PR dated 12/7/04):

http://www.xmradio.com/newsroom/screen/pr_2004_12_07.html

rrasky · November 2005

shmuley, I have the same thing and contacted sirius. They sent me to www.soundgate.com. After not seeing what I wanted, I called soundgate. They informed me that something should be out in approx. 6 months. Maybe you should call also, maybe enough requests and they'll speed up the process.

stever · November 2005

The concept shows spaces available at designated parking facilities and uses color-keyed icons to indicate the percentage of available parking spaces.

XM Looking Into Electronic Parking Spot Locator

Steve, Host

mtngal · November 2005

It sounds like an expensive gadget with extremely limited appeal. I'd pass on that one.

aveghte · November 2005

Do either XM or Sirius have good offerings in these areas of music?

sb55 · November 2005

XM seems to. They just came out with a new channel guide. Go on their site to check it out.
Just saw an ad for a MYFI portable XM for $199.00 with a $50.00 rebate so it works out to $149.00. Good deal since I paid $299.00 in July. I still love the satellite. It's in-dash in my Acura and I use the MYFI in home and in other cars.
O&A or Howard. Tough call sometimes

rpbjb113 · November 2005

The stereo in my new mazda 6 (2005) is Sirius ready at a cost of $600.00 (399.00 for the receiver kit and antenna and another 200.00 for installation.)

Does anyone know if I can purchase the kit somewhere other than mazda at a lower price and install it myself. if so where?

Also can I get a satellite boom box and use the same sirius account for it that i have in my auto if I ??

stylar · December 2005

Has anyone installed the Sirius on a Honda Civic Hybrid? The instruction says that you have to rout the antenna cord through the trunk. But if you have this car you know that the trunk does not have access to the interior. Any help is greatly appreciated. :mad:

nomo16 · December 2005

Does anyone know if an XM Antenna can be used for Sirius and vice versa :confuse: :confuse: :confuse: ???

Thanks in advance

rodneyharrison · December 2005

Hi, I recently purchased Satellite Radio (Sirius) with the car docking kit. I was hoping to get some idea's on the best way to install the kit, more specifically the best way to mount the magnetic antenna and run the cable into the vehicle and to the dashboard area ??? The truck is a 97
Ram 1500 extended cab. I appreciate any suggestions offered. thanks, Ken

cms1528 · December 2005

In theory an antenna is an antenna. The black box in the trunk does all the satellite decoding.

sb55 · December 2005

I have an XM Delphi MyFi. My Acura has XM built in but when I drive the other cars which have a glass sunroof, I set the antenna on the sunroof sunshade under the glass, and it seems to pick up fine. This isn't permanent, but this way I can easily move it. I have even used the auto antenna in the house on a windowsill and it worked.

cptab · December 2005

Do you all know if cars like the BMW, Infiniti, etc that advertise an extra fee for satellite radio require more than just some wiring work, trunk based tuner and antenna? Essentially, I'm wondering if all these new cars require an add-on head unit? I think the 06 Saab 9-3 requires it which just pisses me off.

erickpl · December 2005

The higher end cars, like BMW, Infiniti, MB, etc now have integrated units like the iDrive, Audi's MMI, and such that make just plugging and playing not feasible. BMW and Audi both use fiber optics for their electronics, so installing isn't just a matter of splicing some wires or plugging something in. Your choices are either:

replace the unit (not feasible where the audio/nav/etc are all integrated) or go with an external plugin type unit. Either the RF modulation through the antenna or an aux jack would probably be your only ways to go.

-Paul

stickguy · December 2005

I think that if they advertise the car as "XM ready" (like my '05 Odyssey), it means the head unit is all set up to control XM. You just have to add the receiver and antennae, and most likely it is prewired for them.

stickguy · December 2005

Just got an Accord with XM built in (factory). SO far, I love it. Amazing number of stations, and great sound.

And, If I need to know current traffic condistions in Detroit, I can get them! Of course, being near Philadelphia that might not be too valuable, but it's nice to know I can do it if I want to.

audiophile · December 2005

stick the antenna in the middle of the dash, hold down with double-sided tape. If you want best reception run it through the third brake light by removing the two screws and popping the light out. Run the wire through the headliner, down the A-pilar to the dash. As for the cradle, I usually make a bracket out of backstraps that comes out of the bottom right corner of the dash, and then screw the bracket to the straps. As for the lighter plug, as long as it doesn't have a transformer in it you can cut it off and wire directly up to the acc. wire (pink) behind the radio.

audiophile · December 2005

Actually.............. the XM and Sirius antennas are attenuated to their seperate satellites. The antennas are not compatible. Converting from XM to Sirius without replacing the radio hasn't been perfected yet, soundgate is good, I'd also try peripheral (727)572-9255. Good Luck!!

erickpl · December 2005

Where's the best place to mount an 8-track tape deck that I want to install on my AM radio for my Mattel Big wheel?

-Paul

stillageek · December 2005

Actually the antennas are compatible. My wife used to have a JVC sirius unit and recently bought the Delphi XM2go unit. Me being a little lazy decided to see if the Siruius antenna would work. The antenna connectors are exactly the same. Sure enough I plugged it in andgot a full signal right away. She used it that way for a few weeks until she decided to throw the old unit on Ebay and wanted to send the correct antenna.

z3pr · December 2005

I went with Sirius Satellite Radio instead of XM Satellite Radio just because my headunit was Sirius ready. No extra unit on the dash, all controlled through the headunit. I like Sirius alot. Has the music and news channels I like, comes in clear everywhere I go.

ganfam · January 2006

Bought Sirius receiver with car and home adapter. Salesman told me I could run the Sirius thru my Mac OSX computer and even grab songs off the palyer onto my computer. As a subscriber I can listen online free, but my company frowns on online listening as it takes up bandwidth. Will the Mac act as an FM modulator? Any help appreciated.
Thanks

smoder · January 2006

I have a 2006 Lexus GS300. The Lexus dealer installed Sirius in the car for free. The only issue I have is the antenna which was placed on the front window 3 inches from the rearview mirror is probably 3" X 3" or twice the size of my wifes XM. I didn't buy XM($750) since the Sirius was free but I am not wild about the size and location of the antenna. Has anyone had a different experience on a 2006 GS or know about where you can get a smaller antenna. I will probably talk to the dealer tomorrow.
Thanks

mikeg68 · January 2006

I am soon to be an Ex-Sirius subscrber because they dropped Fox News. I don't know why they did it. I hope it isn't soome pathetic political statement on Sirius' part. They have CNN, HNN, BBC, CBC (Canadian Broadcast Comapy), NPR all very liberal and they drop FOX? Seems fishy to me! Perhaps they want to be viewed as the Liberal Satelite Network.

robr2 · January 2006

Perhaps Fox News wanted too much money to stay on Sirius? Maybe Hannity and O'Reilly think they're worth Stern money?

PS - I'm not a fan of any of the three.

Here's the actual answer:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117934953?categoryid=1009&cs=1

Looks like it's about money.

acd_nj · January 2006

My friend you are mistaken.....As I understand it from a Sirius Rep it is the unit you are purchasing the lifetime/onetime service plan for but if your unit breaks or stops working you can just buy another Sirius unit (anyone you like) and switch the lifetime contract to that unit, and that can continue forever. Therefore allowing you service on ONE unit at a time.....hope this helps you and others. ACD

acd_nj · January 2006

Does anyone know of a company that will warranty a Sirius Radio not purchased from them or a reputable Warranty Co I can use to warranty my Sirius S-50 I just bought??
ACD

blane · January 2006

acd_nj,

You responded to an August 23, 2005 message. I wonder whether the original poster will notice.

tidester · January 2006

I wonder whether the original poster will notice.

He hasn't been around for a while but you never know!

tidester, host

cmks02 · January 2006

I have a new 2006 Explorer. Want to do an easy, permanent electrical install for my XM radio. Looked in the owners manual for the fuse panel location, which states the panel is under the lower left side of the dash. Thought I would use "Add A Fuse" by Littelfuse to provide a fused connection point at the underdash fuse panel for the XM. Looked under lower left dash, but couldn't find the fuse panel...looked under the hood, and there's the panel. Doesn't look like there is an easy way to get a weatherproof wire run from under the hood to under dash.

So...how can I easily find an under dash switched electrical source so I can wire up my XM. I do not want to use power points since they are always on.

Any guidance or suggestions would be appreciated.

Thanks

deminin · January 2006

A 90 day trial of XM radio was included with the Bose radio in our '06 Impala LTZ. According to the dealer, and the documentation that came with the car, we had 3 months of free service, then we could contact XM if we wanted to continue the subscription. BULL PUCKEY! Today we got a bill from XM for $600. They "assumed" we would want to continue their marvelous service for 5 years, and wanted payment up front. When I came down from the ceiling, I called these jokers, and carefully explained to them how high they could shove their XM service. I listened to it for a few hours over the past 3 months, and there is not much there that I would consider worth more than a couple of bucks per month. Then, I called Chevy customer service and filed a complaint against XM, and its deceptive business practices. If a person just pitched this bill, under the new financial responsibility guidlines, they could do serious damage to their credit rating. At no time did I receive any mailings from XM wanting us to continue their service, nor did I make any contact with them during the trial period...they just sent an outlandish bill when the subscription expired. Watch out for this outfit...especially you younger people who might someday need a good credit rating...XM could screw you up.

blane · January 2006

I'm surprised at your experience. Perhaps it's a General Motors thing.

My 2004 Honda Accord came with the three-month free trial too. At the end of that term, since I had never contacted the XM folks to provide billing information, the radio just stopped receiving their programming.

I could have left it at that. However, I started missing all of the great programming choices. I telephoned them a few weeks later and signed up for a subscription. It could have been for only a single year at full monthly price, or multiple years with a discount. I chose the discounted three-year plan and am a completely satisfied subscriber.

I won't be quite as happy when my renewal time arrives because it will then be at their higher rates. You'll recall that they raised their basic rate from $9.95 per month to $12.95 (to match the upstart Dog's pricing) about a year ago, but I was grandfathered-in.

tnridge · January 2006

Here is what I have 2004 Gmc 2500 hd crew cab truck with the bose system and xm radio from the factory. What I want to do is get rid of Xm and go to Sirius. Can I change that system over that I have ? Of will I have to buy an add on? Does GM have a bose Sirius ready that I can just change out systems in my truck without changing the looks of it.?
Anyone have this delima. Thanks

salvyb · January 2006

I have a cadillac DHS and have the same question. Can I keep the stock radio and change the underline service from XM to sirius

mtngal · January 2006

Satellite radios are unique to the service, so you can't just call Sirius and ask them for an account if you have an XM radio, and visa-versa. You will either have to change the radio or do an add-on. I have XM myself, wo I don't know what you would need to add for Sirius.

mikesbandit · January 2006

Just heard on Stern this morning........ simply go to your favorite car stereo sat dealer. they can unplug the xm brain and install a sirus tuner, replace the xm antenna with a sirius; all without any cosmetic changes to your dash! Cost for the hardware is about 100 bucks. SIRIUS ROCKS!!

mikesbandit · January 2006

they dropped Fox, yes, but they picked up Playboy....... I say good trade, boys!!

blane · January 2006

Interesting article from the January 12 NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/12/arts/12roth.html
You may have to register for free to view the article.

I'm extremely pleased with everything about XM Satellite Radio and would recommend it to anyone.

goodegg · January 2006

I can't imagine what the attraction to Stern is. He's a butthole. How old is he know? Still doing this sophomoric crap? He's an ugly chump. Or is that chimp?

blane · January 2006

I tuned in on my morning commute about 15 years ago. The bathroom sounds and "humor" only worked until the shock value wore off. That lasted for about a month before I wised up. I guess it's a kiddie thing. I'll pay my subscription money for XM's programming.

jonpnj · January 2006

I would have to agree. How funny it is to talk about stool, flatulance and genitalia all the time. I have XM and am very pleased with it. As to them effecting your credit rating, that is nonsense. There is no contract signed that states you have to continue the service. They don't even have your social security number or your DOB.

baltoman · January 2006

How funny it is to talk about stool, flatulance and genitalia all the time

I couldn't agree more.

Stern lives off of each years batch of upcoming 15 year olds and those with a similar maturity level or an IQ of room temperature.

I guess there are some smart people that listen to Stern.
But then again, Ted Bundy was smart.

I have XM and couldn't be more pleased by the choices.
Plus I'm not supporting the dumbing down of America.

klizmaaa · January 2006

The dumbing down of America? The dumbing down of america is not caused by people like Howard Stern, its caused by the educational system setup by this country. Howard Stern is by no means stupid he finished BU at the top of his class and I dont think many people can say that.

That really is not true. You dont seem to have listened to his show very much, if at all, if you think its only about "Bathroom humor". He talks about a wide range of topics from politics to celebs and even if you dont agree with his opinion he can change the subject to something you will like in a second. He is the only real radio host on the radio, he is not afraid to speak his mind no matter who it hurts and is willing to bring people into his life. He does not live of 15 year olds his ratings based in the 18-35 age demograpic and his is number one that demographic.
Dont Bash Stern if you dont know his show or every listened to it for more than 5 minutes becuase it only shows the ignorance of people
Stern is the reason I got Sirius and I could not be happier.

The man is a legend and if it wasnt for him radio and tv would be boring. He is willing to push the envelope and thats why he is so succesful.

Opie and Anthony on the other hand are complete rip offs. If you want to ask how people can listen to a show it should be there's because they have no creativity at all.

XM & Sirius Satellite Radio

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