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Sirius has an option (at least on the Audiovox unit) that transmits a low level FM signal that the radio antenna picks up. So, installation consists of plugging the unit into the lighter socket, putting the antenna on the roof, and turning to one of 4 FM frequencies. This unit can also handle direct wire RCA cables and direct wire FM modulation. The over the air solution certainly has the lowest sound quality (comparable to FM) and I would not recommend choosing it for a primary vehicle. But, it is a great option to use in a temporary vehicle. Certainly better than the radio.
By the way, we have the FM wireless kit and it sounds great. Sometimes when people say it is not as good as direct wire it's more of a technical discussion. In reality, it sounds just fine and much easier/ cheaper to hook up yourself.
Anyone that truly appreciates better sound quality would laugh at the suggestion that a wireless FM kit would be good enough, or as good as a wired one, or (blasphemy!) a wired one (aux in, or proprietary digital connection like Pioneer's IP bus).
Makes one wonder about all the remaining 'better' sound quality statements I've heard from you. I was starting to take you seriously, but that (praising wireless FM modulation) blew it!
And the other side to this story - ground based repeaters. XM has WAY more at the last count I'm aware of. Around 1200-ish as opposed to Sirius' 300ish? Again, something to look up. But I've driven cross country, and extensively in the mountain west as well as the East coast, And a few scattered trips to the Great lakes areas, and never lost signal for more than a moment, if that.
then the main point is that SIRIUS can offer the best modulation on EVERY channel (via S-Plex) while XM can only do it on some channels that they dictate as popular. Just admit this is one area where SIRIUS is better than XM and knock off all the usual XM flag waving.
tidester, host
Sirius does not compress as many of their music channels as much as XM so their quality is better on all channels.
His report does not support many of the arguments made here by either obviously biased side, but I'm providing in an attempt to provide some factual balance instead of the "broken record" information propaged by certain posters.
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/satellite/index.html
Regardless of the side you've chosen, I'm sure you'll be able to find things you both like and agree and disagree with for both XM and Sirius.
I also noticed in his last paragraph he referred to Sirius as a "totally commercial-free experience", which of course it's not. To be fair he should've said that Sirius' MUSIC channels are commercial free, and SOME of XM's music channels are commercial free. The way a lot of people are talking about these two services, you get the impression Sirius is COMPLETELY commercial free, and XM has commercials on ALL of their channels. This is just not the case.
h20ski, there's no one here who's totally committed to one service and who will blindly defend their choice other than you.
Everyone else here has an open enough perspective to consider the pluses and minuses of each service and then make a choice.
I mean really think about it for a minute! Out of what 200 million adults in this country, there are less than 1 1/2 million who have signed up for either service.
We who are hear are unequivocially "early adopters". IMO, we (as the early adopters) owe the people who come here to hear about SAT radio and learn from us, at least an objective view.
$10 per month is a small price to pay for that. Of course, $13 is WAY too much
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/18/technology/circuits/18stat.html
The NY Times will make you register to view the article, but it won't cost you anything.
When I bought my A4, I had the choice of either XM or Sirius. I'm more into music than sports and talk, so I went with XM. After living with XM for two months, and reading the two articles comparing both services, I'm happy with my choice. I'm sure if I had bought my second runner-up, the 325i, which only offers Sirius, I would have been happy with that, too.
There was a lot of blustering recently about which service was better because of the commercial content on the music channels. Pay TV isn't commercial free, why should pay radio be the same? Here's what the NYT article had to say:
Finally, remember what happened to cable TV, which also started out as a fee-based reaction to the commercials and unimaginative programming of the networks. Over the years, most cable channels began carrying just as many commercials as network TV did.
Let's just hope neither XM nor Sirius gets to the point where they run as many commercials as non-sat radio. When/if that happens, that'll be the day I give up my subscription, and go back to listening to CDs in the car.
Satellite Radio Extends Its Orbit
Steve, Host
http://www.nytimes.com/2003/12/26/arts/music/26SATE.html
You may have to register, but it's free. Perhaps Steve the Host will know a link that doesn't make you register to view.
Steve, Host
Steve, Host
Satellite Radio Is On the Rise (BizReport)
Steve, Host
I was wondering if any of you folks had any experience connecting an existing SkyFi Satellite radio so that it would be activated when you select the SAT button on the radion? Apparently Nissan sells a $400 OEM solution, but I'd like to use my existing unit, if possible... I don't care if the display shows the station information, I'd just like to have the sound come through the car's speakers (without using FM Mod or Tape deck - since there is no tape deck in this car).
Thanks.
Dan
Thanks.
The connector to the back of the head unit only fits the Nissan/Infiniti SAT tuner.
The direct digital connection is the only way to go by the way. The sound quality is significantly better than what your accustomed to listening through via an FM modulated or cassette connection.
You can find the Nissan/Infiniti head units at a lot less than $400 on line (Grubbs Infiniti in Dallas is one place I'm aware of) and they are pretty easy to install also.
1) Where is the recommended install location for
the SAT tuner.
2) Where is the end of the pre-wired cable that
is attached to the back of the Bose head
unit?
3) Are there any known installation pictorials
showing the addition of a tuner/receiver
installation on a 2004 Quest?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!
SIRIUS Satellite Radio signed the NFL for seven years so you'll get all the games plus the Superbowl on SIRIUS. They also have the NBA and NHL and NPR and 100% commercial-free music (for your edification). Just add the black SIRIUS box and you are set- plus SIRIUS gives you a password for their internet site to listen live so it's like a second subscription for free- see it at www.sirius.com
Sorry dklanecky, I have to dispute this. You just told everyone that they have to buy a new head unit for their vehicle, and that would be silly for many of us. I lease a car, and I'm not interested in going through this kind of ordeal with a leased car. My current radio has a CD & Tape player on it, both of which I still use. Functionality wise, I don't have many choices even if I wanted to swap the head unit.
My background is electrical engineering, I play several instruments, and happen to have an excellent ear. I have a Sirius tuner with the wired FM modulator, and I couldn't be happier. The sound, while slightly compressed sounding on the high end, is so superior to FM, I almost can't stand listening to music on FM anymore. This setup is very convenient, and has is more than acceptable to me.
If you have a choice between the two (and you listen to both objectively) you will come to the same conclusion that I did, regardless of your "ear". The full digital does sound better, looks better, integerates better with the vehicles systems, and offers a much cleaner installation.
As a subscriber to SAT (with two units, one FM modulated and one direct digital connection), and as a big SAT fan, and as an investor in both SAT companies, I could care less what you buy as long as you do at least try and hopefully buy!
Obviously, everyone has choices in how much they spend (or don't spend) on everything in life, including SAT radio.
I believe that either Circuit City or Best Buy will install a new system in any vehicle. You pay them once for the installation and I believe they will and remove and re-install the same unit and system in any new vehicle again for free. This is to specifically address your statement about your limited choices in a leased vehicle.
I'm sure digital sounds better than FMmod, without having heard it. But, I think the fact that digital sounds "better" is becoming very relative. FM mod does sound pretty darn clean. I happen to have one of the noisier cars on the road, and I would also argue that many of us (sports cars, pickup trucks, etc.) are already knee-deep in the law of diminishing returns as far as car audio goes.
As an investor, I might guess that you are going to make your money as the "average Joe" plucks a plug-n-play unit off the shelf, and takes it out to his car, like buying a pack of bubble gum or something. And this guy already thinks that his FM sounds great.
What would be nice is if manufacturers went to a standard of STEREO AM radio-opening up the possibility of new successful rock stations that Clear Channel doesn't own. A private model could still work well, it's just no one can afford an FM station...
Investor? So sorry! When will you get your money back, in 50 years?
RE: My limited choice due to OEM CD/Tape combo: I wish I could forego cassettes in my car-but some of my old tapes sound so alive, just as some of my DDD CD's (I'm particularly upset about Telarc's Messiah CD set) have over-processed the ambience right out of the music. So much for CD quality sound being the end all, you know what I'm saying? (Just ask Neil Young.)
I hope the makers of the new cars are paying attention: we need the basic CD player, cassette player, and AM/FM PLUS MP3 players, satellite radio, and I guess DVD movie entertainment for the dogs in the back. Without things hanging out of the unit reminding me of the 66 Tempest I drove in college!
Anyway, since we have a factory 6 disc changer I was hoping to replace just the head unit. I hear that after market units in VWs are tricky and may void VW from working on your car. Anyone have advice as to what unit looks good, gives decent sound along with the XM unit and what to watch out for during the install?
Let me start by saying that I was never impressed with the Bose system in this QX4 since I bought it. It was hard to tell what it sounded like on the test drive, and I bought it based on more important considerations, than just how the radio sounded. After driving it for a while I was not impressed. There is hardly any bass and I believe there is no subwoofer. The unit is very clear and CD's sound good, but not much dynamics.
Once I added the XM, it was like I had installed a $1000 stereo in the car. The stereo sounds 100% better. It is still lacking some in bass, but the dynamics improved alot. I am not an audiophile so not sure about CD quality, etc, but I know that it sounds a whole lot better. I have read where people say the direct connect is the best for sound quality. I wanted an inexpensive, portable solution so I chose the roadie and I am using the cassette adaptor. It sounds fine to me, although I admit the direct connect probably sounds better but I have no experience with that. I am going to try it in my camry too to see how it sounds, hence the portability that i wanted. I also have the free after rebate home kit coming in the mail so i will see how it sounds directly connected to my home theater. I am using the antennea inside of the vehicle on the dash in the corner. i ran the wire through the trim so it is hidden and you can hardly tell that the antennea is there. So you do not have to put the antennea on the roof or outside of the vehicle.
In conclusion I am very pleased with the sound quality and programming of my XM roadie. I hope XM does not go to full on commercials and ruin the satelitte radio experience.
"XM will offer 100% COMMERCIAL-FREE MUSIC beginning February 1st.
With 68 commercial-free music channels, XM will deliver the most
commercial-free music in satellite radio. From Rock to Jazz, Classical to Hip-Hop, Country to R&B, you’ll now enjoy more of the music you love, without commercial interruption."
XMRadio.com
Steve, Host