 | | way to miss the obvious Satellite radio still offers something local digital radio doesn't. Quality music. With local digital radio you may get quality sound, but it's still the same crappy boy bands and britney.
Oh, and no commercials too. | |
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 |  dvd536as Mr. Pink as they comePremium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
kudos:4 | Re: way to miss the obvious said by anonymoose:
Satellite radio still offers something local digital radio doesn't. Quality music. With local digital radio you may get quality sound, but it's still the same crappy boy bands and britney.
Oh, and no commercials too.
the no commercial stations are premium and cost extra. | |
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| | | | Re: way to miss the obvious No commercials, the best part. I don't mind paying for it. | |
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| | | | said by dvd536:
the no commercial stations are premium and cost extra.
The no commercial channels are NOT premium, and they do not cost extra. | |
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| |  tcp1Premium
join:2000-04-17
Herndon, VA
 ·Verizon FiOS
| "the no commercial stations are premium and cost extra."
Fantastic! Another case of somebody who has NO IDEA what they're talking about spouting something out as a blunt fact.
Between XM and Sirius, there is only *ONE* (1) "premium" channel, and that is Playboy Radio. And the reason that's "premium" has nothing to do with commercials. | |
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|  The Dv8orJust call me Dong Suck Oh, M.D.Premium
join:2001-08-09
Denver, CO | said by anonymoose:
Oh, and no commercials too.
This is a load. A lot of the stations I listen to on my Sirius setup have commercials. ESPN does, so does the Comedy channel. They also have this TechTV bit popping up everywhere, and its like 2 minutes long every hour and TOTALLY worthless. While they may not consider that a commercial, I do. It is plugging a product/service, and probably getting paid to do so.
--
Why buy your woman a watch for Christmas? There's already a clock on the stove. | |
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| | | | Re: way to miss the obvious As a former broadcaster, I have to admit that I really enjoy XM. It's combination of both commercial and non commercial stations gives it a cable TV feel and they have the ability to focus on formats that wouldn't make it on the air. I like the comedy channels, BBC, The Loft and 60s on 6, but am hooked on CNET Radio. The product is worth every penny. My only wish is that they would carry the NPR stuff that Sirius currently has. | |
|
 DaveDudeNo Fear
join:1999-09-01
New Jersey
kudos:1 | and... Its coast to coast,
Plus you can choose a type of music.
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Stop the insanity boycott the RIAA! | |
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|  dogtechLet Us Build It
join:2002-06-08
Toledo, OH | Re: and... plus you have to pay for it! | |
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| |  tobyTroy Mcclure
join:2001-11-13
Seattle, WA | Re: and... Just like cable. | |
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| |
| Hey, you get what you pay for with free stuff. You can spend $9.99/mo and get your pick of 100 channels, or pay nothing and get Britney/Backstreet Boys ad nauseum.
And actually... now that I'm thinking about it, is there a guarantee that this new "service" will be free? You can bet that if the RIAA and Co. had their way, they'd make you pay for that analog signal, if only they could track who was listening to it. With a digital system, tracking usage (and billing for it) isn't that hard. One would simply need to delete your radio's serial number from an authorized user's list until you pay up.
[text was edited by author 2002-10-11 16:26:05] | |
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| | | | | Re: and... With digital they can turn you off and on if it is high tech enough just as the can with the satellite service if you don't pay your monthly fee. | |
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| | |  dasesq
join:2001-10-07
Long Beach, CA | Can't you just listen to a CD? | |
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| | | | tcp1Premium
join:2000-04-17
Herndon, VA Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS
| Re: and... "Can't you just listen to a CD?"
No. I've already heard that song a thousand times.
Oh, and hey, news flash folks! Radio != music! There's other stuff on there (especially on XM) you know! Although some people think that's for "them college edjucated types" | |
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| | Yeah...tough It's called free enterprise. This isn't radio charity here. You either offer a product that is worth a crap so people will sign up or you go out of business.
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The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. -Thomas Jefferson | |
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|  skyjock41Shag DieselPremium
join:2001-12-11
Patrick Afb, FL | Re: Yeah...tough Gotta disagree with you Count. XM Radio is very good service and well worth the monthly fee. But heres their dilemma. 1. Getting started is way tooo much. Talking about a good deck (bout the same as a FM now) is 200+ for something good. Then you gotta get their antenna.... more money flowing out. Then you gotta include installation charges. Then you got bankruptcy thrown in there makes it too risky for me. Installation + equipment + monthly fee + hundreds of news articles that they are filing for bankruptcy = scaring people away. No one is gonna want to be stuck with the equipment and no service.
--
Fiber Optics is the future of high-speed internet access. Stop by the BBR Fiber Optic Forum. | |
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| |  dnoyeBFerrous Phallus
join:2000-10-09
Southfield, MI |  Re: Yeah...tough
This is an idea that should have never received any investment dollars. We know it sounds good, but does it sound good enough, and offer a feature which people will perceive as necessary?
No way my mother will ever call satellite radio necessary. No way lack of a local DJ and a totally impersonal musical experience will be thought of as better than the overly chatty local DJs and programming.
Its just so obviously a bad idea it makes me want to be a businessman because people are supporting obviously stupid ideas.
Satellite TV is barely making it. So many signs...
--
dnoyeB
"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard. " Ecclesiastes 9:16
The government is pricing our rights our of our reach. | |
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| | | | said by skyjock41:
Gotta disagree with you Count. XM Radio is very good service and well worth the monthly fee. But heres their dilemma. 1. Getting started is way tooo much. Talking about a good deck (bout the same as a FM now) is 200+ for something good. Then you gotta get their antenna.... more money flowing out. Then you gotta include installation charges. Then you got bankruptcy thrown in there makes it too risky for me. Installation + equipment + monthly fee + hundreds of news articles that they are filing for bankruptcy = scaring people away. No one is gonna want to be stuck with the equipment and no service.
That's my point. The equipment costs no more than sat TV equipment does but sat operators are smart...they offer free equipment for a contract or make it part of the payment. If they had added $5 / mo to the fee but made the equipment and install free they would have signed more people.
But that's THEIR problem and they shouldn't be whining about it when their model fails.
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The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not. -Thomas Jefferson | |
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| skyjock41Shag DieselPremium
join:2001-12-11
Patrick Afb, FL | Ya i agree witht that. I want the service but dont want to put a antenna on my car. Im not going to dish out all those dollars only to find out that they are out of business in 6 months. Until they show some stability ill stick to cd's. Local Radio stations are ok but i hardly listen to them.
--
Fiber Optics is the future of high-speed internet access. Stop by the BBR Fiber Optic Forum. | |
|
| | | said by Count Hogula$:
It's called free enterprise. This isn't radio charity here. You either offer a product that is worth a crap so people will sign up or you go out of business.
I was thinking the exact same thing, Count. If was worth paying for, to enough people, then they would be rolling in dough. They have the same problem as the music industry, in that todays music is so crappy, it isn't worth paying for. (I am assuming that with satellite radio, if you drive through bad weather, you lose your digital signal....just like satellite TV.) Apparently, free commercial radio is good enough for most people.
--
A certain theory states that if anyone discovers the exact purpose of the universe, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something more bizarre and inexplicable. Another theory states that this has already happened. | |
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| | Does the RIAA know about this... Gee I wonder what the RIAAs reaction will be....
Oh wait a minute they are already suing radio stations.. 
Truth could be stranger than fiction in this case. | |
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|  IamZedPremium
join:2001-01-10
Dayton, OH | Re: Does the RIAA know about this... The RIAA will lobby congress to prohibit the broadcasting of copyrighted material, as well as the tech sector to build radios that explode if they are tuned to digital copyrighted material.
At least this will be the end of their tirade against P2P. When you can pull digital music straight out of the air who cares anymore?
--
If a things worth doing, it’s worth doing to excess | |
|
| | | | Re: Does the RIAA know about this... I think people are forgetting that with digital signalling formats comes greater potential for control. The RIAA could just as easily lobby for radios with digital rights management. To listen, just stick your credit card into the slot and get gouged.
Don't get me wrong, being an XM user I'm a big fan of digital radio. But the possibilities also concern me greatly. | |
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| | dvd536as Mr. Pink as they comePremium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
kudos:4 | said by IamZed:
The RIAA will lobby congress to prohibit the broadcasting of copyrighted material, as well as the tech sector to build radios that explode if they are tuned to digital copyrighted material.
At least this will be the end of their tirade against P2P. When you can pull digital music straight out of the air who cares anymore?
Long as the RIAA palms are greased by the sat companies, i see no problem with them. | |
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| tcp1Premium
join:2000-04-17
Herndon, VA Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS
| Ok, I hate the RIAA, but please don't Microsoft them like a Linux Kiddiot on this issue. The RIAA does not have their hands in *everything*, and their entire goal isn't to ruin everyone's buzz 24/7. They're stupid, but not that stupid. You can bet dollars to donuts that XM/Siri have spoken at length with the RIAA prior to any development.. They know full well what's going on. | |
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| | Better than satellite It's about time this technology was approved. The big difference between IBOC and Sirius or XM is that you won't have to pay a subscription fee to listen to it. Also, this technology could help to rescue the AM band.
--
Adelphia Power Link. Available in only two weeks from today. | |
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| | | Re: Better than satellite Oh yeah, I'm just looking forward to listening to the same damn 20 songs over and again, only now it'll be in digital CD quality sound. Thanks ClearChannel.
I personally am happy paying $9.99 a month so that I can choose what *I* want to hear, and even get exposed to things you'd never hear on broadcast. | |
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| | tcp1Premium
join:2000-04-17
Herndon, VA | Re: Better than satellite What, you mean you don't like hearing Puddle of Mudd, Creed, and Pink right after Traffic every hour "on the eights"? I think you're just mad because you weren't the 100th caller to call in and identify the krazy kooky sound of the week. | |
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| tcp1Premium
join:2000-04-17
Herndon, VA Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS
| Rescue the AM band? Fuhwah? Is there some starving baby wave-height fund I don't know about? Who cares? AM has the content it has on it because it doesn't support the fidelity required for music. They "tried to save the AM band" (and jeez, again, AM is not a band, they just happen to broadcast AM on the MW band) with AM stereo -- there was just no need for it. There's plenty of room on FM for the blowtorch rockers.
True, the MW frequencies could support some longer ranges at night, but there's another issue of the content! FM plays 3-4 minute songs. AM plays multi-hour talk and news. Distance doesn't matter for FM. When FM fades, there's usually another talp fahrty rahk/pahp station you can tune to and find your Alicia Keyes crap. AM keeps a listener for hours, so that's the distance advantage.. And sorry, clarity and fidelity just don't matter that much for Limbaugh.
So again, in the end.. You won't have to pay a subscription fee -- but so what? It's the same crap. A polished turd is still a turd even if it's free.
--
EDIT.. I just wanted to make it blatantly clear that I do not listen to Rush Limbaugh, and was simply using his entertainment progrum as an example. Please put down the flamethrowers.
[text was edited by author 2002-10-14 09:48:02] | |
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 BellBoySteven Paul Jobs 1955-2011Premium
join:2001-02-20
Los Angeles, CA | I would jump on the Sat-Radio bandwagon... I've heard SR and it is impressive. I wouldn't even mind paying a monthly subscription fee. But I can't get the gut feeling to go away that anyone using the service will have "first adopter's syndrome" as I call it: shell out a ton of money for hardware and fees only to see the service go belly up shortly thereafter.
I mean REALLY Sony...$300-$400 for a fairly basic SR car radio?? I went shopping for one of these setups just to see what I would be looking at cost-wise--if anyone can point a finger at the reason SR hasn't caught on yet, that reason would be the equipment cost! Only the rich are going to be using this stuff, since it's obviously priced that way! Add to that--the equipment selection is rather limited. Oh sure you could buy a radio that's SR ready, but then throw the needed equipment into the mix and you're looking at selling the kids for some quick cash...
Bring the equipment prices down to a reasonable level and we'll talk...'til then, forget it. The subscription numbers speak for themselves--in a year or two, these people are gonna be listening to the same crappy stations we do now on their nice, expensive, useless, sat radios.
--
I'm not an ASI tech, but I play one on TV... | |
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| nl4jy
join:2002-05-02
Brooklyn, NY | Re: I would jump on the Sat-Radio bandwagon... So true, so true. It's really the hardware that's killing SR not the monthly subscription. If they are able to offer massive discount, then they'll have plenty of customers. Think of it as cell phones. I was looking at the two wireless service, and they both offer the same phone, but one give it to you free for a contract, and another want you to fork over $200 for it without... not wait WITH a contract. Now which one would you go for?
SR really have to figure out how to sell the hardware first instead of blaming of the government. | |
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| |
See 7 replies to this post |
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| | | said by BellBoy:
Oh sure you could buy a radio that's SR ready, but then throw the needed equipment into the mix and you're looking at selling the kids for some quick cash...
I believe when they say Satellite Ready, they mean that all you have to do is sign up for the service, you do not need to purchase any additional equipment. Also, within the next few weeks, new GM vehicles in the Dealer's Showrooms will have the Satellite Radios already installed at the factory or will be available as a factory installed option. XM Radio is offering a $75.00 rebate to anyone purchasing a Sony Radio through Dec 31, 2002 and other brands are now becoming available. Prices are coming down. It is no different than when any other technology is first offered. These radios require custom chip sets that will come down in price as they become mass produced. XM Radio also had over 201,000 paying customers on September 30, 2002. Satellite radio will never replace local broadcast radio, but then again there isn't really any local broadcast radio left! Doesn't Clear Channel Radio own around 1,500 "local" radio stations? | |
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| | BellBoySteven Paul Jobs 1955-2011Premium
join:2001-02-20
Los Angeles, CA | Re: I would jump on the Sat-Radio bandwagon... said by mjcrocket:
said by BellBoy:
Oh sure you could buy a radio that's SR ready, but then throw the needed equipment into the mix and you're looking at selling the kids for some quick cash...
I believe when they say Satellite Ready, they mean that all you have to do is sign up for the service, you do not need to purchase any additional equipment. Also, within the next few weeks, new GM vehicles in the Dealer's Showrooms will have the Satellite Radios already installed at the factory or will be available as a factory installed option. XM Radio is offering a $75.00 rebate to anyone purchasing a Sony Radio through Dec 31, 2002 and other brands are now becoming available. Prices are coming down. It is no different than when any other technology is first offered. These radios require custom chip sets that will come down in price as they become mass produced. XM Radio also had over 201,000 paying customers on September 30, 2002. Satellite radio will never replace local broadcast radio, but then again there isn't really any local broadcast radio left! Doesn't Clear Channel Radio own around 1,500 "local" radio stations?
If that's the case, then all of the people I've talked to about this are wrong. I was told that an additional piece of equipment plus a special antenna would have to be purchased.
Yeah, the prices might be coming down, but if your technology is hanging on by a thread you want people to adopt the service. Cutting prices might make the companies suffer in the short term, but that would hopefully do a couple of things: get more people to buy the cheaper radios--which would then lower prices for all sets because of increased demand...and more users would stabilize the subscriber base and expand it. That's just a theory, but it could work...
BTW, never say never when speaking about technology...once upon a time people said that there wouldn't be a need for computers outside of businesses either. With all of the RIAA bull***t going on, the public might flock to SR which could take out smaller broadcasters (if there's any left). So many different scenarios, so little time...
--
I'm not an ASI tech, but I play one on TV... | |
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| | | tcp1Premium
join:2000-04-17
Herndon, VA | Re: I would jump on the Sat-Radio bandwagon... Satellite "ready" (as in XM ready) means you need a tuner and an antenna. You can't just activate. No big deal, though; the pioneer is $149 or so.. and Sony (bless their overpriced hearts) is offering a $75 rebate right now. | |
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| | | | BellBoySteven Paul Jobs 1955-2011Premium
join:2001-02-20
Los Angeles, CA | Re: I would jump on the Sat-Radio bandwagon... said by tcp1:
Satellite "ready" (as in XM ready) means you need a tuner and an antenna. You can't just activate. No big deal, though; the pioneer is $149 or so.. and Sony (bless their overpriced hearts) is offering a $75 rebate right now.
There's the problem...you'd think with all of the electronics created these days that you could get an all-in-one unit! Next they'll start charging for the knobs and buttons...then the wires...gimme a break!
--
I'm not an ASI tech, but I play one on TV... | |
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| | | | | tcp1Premium
join:2000-04-17
Herndon, VA | Re: I would jump on the Sat-Radio bandwagon... Aha! And that is coming out. XM's new chipset should be ready by christmas, and will specifically enable an all-in-one unit. | |
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| tcp1Premium
join:2000-04-17
Herndon, VA | Well there's your problem, you're looking at Sony radios. Good luck with a company that thinks an "entry level price point" is $699. Try Pioneer, Alpine, or Clarion for XM and save your cash. | |
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| | What about 802.11b What if the Sat Radios do under, will 802.11b have restrictions lifted? | |
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 KrKHeavy Artillery For The Little GuyPremium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK | Oh, yeah? You have 150 stations plus in your area?
Lame local stations? Limited selection? Lots of ads?
Satellite still nukes it. | |
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 sporkmedrop the crantini and move it, sisterPremium,MVM
join:2000-07-01
Morristown, NJ
 ·Optimum Online
| Where's the connection? I don't get it. The theory here is that XM will be driven out of business by digital delivery of the same crap you buy the XM radio to be free of? I don't buy that at all.
Face it, 90% of the radio listening public could really care less about analog/digital. A car is not a living room, and most of those big "thump thump" cars where the audio gear is double the cost of the vehicle are blaring things you don't hear on broadcast radio.
I think the 200,000 people that signed up for XM signed up because they get 100-some channels of choice.
Bad journalism, bad theory.
What's next, an article predicting the death of cable tv when digital television broadcasts begin? oh wait, they already have digital tv broadcasts... | |
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| | | Re: Where's the connection? what a lame-ass article...
Sat Radio isn't better than FM because it's digital. It's better because it's what you want: MUSIC. FM really, really sucks. Just try to feel peaceful and relaxed while listening to FM the next time the commercials start blaring at you. I sure hope XM/SIRI can make it. I've got SIRI. It's a fantastic product and I'm never going back to FM...well maybe for 5 min to get the weather or traffic news. The PROBLEM with XM/SIRI is that they're burning too much cash and sometimes, good products are just brought to market at the wrong time or at too much expense. It's the best $12/month I've ever spent for a commercial-free environment. I wish I could say the same for my cable tv. | |
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| | Beckles
join:2000-10-14
Charlotte, NC | Re: Where's the connection? This is exactly right ... when I read this article on Wired last week I emailed the author immediately and told him the whole premise of his article was flawed. Satellite radio's main selling points are 1) 100 stations; 2) Nationwide availability of those same 100 stations (which is why it's apparently very popular with long-haul truckers); and 3) Less commercials than commercial radio (note I'm not trying to claim there are no commercials, and unfortunately on some of the stations, in particular the news and sports stations, there are gaps between the content that have to be filled, usually with info-tidbits instead of commercials). The digital quality is a distant fourth in selling points behind those three, and digital radio does nothing to diminish satellite radios big three selling points.
As for the cost of equipment, this is much less of an issue now that it is becoming more common on new cars where it is less expensive and a cleaner installation than the previous option of having it added. | |
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| |  Monies
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 neuronbobTHERE ARE NO SHORT CUTS. NONE.
join:2000-03-30
Bedford, OH | Hopefully sat radio will pull through I am an XM Radio customer. I bought the Pioneer receiver that can be used with my existing radio, on sale during the summer, got Circuit City's free install, and got $30 off the antenna. My total start up cost was $240. That is a bit steep for some, but the cost for what I got was well worth it. What did I get? I didn't get XM for digital audio...
--Mostly commercial free radio (some XM stations have commercials)
--A wide variety of music types, available 24/7. I got sick of hearing the same 20 artists over and over again on commercial radio. (an aside: the REAL reason the record companies are not selling CDs is the quality of the music, NOT file-swapping..I don't download MP3s, and I haven't bought a CD in nearly two years!)
--Cross-country coverage, as I travel long distances frequently.
--CNN in the car, a plus for a news-junkie like me.
Well worth the cost to me. Hopefully the Xmas season will open up more XM specials, bringing in enough customers that XM will finally take off.
As for XM and Sirius declaring bankruptcy, hopefully they won't, given that the major carmakers are investors in them and are just now rolling out product with XM (GM, Honda) and Sirius (Chrysler, Ford) included. | |
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| | | Re: Hopefully sat radio will pull through I agree. XM has been well worth the investment. Their ability to get to market first, plus their slightly lower subscription price put them a peg ahead of Sirius. I'm not sure the world is ready to support two satellite broadcasters, but my guess is that XM will continue to grow and thrive. | |
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tcp1Premium
join:2000-04-17
Herndon, VA Reviews:
·Verizon FiOS
| IBOC, the MORNING ZOO in 100% digital! Please, just like the RIAA, the NAB is a bunch of babbling industry morons trying to salvage an ancient business model.
"The only advantage of satellite radio was that they could say they were digital, and now that argument goes by the wayside"
MOOO! (plop).
Jesus. The only advantage of *IBOC* is now you'll be able to hear the corny dee-jays and ford dealership commercials in STUNNING DIGITAL CLARITY!
That, and next time I drive anywhere out of my 20-Something Urban Youth Zone(TM) I'll have to wade through farm reports and jehesus radio (amen) to find anything.
Not so with my XM; I've had it for a year, used it from New Hampshire to New Mexico, and it did NOT cost me $400 to get up and running.
Sirius is in trouble for a host of other reasons; they were late to the game, had problems at the gate, and just did not market right. XM on the other hand, I think has a fighting chance.. People buy XM because they get 100 channels that are original, fewer commercials, and nationwide. They aren't going to buy new hardware so they can hear no-noise crystal-clear "rock blocks" in between 100th-caller "prize pack" giveaways. | |
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|  TigerNutzLaissez les bons temps roulerPremium
join:2000-12-23
Little Rock, AR | Re: IBOC, the MORNING ZOO in 100% digital! Couldn't agree with you more TCP1 !!
I jumped on the XM band wagon 2 months ago, now I have
3 radios.
I think it's great! Well worth the money.
Read what others think about it at:
XMClub.com and XMFan.com
Steve
--
All bleeding stops eventually. | |
|
 homeruntcI Love That Penguin
join:2001-01-20
Jericho, NY | its coooool! does anyone else just think its cool to have ur radio signals bein sent to u from a satellite off in space? it just gives u that high tech warm feeling inside = P | |
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| | thats a bummer Playboy Radio, and people would pay for that?
The brail edition maybe | |
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| |  XM rocks.
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| | What About When It Rains I am leary about satellite radio. What happens when it's raining? I had satellite tv and as soon as you get a good shower, you loose your signal. Is this the same with satellite radio? That's pretty much the main reason I have never thought about installing it. I live in Fl where it rains pretty much 75% of the year. | |
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| | | Re: What About When It Rains I live in Florida and have had XM for several months. I have never had a reception problem, even in the heaviest of our Florida storms. | |
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| neuronbobTHERE ARE NO SHORT CUTS. NONE.
join:2000-03-30
Bedford, OH | I also have good XM Radio reception in heavy rain. I can relate to your sat TV problem as I've experienced it many times. | |
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| eakes
join:2000-10-20
Richardson, TX | Directv and Dish are transmitted from satellite at 12 Ghz. Since the size of a rain drop is about the same size as one wavelength at 12 Ghz there is rain attenuation (loss of signal) in rain storms. Light rain does not usually affect the signal. Satellite radio is transmitted at 2.4 Ghz, there is no rain attenuation at this frequency. Also, XM has earth based transmitters to 'fill in the gaps' in the coverage. The XM antenna has two leads coming from it to the radio, one is for the satellite signal and the other is for the ground based signal. About the only time you will lose signal is in a garage, long underpass, or a tunnel. | |
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| | | Thanks for all of your information. Went to BestBuy to inquire about it today. I am not sure I want to shell out $300 bucks at this point. Maybe wait for the prices to drop a bit. | |
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| | How Satellite Radio Works IT was my understanding that "satellite" radio also has ground antennas to rebroadcast the signal. I believe this was a reason that Cirius was slow to get started (poor coverage). I don't know how much "satellite" reception there is vs. ground antenna reception, but, weather should not affect the ground part. Anyone know more/different? | |
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