Just got SIRIUS satellite radio! (I'm cool now)

[MichaelD]

Well, after two years of having a "SIRIUS-Ready" headunit, I took the plunge and got the tuner and antenna. Hooked it up in about two hours...running the antenna cable was a PITA.

I paid my $142.50 (+$5 activation...that bothered me...) and I'm up and running.

I haven't quite figured out how the buttons on the radio correspond w/the different channels. I'm supposed to have 100 channels of stuff...so far, I've only counted 18. This is obviously an ID10T error.

So far though, it sounds pretty good. A bit overboosted in the low end, but that's to compensate for the "average Joe" that only has dinky 5.25 Jensen Coaxials in the doors and no sub. I don't have that problem. So, tomorrow when it's light again, I'll lower the sub amp level a bit and I'll read RTFM and figure out where my other 82 channels are.

<--got one

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: MichaelD
Well, after two years of having a "SIRIUS-Ready" headunit, I took the plunge and got the tuner and antenna. Hooked it up in about two hours...running the antenna cable was a PITA.

I paid my $142.50 (+$5 activation...that bothered me...) and I'm up and running.

I haven't quite figured out how the buttons on the radio correspond w/the different channels. I'm supposed to have 100 channels of stuff...so far, I've only counted 18. This is obviously an ID10T error.

So far though, it sounds pretty good. A bit overboosted in the low end, but that's to compensate for the "average Joe" that only has dinky 5.25 Jensen Coaxials in the doors and no sub. I don't have that problem. So, tomorrow when it's light again, I'll lower the sub amp level a bit and I'll read RTFM and figure out where my other 82 channels are.

<--got one

how is it compared to XM Radio?? i'm soo tempted to get XM radio because i drive about 3 hours a day and i travel various places, so it would be very very convenient to be able to access the same stations everywhere i go.

 

[Ikonomi]

I've been wanting to get satellite radio for a while, but I'm afraid of picking the wrong one and having my service terminated when the company goes under or something. Probably won't ever happen, but I don't want a tuner I can't use.

 

[MichaelD]

My buddy has XM in his car. He's got a Sony HU...it's FUGLY. But it's his car and his radio.

Anyway. Essentially, it's the same thing, different company. XM is actually cheaper. $10/mo v/ $12/mo.

I already had the Sirius ready headunit, so I didn't have a choice which one to get. Hookup was a joke. Three cables. Running the antenna wire was the hardest part, by far.

Antenna wire-->antenna input
Unplug existing 13-pin wire from CD Changer, plug that into "To Headunit" on Sirius Receiver.
Plug 13-pin wire that came with tuner from changer to "Slave Unit" on receiver.
Turn it on.

 

[dmurray14]

Enjoy, I know you will. Make sure to come to www.siriusbackstage.com...there is a good community over there.

 

[Noirish]

Sirius is 1 second closer to profitability with your sign on.

The problem with those two companies is: cash.
Do they have enough to take them to profitability that's like 2 years or more down the road?
Currently, it looks like a NO.
But who knows, maybe tons of people will sign up in the next 2 years and they will really take off.

 

[skarydrunkguy]

xm has 1.3 million subscribers
sirrius has 230k subs

i think i know who's going under.

 

[Batti]

XM now has 1.36 million subscribers. They added 1 million in 2003. I think they're going to make it!

I have two XM radios, and wouldn't give them up for the world. Makes the commute SO much better!

That Sony HU was a 1st gen unit, they are much nicer now.

 

[PlatinumGold]

Originally posted by: Batti
XM now has 1.36 million subscribers. They added 1 million in 2003. I think they're going to make it!

I have two XM radios, and wouldn't give them up for the world. Makes the commute SO much better!

That Sony HU was a 1st gen unit, they are much nicer now.

sounds like XM radio might be the better deal.

 

[bradolson]

The thing that will hurt Sirius is that with XM starting commercial-free music channels on Sunday, it takes away the only real advantage Sirius had. Now with both companies offering commercial-free music, plus XM with its 30+ traffic/weather channels starting 3/1 (Sirius promised this for sometime in '05), it's getting tough for Sirius to justify the extra $3 a month to the average consumer.

I got XM in November 2002 and fell in love with it. I even bought a little bit of stock in it back then, and it is now over 10x the price that I paid (although I didn't buy as much as I should've, lol)

 

[aphex]

Welcome to the club!

I've had sirius for 2 months now and i completely love it..... I listen to both Sirius and XM at work and im glad with the choice i made. Sirius not only sounds better than XM IMO, but the music selection is much better as well.

 

[Anubis]

im onmy second year of XM have a Pioneer HU and its just awsome

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: bradolson
The thing that will hurt Sirius is that with XM starting commercial-free music channels on Sunday, it takes away the only real advantage Sirius had. Now with both companies offering commercial-free music, plus XM with its 30+ traffic/weather channels starting 3/1 (Sirius promised this for sometime in '05), it's getting tough for Sirius to justify the extra $3 a month to the average consumer.

I got XM in November 2002 and fell in love with it. I even bought a little bit of stock in it back then, and it is now over 10x the price that I paid (although I didn't buy as much as I should've, lol)

Starting next month, if you prepay a year of sirius they give you 3 months in addition free.... Working out to ~$10/month...

 

[vi edit]

Hrmm...interestingly enough I bought an Audiovox Sirius unit & the home adapter for it tonight. Now I'm questioning the purchase after reading about the subscription base :frown:.

I bought the audiovox sirius unit because it was the easiest to hook up to my craptastic GM Delco clunker head unit that will never be upgraded. It also had the cheapest way of moving the unit over to other cars.

I'm questioning on if I should take it back and buy XM :\

 

[freakflag]

There is a rumor floating around that Opie & Anthony will be back on the air with Sirius when their Infinity contract expires in June.

I wonder what kind of impact that will have on subscriptions.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Hrmm...interestingly enough I bought an Audiovox Sirius unit & the home adapter for it tonight. Now I'm questioning the purchase after reading about the subscription base :frown:.

I bought the audiovox sirius unit because it was the easiest to hook up to my craptastic GM Delco clunker head unit that will never be upgraded. It also had the cheapest way of moving the unit over to other cars.

I'm questioning on if I should take it back and buy XM :\

Dont do it!! I have to hear both of them at work for 7+ hours a day... We switch them around all day to show them to customers, but during the down time we always mess around with both of them to check out the SQ and selection of music. We ALWAYS end up on a Sirius station, always.

 

[aphex]

Oh yea, one other thing (although it probably dosent apply to most of us). Sirius will also be rolling out Satellite video services around the 1st quarter of '05.....

 

[dmurray14]

Also, Sirius now has exclusive rights to all NFL games, and they will soon be broadcasting video to cars. Lets seem XM do that.

 

[MichaelD]

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: bradolson
The thing that will hurt Sirius is that with XM starting commercial-free music channels on Sunday, it takes away the only real advantage Sirius had. Now with both companies offering commercial-free music, plus XM with its 30+ traffic/weather channels starting 3/1 (Sirius promised this for sometime in '05), it's getting tough for Sirius to justify the extra $3 a month to the average consumer.

I got XM in November 2002 and fell in love with it. I even bought a little bit of stock in it back then, and it is now over 10x the price that I paid (although I didn't buy as much as I should've, lol)

Starting next month, if you prepay a year of sirius they give you 3 months in addition free.... Working out to ~$10/month...

WHAT? "Next month" as in February? :| I signed up ONE DAY early and I get screwed? I WILL be emailing their customer service for a credit to my CC. :disgust: It'll be just WRONG if they don't oblige.

That said, I think the sound quality is very good. I really like the stream of Artist/Title for every single song. I was browsing the channels...I really didn't care to know that "9mm Limo Pimp Brothas" sing "F8cking Crack Whore" but it was interesting nonetheless.

So far, so good. I will be checking their website on Sunday though!

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: MichaelD

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: bradolson
The thing that will hurt Sirius is that with XM starting commercial-free music channels on Sunday, it takes away the only real advantage Sirius had. Now with both companies offering commercial-free music, plus XM with its 30+ traffic/weather channels starting 3/1 (Sirius promised this for sometime in '05), it's getting tough for Sirius to justify the extra $3 a month to the average consumer.

I got XM in November 2002 and fell in love with it. I even bought a little bit of stock in it back then, and it is now over 10x the price that I paid (although I didn't buy as much as I should've, lol)

Starting next month, if you prepay a year of sirius they give you 3 months in addition free.... Working out to ~$10/month...

WHAT? "Next month" as in February? :| I signed up ONE DAY early and I get screwed? I WILL be emailing their customer service for a credit to my CC. :disgust: It'll be just WRONG if they don't oblige.

That said, I think the sound quality is very good. I really like the stream of Artist/Title for every single song. I was browsing the channels...I really didn't care to know that "9mm Limo Pimp Brothas" sing "F8cking Crack Whore" but it was interesting nonetheless.

So far, so good. I will be checking their website on Sunday though!

Actually, seems to start 2/15.....

Check this thread - http://www.siriusbackstage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6219

 

[MichaelD]

*steam coming out of ears*

/subsiding

Thanks, Aphex; I don't feel so badly now.

Mmmm, streaming video...the bandwith of the antenna is *digs the antenna box out of trash*

/eww....crap on box...

12.5 MHz

How's that translate into "data rate" as in Mb/s?

A motorized, flip out/up, 7" color LCD would look SO nice in that empty DIN slot under my HU. :evil:

 

[Murphyrulez]

I just bought 2 Audiovox units from Best Buy at the beginning of the week. Sirius, of course...

It is so nice to be able to listen to what you want, without the commercials! I can't believe I didn't do it earlier... Install was so easy... They say that Sirius is coming out with a whole-house repeater, so if you have more than one unit in your house you can mount one antenna outside, and it will cover your whole house, no need to mount an antenna for each unit...

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Murphyrulez
I just bought 2 Audiovox units from Best Buy at the beginning of the week. Sirius, of course...

It is so nice to be able to listen to what you want, without the commercials! I can't believe I didn't do it earlier... Install was so easy... They say that Sirius is coming out with a whole-house repeater, so if you have more than one unit in your house you can mount one antenna outside, and it will cover your whole house, no need to mount an antenna for each unit...

Excellent. I'll be sure to check into that when it comes out. I've been VERY happy with my setup. It's nice not hearing the same 24 songs in constant rotation

 

[skarydrunkguy]

i think that xm will have better luck with streaming video then sirius will (whether they plan to start anytime soon though, is anybodys guess) as they have geosynchronous satellites vs. sirius' 3 satellites that rotate over the country. the broadcast cost will be 33% cheaper for xm. i still think i know who is going under...

 

[minendo]

I already had the Sirius ready headunit, so I didn't have a choice which one to get.

Yes you did have a choice.