Just signed up for Sirius radio..... (Updated)

[aphex]

I love the variety of the programming, some really kickass stations on there...

The only thing im realizing is that i wanna run it directly into my stock radio, instead of using the FM Transmitter or Tape Adaptor. The FM Trans sucks ass, and in my Passat the signal is pretty damn scratchy. The tape adapter is much better, but its still not the full quality sound. I think im gonna pickup a adapter to change my cd chager port into a RCA in, and use the Sirius through that. I'll loose my cd changer, but i have a feeling i wont miss it

Anyone else have sirius?

UPDATE: So i've been using it for a few hours now, and there are just a few things i want to say. WHY IN THE HELL DID IT TAKE ME SO LONG TO GET THIS!? My god, the selection of music is nothing short of incredible! I havent even made it through half the stations yet because pretty much all of them rock. I also loved how easy the installation was for the Kenwood H2A unit, completely plug and play. I also didnt even need to put the antenna on the outside of my car, its sitting in my rear deck and gets a complete full signal in all directions. Now maybe its a Florida thing since i dont have any real obstructions of the sky, but considering the 3 satellites are up over Minnesota, i think thats pretty damn sweet.... I'll post back later with a better update, im installing my house kit right now...

 

[Drekce]

I have been looking at these...why did you choose Sirius over XM?

 

[LinuxIdiot]

I am thinking of going to either Sirius or XM been looking at XM cuz I like the portable reciever , but worried there will be no signal where I live and they dont have a list of the available repeaters and in what areas

 

[Chadder007]

Originally posted by: LinuxIdiot
I am thinking of going to either Sirius or XM been looking at XM cuz I like the portable reciever , but worried there will be no signal where I live and they dont have a list of the available repeaters and in what areas

No signal???.....this is satelite radio. Should be signal everywhere except in like tunnels.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Drekce
I have been looking at these...why did you choose Sirius over XM?

A few reasons...

1) I got the H2A Tuner, Car Kit, & Home Kit for free from work.
2) No commercials on the music stations, something that truely irks me on normal radio
3) Better music selection

Even if i didnt get the setup for free, i still would probably have chosen sirius over XM.

 

[Gravity]

Had it in rental cars. It's the crispest, clearest radio I've ever heard. You'll enjoy it immensely.

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Gravity
Had it in rental cars. It's the crispest, clearest radio I've ever heard. You'll enjoy it immensely.

Its pretty sad... Im looking for places to go, just so i can listen to the radio

 

[aphex]

Update

 

[LinuxIdiot]

Some people are just in areas that get crap signal, thats my only worry but i guess i could buy the home kit and try it out anyhow I really want especially to hook it up to the stereo sweet!.

Xm Fan is a pretty good resource site i was checking it out the other day about XM but yea you got sirius have not looked into that one yet, wonder if they have recievers for both that would kick ass in case one was to go out of business. I read some of what people in dallas texas area had to say some said they got good reception some said they got crap signal on the way from dallas to austin. So concerned about spending that much money for sub-par quality. Maybe I will check out Sirius for Arlington.

have fun

 

[Lyfer]

Paying for Radio?

 

[aphex]

http://www.siriusbackstage.com (Awesome Resource)

Well, i have learned a few things about the two over the past few days....

XM - 2 Stationary Satellites in a lower orbit (22k feet)... 400-500 ground repeaters to extend signal since the reception area is apparently lower.
Sirius - 3 Satelites that rotate over Minnesota at nearly 30k feet, more chance of a signal since one will always be up, so there are only 95 or so ground repeaters in major metropolitan cities...

The main selling point of Sirius over XM for me was no commercials... Its gotten so bad down here that 20/60 minutes of music are commercials.... Crappy ones to boot

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Lyfer
Paying for Radio?

The only simularity it shares with radio is its name.

+ Much Better Sound Quality
+ No Commercials
+ No Changing Stations on long trips
+ Awesome selection of Music
+ Ability to stream all the stations on the web, anywhere.

For $13/month, its more than worth it.... Believe me, i used to think the same way you did.... But not that i've gone Sat Radio, i aint goin back...

 

[LinuxIdiot]

Aphex,

Thanks for the link I was in the middle of looking for one when you posted that

 

[StageLeft]

OK I need a birthday gift in Jan. How much would this cost including the home receiving thing so that I can hook it up to my real receiver? What is the monthly cost? The headunit in my car - would this thing hook into it easily enough?

 

[cjchaps]

I took a road trip for 10 days in the upper midwest(Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin) and only really lost the signal once in the middle of nowhere in Michigan.

 

[dolph]

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: Lyfer
Paying for Radio?

The only simularity it shares with radio is its name.

+ Much Better Sound Quality
+ No Commercials
+ No Changing Stations on long trips
+ Awesome selection of Music
+ Ability to stream all the stations on the web, anywhere.

For $13/month, its more than worth it.... Believe me, i used to think the same way you did.... But not that i've gone Sat Radio, i aint goin back...

why do some people pay for premium cable when broadcast tv is free? same logic.

 

[MazerRackham]

My Clarion deck is a Sirius tuner... maybe I should get the antenna for it?

 

[LinuxIdiot]

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: Drekce I have been looking at these...why did you choose Sirius over XM?

A few reasons... 1) I got the H2A Tuner, Car Kit, & Home Kit for free from work. 2) No commercials on the music stations, something that truely irks me on normal radio 3) Better music selection Even if i didnt get the setup for free, i still would probably have chosen sirius over XM.

Snap! You wanna hook me up with this deal I would definitely look to get Sirius if I got that all for free

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: Skoorb
OK I need a birthday gift in Jan. How much would this cost including the home receiving thing so that I can hook it up to my real receiver? What is the monthly cost? The headunit in my car - would this thing hook into it easily enough?

Depends on the type of inputs your car radio has..... There are many options to hook it up to both stock radios (like i did) and also aftermarket car radios...

For the H2A Unit i purchased, the normal price is $99 for the reciever, $49 for the Car Kit (with built in wireless FM transmitter, the one without is is $29) and the home kit is $49. All you need to get the setup working though is the reciever and the home or car kit (but both are cool if you wanna use it everywhere). Each of them come with their own antenna, so you dont have to buy them seperately...

In terms of hooking up to your car system, there are 4 options, listed in order of quality (lowest to highest)

FM Transmitter ---> FM Modulator ---> Tape Adaptor (what im using) ---> Direct Connect (via RCA Imputs or 1/8" Mini Plug in dash)

As for the home kit, it comes with an antenna and rca's to hook up to your stereo....

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: LinuxIdiot

Originally posted by: aphex

Originally posted by: Drekce I have been looking at these...why did you choose Sirius over XM?

A few reasons... 1) I got the H2A Tuner, Car Kit, & Home Kit for free from work. 2) No commercials on the music stations, something that truely irks me on normal radio 3) Better music selection Even if i didnt get the setup for free, i still would probably have chosen sirius over XM.

Snap! You wanna hook me up with this deal I would definitely look to get Sirius if I got that all for free

I work for Circuit City, it was an accomodations offer for employees..... sorry

Check SiriusBackstage.com for the friends and family deal though.... You can pick up a complete kit for like $99 i think.... Like buy one part, get the other free....

BTW, check out the Brix Streamer & Audiovox PnP2, they both have kickass screens... Better than my H2A, but larger as well....

 

[Kadarin]

My fear would be paying $13/month just for the opportunity to listen to Clear Channel, Inc. all over the country. Oh, wait..

 

[LinuxIdiot]

Here is a link to a list of known Sirius repeaters for anyone interested. List of known repeaters

Edit: Thanks Aphex fixed link, I wish I knew of a repeater for either one for both I would pick one for sure. I might go get a package soon though. Broke this week

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: LinuxIdiot
Here is a link to a list of known Sirius repeaters for anyone interested. <a class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.siriusbackstage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4089&highlight=repeaters+list&sid=af96f8141668b47648094d04001cf540" target=blank>List of known repeaters</A>

Fixed your link for ya.....

Repeters for Sirius seem to only be important in major cities with large buildings for the most part....

I live in Sarasota, FL and get a perfect signal with no repeaters around.....

 

[LinuxIdiot]

I am more worried about the obstructions around the house TONS of trees in the front and back yard mgiht be able to get it to work, just have to check it out, thanks for your opinion of the service

 

[aphex]

Originally posted by: LinuxIdiot
I am more worried about the obstructions around the house TONS of trees in the front and back yard mgiht be able to get it to work, just have to check it out, thanks for your opinion of the service

No prob....

Something to consider, the Car Antenna seems to be much better at picking up a signal since its uni-directional, where as the home antenna is more directional.... If the home one dosent work, try the car antenna