XMRadio for PC - good for car audio too?

[guyver01]

XM PCR

XM PCR doesn't hog bandwidth. In fact, it doesn't even require an internet connection. It's not Internet, it's Satellite Radio.

No Internet connection needed. No buffering delays. It's not Internet, it's Satellite Radio.

See everything currently playing across XM's 100 channels



Now if you have a laptop, you can take this into your car and listen there, correct? No need for the car receiver.. just hook up your laptop (like i always do anyways, to listen to mp3.)


Now all i need is a 'deal' on the receiver.

 

[murphy55d]

I still have a hard time justifying 10 bucks a month for radio. Is there any sort of 'demo'?

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
I still have a hard time justifying 10 bucks a month for radio. Is there any sort of 'demo'?

Well...it is over 100 stations, digital quality, and the music stations are commercial free. While it maybe "radio" it's hardly like normal radio. AFAIK, there are demo streams on their site...

 

[aircooled]

Originally posted by: murphy55d
I still have a hard time justifying 10 bucks a month for radio. Is there any sort of 'demo'?

It's well worth it if you spend alot of time in the car.
I think a handful of channels work without the subscription, but I would find someone that has it and ask for a demo.

 

[dmurray14]

Go for Sirius! You could almost definitely get free equipment, and I feel that their service is much better since they have no commercials and XM does.

 

[loup garou]

hmm...doesn't look too bad. The receiver gets power over usb, so you don't have another power cord to worry about. The antenna is separate and according to the install doc, you can use up to 100' of extension with it, so you can position it in your rear window, which should work fine for a signal. I'd wonder about the sensitivity of the antenna, though. It's made to sit in one place. I bet you could connect one of their auto antennas to the PC receiver no problem though...

 

[Chaotic42]

To hell with satellite radio!

Unless you want all of the local stations to dry up and die.

 

[loup garou]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
To hell with satellite radio!

Unless you want all of the local stations to dry up and die.

Commercial local stations can dry up and die for all I care. Listener-supported stations aren't going anywhere.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: werk

Commercial local stations can dry up and die for all I care.

Thanks, I appreciate that...

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
To hell with satellite radio!

Unless you want all of the local stations to dry up and die.

Well, maybe then the local radio stations should put out a better product. I can bear to listen to the radio on my way home in the morning since all they do is talk talk talk. When they do play music, it's usually just an repeat of the same playlist over and over. Until satellite radio is free and doesn't require the purchase of extra equipment, I think regular radio is in no danger.

 

[Chaotic42]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Well, maybe then the local radio stations should put out a better product. I can bear to listen to the radio on my way home in the morning since all they do is talk talk talk. When they do play music, it's usually just an repeat of the same playlist over and over. Until satellite radio is free and doesn't require the purchase of extra equipment, I think regular radio is in no danger.

Some stations play a satellite feed from a centralized place. If the acutal DJ doesn't say the station call letters or numbers (ie just says "Oldies Radio" instead of "Oldies 97"), it's not local.

On our stations we have 4 hours of local DJing per weekday. I strongly disagree with this. I think that just not having a person talk is better than going to the generic satellite feed. I'm not in charge though.

When it's actually local, we have lots and lots of song. Obscure songs that few have ever heard. When we go to satellite, it's the same crap over and over again, so trust me, I feel your pain. The thing is, we can't afford to hire new people.

Radio stations would be a lot better if there was no managment.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Well, maybe then the local radio stations should put out a better product. I can bear to listen to the radio on my way home in the morning since all they do is talk talk talk. When they do play music, it's usually just an repeat of the same playlist over and over. Until satellite radio is free and doesn't require the purchase of extra equipment, I think regular radio is in no danger.

Some stations play a satellite feed from a centralized place. If the acutal DJ doesn't say the station call letters or numbers (ie just says "Oldies Radio" instead of "Oldies 97"), it's not local.

On our stations we have 4 hours of local DJing per weekday. I strongly disagree with this. I think that just not having a person talk is better than going to the generic satellite feed. I'm not in charge though.

When it's actually local, we have lots and lots of song. Obscure songs that few have ever heard. When we go to satellite, it's the same crap over and over again, so trust me, I feel your pain. The thing is, we can't afford to hire new people.

Radio stations would be a lot better if there was no managment.

You make some good points. It seems radio variety varies quite heavily from area to area. When I went to southern Florida recently, they had several sations that played live DJ sets and various club style music and it was great. Upe here in NH, our stations from NH and Boston are slowly becoming part of the Clear Channel crap. They have live shows on the mornings, but they talk and talk and rarely play much music.

We used to have some good shows on from local colleges on the weekends on stations like WBCN, but they seem to have all but vanished.

 

[Chaotic42]

I believe there should be very minimal talking.

Play the music, tell what it was, maybe with an interesting sentence or two about the song/singer, then more music. I also like the idea of obscure, deep cuts with familiar songs mixed in.

I don't like contests or anything like that. Just give me music. May I ask what genre of stations you're refering to?

 

[Insane3D]

Well, around here...pretty much a mix of everything. I primarily like to listen to various forms of trance and other electronic music, as well as some rock, metal, and even some mainstream "hip-hop" is ok now and again. Most of the stations here are out of Mass, except for "Rock 101 WGIR" which is Manchester based as well as another station out on the seacoast of NH, but both have become clear channel channels. The morning shows are all the same on all the channels...talking about the news, having some stupid contest, or bringing up a stupid topic and having everyone call in with their two cents. There is really no electronic music to be had up here except for the two Boston dance stations that usually have a live show from local clubs on Saturday night, but that's it.

 

[Chaotic42]

Yikes.

CC sucks, that's for sure. We have a news/talk station that is very popular here. There's no TV station for the people in this town, and they need a local forum. Local radio is great for that.

In your case I can see how satellite radio would be better, I'd imagine it's hard to get sponsors for that kind of music (I'm not putting it down, advertisers seem to be pretty conservative).

Maybe someone with a few million dollars will start up a good local station for you.

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Yikes.

CC sucks, that's for sure. We have a news/talk station that is very popular here. There's no TV station for the people in this town, and they need a local forum. Local radio is great for that.

In your case I can see how satellite radio would be better, I'd imagine it's hard to get sponsors for that kind of music (I'm not putting it down, advertisers seem to be pretty conservative).

Maybe someone with a few million dollars will start up a good local station for you.

Yeah, when I was in Southern Florida on vacation, it was awesome down there. Iactually went cruising around in the rental car more and just cranked the tunes. I was in heaven down there..

Oh well, once I replace the old stereo I'm using now in my car since the one I had was stolen, I will likely be back to listening to CD's only...especially with a deck that can play MP3's and WMA files.

 

[Chaotic42]

Well, make sure you tell the station exactly what you think of them. Politely. In a letter to the manager. That's the best way to effect change.

Getting feedback from listeners is very difficult. Let them know if you like something, too. Otherwise they might can it because they people don't respond.

 

[Insane3D]

Hmmmm. That sounds lie a good idea. Now, if only I wasn't a lazy POS.

 

[guyver01]

The one thing i like about XM is their new NASCAR station.. they stream all the races, so i can listen to them when i'm out on the road.

 

[aircooled]

To me the benefit of XM is not only having 100 digital channels, but also not loosing a station when driving out of town (which I do regularly).
Before XM I would be in always hit a dead zone either no good stations or very bad reception for a long period of time.

XM does have more commercials than Sirius, but several of their music channels are commercial free.
I would also guess that when these companies get more established one will acquire the other (I'm betting XM will win that game). Regardless. For 10 bucks a month I am very satisfied with XM radio, and the hardware keeps getting cheaper.

I highly recommend the Delphi SkyFi unit. I plan on getting the boombox case for it soon for portability.

 

[dmurray14]

Aircooled, you make some good points. But I have to say, I honestly don't think Sirius is going anywhere for a while. Recent events (don't really remember what) have brought them into a great financial position, better than XM is in, if I remember correctly.

It really just comes down to what you like. Go to circuit city or Best Buy and try them out, see which one fits you better. Otherwise, try their online streams. It's all personal preference.

Edit: Also, if you look hard (PM me for clues) you might be able to find a Friends & Family deal from Sirius where they will give you brand new equipment for free with a 1 year contract.

 

[Spoooon]

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I believe there should be very minimal talking.

Play the music, tell what it was, maybe with an interesting sentence or two about the song/singer, then more music. I also like the idea of obscure, deep cuts with familiar songs mixed in.

I don't like contests or anything like that. Just give me music. May I ask what genre of stations you're refering to?

Personally, I kind of like "morning shows" and things like that. When I want to just listen to music, I pop in a cd. When I want to listen to music plus "stuff" I go to the radio.

 

[Electrode]

What I want to know is:

1. When will Sirius offer a similar device?
2. When will said device work under Linux?

When the answer to both is "now", I will be interested.

 

[aircooled]

Originally posted by: Spoooon

Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I believe there should be very minimal talking.

Play the music, tell what it was, maybe with an interesting sentence or two about the song/singer, then more music. I also like the idea of obscure, deep cuts with familiar songs mixed in.

I don't like contests or anything like that. Just give me music. May I ask what genre of stations you're refering to?

Personally, I kind of like "morning shows" and things like that. When I want to just listen to music, I pop in a cd. When I want to listen to music plus "stuff" I go to the radio.

All Morning Shows, All day long... XM Channel 152