OT: XM Questions

[Greg]

I know that there are people here who love their XM or Sirus radio, but I have a question. I just bought my XM radio receiver from Walmart today and have started my subscription. If I ever decided to bit the bullet and buy a car stereo or home stereo with the XM built in, do I have to take out a separate service for each one, or can I use the same service for each component? I know I'm going to love it, but something tells me I might be happier if I actually bought a stereo system for my car that is XM ready. What do you guys think?

I decided to put it in my Mustang, but dang it, I already have a blown fuse for both the cigarette lighter and the adapter input. Not sure how that happened! I guess I can use it in my Sentra until I replace the fuse in my Mustang......

[Rockindeano]

Same service, different components. Same as Sirius.

I have the car player which oplugs into the lighter, and also I can listen online. I do not know if you can listen online with XM, but if you can, you don't need a Home system, unless you are into huge sound. I only have it for Howard and Bubba, so I don't need huge sound.

XM will be merged into Sirius Greggie in a couple months...you'll love it dude.

[Greg]

Same service, different components. Same as Sirius.

I have the car player which oplugs into the lighter, and also I can listen online. I do not know if you can listen online with XM, but if you can, you don't need a Home system, unless you are into huge sound. I only have it for Howard and Bubba, so I don't need huge sound.

XM will be merged into Sirius Greggie in a couple months...you'll love it dude.

That's what I've been hearing. My friend today was telling me he heard they were still going to keep them both as separate services, and I hope he's wrong. Of course, I can imagine if they combined the services, they would charge more each month for it. As far as listening online, I tried to do that, but either XM has a separate fee for listening online or they have my account log in screwed up. That is good about having the same service for the different components. I was afraid I was going to have to take out a new subscription if I decide to buy additional components. I do like the big sound, but where my apartment is, it isn't exactly wide open, so I don't know if I would even be able to get a signal inside or not. I'm thinking of getting a home adapter for my office at work though. I can only upload so many songs onto our backup drives before they start raggin' me on using up the backups for my music..hahaha!

[Greg]

Ha! I was wrong! I don't have to pay a separate fee, I just had to create a separate account for the online radio. This is cool!

[Michael Leigh]

Same service, different components. Same as Sirius.

I have the car player which oplugs into the lighter, and also I can listen online. I do not know if you can listen online with XM, but if you can, you don't need a Home system, unless you are into huge sound. I only have it for Howard and Bubba, so I don't need huge sound.

XM will be merged into Sirius Greggie in a couple months...you'll love it dude.

I have XM and LOOOOOVE it. ANYTHING,beats the shit out of commercial radio.
I don't really care about Bubba or Howard,but they have a number of GREAT rock stations,including The Boneyard which plays current music by hard rock artists, and plays Soul SirkUS on a regular basis.
I have 2 XM units.
I have a My FI, which I can transport from home or my car ( I have a home kit and a car kit),and I use that mostly.It sounds GREAT on my stereo. I also have a Sky Fi, which lets you take it ANYWHERE, and transmit on a radio station in any car. I LOVED that when I used to travel for my job. I was never with out my XM with that unit.They also have a new unit that gives you portable XM plus also allows you to record XM programming and download MP3's.
You can also listen online if you are an XM subscriber.

Dude, you will love it.Like Deano XM and Sirius are planning to merge, and I am sure they will have a variety of packages available,once they do.

[Greg]

Same service, different components. Same as Sirius.

I have the car player which oplugs into the lighter, and also I can listen online. I do not know if you can listen online with XM, but if you can, you don't need a Home system, unless you are into huge sound. I only have it for Howard and Bubba, so I don't need huge sound.

XM will be merged into Sirius Greggie in a couple months...you'll love it dude.

I have XM and LOOOOOVE it. ANYTHING,beats the shit out of commercial radio.
I don't really care about Bubba or Howard,but they have a number of GREAT rock stations,including The Boneyard which plays current music by hard rock artists, and plays Soul SirkUS on a regular basis.
I have 2 XM units.
I have a My FI, which I can transport from home or my car ( I have a home kit and a car kit),and I use that mostly.It sounds GREAT on my stereo. I also have a Sky Fi, which lets you take it ANYWHERE, and transmit on a radio station in any car. I LOVED that when I used to travel for my job. I was never with out my XM with that unit.They also have a new unit that gives you portable XM plus also allows you to record XM programming and download MP3's.
You can also listen online if you are an XM subscriber.

Dude, you will love it.Like Deano XM and Sirius are planning to merge, and I am sure they will have a variety of packages available,once they do.

I am really interested in the portable players that you are talking about. Is it something I can take up to the track with me when I go out for my exercise?

[Rockindeano]

I am really interested in the portable players that you are talking about. Is it something I can take up to the track with me when I go out for my exercise?

Sirius has a portable called "Stiletto." It's awesome.

[Greg]

I am really interested in the portable players that you are talking about. Is it something I can take up to the track with me when I go out for my exercise?

Sirius has a portable called "Stiletto." It's awesome.

Hhhmmm. Well, maybe when they do merge, I can get the Stiletto and they won't charge me for a new service. I can tell I am going to get hooked on this pretty fast. Now if I can just figure out why that fuse blew in my Mustang!

[Michael Leigh]

I am really interested in the portable players that you are talking about. Is it something I can take up to the track with me when I go out for my exercise?

Sirius has a portable called "Stiletto." It's awesome.

Hhhmmm. Well, maybe when they do merge, I can get the Stiletto and they won't charge me for a new service. I can tell I am going to get hooked on this pretty fast. Now if I can just figure out why that fuse blew in my Mustang!

There is a website called myradiostore.com that sells the Inno reconditioned for about half the price.
it comes with a full warranty and is about the size of a cell phone.
i do think prices for all the units (XM and Sirus) will come down in price once and if the merger goes through, and I expect the price for the service to go up a bit.
Yes, you should be able to take an Inno or Sky Fi anywhere.
WHen I was travelling I once listened to XM on a flight from Salt Lake City to South Carolina.
I lost signal only a few times, but it made the flight go by faster.

[Greg]

I am really interested in the portable players that you are talking about. Is it something I can take up to the track with me when I go out for my exercise?

Sirius has a portable called "Stiletto." It's awesome.

Hhhmmm. Well, maybe when they do merge, I can get the Stiletto and they won't charge me for a new service. I can tell I am going to get hooked on this pretty fast. Now if I can just figure out why that fuse blew in my Mustang!

There is a website called myradiostore.com that sells the Inno reconditioned for about half the price.
it comes with a full warranty and is about the size of a cell phone.
i do think prices for all the units (XM and Sirus) will come down in price once and if the merger goes through, and I expect the price for the service to go up a bit.
Yes, you should be able to take an Inno or Sky Fi anywhere.
WHen I was travelling I once listened to XM on a flight from Salt Lake City to South Carolina.
I lost signal only a few times, but it made the flight go by faster.

I was reading up on the merger and they are having issues of bandwidth, which is why I think they might keep both services separate, at least for now. If they ever do go up in price, I just hope it isn't by a lot. $13 bucks a month is extremely cheap. I might be willing to pay $18 - $20 a month, but I hope they don't start going up past that.

[jrnyman28]

From what I hear, if you want Talk and Sports than Sirius is the way to go. But for MUSIC, XM seems better.

I have yet to bite the bullet, I just don't get to listen enough. If I was in my car more, or could play the radio at home more I would definately sign up.

I have thought about the portable XM, but I have an iPod as well so...

It will be interesting to see if the programming changes when the two combine. Will Sirius become more like XM or vice versa?

[Rockindeano]

From what I hear, if you want Talk and Sports than Sirius is the way to go. But for MUSIC, XM seems better.

No. Sirius has just as many music stations as XM, and they have NBA, NFL, NHL and Nascar. XM has only Baseball.

It will be interesting to see if the programming changes when the two combine. Will Sirius become more like XM or vice versa?

From what Howard hints at, is a merger, making all the sport leagues available, all the talk will stay, and all the copying music genres will cease.

[NealIsGod]

A merger may not happen. Can't have a monolpoly like that. One satellite company with all the major sports leagues? I don't see how it can be allowed.

[Rockindeano]

A merger may not happen. Can't have a monolpoly like that. One satellite company with all the major sports leagues? I don't see how it can be allowed.

It's not a monopoly. It's a different entity. It's satellite radio. If that is your argument, then why the Hell is Free radio allowed? Terrestrial radio is on it's way out.

[NealIsGod]

A merger may not happen. Can't have a monolpoly like that. One satellite company with all the major sports leagues? I don't see how it can be allowed.

It's not a monopoly. It's a different entity. It's satellite radio. If that is your argument, then why the Hell is Free radio allowed? Terrestrial radio is on it's way out.

Satellite radio is no different than satellite TV. Lack of competition means consumers get screwed.

[Michael Leigh]

A merger may not happen. Can't have a monolpoly like that. One satellite company with all the major sports leagues? I don't see how it can be allowed.

It's not a monopoly. It's a different entity. It's satellite radio. If that is your argument, then why the Hell is Free radio allowed? Terrestrial radio is on it's way out.

I had Sirius in my rental car for about 2 weeks when I was travelling, and found their metal/hard rock station to be pretty repetative.I heard pretty much the same songs by the bands on that particular station. Their 80's station was cool as was their "classic vinyl"channel ( I think that is what it was called).
Just from my experience, I thought XM did have a better music selection.
I hope as far as music went,they stick with the XM format.I am not much of a sports guy,so I don't really care about NHL and NASCAR.As far as football goes, I watch that on TV.
I have had XM for about 4 years now,and it's awesome. I don't know about what radio is like in the rest of the country but our classic rock station in Baltimore, pretty much sucks.
The other 2 rock stations play nothing but emo crap or bands with a number in their name (Blink 182,Sum 41,etc.).Funny thing is the will get in the faces of bands like Journey like they are still in their regular rotation.

The Boneyard on XM play a lot of the bands that Andrew reviews on this site, plus Eddie Trunk has his own show on Monday nights,and they play an excellent mis of old school and current hard rock and metal.

Commercial radio has done it to themselves.
I'm with Deano. I think Sat radio is the future.
I don't think AM/FM will ever go away completely, but I think their listenership will drop with the advent of SatRad.The people in denial,are the same ones that said people would never pay for TV when they can get it for free.

[Michael Leigh]

A merger may not happen. Can't have a monolpoly like that. One satellite company with all the major sports leagues? I don't see how it can be allowed.

I thought the same thing NIG,but really all XM and Sirius are doing is simulcasting the games.
Direct TV has ALL of the NFL games. Can't get that on cable or Dish Network,so Direct TV is monopolizing the NFL to a point.

[RedWingFan]

No. Sirius has just as many music stations as XM, and they have NBA, NFL, NHL and Nascar. XM has only Baseball.

Deano, I've been listening to NHL on XM all year. Did Sirius outbid XM for the NHL for next season or something? Anyway, love your updated av. He'd be a bit more effective goalie than skater though. Try this!

[Greg]

The only thing I fear with the merger is the monthly costs getting outrageous. Right now, $13 a month is nothing. But, if it ever got up to $30 or $40 a month, I think that would be a little too much to ask for Sat. Radio.

[RedWingFan]

The only thing I fear with the merger is the monthly costs getting outrageous. Right now, $13 a month is nothing. But, if it ever got up to $30 or $40 a month, I think that would be a little too much to ask for Sat. Radio.

I hear ya, that'd be a bit rediculous. I don't see how they could merge without raising fees. Of course they'll wait awhile then jack them up. I'd like to be able to listen to Stern again. I've just been keeping track of them on Marksfriggin.com

[Rockindeano]

The only thing I fear with the merger is the monthly costs getting outrageous. Right now, $13 a month is nothing. But, if it ever got up to $30 or $40 a month, I think that would be a little too much to ask for Sat. Radio.

I hear ya, that'd be a bit rediculous. I don't see how they could merge without raising fees. Of course they'll wait awhile then jack them up. I'd like to be able to listen to Stern again. I've just been keeping track of them on Marksfriggin.com

Dude, a merger will lower costs. Less people to provide the same service.

[jrnyman28]

From what I hear, if you want Talk and Sports than Sirius is the way to go. But for MUSIC, XM seems better.

No. Sirius has just as many music stations as XM, and they have NBA, NFL, NHL and Nascar. XM has only Baseball.

But it is the content of the music stations I have heard about. Still, you are actually agreeing with me that more talk and sports are on Sirius.

It will be interesting to see if the programming changes when the two combine. Will Sirius become more like XM or vice versa?

From what Howard hints at, is a merger, making all the sport leagues available, all the talk will stay, and all the copying music genres will cease.

Well, I hope the "deep tracks" that seem to come from XM will stick around.

[jrnyman28]

A merger may not happen. Can't have a monolpoly like that. One satellite company with all the major sports leagues? I don't see how it can be allowed.

It was allowed with terrestrial radio, why would it be any different with sattelite. As far as I know, it is pretty much a done deal...

[jrnyman28]

I had Sirius in my rental car for about 2 weeks when I was travelling, and found their metal/hard rock station to be pretty repetative.I heard pretty much the same songs by the bands on that particular station. .........

The Boneyard on XM play a lot of the bands that Andrew reviews on this site, plus Eddie Trunk has his own show on Monday nights,and they play an excellent mis of old school and current hard rock and metal....

That's what I keep hearing. It sounds like Sirius shot it's wad on celebrity and sports while XM seems to get the personalities who live music.

[Greg]

Well, that's it! I couldn't figure out how to open my fuse box to my Mustang so that I could listen to my XM, so I have ordered a second adapter kit for my other car. I drive my Sentra during the week as my work car anyways, so I can just switch my receiver back and forths between cars.

Speaking of installation kits, I have a question about the mount. What if you decide you want to "uninstall" the mount after you have placed it on your dash, is there any safe way of doing so without damaging the dashboard? That adhesive works a little too well! I can tell you it's not going anywhere anytime soon!

[SunshineTwilight]

I have had XM Radio since 2003, when I purchased my Monte Carlo SS. Since then we have gotten two additional units for the house, my husband has one for his car as well and then we have it online. I guess you could say we are hooked on XM Radio as I don't listen to regular commercial radio at all!

Wished I had bought stock in XM Radio when I had the chance...I'd be rich by now, especially with the upcoming merger.

[Michael Leigh]

Well, that's it! I couldn't figure out how to open my fuse box to my Mustang so that I could listen to my XM, so I have ordered a second adapter kit for my other car. I drive my Sentra during the week as my work car anyways, so I can just switch my receiver back and forths between cars.

Speaking of installation kits, I have a question about the mount. What if you decide you want to "uninstall" the mount after you have placed it on your dash, is there any safe way of doing so without damaging the dashboard? That adhesive works a little too well! I can tell you it's not going anywhere anytime soon!

I didn't want the adhesive or the mount screwed in, so I had the guy use a piece of velcro on the dash, and one the mount.Worked fine for me.

[NealIsGod]

My wife's got the suction cup bracket on the windshield. Seems to be the best way to install it in the Mustang.

[Michael Leigh]

My wife's got the suction cup bracket on the windshield. Seems to be the best way to install it in the Mustang.

Yea, my chick has that too, in her car.

[NealIsGod]

My wife's got the suction cup bracket on the windshield. Seems to be the best way to install it in the Mustang.

Yea, my chick has that too, in her car.

I think the novelty has worn off and I will be able to snag that from her soon.