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| Mr. Mobile - Info Center - Satellite Radio |
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 There you are, sitting in traffic, not sure why you are not moving, commercials on the radio driving you crazy, hitting the presets on your car stereo trying to find something decent to listen to, tired of all of your CD’s? Well, if you had satellite radio, those days would be gone forever. Satellite radio gives you one thing regular radio does not, choices. Choices of music to listen to, without commercials, plus choices of sports, news, entertainment and talk programming you cannot get anywhere else. You can even get live, real time traffic and weather updates in most larger metro markets so satellite radio can even help you avoid the traffic jams and accidents. So now that I have your interest, read on to learn more about satellite radio.
What is satellite radio?
Satellite radio is a subscription service that allows you to get a vast selection of uncensored programming. The service is available in the 48 contiguous states, so, technically, you could drive across country and never have to change the channel you are listening to. The signal is broadcast digitally, so you get near CD quality sound without the static of regular radio. All you need to do is select which service you want, select the compatible satellite radio receiver that fits your needs, and then activate your service and start experiencing radio as you never experienced it before.
Who are the Service providers?
Service is provided by Sirius-XM. Satellite radio service offers a large variety of commercial free music plus news, talk, comedy and entertainment programming as well as live traffic and weather updates. It also both offers exclusive programming, such as live concerts, plus exclusive live sports offerings and celebrity talent. [See our comparison chart below so you can see a recap of what each one offers]
How does satellite radio work?
By using satellites placed in space, programming is broadcast from studios on the ground up to the satellites. The signal is then broadcast via satellite back to earth and is received by your satellite receiver’s antenna. Since the satellite signal is “line of sight”, in areas where the signal might not be able to reach your receiver directly, there is a network of terrestrial repeaters that receive the satellite signal and then rebroadcast it to help fill in those weak signal areas. Reception in the vehicle while on the road is very good. The reception in a building will depend on which side of the building you are on, how strong the satellite signal is and how close you are to a ground repeater and where you place your antenna. To get the best reception indoors, be sure to follow the antenna placement recommendations from Sirius-XM and your Al & Ed's Autosound installation technician.
How Does the Sirius-XM Satellite Radio’s Service Work? Satellite radio service works by using satellites in a high elliptical orbit over the continental US to broadcast the exclusive content. The satellites look down on the entire continental U.S, giving you mostly uninterrupted coast-to-coast coverage. A Ground repeater receives the signal from the satellite and “repeats” to the area where the signal had been weak. Sirius-XM has deployed more than 900 of these ground repeaters, further enhancing coverage.
What kind of programming do I get?
This is the best part of satellite radio, it has something for every one. If you are a football fan, SIRIUS has exclusive coverage of the NFL. Maybe you want to listen to Red Sox games even though you live in LA? No problem, XM has MLB, Every Game, Every Where. Would you like to hear programming targeted towards women? You have a choice between Martha or Oprah! What types of music do you like, Jazz, Classical, Rock, Urban, Latin, Country, Christian, World Music or even Show Tunes? Great, Satellite radio has what you want to listen to, commercial free, in digital sound quality plus you also get the latest in news, talk, weather, traffic, comedy, kids programming and exclusive shows you cannot hear anywhere else including the self proclaimed “King of all Media” Howard Stern exclusively on Sirius. With your subscription, you also get their online service, which is a reduce channel service you can listen to on your computer. The best thing about satellite radio is the value – you get a lot of content for only $12.95 per month [even less on multiyear plans or multi receiver plans]. That is about $0.43 per day to get all of that great content that the satellite radio providers are paying hundreds of millions of dollars a year for the rights to broadcast. What else can you get today that offers such value for $0.43 a day???
Below is a quick comparison of each service providers programming
| Programming |
XM Satellite Radio |
Sirius Satellite Radio |
| Total channels |
over 170 |
Over 130 |
| Commercial free music channels |
69 |
69 |
| Instant Traffic and weather |
21 metro markets each with their own dedicated channel |
20 metro markets, most share channels with another market |
| Live Sporting Events Sports News and Sports Talk |
Over 5,000 live sporting events including MLB, NHL, PGA, IRL plus SEC, ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, Big East and Pac 10 football plus Men’s and Women’s basketball coverage, The BCS Bowl Championship Series, XM Sports Nation, ESPN Radio, ESPN News, XM Deportivo, XM Sports Nation MLB Home Plate and NHL Home Ice |
NFL, NASCAR, NBA, NCAA, Every Game of the NCAA Men’s basketball tournament, live football, basketball and baseball from over 150 colleges in 18 conferences, ESPN Radio, ESPN News ESPN Deportes Radio, Barclays Premier Soccer League, and NFL, NBA,NASCAR Radio |
| Talk and News |
27 news and talk channels including Bob Edwards, Air America Radio, America Right, Fox News, Fox News Talk, CNN, CNBC, XM Public Radio, Extreme XM, Bloomberg, The Power |
19 channels of news and talk including FOX News, FOX News Talk, CNN, CNN Headline News, NPR Now, NPR Talk, CNBC, Bloomberg Radio, BBC World Services, ABC News & Talk, SIRIUS Patriot, SIRIUS Left, CBC Radio, CNN En Espanol, Radio Korea and more |
| Comedy and Entertainment |
10 comedy channels and entertainment channels including High Voltage, home of Opie and Anthony, National Lampoon Comedy Radio, Sonic Theater [books and Drama], Radio Classics, XM Live, Open Road |
23 entertainment and comedy channels including 2-channels of Howard Stern, Blue Collar Radio (Comedy), The Foxxhole (comedy), E-Entertainment, MAXIM Radio, Playboy, Court TV, Road Dog Trucking, Radio Classics, SIRIUS Stars, Family Net and more |
| Women’s programming |
Oprah and Friends Channel, and Take 5 Channel featuring programming from Ellen, Tyra, Good Morning America Radio, Food Channel and HGTV |
Martha Stewart Living Radio, Cosmo Radio and Lime Radio - featuring programming from Candice Bushnell, Deepak Chopra, Barbara Walters, Judith Regan, Richard Simmons and more |
| Kids Programming |
Radio Disney and XM Kids |
Kids Stuff and Radio Disney |
| Celebrity Shows and Channels |
Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Ludachris, Snoop Dogg, Trick Daddy |
Faction - featuring Tony Hawk, Bam Margera, Lance Armstrong, Elvis Radio; SIRIUSLY Sinatra; Shade 45 featuring Eminem and 50 Cent, The original MTV VJs - Mark Goodman, Nina Blackwood, Alan Hunter and Martha Quinn; Underground Garage with Little Steven Van Zandt and more... |
| Exclusive Shows |
Then Again Live, Artist and Classical Confidential, Live Concerts |
Radio Margaritaville - Live Jimmy Buffet concerts and more; Metropolitan Opera House - Live performances and archived recordings; Rock and Roll Hall of Fame - daily live broadcasts; and more... |
| Online Programming |
Over 80 channels Music and entertainment channels. Online service included in the subscription price |
Over 80 channels of 100% commercial-free music, exclusive sports talk and the most talked about personalities including Howard Stern. |
| Subscription Price |
$12.95 per month, as low as $9.99 on a 3 year prepay plan. |
$12.95 per month, as low as $11.33 per month on a 2 year plan. |
| Family Plan Price |
Get up to 4 additional subscriptions for $6.99 on the same account |
Get up to 3 additional services for $6.99 on the same account |
Types of Satellite Radio Receivers
There are several types of satellite radio receivers. Which one will work best for you will depend on what your primary use will be and if you have any secondary uses. The types of satellite Radio receivers available are:
1. Plug and Play
This is the most common type of satellite receiver. A plug and play offers you flexibility to use one receiver in several applications, so it creates great “value” since you can take one subscription and use it in several places. Almost all plug and play receivers come with a car kit, [a mount, 12 volt adapter and antenna]. SIRIUS plug and play receivers can play thru your existing car stereo via a wireless FM modulator. XM plug and play receivers use optional adapters available that allow you to connect your plug and play receiver to your car antenna to be able to play it thru your existing car stereo. Both offer hardwire kits for even better sound quality. Plug and play receivers have optional home kits that allow you to play your satellite radio receiver thru your home stereo and most plug and play receivers also have a boom box available so you can use your satellite radio indoors or outdoors, where ever you can receive the satellite signal.
2. Portables
The newest generation Portable satellite receivers offer the best of all worlds. You can listen to a portable receiver in the home, car or on-the-go. All of the new Portable receivers have the ability to receive live satellite content plus store satellite programming and MP3 content you can listen to later.
The portable receivers let you listen to live or stored content not only in the home and car, you can also listen while you are on the go. SIRIUS also offers a portable receiver that adds WiFi capabilities, so you can listen to SIRIUS online from your portable receiver anywhere you can pick up a WiFi signal. Each receiver comes with different accessories included in the box plus we offer a variety of accessories such as car kits, home kits, and boom boxes. So be sure you look to see what is available for the receiver[s] you are interested in to be sure you get everything to fit your needs.
3. Aftermarket Car Stereo Integration – Both XM and SIRIUS make receivers that allow you to integrate with “Satellite Radio Ready” car stereos manufactured by the biggest names in mobile electronics such as Alpine, Pioneer, Kenwood and Eclipse. To add satellite radio to these types of stereos, you will need a car audio add on satellite radio tuner box and the adapter cable to match your car stereo. This type of satellite receiver is installed in the car; it cannot be taken out to be used in the home or on the go.
4. Factory Car Stereo Integration – There are several ways to add satellite radio to your existing factory car stereo.
- Both SIRIUS and XM make receivers that are installed in the car and play thru your existing factory stereo through a wired FM modulator.
- You can add a Plug and Play receiver or a portable receiver via the car kit and adapter, if needed.
- If you have a factory stereo with RDS, XM has a unit that will integrate with your factory stereo that will allow you to see and control all of the satellite programming info and functions right on your factory stereo.
- If you have a “Satellite Ready” factory car stereo, there are kits you can add that will plug in directly to select factory stereos giving you satellite radio and great sound quality. These kits are available for compatible GM, Ford, BMW, Toyota and several other factory stereos.
5. Home Stereo Integration – Integrating your car satellite radio receiver into your home stereo can be done a couple of ways:
- Using a plug and play or portable receiver with a home kit.
- If you purchase the XM Commander MT, it comes with the XM “Mini Tuner”, a small XM Tuner module that is portable and can be moved from one XM Ready product to another. All you need to use the mini tuner in the home is a home docking station and an XM Ready home receiver. Then you would be able to take the mini tuner from home to car and back, paying only one subscription fee.
Well, that’s the nuts and bolts on satellite radio. I hope this answered most of your questions. If you have questions please feel free to call or email one of our Mobile Electronics Specialists.
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