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The W - Random - Satellite Radio
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pieman
As young as
he feels








Since: 11.12.01
From: China, Maine

Since last post: 120 days
Last activity: 6 days
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#1 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.30


I am not at all sure where to post this thread, so I selected Random. If someone thinks someplace is better, please move it.

So, the IT personnel at my company have decided that there are too many people sucking up bandwidth using streaming audio and/or video. They have blocked all these forms of MY entertainment. Now that I cannot listen to internet radio (live365 to be exact), I am searching for a satellite provider.

1. What makes XM or Sirius better than the other.

2. I really love baseball and XM has it and Sirius doesn't, should that affect my decision?

3. The dweeb at Radio Shack told me that XM would soon be out of business because they are losing contracts like the recent NASCAR switch. Is this true or is he saying this since they distribute Sirius?

4. I work in concrete building, but I do have window. Will I be able to actually receive a satellite signal?

5. Do satellite signals even reach Maine? (That's a joke, JJD).

Any help would be appreciated.





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Packman V2
Bratwurst








Since: 16.3.04
From: Albuquerque, NM

Since last post: 771 days
Last activity: 307 days
#2 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.91
Ok I have both, and I think I can answer your questions....

1. Sirius is really great if you are a huge sports fan. NBA, NFL, and most college sports with the exception of the Pac 10, Big 10, and some ACC. It shares the NHL with XM and now has NASCAR. They also have dedicated channels for the NBA, NFL and NASCAR. The NFL channel features Jerry Rice, Daryl Johnston, and others.
As far as musical tastes, Sirius seems to have more Rock stations, and they do a better job IMO of grouping the music in Genres that you can look at and know what you're listening to. XM has more country stations, and they're about the same on R&B/Hip Hop. XM does have the edge on Top 40/Hits stuff, and both offer music grouped into decades, which is cool. Sirius also has more artist specific channels, channels that play all Elvis, all Stones, all Who, and a few programmed by Eminem and Steve Van Zandt from the E Street Band.

2. MLB being on XM is definitely one of their strengths. I would think it just depends on what you wanna listen to more.

3. I haven't heard word of XM going out of business, from what I have read, XM still has more subscribers than Sirius, and I'm sure the NASCAR switch shouldn't affect them that much.

4. You should be able to set up a Home/Office kit and if you can place your Satellite antenna near the window, I don't see any reason why you couldn't get a good signal. If your window faces the south, the chances are a lot better.

I hope that helps. Personally I prefer Sirius, but I'm a huge NFL and NBA fan, moreso than I am a baseball fan, and so that is a big factor. But if you have any more questions, feel free to ask.




Co-Winner of the 2006 Time Magazine Person of the Year Award
Roy.
Pepperoni








Since: 25.2.04
From: Keystone State

Since last post: 5801 days
Last activity: 1765 days
#3 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.84
I'll start by saying that I'm heavily biased towards Sirius (no, I don't work at Radio Shack). It's what I have and I love it. I'd probably be XM biased if I bought that first...

Here's some answers to your questions:

1. The music channels are essentially the same for both. Some people say that XM plays "deeper cuts" and Sirius plays a little more popular stuff, but I think, in the end, it's all the same. There are usually multiple channels for each genre. Check out the channel listings on each website to see if there's something you'd like different. I like the Sirius line up. They've had some really cool artist-only channels lately (the Who, Springsteen, Rolling Stones, and Elvis radio is always on). Sirius has a little more DJ banter than XM. XM, unfortunately, has commercials on some of it's music stations. Clear Channel is a big XM investor - they have commercials on the channels developed by Clear Channel. Sirius is 100% commercial free when it comes to music. My hate of Clear Channel (for numerous reasons) is one of the reasons I went with Sirius instead.

What really makes them different is what they offer other than music. XM has Oprah, Opie & Anthony, Golf, Air America, MLB, and certain colleges (check for your favorite). Sirius has Martha Stewart, Howard Stern, the NBA, NPR, the NFL, NASCAR, and other college teams. XM has Fox Sports channel, Sirius has Sports Byline USA (with the Wrestling Observer radio show). I think XM is getting exclusive NHL rights from Sirius soon.

The NFL coverage is awesome, with every game on Sundays and an exclusive NFL channel.

Sirius is finally catching up to XM in terms of quality of equipment. The newer stuff is cool looking, more solidly built, and less gigantic than the old receivers. I would say that XM has better portable units than Sirius at this point, however.

2. I love baseball too. I almost bought XM simply for it. At college, it was all Pirates, all the time, and I'm a Phillies fan. Of course, I moved out of there, and don't need it anymore. You'll get your share of baseball talk on ESPN Radio and some of the other sports channels. XM does have a very cool MLB Home Plate channel. If you're going use the unit solely for work, will you be working at times when there are baseball games on?

3. I'm no business expert, first off. Sirius has been growing at a somewhat steadier rate than XM lately, but XM still has more subscribers. I wouldn't say that XM is "going out of business", however. I know an awful lot of people who dumped XM this year and went to either nothing or Sirius. But I'm sure there's a ton of people who switched from Sirius to XM that I haven't met yet.

Both ventures haven't made any money (that I've read) yet. Sirius rode high on Howard Stern and outpaced XM. Both came back to Earth the last six months and predictions were low. Everybody keeps talking about a merger. Sirius is a little more aggressive with the promotion of it's popular stuff (NFL commercials, Howard Stern commercials, etc..). XM's strategy seems odd sometimes, but lately they've gotten some sort of an identity.

4. I get a good signal with the antenna right on my window sill. Are you in a city? Both companies have repeaters in certain areas that boost the signal. For example, before they turned the repeater off in Harrisburg (or turned the signal down, nobody will give me a straight answer), I could get Sirius reception in the middle of my bedroom, away from the windows. Sirius's satellites move around. At midnight every night, I lose signal for about an hour unless I reposition my antenna a few inches to the left. XM's satellites are stationary, I think. I've never had a signal problem anywhere. Some people claim they never get a signal. It's all about calibrating your antenna.

---

I think both companies offer free internet trial subs for a few days. Check them out and see. You can't go wrong with either service.
XPacArmy
Frankfurter








Since: 13.5.03
From: Woodbridge, VA

Since last post: 3795 days
Last activity: 3792 days
#4 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.32
Just wondering,their is no way to get both without having to pay for both? Nobody makes one where you can get both Sirius and XM channels?



wmatistic
Andouille








Since: 2.2.04
From: Austin, TX

Since last post: 2561 days
Last activity: 1546 days
#5 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.08
I think we did this before, but here goes:

I prefer XM, mostly for the music lineup and sports it offers. I don't care a lick about NASCAR and the only NFL I wanna hear is my local team so I don't need it for that. And really how often are you working/driving on Sundays?

I really love the MLB coverage, especially now that I moved away from St. Louis. College football games are nice too since they have the big conferences and many bowl games and I end up in the car a bit on Saturdays driving the family around.

I think XM has a much better talk radio lineup, but maybe that's just me. It's the main reason I picked it up over Sirius. Just look at the channel lineups and see what interests you most.

As for how XM and Sirius are doing, well good if you don't look at stock prices. XM has a lot more subscribers than Sirius though Sirius has been signing on people at a slightly faster rate recently. Bottom line, the guy was full of it. XM dropped NASCAR because money wise they didn't feel they were getting anything from it so they didn't bother with a bidding war with Sirius.

Analysts say one of these companies could crap out in time but my bet would be it's Sirius as they have wasted a lot more money on huge contracts with people like Stern that haven't gone well, despite Stern constantly trying to spin it the other way.

I have my wife's set up in the middle of our house on top of a desk and it gets a signal.

(edited by wmatistic on 7.1.07 0851)
Peter The Hegemon
Lap cheong








Since: 11.2.03
From: Hackettstown, NJ

Since last post: 61 days
Last activity: 30 days
#6 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.28
I just want to add: if either company DOES go bust, the other company will merge with them/buy them out. It wouldn't serve anyone's interests to let all those radios become useless when there are subscriber fees to be collected. In fact, there have been rumors of a merger for a while.
pieman
As young as
he feels








Since: 11.12.01
From: China, Maine

Since last post: 120 days
Last activity: 6 days
ICQ:  
#7 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.30


    Originally posted by Roy.
    Are you in a city? Both companies have repeaters in certain areas that boost the signal.



It's not exactly a city here. The "city" I work in had approximately 15,000 people. The biggest buildings are five stories. Would that block my signal?





Gabba Gabba Hey!
Guru Zim
SQL Dejection
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Since: 9.12.01
From: Bay City, OR

Since last post: 8 days
Last activity: 15 hours
ICQ:  
#8 Posted on | Instant Rating: 8.81
Ask the guy at Radio Shack if he will let you take a unit to work with you, for a deposit or something. See if there is anyone you know with a unit so you can test it first. These things generally have a contract.

That said, I would go with Sirius over XM if you get decent local AM radio coverage of the baseball team you want.

Have you considered just getting a radio?




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Since: 2.1.02
From: The Silver Spring in the Land of Mary.

Since last post: 1675 days
Last activity: 1675 days
#9 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.05
RE: XM going out of business.

I haven't heard that either, but the news has always been about a XM/Sirius merger. The word lately is that if they did try to merge, the government might not be THAT opposed to it.

Here is a link to Faux news about it: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,235438,00.html?sPage=fnc.business/media



-- 2006 Time magazine Person of the Year --

pieman
As young as
he feels








Since: 11.12.01
From: China, Maine

Since last post: 120 days
Last activity: 6 days
ICQ:  
#10 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.30


    Originally posted by Guru Zim
    See if there is anyone you know with a unit so you can test it first.

    Have you considered just getting a radio?


Yes, my wife has a friend who has a portable that she is going to loan us to try.

As for the radio, I can't get radio reception in the bunker I work in, so I am wary that I cannot get satellite reception.





Gabba Gabba Hey!
wmatistic
Andouille








Since: 2.2.04
From: Austin, TX

Since last post: 2561 days
Last activity: 1546 days
#11 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.08
    Originally posted by pieman
      Originally posted by Guru Zim
      See if there is anyone you know with a unit so you can test it first.

      Have you considered just getting a radio?


    Yes, my wife has a friend who has a portable that she is going to loan us to try.

    As for the radio, I can't get radio reception in the bunker I work in, so I am wary that I cannot get satellite reception.


Did they block all steaming media? I know with XM you can use their website to listen to a good number of their channels online with no radio.
KJames199
Scrapple
Moderator








Since: 10.12.01
From: #yqr

Since last post: 226 days
Last activity: 7 days
#12 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.71
I have XM and it's pretty cool. I get it at a "reduced rate" for reasons I won't disclose here (intrigue!), so I've never really looked into Sirius. It does look to me like Sirius has better Canadian news/music channels, but that's probably not important to most.

XM is NOT going out of business anytime soon. I believe that XM has many more subscribers in the States (though Sirius has the lead in Canada, probably due to the aforementioned Canadian news/music channels, and I believe Sirius currently has exclusive NHL rights as well).

I live in a concrete building and I have a window and though it took a bit of nitpicky adjusting of the antenna, I get a signal just fine. You might want to see if you can borrow a unit from someone to try it out, just to make sure.

Really, it comes down to your preferences. If you really love baseball or NASCAR or Howard Stern or any of the exclusives, that might be enough to swing your vote.

Conversely, if you already have a lot of music, you might want to just get an iPod. I find I use mine more than I use my satellite radio.



JK
site / LiveJournal / Flickr / MySpace
Roy.
Pepperoni








Since: 25.2.04
From: Keystone State

Since last post: 5801 days
Last activity: 1765 days
#13 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.84
    Originally posted by pieman
    It's not exactly a city here. The "city" I work in had approximately 15,000 people. The biggest buildings are five stories. Would that block my signal?


It might. A largish building in State College (the Graduate - corner of Atherton and Beaver) messed up my morning commute every day. It blocked the sky, and I'd lose reception for the duration of the red light.

As long as you're not at the base of the building, however, you should be fine. And have a good view of the sky.

This page (sirius.com) should tell you where you need to point a Sirius antenna. Looks like west/northwest.

The only repeater in Maine appears to be in Portland.
brick
Bockwurst








Since: 17.1.02
From: Pittsburgh, PA

Since last post: 3983 days
Last activity: 3979 days
#14 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.36
I had XM for free for a couple months when I bought by new truck and wasn't impressed. The music seemed the same as what I was hearing on terrestrial radio, with the exception of no adds. Not being a baseball fan, I just didn't find anything sportswise that I couldn't get via streaming.

Then my company did the same thing and blocked streaming radio, so I looked into both XM and Sirius again. I went with the Sirius due to the NFL, NHL and Howard. I've found that other than Country I like the music selection better (with the exception of Holiday music, XM does a better job with that based on what we can listen to via directv).

In my office, where I can only get 1 FM radio station, for reasons unknow to me, my Sirius get perfect reception, without placing the antena near the window. Its just sitting on my desk.

I'm completely sold on the Sirius now, and got recievers for both my brother and brother-in-law for christmas. Its to the point that I don't even listen to regular radio anymore.
RYDER FAKIN
Six Degrees of Me








Since: 21.2.02
From: ORLANDO

Since last post: 1440 days
Last activity: 1223 days
#15 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.16
FLEA Advice: You must get Sirius

pieman:

1. What makes XM or Sirius better than the other.

Click Here (sirius.com)

not a bad channel on there. And commercial free. XM can suck a dick, just for 1) association with Clear Channel and 2) #1

Ramones play all the time on 4 of those channels

70-74

all the sports you need. Never mind Baseball. GURU is right

118

and all the other great stuff. Buy the stock too

2. I really love baseball and XM has it and Sirius doesn't, should that affect my decision?

No

3. The dweeb at Radio Shack told me that XM would soon be out of business because they are losing contracts like the recent NASCAR switch. Is this true or is he saying this since they distribute Sirius?

go to Best Buy

4. I work in concrete building, but I do have window. Will I be able to actually receive a satellite signal?

Get the Stiletto. And mentioned earlier - Sirius streams online. Comes with the account

5. Do satellite signals even reach Maine? (That's a joke, JJD).

In Bangor, Maine, you can't smoke if you're a kid in a car. Did I read that right?

FLEA

(edited by RYDER FAKIN on 9.1.07 2052)


Demonstrations are a drag. Besides, we're much too high

1ryderfakin.com
pieman
As young as
he feels








Since: 11.12.01
From: China, Maine

Since last post: 120 days
Last activity: 6 days
ICQ:  
#16 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.30


As always, FLEA has the advice we all need.

My company has blocked all streaming audio, so that's not going to help.

Why a Stiletto instead of a boombox to plug in the device?

Starting next week in Bangor, the ADULTS can't smoke in the car if there is a minor in the vehicle. The rednecks are really pissed off up there, too.





Gabba Gabba Hey!
Eddie Famous
Andouille








Since: 11.12.01
From: Catlin IL

Since last post: 2620 days
Last activity: 2161 days
#17 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.90

Enjoy it while you can....the commercials are coming....



As of 2/28/05: 101 pounds since December 7, 2004
OFFICIAL THREE-MONTH COUNT: 112 pounds on March 9, 2005
OFFICIAL SIX-MONTH COUNT: 142 pounds on June 8, 2005
OFFICIAL ONE YEAR COUNT: 187 pounds on December 7, 2005
As of 2/27/06: 202 pounds "I've lost a heavyweight"
As of 7/31/06: 224 pounds
Guru Zim
SQL Dejection
Administrator








Since: 9.12.01
From: Bay City, OR

Since last post: 8 days
Last activity: 15 hours
ICQ:  
#18 Posted on | Instant Rating: 8.81
In the interest of full disclosure, don't you own stock in one of these?

Speaking of which, looks like it's about time to jump back on the SIRI stock bandwagon. How far can it fall?




Sign up for Folding@Home and join our team. PM me for details.

Ignorance is bliss for you, hell for me.
RYDER FAKIN
Six Degrees of Me








Since: 21.2.02
From: ORLANDO

Since last post: 1440 days
Last activity: 1223 days
#19 Posted on | Instant Rating: 7.16
Why a Stiletto instead of a boombox to plug in the device?

Just a matter of preference. I had the boombox before the Stiletto came out

Starting next week in Bangor, the ADULTS can't smoke in the car if there is a minor in the vehicle. The rednecks are really pissed off up there, too.

Well, it would help some of these kids to get out and walk anyway

In the interest of full disclosure, don't you own stock in one of these?

Of course!

Speaking of which, looks like it's about time to jump back on the SIRI stock bandwagon.

Yep.

How far can it fall?

Low enough for you to BUY! ;-)

FLEA



Demonstrations are a drag. Besides, we're much too high

1ryderfakin.com
JayJayDean
Scrapple








Since: 2.1.02
From: Seattle, WA

Since last post: 2984 days
Last activity: 2562 days
#20 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.55
It might not be a choice for much longer.

XM, Sirius rise on merger speculation

I have XM and like it, but I've rented cars with Sirius and since they both have ESPN radio I would switch if necessary.



Holy fuck shit motherfucker shit. Read comics. Fuck shit shit fuck shit I sold out when I did my job. Fuck fuck fuck shit fuck. Sorry had to do it....

*snip*

Revenge of the Sith = one thumb up from me. Fuck shit. I want to tittie fuck your ass.
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