Satellite Radio - Who's Got it?

[Scorpion8]

Been looking for one of those portable mp3 player/satellite radio combos, or a new in-car receiver for my daily driver. Can anyone discuss rationally the difference between XM and Sirius?

Anyone use on of these? http://www.crutchfield.com/g_250050/Handheld-Portable-Satellite-Radios.html?tp=86

I mainly want the music channels, plus sports when I'm away from the TV. Clue me in.

[utahusker]

There is no difference between XM and Sirius. They've merged so you can get the best of both on one reciever. If I was to choose one, I'd choose Sirius. It's got NFL, College Football, Nascar and of course my favorite, Howard.

[Scorpion8]

If they've merged, don't I get all of both? I definitely want the NFL Network, which is on Sirius, but most of those shown are XM Radio ones.

:confused:

[retrokeeper]

I'm pretty addicted to The System,Channel 82 on XM Radio,have it coming thru the Direct TV channels in the house,on channel 860.Then,last August for my birthday,the wife got me a Pioneer portable XM reciever.Worked great on the motorcycle trip we took last August,plus you can record 50 hours of content to listen to when your not in satelite coverage.They have a newer version that has a microSD-card slot and records 100 hours now.I like what I listen to on XM,has great quality CD quality sound,and the trance music channel music content is superb. Rob

[Scorpion8]

Interesting article here (http://seekingalpha.com/article/99531-gm-chrysler-merger-could-be-very-interesting-for-sirius?source=yahoo) on a proposed merger between GM and Chrysler. GM has an exclusive deal with XM, and Chrysler with Sirius. Even though Sirius and XM have merged, they still operate as two separate companies and services. The portential twists that the auto merger might have in the satellite radio market is fascinating.

[analogue ∞]

Sorry for bringing up an old thread but what is the sound quality like on those XM and Sirius radio stations? What is the bitrate, generally? And do the stations tend to have a lot of dynamic range compression?

[Scorpion8]

Sorry for bringing up an old thread ....

Don't fret, there are no old threads here just information to be shared and re-shared....

In my experience the music quality is no better or worse than say Pandora Radio over the newtwork connection to my PC. The XM and Sirius folks broadcast in digital (IIRC) so it's pretty close to mp3-quality. And if you're listening to one of the gazillions of talk shows, you'd never know.

[analogue ∞]

And if you're listening to one of the gazillions of talk shows, you'd never know.

Oooh I don't know about that! Ever since I heard my first mp3 (and saw my first digital tv picture) I've been seeing and hearing NOTHING but compression artifacts. And there's no way I can tune my ears out of them!! It's the most annoying thing in the world

[390FE]

Oooh I don't know about that! Ever since I heard my first mp3 (and saw my first digital tv picture) I've been seeing and hearing NOTHING but compression artifacts. And there's no way I can tune my ears out of them!! It's the most annoying thing in the world

Agreed. The digital distortions & drop-outs is anoying at the very least, & usualy tires my ears in very short order & gives me nasty headachs/migraines at times.*headache**fit*

Not for me, radio has always been free, was ment to be free & for me free it shall stay. I either listen to tape or cd on trips & it is cool to hear different local radio stations on trips.*Hi5*