XM help

[dlr]

I feel like I'm so out of touch with music that I've been thinking of purchasing an XM Sat Radio unit. Does anyone have any recommendations? It would mostly be for the car, but I'd also like to detach the unit once in a while to take inside the house (Denon 4308CI has XM connections)

I'm thinking of this XM Unit. Would anyone have info on if this would work for what I want it to? Anyone recommend one of those handheld ones instead, and if it would work in both car and home?

Appreciate any help

 

[markw]

No answer, but I'm in the same boat.

I am considering this, mainly for the car. I'm curious as to what the differences are between these two.

I'll be using an "aux" input instead of sending to the FM radio in the car.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8039035&st=XM+radio&type=product&id=1157067818724

There are "docking kits" with everything you need (including antennas) for both home and auto available for this one and, I believe, for the one you are looking at.

 

[dlr]

I'd love to have an aux input in the car, but I don't think there's one available on the stereo. It has a tape unit and my iPod sounds great using that -- wonder if it will work with the XM unit. I can buy an adapter but I'll worry about that after seeing how well XM works first

Another thing I meant to ask, when using the unit at home on the Denon, should I go with the RCA cables or would it sound better with the Denon XM add-on?

 

[m_vanmeter]

the "cassette tape" adapter works well with my SkiFi XM unit in one car and the "AUX" in works very well my other car.

Sadly, I am ready to ditch XM. I find that except for long trips, I really don't use it that much to justify the high monthly cost...that just went even higher with their cute $2 "royality fees" added each month.

In my wifes car, we changed out the radio and replaced it with the unit that has both "AUX" input and a USB input. I now find that a 8Gb USB flash drive loaded with both .mp3 and .wma music files is more than enough to get me through an 8 hour drive. I just did not find much on XM I now really want to listen to.....and even when I do it's a channel with commericals (many, many commericals) and why the hell am I paying for THAT !

so, just another guy's opinion

 

[bandphan]

I am considering this, mainly for the car. I'm curious as to what the differences are between these two.

I'll be using an "aux" input instead of sending to the FM radio in the car.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8039035&st=XM+radio&type=product&id=1157067818724

There are "docking kits" with everything you need (including antennas) for both home and auto available for this one and, I believe, for the one you are looking at.

XM ready AVRs are nice because you just add the antenna. Thats the one good thing about Pioneer lately, no docks need for Ipod/Sat radio

 

[markw]

Denon XM add-on?

I'm not familiar with that but be aware that you need to pay for each XM unit you use.

That's why I want that hand-held unit; I can use it both in the car and at home by simply plugging it into the adapters.

Unless you can take that "Denon XM add-on" to the car, you'll have to pay for two units.

(yeah, I'm a cheap SOB)

 

[dlr]

.....and even when I do it's a channel with commericals (many, many commericals) and why the hell am I paying for THAT !

Wait, whaaaat?? I thought XM was more or less "commercial free". That's why I ditched standard radio a few years ago for my ipod, during my commute. That, and I hate talk radio in the morning. MUSIC!!! Just give me MUSIC!

So XM is full of commercials still and royalty fees? You might have actually talked me out of it.

 

[dlr]

I'm not familiar with that but be aware that you need to pay for each XM unit you use.

That's why I want that hand-held unit; I can use it both in the car and at home by simply plugging it into the adapters.

Unless you can take that "Denon XM add-on" to the car, you'll have to pay for two units.

(yeah, I'm a cheap SOB)

True... didn't think of that! I can buy a home adapter for the same unit and just take it in and out as I please. But the RCA connectors...I wonder if signal will be degraded

 

[dlr]

Wait a minute.... I think I found the one I want!!

Link

LOL!!!

 

[markw]

But the RCA connectors...I wonder if signal will be degraded

No. Not that you would ever hear.

I'd be more worried about signal degradation from sending it via FM to the car radio.

 

[dlr]

markw - have you tried out the handheld unit, since you mentioned you wanted one? Just wondering if that would be the best option for me, since i could use it exactly like my iPod

 

[markw]

No.

markw - have you tried out the handheld unit, since you mentioned you wanted one? Just wondering if that would be the best option for me, since i could use it exactly like my iPod

I just started looking i earnest within the last two days and am trying to find the best bang for the buck.

So far I've found these two receivers and am trying to figure out the differences. I do believe one of these two with the two docking kits will do everything I need. I think they contain everything needed to get the show on the road (or the home) but seem to cost $70 at Best Buy. I haven't priced elsewhere yet.

Again, what's the functional difference between the two? (rhetorical question)

 

[m_vanmeter]

using the FM radio RF connection (actually transmitting a very weak signal on an FM frequency to the nearby car radio) is a true pain in the butt when you travel. If you set the tranmission frequency to, say, 88.9 which is blank in your home town, as soon as you travel towards a larger city, there will be a FM station on 88.9 and your link goes to pot. You have to change the transmit frequency in the XM unit and try again........definately NOT something you want to do while driving.

that is why the "AUX" or cassette player adapter (remember when car radios actually had a cassette tape player ???) work much better than the FM radio frequency connection.

 

[markw]

using the FM radio RF connection (actually transmitting a very weak signal on an FM frequency to the nearby car radio) is a true pain in the butt when you travel. If you set the tranmission frequency to, say, 88.9 which is blank in your home town, as soon as you travel towards a larger city, there will be a FM station on 88.9 and your link goes to pot. You have to change the transmit frequency in the XM unit and try again........definately NOT something you want to do while driving.

that is why the "AUX" or cassette player adapter (remember when car radios actually had a cassette tape player ???) work much better than the FM radio frequency connection.

True, very true. Fortunately more and more OEM and aftermarket radios are coming with 1/8" stereo mini-plug aux inputs nowadays.

 

[highfigh]

XM ready AVRs are nice because you just add the antenna. Thats the one good thing about Pioneer lately, no docks need for Ipod/Sat radio

Actually, most receivers need two pieces- the tuner pack is separate from the antenna. The AVR sees an input but isn't actually tuning the XM receiver. The Pioneer may be different, though. If it has the tuner inside, it just means the ones who buy that model pay for something they'll never use.

I do like the idea of having the XM tuner inside, too. The little piece that holds the card is awkward and takes up space that would be better used for something else.

If the normal antenna doesn't work, outdoor versions are available and they use regular coax instead of the stupid XM extension cable, which is expensive, fragile, only 50' and has a right angle connector on the end.

 

[Christopher__BA]

Awesome!!

Wait a minute.... I think I found the one I want!!

Link

LOL!!!

WOW! What a deal......I think I could sell my car and then buy the radio, but then I wouldn't have a car to put the radio in!!