Satellite radio users here?

[me@privacy.net]

I never thought id consider paying for radio.... but
lately I've been giving thought to getting rid of TV
completely and canceling cable bill.

Id replace it with satellite radio IF the following:

1. I can buy a device that acts as a portable receiver
and portable DVR to allow me to time shift. And I can
take this device ANYWHERE in the US and keep on my
person if wanted

2. The programming had a LOT of talk shows and audio
stories and documentaries. Old time radio, etc

Can someone one advise if this possible?

[Dr. Droo]

me@privacy.net wrote:
> 1. I can buy a device that acts as a portable receiver
> and portable DVR to allow me to time shift. And I can
> take this device ANYWHERE in the US and keep on my
> person if wanted

On XM you would want to check out the Inno or Helix. These devices
pick up an XM signal as well as allow recording of content, etc.
However, you are at the mercy of building composition, etc. There is
no certainty you will get a signal indoors or in certain situations
outdoors. If you're in a major metro area, you may have repeaters,
which will increase your odds some.

With Sirius they have the S50 now, but it can't get a live satellite
signal when not on a dock but does offer time shifting and recording.
They intend to have a unit that can later in the year, but it, too,
would suffer the same situations regarding getting a signal.

There's also the fact that if you time shift, you can't listen to other
content at the same time while recording is taking place, etc.

I don't think anyone really truely offers exactly what you want to do.
But I'd go take a look at the Inno or Helix if you want XM, or wait and
look into the upcoming offering from Sirius if you want Sirius content.


--D

[me@privacy.net]

"Dr. Droo" <drdroo@gmail.com> wrote:

>I don't think anyone really truely offers exactly what you want to do.
>But I'd go take a look at the Inno or Helix if you want XM, or wait and
>look into the upcoming offering from Sirius if you want Sirius content.

OK

Another dumb question... please bear with me OK?

Why the heck cant I have mobile TV?

cant they make an iPod like device that gets satellite
TV stations and do time shifting? Why the need for big
antennas with sat TV but not sat radio?

I plan on living and traveling in an RV soon. I'm
gearing up for a nomadic lifestyle. hence the questions

[All My Shrimp Was Dead and Gone]

>
> Another dumb question... please bear with me OK?
>
> Why the heck cant I have mobile TV?
>
> cant they make an iPod like device that gets satellite
> TV stations and do time shifting? Why the need for big
> antennas with sat TV but not sat radio?
>
> I plan on living and traveling in an RV soon. I'm
> gearing up for a nomadic lifestyle. hence the questions

They do. It is crappy right now, but there is a company doing it. Among
other issues, XM & Sirius use multiple satellites broadcasting with a few
second delay to insure that, for example, when you drive under an overpass,
you don't experience a dropout. With DirecTV, for example, you don't have
this protection. So, any little obstruction can be a problem -- and unlike
satellite radio, there aren't repeaters all over the place.

But sit tight. Sirius has announced that they will have a couple channels
of backseat cartoons late in '07 ;)

XM has the device you describe in working prototype form, but they are
waiting to find a workable business model.

As to the sat. rad. receiver, I agree with Droo -- check out the Helix &
Inno.

[Dr. Droo]

me@privacy.net wrote:
> Why the heck cant I have mobile TV?
>
> cant they make an iPod like device that gets satellite
> TV stations and do time shifting? Why the need for big
> antennas with sat TV but not sat radio?
>
> I plan on living and traveling in an RV soon. I'm
> gearing up for a nomadic lifestyle. hence the questions

Satellite TV uses public frequencies to do what it does. The dish is
aimed at the satellite and it concentrates the signal so you can get a
picture. They reuse the frequencies several times over in the sky.
However, they also get a lot more bandwidth to work with.

Satellite Radio, on the other hand, doesn't need a dish because it uses
private frequencies that only the Satellite Radio carriers use.
They're allowed to use a stronger signal that doesn't require a dish.
However, bandwidth of this nature is a very precious resource and hard
to get.

It's likely sometime in the future you'll see video over cellular and
things like that. In other countries they're starting to offer DVB-H
services to offer television services.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVB-H

Unfortunately - Cellular moves slowly when it comes to expansion in the
U.S.

--D

[me@privacy.net]

"All My Shrimp Was Dead and Gone"
<DeadShrimp@NOMail.com> wrote:

>They do. It is crappy right now, but there is a company doing it.

Will it be a small device...with small antenna? Like
the Inno is for radio?


I'm talking abt mobile TV

[me@privacy.net]

"Dr. Droo" <drdroo@gmail.com> wrote:

>
>It's likely sometime in the future you'll see video over cellular and
>things like that. In other countries they're starting to offer DVB-H
>services to offer television services.

OK

So its coming (mobile TV that is )..... but not doable
yet huh?

Sounds like I have to settle for mobile sat radio then
huh?

If yes... sounds like the Inno is the device for me?

[J. Fowler]

me@privacy.net wrote:
> "All My Shrimp Was Dead and Gone"
> <DeadShrimp@NOMail.com> wrote:
>
>> They do. It is crappy right now, but there is a company doing it.
>
> Will it be a small device...with small antenna? Like
> the Inno is for radio?
>
>
> I'm talking abt mobile TV

You described mobile countrywide radio.

http://www.xmradio.com/programming/full_channel_listing.jsp?sort=number
See channels 163 and 164 for Sonic Theather ( books and drama ) and
Radio Classics ( Old Time Radio ). There's plenty of talk, news, sports
etc. on the other channels.

Sirius has similar content with the exception of a mobile device capable
of receiving live content. XMs Inno and Helix are about as close as you
will get to the equipment that suites your needs.

As for mobile TV, neither XM or Sirius provide such service at this point.

Try:
http://www.smartvideo.com/
http://www.mobitv.com/
http://www.1ktv.com/
http://www.moconews.net/

[Coyote]

<me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:dq2u72ls34bgpnsb034a8srp00ros96pi4@4ax.com...
> "Dr. Droo" <drdroo@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>I don't think anyone really truely offers exactly what you want to do.
>>But I'd go take a look at the Inno or Helix if you want XM, or wait and
>>look into the upcoming offering from Sirius if you want Sirius content.
>
> OK
>
> Another dumb question... please bear with me OK?
>
> Why the heck cant I have mobile TV?
>
> cant they make an iPod like device that gets satellite
> TV stations and do time shifting? Why the need for big
> antennas with sat TV but not sat radio?
>
> I plan on living and traveling in an RV soon. I'm
> gearing up for a nomadic lifestyle. hence the questions

As an RV owner that has traveled coast to coast and border to border I am
aware
of TV options in a RV. Most parks provide cable TV for free. Most RVs come
equipped with a over the air antenna as well as a crank up dish that will
receive DTV or Dish and will only function when parked. As for mobile TV
there are several levels of antenna that range from a low ot$900.00 up to
several thousand plus installation.

Here is a link to camping world, with a low priced unit.

http://www.campingworld.com/browse/products/index.cfm?deptID=5&subOf=173,26,339&prodID=5480

[Dr. Droo]

me@privacy.net wrote:
> So its coming (mobile TV that is )..... but not doable
> yet huh?

Yeah not just yet.. There are some implementations out there, but only
in certain geographic areas and they're not really all that great yet.

> Sounds like I have to settle for mobile sat radio then
> huh?

For now anyway. 3G Cellular will change the landscape some for video,
but it won't be overnight.. Likely several years off.

> If yes... sounds like the Inno is the device for me?

The Inno and the Helix are the same radio essentially. If you want to
forego doing any sort of additional research, I'd consider getting one
from Circuit City or Best Buy just in case it doesn't fully live up to
your expectations of time shifting, etc. However, you'll be waiting
for a year or so for the next wave of units to come out if that won't
fulfill your needs. Sirius's unit coming out in August will likely be
similar in its offering, but using a different Satellite Radio service.


The only consideration is to make sure there's something you want to
hear before you throw 13 bucks a month out there. You can get free
on-line streaming trials from www.xmradio.com or www.sirius.com. They
offer online streaming of their music only stations and some select
talk content as well as sample previews of the channels they don't
stream online. The on-line streaming is not usually indicative of the
sound quality on the satellite radio services, but you can get an idea
of whats out there.

Hope you find something that works for what you want to do. Satellite
Radio is a great service and you should certainly enjoy it regardless
of what carrier you choose.

--D

[me@privacy.net]

"Dr. Droo" <drdroo@gmail.com> wrote:

>Hope you find something that works for what you want to do. Satellite
>Radio is a great service and you should certainly enjoy it regardless
>of what carrier you choose.

Thanks!

Great info guys!!

[me@privacy.net]

"Coyote" <noname@nomail.com> wrote:

>As an RV owner that has traveled coast to coast and border to border I am
>aware

what abt this

http://www.kvh.com/Products/product.asp?id=79

[me@privacy.net]

"J. Fowler" <user@example.invalid> wrote:

>
>Try:
>http://www.smartvideo.com/
>http://www.mobitv.com/
>http://www.1ktv.com/
>http://www.moconews.net/

Thanks those just might be the ticket!!

Ant real world experience on any of the above?

[Dr. Droo]

me@privacy.net wrote:
> Thanks those just might be the ticket!!
>
> Ant real world experience on any of the above?

The audio was more useful than the video by far last time I checked out
a couple of them. I can't say the price made it worthwhile for me.

--D

[me@privacy.net]

"Dr. Droo" <drdroo@gmail.com> wrote:

>me@privacy.net wrote:
>> Thanks those just might be the ticket!!
>>
>> Ant real world experience on any of the above?
>
>The audio was more useful than the video by far last time I checked out
>a couple of them. I can't say the price made it worthwhile for me.
>
>--D

ok

maybe satellite radio is best bet then

[Coyote]

<me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:tgeu725pb158qkt1tlu5aq84o18oo5o6e2@4ax.com...
> "Coyote" <noname@nomail.com> wrote:
>
>>As an RV owner that has traveled coast to coast and border to border I am
>>aware
>
> what abt this
>
> http://www.kvh.com/Products/product.asp?id=79

Fine for a low profile except the cost is $2229.99 plul install fees as well
as a satellite
receiver that costs around around $300.00 .

http://www.pricewatch.com/brands/tv/kvh-1.htm

[Mike here]

If your XM INNO or other XM radio has a relatively clear view of the
southern sky,
you will get 120 channels of perfect reception.


<me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:f4ru72do0f7n5068aniu3s32l7516l0843@4ax.com...
> "Dr. Droo" <drdroo@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>me@privacy.net wrote:
>>> Thanks those just might be the ticket!!
>>>
>>> Ant real world experience on any of the above?
>>
>>The audio was more useful than the video by far last time I checked out
>>a couple of them. I can't say the price made it worthwhile for me.
>>
>>--D
>
> ok
>
> maybe satellite radio is best bet then

[me@privacy.net]

"Coyote" <noname@nomail.com> wrote:

>Fine for a low profile except the cost is $2229.99 plul install fees as well
>as a satellite
>receiver that costs around around $300.00 .

Ouch!!

Too pricey for me!

I suspect that ten years from now it will be cheap then

I suppose I will stick with satellite radio such as XM

[Coyote]

<me@privacy.net> wrote in message
news:4jh0829ao401sul31l9btodfdmlsjvo7d6@4ax.com...
> "Coyote" <noname@nomail.com> wrote:
>
>>Fine for a low profile except the cost is $2229.99 plul install fees as
>>well
>>as a satellite
>>receiver that costs around around $300.00 .
>
> Ouch!!
>
> Too pricey for me!
>
> I suspect that ten years from now it will be cheap then
>
> I suppose I will stick with satellite radio such as XM


As I see it no one needs a active TV while driving down the road in a RV.
If you subscribe to a years service to directv or dish and dedicate the
service to the RV they will
provide the dish and receiver as well as install it for free. However it
will only function
when parked and the dish can see the southern sky.

I have two DTV receivers at home but take them with me when I travel in the
RV. The roof top dish is equipped with a dual LNB's
My RV has two TV's a HIS and HERS. One in front and one in rear.

With DTV you do not need a phone connection if you never buy pay per view
programing.
I never use PPV at home or on the road.

I think using DISH you have to dedicate the subscription to a licensed RV?


Buy the way Directv with a total choice subscription includes XM music
channel
while DISH with similar programing provides all the sirius music channels.

As for satellite radio in a RV I have a plug and play I use at home and on
the road.

It took some effort to get the satellite antenna on the roof. I had to take
of the vinyl molding on window piller to route the coax to the roof. I
glued the antenna to top of roof over the AC duct that is lined with foil.
The foil acts as a ground plane and provides a stronger signal to the
receiver.