Satellite TV: Providing Great...Radio?

For music lovers who thrive on surrounding themselves with the uninterrupted sound of their favorite tunes, satellite TV may provide the perfect diversion. As satellite radio has expanded in popularity since 1992, it has become evident that the format provides almost limitless listening opportunities with hundreds of stations representing nearly every genre of music imaginable. As millions of customers know, the commercial free format offered by satellite radio provides a more pure listening experience than any traditional radio broadcast.

However, for many cash strapped or budget conscious consumers, the switch to satellite radio has been delayed. For them, the additional purchase of a receiver and the monthly subscription fee for the service is not in their entertainment budget. For these more hesitant buyers, satellite TV is apparently able to step in and fill the audio void.

Satellite TV providers have been somewhat quietly providing satellite radio to their customers for a number of years now. Dish Network for example has included over 60 Sirius satellite radio channels in many of their programming packages for their customers at no additional cost since 2004. This is in addition to a similar number of channels of Dish Music and CD music. The combination of the diverse, commercial free satellite radio offerings and the outstanding digital, CD quality audio of satellite TV is the perfect pairing for any audio enthusiast.

Whether a fan of contemporary or classic pop, rock, soul, country, Hip Hop, R&B, Christian, or Electronic Dance the Sirius stations can provide the sound that's required. Any holes in the music programming of the satellite TV provider are quickly filled by Dish Music and CD channels providing everything from KidsTunes to jazz.

Certainly, the majority of consumers in the US purchase some type of premium television service such as cable or satellite TV to enjoy in their homes. For anyone who is a music fan, satellite TV appears to be a great way to get some of the benefits of satellite radio without the additional cost. Great TV and great music for one price, what's not to love?

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Get The Best Satellite Radio

Sirius Satellite Radio is certainly here to stay. When you have a Sirius satellite radio receiver you can listen to whatever you want wherever you go. There is a Sirius satellite receiver to meet the needs of everyone, whether you want one for your home, your office, your car, your boat, or your RV. There's a lot of buzz right now about satellite radio. With the introduction of XM and Sirius the new satellite radio broadcasts will give local broadcast radio a run for their money. If you've been thinking about buying an XM or Sirius Radio, now might be a good time to make that purchase as the cost of these radios is now at the lowest point ever. The top 2 contenders are Sirius and XM Radio.

Both providers offer high quality, digital programming with over 100 channels to listen to so you can never run out of something good on the radio. As mentioned above, cable started to address those issues, but it's been the advent of satellite technology that has really brought clear digital entertainment to the masses no matter where they live in the US. Satellite radio and TV both broadcast their signal in digital formats rather than analog.

Sirius charges more because they claim to use technology that improves the digital sound even more than XM and they also have given more attention to customer service to address issues that may arrive after the sale. Satellite radio broadcasts are made in digital format, so they are much higher quality than land-based radio. Satellite radio or is a digital and is able to receive signals from just about anywhere which of course has a broader range than normal radio.

With satellite radio you pay a certain subscription fee every month (around $15 or so) to get around 100 music channels broadcast by satellite. All programs are transmitted a satellite and then is beamed to the ground where the satellite radio picks up the signal. None of the channels are pre-recorded and all of them are LIVE stream videos from the fastest servers in their network.

There are several different kinds of music genres. For instance, rock has channels devoted to hard rock, early rock, soft rock, heavy metal, and many more. When using a satellite radio you can have your favorite music broadcasted right into your home or car, with crystal clear digital sound. Some system have a slight delay in the broadcast so if you enter a tunnel you do not loose the signal. Satellite radios come in many forms including at-home devices and portable players much like Apple's ipod. People that have taken a liking to satellite radio are flocking to their local electronics store looking for a portable satellite radio. Like a full size or car satellite radio a portable satellite radio has all the required equipment to decode the encrypted signal broadcasted by a satellite.

Subscribers to satellite radio will be required to pay a monthly fee. It is subscription based, meaning that you pay a monthly fee for the service.

Subscribers usually have to pay a monthly fee of approximately $9. When purchasing a satellite radio there is usually a small monthly fee, but this will introduce you to a new world of commercial free radio.

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Get Sirius with Howard Stern - His Journey Into Satellite Radio

Howard Stern, the highly controversial radio jock is no longer common fixture in terrestrial radio but has been immortalized in some sorts in the newest trend in radio programming, satellite radio.

Sirius Satellite Radio signed Stern as a radio jock way back in 2004. Stern?s loyal following has tuned in at Sirius to hear their favorite radio jock speak away with less restriction compared to when he was still heard over terrestrial radio.

Satellite radio started in the early 1990s. Sirius Satellite Radio back then and until now belongs to the only two satellite radio providers that are at the forefront of making satellite radio the major means to deliver audio programming to people.

Sirius allows their subscribers to ?tune-in? to dozens of channels of original audio programming which are transmitted directly via satellite to special receivers placed in cars and in their homes. Similar to satellite television, satellite radio has more freedom from the FCC regarding the specific type of programming they want to conduct.

This freedom is granted since subscribers can personalize their satellite radio programming and have control over what minors can or cannot listen to. For both Stern and his followers this pretty much goes to their advantage. On satellite radio, Stern can talk dirty as much as he wants.

And his fans can have an unaltered listening experience which they never had when Stern was still over broadcast radio. Stern himself agreed to this and he even said in an interview that satellite radio offers him ?more potential than terrestrial radio.?

Sirius offers it subscribers with a new, high quality, and digitized way of listening to music, sports, news, and entertainment. Its main base of operations is in New York City's Rockefeller Center.

Sirius has more than 130 digital-quality channels which includes 69 channels of 100% commercial-free music. The network also offers premium channels of sports, news, entertainment, talks or commentaries, traffic, weather and even data.

Because it?s via satellite, Sirius has a country-wide coverage. Their programs can be transmitted practically anywhere in the U.S. All the subscribers need is a Sirius audio satellite receiver and they can listen while they are driving, in their RV homes during a vacation, in their homes, offices, stores and even during camping trips. With three satellites at their disposal, Sirius network are able to provide the premium quality programming that?s becoming more and more popular today.

So aside from Howard Stern, when you subscribe to Sirius, you?ll get the advantage of hearing specialized music that ranges from heavy metal and hip-hop to country, dance, jazz, Latin and classical. These music selections are paired with insights and perspectives from Sirius? resident music experts and from various musicians and performers who are invited by the network to guests in their programs.

Moreover, the network has a complete line-up of news and entertainment programs like programs of radio jocks Howard Stern and Martha Stewart and news reports from CNN, CNBC, BBC World Service and ABC News. Listeners who want to have an update of the happenings in the world of entertainment can tune in at E! Entertainment, Maxim and NPR. And there?s even Radio Disney for the kids.

Sirius? sports programming includes play-by-play actions from the NFL, NBA, NHL, Barclays English Premier League soccer, and Wimbledon Championships to name a few. Sirius is also the home of 125 plus college sports and several thoroughbred horse races.

Indeed Howard Stern is a major talent for Sirius, but the satellite radio network makes it a point that their listeners will have more options other than Stern when they become subscribers of Sirius.

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Now Might Be a Great Time to Buy a Satellite Radio But There Are Some Things to Consider

If you've been thinking about buying an XM or Sirius Radio, now might be a good time to make that purchase as the cost of these radios is now at the lowest point ever.

For example, Crutchfield has the Delphi Roady2 XM Satellite Radio Personal Audio System Package for just $79.99. This package includes Roady2 XM radio with car kit, antenna, and wireless remote and Personal Audio System. As recently as six month ago, the cost of this unit might have been twice as much.

Crutchfield has the hot Delphi SA10113 MyFi XM2Go for $149.99 after $150 savings and a $50 mail-in rebate. This package includes MyFi portable XM receiver, car kit, home kit, earphones, rechargeable battery, belt clip, and wireless remote.

If Sirius is more your thing, you can get the XACT XTR2CK Sirius Satellite Radio and Car Kit from Crutchfield for $29.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate, or the XACT XTR3CK Plug and Play Radio and Car Kit for just $49.99.

Why have these radios gotten so cheap?

The prices of these radios have dropped to these new lows because both companies have adapted the ?razor and razor blade? marketing strategy. This is based on a discovery made years ago by razor manufacturers ? that you can just about give a man a razor because you will then sell him the blades to use with it for years and years to come.

In other words, XM and Sirius are offering you satellite radios at really cheap prices so they can continue to sell you their services at $12.95 a month for years and years to come.

Stop and think before you buy

Before you buy a satellite radio, you might think about two things. First, that $12.95 a month. On the face of it, that might not seem like much but that's $155 a year ? this year and every year ? for years and years. The second thing to think about is HD Radio. This new technology makes AM sound as clear and static-free as today's FM, and FM sound as crystal-clear as if you were listening to a CD. Plus, HD radio is broadcast over the airways and is completely free, just like AM or FM radio.

So before you rush out to buy one of those low-price satellite radios, you might want to stop and think about that $155 a year vs. free.

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The Easy Two Step Process For Getting Sirius Satellite Radio

You have probably been hearing about satellite radio for a while and of course, lately there has been plenty of news about Howard Stwern setting up shop on Sirius and bringing his fan base along with him. So now you have decided that it's time to get on the bandwagon with this new technology and experience satelite radio for yourself.

If you live in the US you only have two choices for programming, XM and Sirius. In this article, we will discuss Sirius and the things you will need to do to sign up with them and receive their programming signal.

First of all, before you get started, make sure that Sirius is the provider that you really want. This is because once you decide on the provider or service, that will dictate which receiving equipment that you will need to purchase, and most importantly, once you have that equipment you will not be able to use it to change your subscription and receive the other provider's signal. So make your choice wisely here to avoid costly changes later on.

Now that you have definitely decided on Sirius as your satellite radio provider, here are the two simple steps that you need to do to start getting satellite radio:

1. Sign up for a monthly subscription with Sirius. It will cost about $12.95 a month if you pay on a monthly basis, but you can save money by buying the subsciption annually or even longer. So choose your plan and sign up.

2. Buy your receiving equipment. You will need a receiver and an antenna to start getting the signal. Your regular car radio will not be able to receive satellite radio unles it is specifically enabled for that purpose, so check your manuafcturers material to see about that first.

Before buying though, think about where you plan to listen tio your programming. Will you only be listening in your car? Then you probably only need a car receiver and antenna to get going. Just be sure that your receiving equipment matches the manufacturer of your car's radio. However, if you plan on listening at home too, you may need to get a plug-and-play type of unit that enables you to pull the receiver from your car when you get home and plug it into a home based unit to start receiving the signal through your home audio system. And if you need a portable unit for those times when you are neither at home or in the car, those are available as well. Prices for these units can vary considerably, but by shopping online you can usually get a very good deal on the equipment and have it installed locally if needed.

Once you have the equipment and the subscription, you are ready to start enjoying satellite radio whenever you want. Remember, it's always on and always available wherever you go.

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Sirius Satellite Radio vs XM Satellite Radio Which Streams Should You Choose?

 Just as many TV viewers have come to consider cable TV a life necessity, so too is satellite radio becoming a mainstream replacement for traditional AM/FM listening. Yes you have to pay for it, but just as with cable, you get way more channels and edgier, more innovative programming. Plus, you don't lose your favorite station as you travel across the state or country. And satellite players show the artist and name of the song, which is definitely a plus for those who like to know what they're listening to. In the U.S. there are just two main players in the satellite radio industry, Sirius and XM. WorldSpace, which has been broadcasting the longest and covers the most area, currently does not offer coverage in the United States. So with just two providers to pick from, one would think that the choice would be easy, but each has its own pluses and drawbacks and the decision usually comes down to budget and personal preferences.

How It Works

In 1992, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocated a spectrum in the "S" band (2.3 GHz) for nationwide broadcasting of satellite-based Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS). Of the four companies that applied for licenses, only two were granted rights to broadcast; Sirius (formerly CD Radio) and XM (formerly American Mobile Radio). Each company has satellites in orbit above the earth to transmit their programming. Programs are beamed to one of the satellites, which then transmits the signal to the ground, where your radio receiver picks up one of the channels within the signal. Signals are also be beamed to ground repeaters for listeners in urban areas where the satellite signal can be interrupted.

In many ways, Sirius has set the tone for the industry, being the first to offer commercial free programming on all its music channels and has larger selection of receivers, adapters and other products. XM has a cheaper subscription fee, at least for its basic plan, which offers much the same fare as its competitor.

Both providers have partnered with automobile manufacturers to offer satellite radio in new car models. And each has systems that will search the channels for your favorite music and alert you when and where the songs are playing. Choosing between the two companies can be difficult since each has its advantages. Here is some information that may help listeners choose between the two.

XM Satellite Radio

XM satellite radio offers 68 commercial-free music channels, 33 news, sports, and talk & entertainment channels and 21 dedicated traffic and weather channels. XM is the exclusive satellite radio provider of FOX Sports Radio, Sporting News Radio and the world's only 24-hour NASCAR Radio channel. It does not offer NFL programming.

Equipment

XM has several choices in equipment. For just under $120, you can get the Delphi XM Roady receiver. This complete package comes with a micro-antenna, cassette adaptor, 12V power adaptor, and a universal mounting bracket. For another $10, you can upgrade to the Roady2, proclaimed as the smallest satellite receiver available. In addition to the typical satellite radio features, it allows you to scroll up to 20 stock symbols and has 30 channel presets.

The Delphi XM SKYFi is a receiver with a more advanced display. It gives you more information about each song and the five-line display lets you see what's playing on other XM channels before you switch. The SKYFi2, which costs $30 more, gives pause and play functions. It must be combined with an adaptor kit for home, vehicle or audio system. These adapters range from $70-$100 in price.

Coming in November of 2004, the Delphi XM MyFi, touted as the world's first XM2go receiver, becomes available from XM. It comes with car kit, home kit, rechargeable battery, headphones, antennas and more for $349.99.

Sirius Satellite Radio

Sirius satellite radio offers 65 channels of commercial free music, plus more than 50 channels of great sports, news and entertainment programming. They are the only one of the two competitors to offer NFL coverage, including play-by-play action and pre-game gab.

Equipment

Siruis offers a host of equipment options. Customers can choose from over 15 plug and play options. Average receivers sell for $99.95 and can be combined with a car or home adapter, or a choice of different boomboxes. For the same $99.95, the Sirius Sportster adds special features for the sports enthusiast such as Game Alert, which prompts you when your favorite NFL or other sports teams are playing and Game Zone, which lists all of the play-by-play games and scores on Sirius by league.

Or for $149.99 you can cover all your listening needs with the Sanyo CRSR-10 Plug & Play System. It includes home and car kits for use at home, office, truck, RV, boat or car and antennas for home and car. It has 20 presets and a built-in wireless FM transmitter for use on all 100 FM frequencies. If a boombox is not your style, you can go with a home system that integrates with you existing audio equipment. Prices range from $250 up to $2000.

You can put a headunit in your car, throw in a tuner and antenna and you're wired for satellite in your vehicle without the portable receiver and adapter. Sirius has over 15 headunits to choose from in prices ranging from under $200 to over $1000. Some of the more reasonably priced units come with CD players and removable fronts.

Comparisons

So in the world of XM vs Sirius, it's a tough call and depends on your budget and listening preferences. The following satellite radio comparison summary consists of information taken directly from the websites of the two satellite radio companies.

Sirius Satellite Radio

Pricing

$12.99/month - with annual & lifetime options available. Extra receivers for an additional fee.

Activation fee

$15 by phone, $10 online

Commercial free

All 65 music channels are commercial free

Online listening

Listen online for free. On any computer. With no extra fee.

NFL coverage

Live play-by-play coverage of every NFL game and the only 24/7-radio channel dedicated to all-things-NFL, all year long.

Available in new cars

Exclusive car partners of Daimler Chrysler, BMW and Ford.

Customer service

24 hour Customer Care by toll free phone number and email.

XM Satellite Radio

Pricing

$9.99 basic package - premium programming, such as Playboy and XM's own High Voltage are available for an additional monthly fee, as are extra receivers.

Activation fee

$14.99 by phone, $9.99 online

Commercial free

All 68 music channels are commercial free

Costs an extra $3.99 a month.

NFL coverage

No play-by-play. No local NFL coverage. No original NFL programming.

Available in new cars

Exclusive car partner of GM.

Customer service

Customer Care is open 18 hours a day.

Satellite radio appears to be here to stay. The offerings keep getting better and the decision between the two keeps getting tougher. Equipment is available at store locations and websites of retailers like Wal-Mart and Best Buy and through the providers' websites. For static free, commercial free radio listening and your favorite stations wherever you go, satellite radio is the choice of millions. Installation and activation are easy. In fact the toughest decision may be deciding which provider to choose.

C.J. Gustafson is a successful freelance writer for http://www.1st-Dish-TV.net She frequently writes on topics such as satellite TV and car audio accessories. She vows her next car will come with a factory installed satellite radio.