R50/53 XM v. SIRIUS - Content Only?
#26
11-15-2005 | 01:04 PM
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From: Tucson
#27
11-15-2005 | 01:57 PM
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From: Gold River CA
My wife's Honda Van has a factory XM head unit. I went with Sirius for My MINI because of the integration with the factory head unit. I prefer the clean install, MFSW control and antenna of the MINI Sirius Unit. At first I was disappointed MINI did not offer XM but after listeneing to both for a while I prefer Sirrius content.
#29
11-15-2005 | 02:26 PM
I have one question for you anti-Stern people. Have you seen his movie, "Private Parts"?
I'm guessing you haven't, and the name doesn't do a lot to sell it as a good watch... but it is. The name is a joke, because it's about his private life and how he came to be where he is.
I'm not saying you should like the guy. He IS crass sometimes... but sometimes he is just plain funny. He has his moments, just like most people. I like him... but I don't (and can't) listen to him ALL the time.
All I'm suggesting is that if you don't mind risking the $5 or so, rent his movie sometime. You might enjoy it. No, it's not for the kids, but it isn't a total raunch-fest either. It is actually a very interesting (and funny) story told quite well. Yes, there are some "edgey" bits, but it is tamer than most R movies you see these days.
If nothing else, it might at least help you to understand more why so many people DO like him. Anyone can do crass stuff... it takes a lot more than that to be as popular as he has become.
I'm guessing you haven't, and the name doesn't do a lot to sell it as a good watch... but it is. The name is a joke, because it's about his private life and how he came to be where he is.
I'm not saying you should like the guy. He IS crass sometimes... but sometimes he is just plain funny. He has his moments, just like most people. I like him... but I don't (and can't) listen to him ALL the time.
All I'm suggesting is that if you don't mind risking the $5 or so, rent his movie sometime. You might enjoy it. No, it's not for the kids, but it isn't a total raunch-fest either. It is actually a very interesting (and funny) story told quite well. Yes, there are some "edgey" bits, but it is tamer than most R movies you see these days.
If nothing else, it might at least help you to understand more why so many people DO like him. Anyone can do crass stuff... it takes a lot more than that to be as popular as he has become.
#30
11-15-2005 | 02:31 PM
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#31
11-15-2005 | 02:39 PM
Originally Posted by chows4us
Edge, Dont know how long you've been in the area but Why did Stern get fired from DC101? (which gave him his break to go to NYC).
Although I happen to think the joke was funny in its own way (in a "black humor" sort of manner), the situation and the timing made it very bad taste. I wholeheartedly agree he deserved to be fired for that, and if I recall correctly he later agreed it was a mistake.
Remember the Greaseman? Lots of very funny radio jockeys out there have been fired because they just went too far. Doesn't mean they weren't talented and funny.
EDIT: How about you chows? Have you seen "Private Parts"?
#32
11-15-2005 | 03:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Edge
Remember the Greaseman? Lots of very funny radio jockeys out there have been fired because they just went too far. Doesn't mean they weren't talented and funny.
EDIT: How about you chows? Have you seen "Private Parts"?
Yes, I thought it was good ... showed him as a person, the wife watched it too and thought it showed him as a human being. But, I guess he got divorced now so his wife couldnt take it anymore.
We got XM and the wife just keeps it on one channel. She wont move it. I tried listening to opus and Anthony but they kept trashing Stern, which made no sense to me
#33
11-15-2005 | 03:45 PM
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From: Maryland
Add another vote for XM. The fact that it's on DirecTV now so I don't have to pull the roady out of my wife's van is a big plus now too.
Bob Edwards is a great addition to XM (although it seems that those who listen to Howard have never even heard of Bob Edwards.
).
I think the music channels are fine - Fred, Ethel, Lucy and XMU provide a good alternative mix and the other channels are still miles ahead of commercial FM broadcasts.
Bob Edwards is a great addition to XM (although it seems that those who listen to Howard have never even heard of Bob Edwards.
).I think the music channels are fine - Fred, Ethel, Lucy and XMU provide a good alternative mix and the other channels are still miles ahead of commercial FM broadcasts.
#34
11-15-2005 | 03:45 PM
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From: Fort Lauderdale, FL
WingNut,
Well written. One thing that most folks dont realize is that Sirius will take over as the main force in another year. Because of the programming. Most folks when they listen to both pick Sirius overall.
Well written. One thing that most folks dont realize is that Sirius will take over as the main force in another year. Because of the programming. Most folks when they listen to both pick Sirius overall.
Originally Posted by WingNut
This one is right in my wheelhouse!
I had SIRIUS before I had a MINI, so when SIRIUS was an option when I bought my MINI I added it. I'd never owned an XM reciever because they didn't have NPR and the BBC, which I listen to frequently.
Now when XM got the MLB contract I decided to change my shop satellite to XM from SIRIUS, figuring that commercial free music is great no matter who sends you the bill. Man was I wrong!! The music on XM is no where near the quality as it is on SIRIUS, and I don't know how they can mess it up so bad.
This is wrong IMO. SIRIUS Left of Center is the main Indie stream (and alone is way better than XM's version), but Garage Rock (Little Steven BTW) and Disorder also play a lot of Indie. The XMU stream is the only Indie one on XM, and it only covers a small section of the Indie spectrum.
Another difference is SIRIUS has "Stream Jockeys" for most of their channels, XM doesn't. You'd be suprised at what a difference that makes, the Stream Jockey's of course have their own personalities and spin different types of music in their shows, where as XMU (for instance) is just a voiceless plugging of songs without regard for how they line up.
Most of the streams on XM also come off as regular FM stations w/o commercials. SIRIUS is more laid back and seems to be all about the music. XM's format seems to be a shotgun spray on music on every channel, where as SIRIUS really breaks down the genres and each channel has a definite flavor.
Needless to say, I cancelled my XM subscription at the end of Baseball season, and have doubts about signing up again next year (I wasn't crazy about the way XM handled the MLB coverage... another story altogether)
My older SIRIUS unit also puts out a clearer sound than my new XM unit.
XM is more popular amongst the masses no doubt, but I don't have any worries about SIRIUS surviving (especially with them bringing in that troll Stern).
I tend to look at the popularity of XM as Honda Civics, and the quality and enjoyment of SIRIUS as MINI Coopers. The Civics will always out number us, but if they only knew what they were missing!
Cheers!
I had SIRIUS before I had a MINI, so when SIRIUS was an option when I bought my MINI I added it. I'd never owned an XM reciever because they didn't have NPR and the BBC, which I listen to frequently.
Now when XM got the MLB contract I decided to change my shop satellite to XM from SIRIUS, figuring that commercial free music is great no matter who sends you the bill. Man was I wrong!! The music on XM is no where near the quality as it is on SIRIUS, and I don't know how they can mess it up so bad.
This is wrong IMO. SIRIUS Left of Center is the main Indie stream (and alone is way better than XM's version), but Garage Rock (Little Steven BTW) and Disorder also play a lot of Indie. The XMU stream is the only Indie one on XM, and it only covers a small section of the Indie spectrum.
Another difference is SIRIUS has "Stream Jockeys" for most of their channels, XM doesn't. You'd be suprised at what a difference that makes, the Stream Jockey's of course have their own personalities and spin different types of music in their shows, where as XMU (for instance) is just a voiceless plugging of songs without regard for how they line up.
Most of the streams on XM also come off as regular FM stations w/o commercials. SIRIUS is more laid back and seems to be all about the music. XM's format seems to be a shotgun spray on music on every channel, where as SIRIUS really breaks down the genres and each channel has a definite flavor.
Needless to say, I cancelled my XM subscription at the end of Baseball season, and have doubts about signing up again next year (I wasn't crazy about the way XM handled the MLB coverage... another story altogether)
My older SIRIUS unit also puts out a clearer sound than my new XM unit.
XM is more popular amongst the masses no doubt, but I don't have any worries about SIRIUS surviving (especially with them bringing in that troll Stern).
I tend to look at the popularity of XM as Honda Civics, and the quality and enjoyment of SIRIUS as MINI Coopers. The Civics will always out number us, but if they only knew what they were missing!
Cheers!
#35
11-15-2005 | 04:13 PM
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From: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted by Edge
I have one question for you anti-Stern people. Have you seen his movie, "Private Parts"?
#36
11-15-2005 | 05:37 PM
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From: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Sorry Phil, Yes XM and Sirius are both publicly traded companies. However, Clear Channel does own like 20 something percent of that XM stock. They have since the early days. Actually they owned almost 30% at one point but the stock was diluted trying to raise more money. They have had a Huge influence on XM content. In fact back in the early days of XM when they had commercials on their music channels they featured several of Clear Channels biggest FM stations as music channels. Say it is not so! yes its true.
The XM Clear Channel relationship has had its advantages for XM as well. Clear Channel is a advertising giant and has helped promote XM.
O'yea about that whole howard thing. There are so many other things that you support that are far more obscene.
The XM Clear Channel relationship has had its advantages for XM as well. Clear Channel is a advertising giant and has helped promote XM.
O'yea about that whole howard thing. There are so many other things that you support that are far more obscene.
Originally Posted by driverphil
We have XM and like it a lot.
First, Howard Stern will NOT be on XM. I don't want my subscriber $$$ going to that jerk.
Second, We want to listen to music - not personalities.
Third, it's a publicly traded company folks, Clear Channel does not own them.
Fourth, MLB - every game.
First, Howard Stern will NOT be on XM. I don't want my subscriber $$$ going to that jerk.
Second, We want to listen to music - not personalities.
Third, it's a publicly traded company folks, Clear Channel does not own them.
Fourth, MLB - every game.
#37
11-15-2005 | 05:42 PM
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From: Centreville, VA
Been
an XM subscriber for about 4 years now and I love it. Have a Roady 2 in my Mini (just purchased the new RoadyXT though) and a Skyfi at work (they won't let us stream audio at the office or I'd cancel that one) but its so worth the money. I love their stations especially the 90's and 20 on 20.
#38
11-16-2005 | 07:37 AM
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If Sirius survives paying Howie big bucks I'll be surprised. At least not without some help. Getting Neckcar from XM in '07 will probably help a little. The main reason I got XM was MLB and found that the music was an added incentive. Now with the college sports and NHL their is no way I go Sirius.
#39
11-16-2005 | 08:28 AM
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From: East Bay, CA
Originally Posted by indimini
Add another vote for XM. The fact that it's on DirecTV now so I don't have to pull the roady out of my wife's van is a big plus now too.
Thanks for the heads-up re XM on DirecTv; I just checked it out yesterday. Seems like we get only music channels, but the quality is definitely better than the older digital music channels we got.
Now back to the content debate!
#40
11-16-2005 | 09:18 AM
Originally Posted by ZenAudio
I'm trying to decide between XM and Sirius. I personally want to have a direct connection and desire the headunit to display info and be able to control with the MFSW. I'm aware that is currently not available on an '05 for Sirius.
What makes you think the Sirius isn't available on '05s? I'm getting it installed in mine next Tuesday. As I understand it, the only issue is that if you have the factory Nav, you can't put in the OEM Sirius antenna. It shouldn't be an issue for any other reason.
#41
11-16-2005 | 09:29 AM
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From: St. Louis
i know the private parts thing is off topic but i want to add something... i listen to howard and enjoy it. there i've said it. my wife, however, hates him. interestingly enough though, she liked the movie a lot.
howard does do a lot of great stuff that's not crass but i understand those that don't want to fish through the muck to hear it.
howard does do a lot of great stuff that's not crass but i understand those that don't want to fish through the muck to hear it.
#42
11-16-2005 | 09:43 AM
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From: San Diego, CA
Originally Posted by fsuscotsman
If Sirius survives paying Howie big bucks I'll be surprised.
#43
11-16-2005 | 09:43 AM
Originally Posted by STLMINI
i listen to howard and enjoy it. there i've said it. my wife, however, hates him. interestingly enough though, she liked the movie a lot.
Originally Posted by STLMINI
howard does do a lot of great stuff that's not crass but i understand those that don't want to fish through the muck to hear it.
#45
11-16-2005 | 10:20 AM
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From: Carmichaels, Pa.
Satellite radio seems very appealing, because everything on the FM dial (with the possible exception of NPR) is pretty much crap. But I just can't seem to bring myself to pull the trigger on either XM or Sirius.
Someone mentioned here before that neither company has posted a profit yet, which leads me to believe that one of them might go out of business. I would kick myself if I buy a good head unit, then pay the monthly subscription fees only to discover later that my carrier went belly up and my head unit is now just an expensive paper weight.
Sometimes being one of the first to buy something is not the best idea. Anyone here invest in a BetaMAX video recorder?
I don't understand why they can't make the receivers cross compatible. That way, you can buy the unit and you can switch carriers at will. It's worked all this time for cable television.
Someone mentioned here before that neither company has posted a profit yet, which leads me to believe that one of them might go out of business. I would kick myself if I buy a good head unit, then pay the monthly subscription fees only to discover later that my carrier went belly up and my head unit is now just an expensive paper weight.
Sometimes being one of the first to buy something is not the best idea. Anyone here invest in a BetaMAX video recorder?
I don't understand why they can't make the receivers cross compatible. That way, you can buy the unit and you can switch carriers at will. It's worked all this time for cable television.
#46
11-16-2005 | 10:27 AM
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From: Pinellas Park, FL 33781
Originally Posted by Edge
Zen,
What makes you think the Sirius isn't available on '05s? I'm getting it installed in mine next Tuesday. As I understand it, the only issue is that if you have the factory Nav, you can't put in the OEM Sirius antenna. It shouldn't be an issue for any other reason.
What makes you think the Sirius isn't available on '05s? I'm getting it installed in mine next Tuesday. As I understand it, the only issue is that if you have the factory Nav, you can't put in the OEM Sirius antenna. It shouldn't be an issue for any other reason.
#47
11-16-2005 | 10:33 AM
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Couple of things...
If Sirius gets 1 million of Howies "listeners" it would be a major miracle. Howie isn't someone like Rush Limbaugh where they tune in EVERY day for the whole three hours, day in, day out.
Next, they do make units where you can pick the service, you just change the module. The new VW Jetta has this. I don't know how it works but you just pick which service you want when you buy the car.
If Sirius gets 1 million of Howies "listeners" it would be a major miracle. Howie isn't someone like Rush Limbaugh where they tune in EVERY day for the whole three hours, day in, day out.
Next, they do make units where you can pick the service, you just change the module. The new VW Jetta has this. I don't know how it works but you just pick which service you want when you buy the car.
#48
11-16-2005 | 10:47 AM
Originally Posted by ThomB
It's an issue in the Cabrio. Last I checked they hadn't figured out all the antenna connections yet.
I bought the TERK SIR-MINI antenna for $34.99, and the TERK SIR-SP single to dual input splitter for $14.99, both from etronics.com. The splitter is needed with the OEM SIRIUS receiver, since it's an older dual-input design, and the antenna is single-output. That's $50 for a non-obtrusive aftermarket SIRIUS antenna you can install on -any- vehicle.
I'll be writing up my experiences next week, post install, and it will probably make its way onto MotoringFile. Install date is Tuesday, November 22.
#49
11-16-2005 | 11:53 AM
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From: St. Louis
Originally Posted by fsuscotsman
If Sirius gets 1 million of Howies "listeners" it would be a major miracle. Howie isn't someone like Rush Limbaugh where they tune in EVERY day for the whole three hours, day in, day out.