satellites

With a few honorable exceptions, car stereo manufacturers are reluctant to build satellite radio tuners into their products, preferring instead to flog you clunky--and expensive--proprietary add-on modules to go with your XM or Sirius subscription.

Perhaps realizing that this model wasn't in the interests of increased adoption of its service, XM has just released the Audiovox XM Direct 2, a (relatively) streamlined, universal adapter that works with nearly all satellite-ready car stereos, irrespective of their manufacturers. In addition to its car compatibility, the device can also be plugged into XM-ready home audio products and XM2go portable radios. According to … Read more

Generally speaking, my love for satellite radio is nonexistent. Sorry to say, I just don't see a reason to spend that kind of money ($12 per month) to listen to a host of shows that can usually be heard on the radio and music that copies what we hear on local radio for free. Now for some, the prospect of missing Howard Stern may be too much to handle, so they go out and pay for Sirius. But XM doesn't have a show like that and more often than not, you'll find yourself working your way through dreck just to get to MLB or other exclusive offerings.

But alas, this hands-on isn't about XM programming as much as it's about the XpressRC. And for all of the faults I find in XM programming, they can't compare to just how nice the XpressRC is.… Read more

To all you cable and satellite subscribers who gripe about writing checks each month for the privilege of receiving dozens of channels you never watch, take note.

A new lawsuit filed Thursday in federal court in Los Angeles charges that every major cable and satellite provider--and the entertainment conglomerates that feed them content--form a cartel that deprives consumers of choice and forces them to pay "inflated" prices for services that don't correspond to their desires.

The suit, brought on behalf of cable subscribers in several states, calls for unspecified damages and for a court to decree that … Read more

The folks at Sirius are brimming with news this morning (seriously, pace yourself guys). Between their announcements of the Stiletto 2 handheld satellite radio and their partnership with wireless home audio mavens Sonos, news of their latest Sportster 5 plug-and-play receiver snuck right past us. The car-friendly Sportster offers a full-color screen with selectable color schemes that will do a much better job of integrating with pimped-out car interiors where monochrome just won't do. Other features include a real-time sports ticker, FM transmitter, 30 presets, and the ability to pause and rewind up to 60 minutes of live radio. … Read more

Today, Sirius announced the launch of the Stiletto 2, the highly anticipated update to the Stiletto 100, a portable satellite radio that doubles as an MP3 player. The new Stiletto measures 4.3x1.9x0.6 inches and weighs 4.3 ounces, making it both smaller and lighter (by about 25%) than its predecessor--a definite plus, as one of our complaints about the 100 was its chunky build. The new player also offers enhanced WiFi capability with support for commercial hot spots, and it has a microSD card slot for memory expansion--both features that were lacking in the Stiletto 100. Features … Read more

Add Sirius Satellite Radio to the roster of content choices available on the Sonos Digital Music System. The version 2.3 firmware, available today as an automatic upgrade, delivers access to more than 80 Sirius stations to Sonos' line of multi-room digital audio products. Because the stations are streamed via the Sonos' broadband Internet connection, there is no need for any additional hardware, such as a satellite receiver add-on. After a free 30-day trial, access to the Sirius channels costs $3 per month (for existing Sirius subscribers) or $13 a month (for new subscribers who just want the service on … Read more

TEEC NOS POS, Ariz.--I had just left the Four Corners monument and was on my way to the Canyon de Chelly.

The map showed me two different routes. First, the main roads, a 93-mile route. Not bad, but longer than I wanted to go, since I had much farther to travel after visiting the canyon.

The other route was on a dirt road over some mountains. It looked far shorter. And it was all on roads that were on my AAA map. How hard could it be?

Plus, I had a brand new 4-wheel-drive SUV (an Infiniti QX56), gallons … Read more

If there's a polar opposite to satellite TV in an RV, it would be this. Not only is the "SatGo" small, but it doesn't require a stationary installation; it's so portable that it can be toted around in its own trifold carrying case.

The DirecTV system, which has a 17-inch LCD and laptop-style battery, was announced at the Consumer Electronics Show back in January but didn't have a price tag--which we suspected wouldn't exactly be a bargain. Slashgear confirmed that suspicion, saying it's now available for $1,499. And that doesn't … Read more

It's often not hard to spot the RVs and campers that have satellite hookups--they either look like a TV news van or some jerry-rigged version of the truck used in Sanford and Son.

Luckily, the people at KVH are always thinking, and they've come up with a system designed specifically for the mobile-home set. The new "SlimLine" models will beam HD DirecTV signals to your road monster, touted as the "smallest and simplest" of their kind and available either preinstalled or after-market, according to Engadget.

It's not entirely clear to us what features … Read more