It's time for another XM thread

[Joe]

Alright, so I've decided on XM Radio. Now, I have no clue as to what hardware I'm going to need in order to actually listen to it. Unfortunately, <a href='http://xmradio.com/learn/index.jsp'>XM's information site[/url] is useless, because it doesn't actually tell me what it is I need. A receiver is mentioned, but some of the portable ones have built-in receivers, or so they claim. What's the benefit to owning a specific receiver for the house as well as the car? They don't tell me. So I'm opening the field to those of you who subscribe. What do I need?

Here's what I want to be able to do:
- Listen to the radio in the car
- Listen to the radio at home
- Listen to baseball games (I understand this is a premium package)
- Understand what the benefits/downsides are to going with a portable receiver (I think I already know)

I'd like the idea of that nifty <a href='http://xmradio.com/commander/'>XM Commander[/url], but I'm on a lease, so I can't really install it into my car.

Also, I understand the portable ones use FM modulators to broadcast their signal. I had one of these to broadcast my mp3 CD player, but I noticed a high pitch whistle corresponding with my engine as it rev'd up and down. Has anyone else encountered this?

Please don't tell me Sirius is better. I don't care.

Yours in Clearchannel.

[Viin]

Why not get the MyFi? You can play it in your car, at your house, while you are jogging, while you are having sex, while you are climbing, while you are deep sea diving, and while you are on your way to Mars. What more could you want?

Actually, I think it's cool because of this:

* Built-in Wireless FM Transmitter
MyFi can wirelessly transmit to any FM radio speaker system, car, home or portable.

That way I can set it next to my Bose Waveradio and just tune it in, no cables - hurrah!

[UD_Delt]

Well, we have Sirius but honestly it mostly depends which sports (MLB for XM, NFL&NBA for Sirius) you want as the music and talk will be much the same. Also for some reason my companies firewall blocks XM but not Sirius so I can stream it at work so that was my deciding factor. The only other argument would be Opie & Anthony (XM) vs. Howard Stern (Sirius) if you were a fan of either of their shows.

As far as hardware I'm assuming they are similar. What we have is the Sirius Sportster + Car Docking Kit + Home Docking Kit. We do use the FM Modulator and it sounds better than radio but slightly worse than a CD. I'm not an audiophile though so for me it is sufficient. If you're anal about your sound quality you'll probably want to wire it rather than use the modulater. I also noticed that engine whine when we hooked up a portable CD player in my wife's car with one of those cheap radio shack FM Modulator's and I have not heard it with the Sportster.

[Joe]

Thanks, UD. I was curious as to whether or not it was the magnetic field of the engine overpowering the shielding (or lack thereof) on the modulator. I'll definitely look into the MyFi as well.