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Low Profile Satellite TV Antennas for Vehicles
Brian Mattis writes "CNN is reporting a new antenna system that allows SUV's, minivans and cars to receive DirecTV video and audio programming on the road. Future plans call for internet access as well. This could be a nail in the coffin of Sirius and XM radio."
Think of all the (commercial free) streaming audio channels that you could listen to instead of the crappy radio stations that exist right now.
This reminds me of Jetblue - the airliner that has inflight DirecTV in every seat. Anyone else see DirecTV having a monopoly?
[sig]www.masterslate.org[/sig]
Got Sirius, not interested.
As far as what I want to listen to while I drive, Sirius has it all, except the Yankees.
2 NPR stations, BBC, World Radio Network, Public Radio International, C-SPAN (which carries the network's sunday morning talk shows), CNBC, CNN, Bloomberg, and more.
When I want to hear music there are 60 commercial free stations. Then there are about 20 entertainment channels. And TechTV is coming!!
I couldn't be happier with it.
It sounds bad, in that it might cause accidents, but it may in effect encourage carpooling. If folks had a wide array of entertainment options on their trips, this may actually encourage more responsible commuting.
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When you come to a fork in the road, take it! --Yogi Berra--
for 10$ a month getting tv programming to thier cars, when it costs 100$+ a month for that same tv programming to thier house.
i know the equipment for the car has to factor into that lower rate, but still... i would feel cheated if i was a customer paying for thier service to my house.
It's not uncommon for U.S. Navy ships to use these. The crew chips in and buys the dish and subscription. They scrounge up a junked tracking system from some obsolete system that's been thrown away Put them together and they have T.V. at sea. A big moral builder. Particularly during the play-offs.
The rules only apply to the front display, so if you have a passenger in the front seat they don't get to watch because it could be a distraction to the driver. Rear displays are still ok. Of the units I've seen installed the cut off stops the display in the front from either turning on, or ejecting from inside the unit (display comes out and folds up) specifically so that multiple display setups still work.
Your second point is valid, the onboard navigation unit can be just as distracting, but I don't believe they fall under the regulation which is for tv/dvd type media. Of course this is going to vary by locale, and I can only speak specifically for Nevada. Though I understand California, Washington, and Oregon are also regulated. I also have a friend that runs a car audio shop and he has to explain to people constantly about what they can/can't do, and then how to get around it.
A company named Winegard already makes products like this. Check out their mobile dish units.
cheers
Intercarve Networks, LLC
> Just like car-mounted UHF/VHF antennae drove the final nail in the coffin of FM radio?
Obviously the moderators of this post have never seen or used digital cable or satellite television. DirecTV comes with lots o' music stations. Plus, Internet access would allow for Internet radio as long as it lasts.
aside from the channels randomly going in and out, the ones that come through are most all thoroughly boring, unless your thing is sports ... several channels of sports.
... showing a bunch of network TV with the aspect ratio wrong, since they've stretched it sideways to fill those screens. At least the sound's not on.
Jet Blue is so TV-identified that they have a bunch of large flatscreens above the checkin counters in their JFK terminal
At least when we run out of oil we can park our jets and SUVs and watch TV. In Germany after midnight there's a channel with nothing but the view from the front of a car driving; another channel with the same from a train. Somebody better sign up the American rights.
"with their freedom lost all virtue lose" - Milton
OK, so let's see. DirecTV costs approximately $30 a month for a package that will get you the 36 (or so) audio channels that they have. Not counting any hardware costs. XM costs $10 a month for 101 audio channels, with a much better variety than DirecTV or Dish's package, as far as I've seen.
XM has numerous pieces of hardware out on the market, both headunits and addon receivers. XM's hardware is already included in many vehicles from the factory. DirecTV has nothing in the way of dedicated audio hardware for vehicles, and very little in the way of selection or integration for their video hardware.
XM has land based repeaters, so that you can get a signal when your LOS to the satellite is blocked (for instance, within most cities). DirecTV has nothing of the sort.
And most importantly, GM owns Hughes, which owns DirecTV, and has a huge stake in XM. I really don't think DirecTV is going to go after XM's business.
-Todd
"The details of my life are quite inconsequential..."
Need the antenna always face south? If they come up with an antenna that need not be directional, why not introduce one for the home market, as well?
My 2nd box only costs me $4.99 a month, how is this different?
Putting moderation advice in your
This thing is gonna be a godsend for truckers.
When I started working for the company I work for, 8 years ago, a person approached me, and mentioned "I work for a company that designed a DirecTV dish that automatically tracks the satellite while you're moving. You mount it on your RV or camper, and it just follows along."
At that point, the price was $3k.
Old News.
"Champagne for my real friends - and real pain for my sham friends!" http://ericblade.postalboard.com/
I know the very basics of a phased-array antenna: you've got a bunch of little antennas, and you combine their signals by matching the phase delay from the feed line for each one.
But how do you aim them in the case of a mobile unit like this? The only other phased-array DBS antenna I've seen requires you to point the whole thing.
Also, DirecWay uses linear polarization (vs. circular polarization for DBS). How is that handled? (ie, you've got to deal with not only azimuth and elevation, but also skew angle.)
How many people are going to pay $2500? How many want to watch TV in their cars?? How many people want only 50 DirecTV muzak stations without DJ's and dedicated stuff that XM and Sirius provide???
Jumping the gun a bit, nostradamus.
They make a DataScope which is a monocular witha digital range finder and compass built in. Its sort of like the device luke was using when he got hit over the head. I've wanted one to help line of the pringles cans