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Low Profile Satellite TV Antennas for Vehicles

Posted by chrisd on from the useful-for-rvs dept.

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."

9 of 318 comments (clear)

  1. Streaming audio by Steev · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Think of all the (commercial free) streaming audio channels that you could listen to instead of the crappy radio stations that exist right now.

    1. Re:Streaming audio by harlequinSmurf · · Score: 5, Interesting

      Dno't know much about the in-car TV's but a boss at an old job bought a BMW that had one in the dash. The moment the car was in motion the screen would blank and you would be left with just the audio.

  2. Got Sirius, Not Interested by Beebos · · Score: 5, Interesting

    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.

  3. Conflicting Trends by CatWrangler · · Score: 5, Interesting
    On the one hand, we have those who telecommute and stay off the roadways, on the other, there are those who basically live in their cars. I know several people, personally, who commute 4 hours a day in bumper to bumper traffic.

    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.

    --

    ---
    When you come to a fork in the road, take it! --Yogi Berra--

  4. It's done on many Navy ships. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

    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.

  5. Re:Direct TV? by sweetooth · · Score: 3, Interesting

    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.

  6. Kinda like this... by bjtuna · · Score: 3, Interesting

    A company named Winegard already makes products like this. Check out their mobile dish units.

    cheers

    --
    Intercarve Networks, LLC
  7. Jet Blue has this and ... by wytcld · · Score: 3, Interesting

    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.

    Jet Blue is so TV-identified that they have a bunch of large flatscreens above the checkin counters in their JFK terminal ... 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.

    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
  8. How does this kill XM radio? by signe · · Score: 5, Interesting

    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..."