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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."

5 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. 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..."