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XM Radio Pulls PC Hardware
Didion Sprague writes "News.com is reporting that XM has decided to "quietly discontinue" the XMPCR -- a tiny USB satellite radio receiver for XM radio. Slashdot readers may remember last week's story about TimeTrax -- homebrewed software that allows XMPCR users to automatically record and tag each song. Now, XMPCR receivers are going for almost $400 on ebay. The RIAA, it should be noted, claims that they weren't "behind the discontinuation of the PCR"."
But here's the part that gets me... from the Product Information Page http://www.xmradio.com/xmpcr...
"XM PCR Developer Communities:
The XM PCR revolution is in full effect. Across the XM Nation, we're excited to see independent developers creating fantastic new versions of the XM PCR software for a wide range of platforms including Mac OS X, Linux, and Windows. Windows: XtreMe PCR
Macintosh OS X: MacXM
Unix: XMPCR perl scripts
Linux: xmd-xmfe
Did we miss a developer? Let us know if you're developing any PCR software."
Heh. Looks like they missed TimeTrax.
First of all, XM are complete pieces of shit for doing this. The XMPCR was the only reason I even bought into satellite radio service in the first place. I use the XM-PCR on my Car PC and listen to it for hours every day.
It's worth noting, though, that the XMPCR is a pretty simple device. It would be incredibly easy to build a DIY one out of any XM radio. Here's why:
XM sells a receiver module to radio manufacturers. Essentially the satellite part of the radio hardware is made by XM and is the same on all units. This module exposes a serial interface (9600 baud TTL level) for control and it outputs digital audio (I forget what format). It's powered on 5V (or 3.3V -- i forget)
Anyway, all the XMPCR has in it is a simple power supply circuit, a USB/Serial converter, a DAC and an antenna jack. All you would have to do to make your own is take the tuner module out of an existing radio and wire it up the same way. You could even use the same USB/Serial converter to make it 100% identical to the regular XMPCR. The serial number (used for activation and whatnot) can be queried out of the module with a command (or taken off the donor radio's label of course).
i wonder how long it'll take somebody,
/end rant
who has the hardware from xm..
to reverse engineer a better one. and sell the prototype to a competitor or something.
so that we can once again, continue to be free of restrictions from morons such as the *AA, and now
most notably the XM-radio service.
More than likely, they'll announce that existing subscribers will be able to listen to XM via Windows Media Player/Real Player/etc., as Sirius does. Right now, you need another piece of hardware, and another XM subscription.
With my Sirius username/password, I can listen to the music channels on my home PC, and the actual receiver is in my pickup. No comedy or sports, but no extra fee, either. My wife can use it simultaneously, as well.
No, I don't work for Sirius. Honest. I like both XM and Sirius - just speculating on reason ATM.
But who knows after Slashdot has its effect.
Right is wrong when left is right.
http://www.xm-radio-satellite.com/index.asp?PageAc tion=VIEWPROD&ProdID=268
$59.99, not 600 bucks like on fleBay
Nothing for you to see here, Please move along.
Buy a DVB card for your computer. Download some audio ripping software for the satellite card http://audiorip.dvbnetwork.com/
If you want some video decoding then download software for descrambling http://audiorip.dvbnetwork.com/.
Point your satellite dish at 110, 119 or 91 degress west. You can watch video and audio.
YOu can also record audio digitally from the satellite. The dish network satellite also carries the Sirius channels. THe audiorip software will name tag the songs and cut them too. It will also put them in folders. And you can also record multiple radio channels at the same time.
Buy a DVB card for your computer. Download some audio ripping software for the satellite card http://audiorip.dvbnetwork.com/
If you want some video decoding then download software for descrambling http://audiorip.dvbnetwork.com/.
Point your satellite dish at 110, 119 or 91 degress west. You can watch video and audio.
YOu can also record audio digitally from the satellite. The dish network satellite also carries the Sirius channels. THe audiorip software will name tag the songs and cut them too. It will also put them in folders. And you can also record multiple radio channels at the same time.
...so it's available to everyone who doesn't scroll down to read everything.
. html
Has everyone forgotten the other two members of the triumvirate for finding things geek?
(eBay, PriceWatch, Froogle).
As I note in a later message, there are completed eBay auctions in the previous five days or so via Buy It Now! for $29.99, $29.99, $40. That's less than what everyone's discussing.
PriceWatch has nothing listed - just remember it for future use.
Froogle, which everyone seems to overlook, seems to have an interesting outlook on XMPCR.
Just remember:
________________________________________
My Trunk Monkey can beat up your Trunk Monkey.
http://www.suburbanautogroup.com/ford/trunkmonkey
The legal aspect is why this was so popular. Timeshifting is legal, the music is licensed, and you are authorized to listen to it. As such, you can legally store, and replay the music as you see fit. Needless to say, the RIAA dislikes this.
The thing is, recording from XM or any radio, for that matter (since XM is billing itself as satellite radio) falls under the time-shifting provisions of fair use. I can record a broadcast for later enjoyment, especially if I'm not able to listen to it when it broadcasts.
So, as far as fair use goes, it's perfectly legal to rip from the XM stream.
"I am an Adept of Tantric VAX."
Everyone's been assuming that this is in response to TimeTrax. People seem to be forgetting that this has been available for some time (along with other, similar software). Also note that the XMPCR was on super-duper clearance in some places ($15 at XMFan.com a few weeks back, though w/out antenna).
The general buzz on the XM message boards is that XM Radio was planning to discontinue the XMPCR for some time, and it just became evident (clearance sales, retail channels drying up, etc.) right about the same time as the software concerns hit the radar.
I mean, really -- could a big company like XM really decide to pull a piece of hardware from the market on only a day's notice? (the TimeTrax software and initial rumors of XMPCR being pulled happened on the same day). There's also been talk of a USB port on new cradles (which may or may not have been recently nixed, depending on your paranoia settings).
And anyway, the XMPCR was never a big seller for them. Only available from online merchants, it was originally a cheap way for someone to get XM (since they didn't need to sell any controls or displays). Now, the prices have come down (my SkiFi with cradle cost $200, a Roady2 with free home cradle is $100), so they don't need the bottom-end as much any longer.
So, yes, it's possible there was some RIAA pressure, and it's possible XM decided on their own to avoid the RIAA, but if so, that was probably only the last straw -- I would not be surprised if they'd made this decision 6 months ago.