An Inquiry - XM vs. Sirius - Athletics Nation

An Inquiry - XM vs. Sirius

by Kaiser99 on Jun 16, 2006 10:27 AM PDT Comment 28 comments

Seeing as how I'm rather unknowledgable in the world of satellite radio, I was wondering if there was any differences between the two. Or more precisely, is there a difference for a A's fan to consider? I'm currently looking to get one for the main purpose of listening to games, as here at work I get reception only after 6 pm and with the A/C off (it screws with the 1550am signal for some reason). With summer coming, it means that as it stands, regular radio won't cut it out for me.

Some of the main things I'm wondering is the broadcast selection. Do you get to choose between home and away broadcasts, or is only one of them (i.e. Home) available? Also, are most of the A's games on the schedule as well?

Of course, it doesn't hurt to know of some nice deals or cheaply priced devices that I can get as well.

Thanks in advance! Update [2006-6-16 13:31:46 by Kaiser99]:Almost forgot, are pre- and post-game shows available as well with satellite radio?

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XM has the MLB contract

Sirius has the NFL. So, if you want it for baseball, you have to get XM.

I'll try not to swear.

by Tony on Jun 16, 2006 10:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

XM

XM has the baseball deal, although I believe Sirius has broadcast games via espn radio.

On the other hand, Sirius has the NFL deal.

I don't own either so I'm not sure how it works in terms of picking the broadcast to listen to.

by 415goas on Jun 16, 2006 10:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Some answers...

You do not get to choose the broadcast. You will always get the home team (unless ESPN radio happens to be broadcasting for the road team - but that has not happened as fas as I know).

As far as reception/quality goes, it is not quite as good as a strong AM signal, but it is very listenable and I have no complaints. Also, having the score, # of outs and inning on the display are very nice for quick checks of other games.

All of the games are available, plus (i think) pre-season, postseason, and all star break.

I have the portable unit, Tao.

Hope this helps.

by Wooka on Jun 16, 2006 10:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

AM radio vs. XM

I have never heard that one before. What kind of signal strength are you receiving? Mine is 3 bars to the right of the digital antenna on my screen and it sounds much better than AM radio.

In the car I experience lesser quality on occassion but I don't think the signal strength is that great because it's not professionally installed. I actually open my sunroof and mount the antenna between it and the front windshield because I'm too lazy to install it correctly.

"If you're surprised by getting the job done, that means you didn't expect it out of yourself." -Huston Street

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 16, 2006 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Easy decision

VERY easy decision based on this question.

Do you like baseball or Howard Stern more? If you say baseball then get XM. I love XM so much that I've talked several of my friends into getting the service. They all love it! The only baseball coverage on Sirius is the ESPN national broadcasts that take place on Saturday afternoon and Sunday evenings.

Beware of the portable players and the thoughts of using them inside of a building. I have a Delphi MyFi and the antenna has to point in the SW direction to operate. I ended up drilling a hole to the exterior of my workplace and installing an antenna on the roof. It works great now but, in the beginning, it didn't tune in at all.

"If you're surprised by getting the job done, that means you didn't expect it out of yourself." -Huston Street

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 16, 2006 10:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Funny

I ended up drilling a hole to the exterior of my workplace

That's awesome. "Sorry Sir, but, as you may or may not know, the Tigers and White Sox are on, sooooo...."

"Belliard is a pain in the ass" ~ Blez

by eamb on Jun 16, 2006 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well...

Let's just say that I've been here for a VERY long time and I've got a pretty nice setup. I don't make as much money as I could but happiness is the key to opening most doors anyway. I'm being totally "serious" about how much I love XM and how necessary it was to have it all day long.

Now I have XM + Napster + Napster-To-Go.

"If you're surprised by getting the job done, that means you didn't expect it out of yourself." -Huston Street

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 16, 2006 11:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Drilling a hole?

I hope that's a bit of a exaggeration... I don't know if my boss(es) would enjoy me drilling holes so I can get a signal strength...

by Kaiser99 on Jun 16, 2006 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I've been torn a long time.

I could give a damn about NFL, but I loves me my Howard Stern. So it's tough to commit to either option.

"I smell like a meadow." - Yuniesky Betancourt

by Ozzz on Jun 16, 2006 10:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

XM Radio it is

Easy decision. Thanks for all the info guys.

Now time to look for a good model...

by Kaiser99 on Jun 16, 2006 11:14 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ebay

I bought my XM radio on Ebay and it's a "buy now" option and had no problems. Here are a couple of links for my radio that has now dropped over $100. I would probably go for one of the units that look similar to telephones if I could do it all over again BUT I still love my Delphi MyFi.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/NEW-DELPHI-MYFI-XM2GO-XM-SATELLITE-RADIO-SA10113_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQca tegoryZ38645QQitemZ8073090826QQrdZ1

http://cgi.ebay.com/XM-Satellite-Delphi-MyFi-Kit-with-all-components_W0QQitemZ9739830950QQcategoryZ1 09259QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

"If you're surprised by getting the job done, that means you didn't expect it out of yourself." -Huston Street

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 16, 2006 11:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

XM friends and family discount

XM has pricing for friends and family. I emailed them and they sent me the following:
http://friends.xmradio.com/accesskey.aspx?kid=432529E4DA
One of their VPs let me use his email as a password:
gtiedemann@xmradio.com

the discounts are enormous

This is a game to be savored, not gulped. There's time to discuss everything between pitches or between innings. ~Bill Veeck

by Steve in Napa on Jun 16, 2006 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow, those discounts ARE sweet

The SkyFi 2 went down from $200 to $60... I'm considering that one right now...

Although the Samsung NeXus ones are nice too, but I'm a bit impatient about waiting for something...

Thanks for the hook up!

by Kaiser99 on Jun 17, 2006 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pre/Post

The pregame and postgame are both available on XM but they don't seem to be very consistent as to when they begin and end. They usually give you about 10 minutes before and after. If you have MLB Extra Innings then you are probably already used to variances in coverage anyway.

"If you're surprised by getting the job done, that means you didn't expect it out of yourself." -Huston Street

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 16, 2006 12:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

No brainer!

Sirius rocks XM and Im a baseball nut. Nothings better than Howard Stern 24/7. I cant get enough it's 10 times better than it was on FM.

by Ben25 on Jun 16, 2006 12:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

hmm...

"Nothings better than Howard Stern 24/7"

How about... baseball? It seems to me that baseball is better than Stern. If you want Stern, watch the E! channel.

Bottom line is, XM has every baseball game. Sirius has as many as you can get on your local ESPN radio affialiate.

Go with XM. It is a no brainer.

--Nebraska--

ThePastime

by Ryan Armbrust on Jun 17, 2006 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sirius

I'm a huge baseball fan, but live in the central valley, where we get no Athletics radio. It sucks. However, if you are getting XM for baseball only, you are wasting your money. Get your audio of MLB.com, and buy the Sirius product. Even if you are not a Stern fan, it is the better of the two products, with great variety of stations.

by Murph21 on Jun 16, 2006 1:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Plus...

it wont be long before Sirius buys out XM, since XM is losing subscribers by the minute. I'm sure MLB will be on Sirius within the next couple of years.

by Murph21 on Jun 16, 2006 1:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

my local dealer told me the

same thing...maybe sooner. I can't get XM up here nearly as well..not even worth it...as Serius comes in much better.

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Jun 16, 2006 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Audio off mlb.com

Do you mean using Sirius to run off that, or use the internet and the computer? If you mean using the web directly, that's a no-no for work - we aren't allowed to stream ANY form of audio, be it radio or otherwise. Hell, I got a warning for having GameDay running too.

Which led me to looking into the market of satellite radio for my work-hour baseball fix. Damn AM radio signal isn't that great even when it's getting thru, and with the weather heating up, the A/C will be on all the time.

But if XM is going to be bought out by Sirius... I would think the receivers still work for the new signal/broadcast. Doesn't make sense for something to buy out something and then force all their new customers to buy new products to replace their old ones.

by Kaiser99 on Jun 16, 2006 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

comparison info

Forbes still recommends XM over Sirius from an investment standpoint but I have no idea what type of momentum Sirius might be gaining through Stern. That is the only medium that is helping them grow and I've even thought about buying that service too because of his show. I have Sirius music on dishnetwork and don't think it's as good as XM overall with the exception of the "pure jazz" station they have.

Here is the report from Forbes:

http://www.forbes.com/2006/06/14/xm-satellite-radio-0614markets18.html?partner=yahootix

Here is comparison info from Cnet:

http://www.radiosatellite.org/

"If you're surprised by getting the job done, that means you didn't expect it out of yourself." -Huston Street

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 16, 2006 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

south to southwest clear view for XM

MAKE SURE you have a window to the S or SW or it probably won't work. Everyone will fail to mention that point but guys at Best Buy even told me that it took them several days to get their antennas pointed in the right direction before they worked. They somehow "bounced" the signal around until it worked.

I believe the others were telling you to use your PC for mlb audio so it sounds like you are an XM guy for that reason alone. I can recommend stations for you depending on your tastes because I listen to everything from Slipknot to Sinatra to Beastie Boys to Ministry to Beyonce to Johnny Cash to Radiohead to Miles Davis.

"If you're surprised by getting the job done, that means you didn't expect it out of yourself." -Huston Street

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 16, 2006 3:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't forget Matisyahu

Live at Stubbs is great!

by sprtsnwyn on Jun 16, 2006 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yep!

I've been out of town for the last week and just saw your response. I'm FINALLY tiring of that cd a bit but it will be back in the player within a few weeks.

"If you're surprised by getting the job done, that means you didn't expect it out of yourself." -Huston Street

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 24, 2006 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

S/SW would be relative?

Like, if I'm on the extremem opposite side of the Bay from you, I'd be N/NE for that signal?

Or is it the transmitter/satellite is S/SW relatively to the Bay Area?

I'm East Bay. Richmond for home, Concord for work.

by Kaiser99 on Jun 16, 2006 5:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can't stand Stern, but Sirius has...

...Little Steven's Underground Garage.

"I'm a lexicon devil with a battered brain."--Darby Crash

by lexdevil on Jun 16, 2006 6:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Sirius is awesome

I've definitley discovered a ton of really good music I wouldn't have ever heard off the radio. Alsothe NFl channel is pretty sweet. If you happen to be in the car on Sunday, it's dope. Every game, with each announcing team. The stand-up comedy channel is pretty good, too. The Stern thing, of course. Pretty much the baseball is the only thing missing.

I'll try not to swear.

by Tony on Jun 16, 2006 6:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs