XM Radio

[sandbox]

Is there anybody “Out There” in TS Land that subscribes to Satellite Radio, more specifically XMRadio?

If you like a lyric free, mellow sound check out
http://www.xmradio.com/programming/channel_page.jsp?ch=77
channel 77 or DirecTV channel 856 for Audio Visions, it’s well arranged with excellent quality.
examples:
http://iasos.com/detalist/sst/
http://www.sevwave.com/
http://www.livingmusic.com/
http://www.nicholasgunn.com/
http://www.james-asher.co.uk/world_music.html

XMRadio online three day trial: http://xmro.xmradio.com/xstream/registrati...Forward=default


Do you have any recommendations?  

[pendragon]

SB, I don't subscribe per-se, but I do get 200+ channels of XM radio. The player is available as a free DL for AOL subscribers.

Now that AOL is free, I suppose anyone with 10.2.8+ can use it. I'm not even sure the "subscriber" requirement still exists.

FWIW: The AOL (ISP) app does not require launching for me to use the AOL/XM radio.

My only complaints:
1. Even though there are 200+ channels, there are still some XM channels that are not available.
2. The player only has 5 presets.
3. No built-in equalizer like iTunes & RealPlayer.

One feature that I find quite nice: When first logging on, the player automatically resets the volume to zero, and then it slowly & smoothly raises the volume to the where you left it. That way, when it is first launched, it does not "blare" and frighten nearby babies and pets.  

IMNHO, I think it's wonderful and readily understand why it gets 4.2 stars on VersionTracker-AOL Radio. And if you have an Intel machine, so much the better as it is already UB.

[Mayo]

I recentlly subscribed to the online version of XM. It runs $8 a month. You can preview the service for three days before you have to pay a penny.

Don't miss Bob Dylan's weekly radio show on Channel 15 called "The Village." A Must Have for folk music lovers!

[MamaMoose]

SB,

I have trwo satellite radios - both Sirius. The first, installed in my car, was bought because Portland area radio s__s! The second is a unit that I have in my home that I use to pick up stations that I like in my home. The latter is connected to a small antenna mounted on a mast attached to a  roof gable.

I chose Sirius over XM because Sirius carries several different NPR outlets and also because of its specific programming mix.

MamaMoose

[Paddy]

Don't have to be an AOL user - you can get the XM radio player if you have an AIM account. I signed up for one of those and then downloaded the player.

http://music.aol.com/radioguide/bb.adp

(left-hand side of the page - part way down, for the Mac download)

[sandbox]

Harv, I had Sirus in a GM product but didn’t use it much. I got off cable TV and on to DirecTV for the same reason (one of) the Tom got Sirus, the world news option public broadcasting, linkTV, Current, and in the package was XMRadio. I’ve had it for about 6 months and find it quite an adventure whenever i go looking for something new. I have a pretty heavy sound system that I port my TV through and the quality is remarkable for broadcast sound and the signal is strong enough that I can use my ProLogic setting and spin the room around.

Mayo, I’ve caught the show http://www.xmradio.com/programming/channel_page.jsp?ch=15

on direcTV you can choose times, dates, programs on your mac and it will send you an email reminder! very cooooool
XM: The Village, Channel 813 http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/packProg/cha...assetId=1200006

From the ballads of early American songwriters to the contemporary masters of folk, The Village presents music of protest and political change and the voice of communities passed from generation to generation. You'll hear all the styles and feelings that make up the rich tapestry known as folk.
Artists — Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Tom Paxton, Joan Baez, Tom Rush, Kingston Trio

Mama, I’ve just looked at the sirus site and it does seem that you get more PBS channels. My system is incorporated with the TV and it has Al Gore’s http://www.current.tv/ and http://www.linktv.org/ with BBC, BBCI, 3 CSpans, along with many others as well as local channels. Interactive City Council meetings are on the way.

I don’t have a lot of time to watch, but with online program planning and digital recording I can watch what I choose when i choose. It’s been a remarkable system thus far.

Thanks for the link Paddy, like you I have Aim and was directed to the download in the satellite package, I didn’t know it was free with AIM, I thought it was an extension of XM?

I seen a James Blunt concert a while back, someone might like to have a lookC http://www.jamesblunt.com/  ~Mayo~ this could be a new Dylan toon lyrics to “No Bravery” on his new CD.

[pendragon]

Thanks Paddy for clearing the issue re AOL/XM requirements. I should have known you would know the answer.

Alas, I must get my NPR from RealPlayer. As I have identified/selected as a "Favorite", PBS stations in each time zone, I rarely miss Morning or Evening Edition. And, of course, I find RealPlayer ideal for listening to foreign broadcasts.

Aside from these two conditions, I can usually be found on XM.

[Paddy]

Well, Harv - I got curious and went looking. You can never have too much music.

I too am an NPR devotee - we have the excellent WBUR locally and I can also stream it via iTunes. (Has anyone noticed the slight delay when you listen via iTunes vs. broadcast radio? It's quite noticeable - I first noticed it one day when I came in from the car and the iTunes version was on in the house. Gotta convert that analog info into digital and back again...)

The Boston Globe had a recent article about people with audioblogs and I found a couple of interesting ones. So far I've explored http://www.rbally.net - he has some terrific 1980's Specials (live show) and REM live if anyone is interested. Another one that looks interesting is http://www.katry.blogspot.com (mostly folk).

The entire article with more links to audioblogs can be found here:

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/ar...6/posted_notes/

[pendragon]

I simultaneously played the same station on RealPlayer, iTunes, and an FM radio. Interesting, but not recommended.

[Paddy]

Well, if you could get them to sing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" it might be intriguing!

[jcarter]

Hi Paddy,  We get pretty much the same here on Cape Cod.  Good NPR stations WBUR, and more.
We also have WMVY from the Vineyard, they are good, and have a great nightly Blues show.  
Other internet stations too numerous to mention here.

And iTunes has the stations too, and you can import others also.  Just takes time to sort thru everything, I don't have time to sort this time of year.

Our Cable system, Adelphia, has many many music stations too, totally non-commercial, no talking.  You can hook them up thru your stereo, so that you dont have to run your TV to listen.  
So many options, so much great music!  You would have to have 1000 ears just to sample a tiny bit of it.

Hi Pendragon,  I tried the same; had WMVY on 2 computers and also the local radio, and they were all out of sync!  The echo effect sounded rather unique though.
 Jane

[Mayo]

Since we are on the subject of Internet music...  I want to recommend a couple of useful applications that can enhance the listening experience.

The first is Airfoil ($25) which makes it possible to stream any audio source to an Airport Express.  Without Airfoil only iTunes can be broadcast to an Airport Express. Airfoil also makes it possible to broadcast to multiple Airport Express modules.  It's a great way to get the music out of the computer room and into the living room or anywhere else in the house.

The second app is Audio Hijack Pro ($32) which can be used to record any audio source on a Mac.  It can be set-up to automatically record something online for playback at a later time.  Unfortunately, scheduled recording isn't an option with XM Radio Online because of the way the XM player works with Safari. Audio Hijack Pro does other things too, so if all you need is the recording feature Audio Hijack ($16) may be a better choice.

We have music in almost every room of our house.  I use Airfoil to stream music to an Airport Express connected to the sound system in the living room.  I then use Recotron wireless speakers to get the music to the kitchen, master bedroom, etc. The Recotron transmitter is connected to the AV receiver in the living room.  It is a relatively inexpensive and easy way to share music with anyone in our home.

[jcarter]

Hi Mayo,  Ive heard of Audio Hijack, I do like to record programs and songs that I really like.  IVe been meaning to get it.
We dont listen to as much music in spring, summer, fall, till the windows get closed up and the weather gets colder. But in the winter, we love music.
We have so many songbirds in spring, and the silly things sing all day.

Ive mentioned Pandora.com before, its a site that you pick out your favourite type of music, and it searches and plays similar music.  Then I go to iTunes, listen again, and purchase if I like. Can find some really older favourites this way.
My iPod is getting pretty darn full.

All this is so much fun, and its so nice to share our information.
Thanks,
Jane

[sandbox]

Well Paddy this has become very popular around here.
I can get all the Mac's humming the same tune! and the TV too!!
All it took was my AIM account name and password, it's free for Mac users only.

XM Satellite Radio: From Apple? No, From AOL.
By Alexis Kayhill - Friday, October 7, 2005

AOL XMI love music on my Mac. My iTunes collection is over 3,000 songs and it’s all on my iPod. I also listen to ‘radio’ via iTunes, but quality suffers and selection is dubious.

XM satellite radio on the Mac? Yeah, I’d like that. Apple doesn’t make it availble but AOL does.

XM radio (part of it) is available through a new application from AOL, long known for leaving Mac users in the dust with anemic applications. The latest is called AOL Radio.

http://www.mac360.com/index.php/mac360/com...le_no_from_aol/


Cool sounds
http://www.xmradio.com/programming/channel_page.jsp?ch=77

[swhitset]

I have Sirrius in my Truck.... I chose that because all The NFL games are broadcast.  They also have many college games.. NBA etc.  They have NFL channel as well.

I don't care for Howard Stern, but for those who do.... it's there.... and if Howard isn't bad enough...There is Playboy Radio.

Steve