Partner

The Hyundai web site is saying that the Sonata without the XM radio is
"limited availability". Does that mean that they are only making them now
with the XM radio as standard equipment? They raised the price $150. Can
you still get FM on the XM radio. What if you don't want a XM radio? Has
anyone been in a showroom lately and seen only the XM radio? thanx

--

NoDownTime@gmail.com

> The Hyundai web site is saying that the Sonata without the XM radio is
> "limited availability". Does that mean that they are only making them now
> with the XM radio as standard equipment? They raised the price $150. Can
> you still get FM on the XM radio. What if you don't want a XM radio? Has
> anyone been in a showroom lately and seen only the XM radio? thanx

All Hyundai will have XM as standard equipment going forward. If you
don't want XM you just don't resubscribe when your free period is over.

I cannot imagine why anyone would buy a car and NOT want the XM
subscription (it is the best $13/month a person can spend). But it is
your choice whether or not to resubscribe at the end of the 3-month
promo period.

It doesn't affect your ability to get FM or AM; you still get them --
you just have an additional band for XM.

Partner

I cannot imagine why anyone would buy a car and NOT want the XM
> subscription

Three reasons
1) $150 extra for radio
2) $13 month
3) I don't listen to radio.
--


<NoDownTime@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1166804199.619408.102930@a3g2000cwd.googlegro ups.com...
>> The Hyundai web site is saying that the Sonata without the XM radio is
>> "limited availability". Does that mean that they are only making them now
>> with the XM radio as standard equipment? They raised the price $150. Can
>> you still get FM on the XM radio. What if you don't want a XM radio?
>> Has
>> anyone been in a showroom lately and seen only the XM radio? thanx
>
> All Hyundai will have XM as standard equipment going forward. If you
> don't want XM you just don't resubscribe when your free period is over.
>
> I cannot imagine why anyone would buy a car and NOT want the XM
> subscription (it is the best $13/month a person can spend). But it is
> your choice whether or not to resubscribe at the end of the 3-month
> promo period.
>
> It doesn't affect your ability to get FM or AM; you still get them --
> you just have an additional band for XM.
>

NoDownTime@gmail.com

>
> Three reasons
> 1) $150 extra for radio
> 2) $13 month


I'm not sure if the $150 is actually for the radio or not -- since they
are moving to std equipment I assume this is going to be part of the
base price of the vehicle at some point.


> 3) I don't listen to radio.

A lot of people have a different attitude once they try it. It isn't
like "radio" as you know it. And much cheaper to operate than an Ipod
(and has better music, to boot)....

Anyway, I think by '08 all Hyundais will have XM as std equipment.

Shaman

<NoDownTime@gmail.com> a écrit dans le message de news:
1166806162.972058.259140@73g2000cwn.googlegroups.c om...
> >
>> Three reasons
>> 1) $150 extra for radio
>> 2) $13 month
>
>
> I'm not sure if the $150 is actually for the radio or not -- since they
> are moving to std equipment I assume this is going to be part of the
> base price of the vehicle at some point.
>
>
>> 3) I don't listen to radio.
>
> A lot of people have a different attitude once they try it. It isn't
> like "radio" as you know it. And much cheaper to operate than an Ipod
> (and has better music, to boot)....
>
> Anyway, I think by '08 all Hyundais will have XM as std equipment.
>

With MP3 capable radios, I don't need satellite radio... I record what I
want on a CD, and have about 500 songs that I choose on it... better than
any radio

Shaman

NoDownTime@gmail.com

>
> With MP3 capable radios, I don't need satellite radio... I record what I
> want on a CD, and have about 500 songs that I choose on it... better than
> any radio
>

Not even close. I have an 80GB Ipod that is nearly full -- 20K tracks
and counting. And I would give it up long before giving up XM. You
just cannot begin to get the depth and range of music out of an Ipod
you can get out of XM. XM's music library is approaching 3 million
tracks and they aren't afraid to use them. That's just the music.

Plus, everytime you [legally] download a single CD, you're paying for a
full month's worth of XM. And the music is only half of it -- the
news, sports, etc., are just that much more to choose from.

Some people are comfortable with a few hundred or even a few thousand
tracks on an Ipod. XM gives you what the Ipod can't -- a virtually
unlimited selection of music without having to guess what you will like
and not like before buying it. I understand the Ipod argument, but
only from those who haven't tried XM. I don't know of anyone who has
had XM then given it up for an Ipod.

Edwin Pawlowski

<NoDownTime@gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> Plus, everytime you [legally] download a single CD, you're paying for a
> full month's worth of XM. And the music is only half of it -- the
> news, sports, etc., are just that much more to choose from.
>
> Some people are comfortable with a few hundred or even a few thousand
> tracks on an Ipod. XM gives you what the Ipod can't -- a virtually
> unlimited selection of music without having to guess what you will like
> and not like before buying it. I understand the Ipod argument, but
> only from those who haven't tried XM. I don't know of anyone who has
> had XM then given it up for an Ipod.
>

We pay for cable TV, we pay for HD TV, we pay for internet access, we pay
for faster internet access, we pay for cell phones, I'm just not ready to
start putting out another $13 a month for radio. An XM won't have my local
news. The technology of all of this is very interesting but right now, I
feel it is just nibbling at my wallet a bit too much.

NoDownTime@gmail.com

> We pay for cable TV, we pay for HD TV, we pay for internet access, we pay
> for faster internet access, we pay for cell phones, I'm just not ready to
> start putting out another $13 a month for radio. An XM won't have my local
> news. The technology of all of this is very interesting but right now, I
> feel it is just nibbling at my wallet a bit too much.

For sure, a lot of people feel that way. The monthly payments are
hitting people from all sides.

Even though most days I'm not in the car (I have two XM subscriptions
in my home, two in my cars plus one Sirius), on those days when I do
drive, it really makes for a different experience -- mostly, because it
isn't at all like traditional "radio". Most of the major problems with
radio are solved by XM -- for example, driving out of range of the
stations you like, or not being able to find something you want to
listen to, static, or whatever. I admit I have little interest in
local news, however.

It isn't for everyone I'm sure -- but it is one of those things that,
once you've really experienced it it is pretty tough to live without.
I do believe I could give up my cellphone before I could give up XM in
my car. LOL.

For me, though, it is actually a "money-saver" -- before I had XM, I
would spend at least $100/month on CDs, and often more. These days, I
probably don't buy more than a couple of CDs (or downloaded CDs) a
year. After getting XM I quickly realized they were a waste of money.

All the new Hyundais (as well of lots of other cars) are going to come
with XM in them with a 3-month free trial. Right now, XM claims about
50-55% of those radios end up buying the service -- so a lot of people
think it is worth the money, but not all.

Partner

The xm Radio is now standard eq, but they raised the base price by $150. go
to their web site and see for yourself.

--


<NoDownTime@gmail.com> wrote in message >
> I'm not sure if the $150 is actually for the radio or not -- since they
> are moving to std equipment I assume this is going to be part of the
> base price of the vehicle at some point.
>
>
>> 3) I don't listen to radio.
>
> A lot of people have a different attitude once they try it. It isn't
> like "radio" as you know it. And much cheaper to operate than an Ipod
> (and has better music, to boot)....
>
> Anyway, I think by '08 all Hyundais will have XM as std equipment.
>

Shaman

<NoDownTime@gmail.com> a écrit dans le message de news:
1166813059.068403.45300@f1g2000cwa.googlegroups.co m...
>
>
> Not even close. I have an 80GB Ipod that is nearly full -- 20K tracks
> and counting. And I would give it up long before giving up XM. You
> just cannot begin to get the depth and range of music out of an Ipod
> you can get out of XM. XM's music library is approaching 3 million
> tracks and they aren't afraid to use them. That's just the music.

But WHO choose them?? On my MP3 CD's, I record what I want, not what whoever
wants to broadcast on the satellite radio.
>
> Plus, everytime you [legally] download a single CD, you're paying for a
> full month's worth of XM. And the music is only half of it --

Sure... but when I pay for a download, I have those songs on a cd >>FOR
LIFE<< , with XM, you have to wait how long to hear your favorite songs?

>the news, sports, etc., are just that much more to choose from.
>

That's a good point...

> Some people are comfortable with a few hundred or even a few thousand
> tracks on an Ipod. XM gives you what the Ipod can't -- a virtually
> unlimited selection of music without having to guess what you will like
> and not like before buying it. I understand the Ipod argument, but
> only from those who haven't tried XM. I don't know of anyone who has
> had XM then given it up for an Ipod.
>

Well, evrybody have their own opinion...

And here, in Canada, I think Sirius satellite radio is better than XM
because of the prices.With Sirius, we can have a lifetime subscription for
549.99 CDN$, I think this is a great deal...
http://www.siriuscanada.ca/Plans-e.htm

Shaman

NoDownTime@gmail.com

>
> But WHO choose them?? On my MP3 CD's, I record what I want, not what whoever
> wants to broadcast on the satellite radio.
>

Sure, I do that, too, sometimes. And when I want to hear a particular
piece of music, I can play it from my IPod. But don't you tire of
listening to the same old crap on your Ipod? I certainly do. I hear
stuff on XM I could never hope to discover on my own. Just wouldn't
happen.

Also, the exclusive content at XM is stuff that can't be had anywhere
else [legally]. Hell, Bob Dylan's show alone is worth $13/month. But
the live at XM performances, alternate takes of popular music (which
helps to keep it interesting even after you've heard it a million
times), and interview shows all add to it -- and all stuff you just
can't get anywhere else.

> Sure... but when I pay for a download, I have those songs on a cd >>FOR
> LIFE<< , with XM, you have to wait how long to hear your favorite songs?

I tend not to think in terms of "favorite" songs. If they are favorite
songs I probably already have them on the album. I would never buy an
individual track off of an album.

> >the news, sports, etc., are just that much more to choose from.

We do listen to the news channels a lot in the car.


> And here, in Canada, I think Sirius satellite radio is better than XM
> because of the prices.With Sirius, we can have a lifetime subscription for
> 549.99 CDN$,

If there were no XM, I would still have Sirius. But not so much for
the music. Sirius music really IS about like having an Ipod -- the
depth of the music is about like FM, for the most part, and I don't
find anything there that really interests me. If I listen to the
Sirius blues channel, I can pretty much go to Best Buy and find most of
what they play on the rack. Same with Classical and other genres. On
Xm's corresponding channels, you get stuff that is hard/impossible to
find.

For example, go to ITunes and search for the composer "Haydn" -- one of
the more prolific composers in classical music. It is amazing just how
little stuff they have there.

I think everyone has to do what works for them, but I would not buy a
car without XM just like I wouldn't buy one without air conditioning.
And I wouldn't buy one planning to add a plug-n-play receiver to it,
either -- I don't want extra boxes hanging on my dash.

My wife is wanting a Santa Fe and we decided to wait until the XM is
std equip on them to buy.

Edwin Pawlowski

<NoDownTime@gmail.com> wrote in message
> I tend not to think in terms of "favorite" songs. If they are favorite
> songs I probably already have them on the album. I would never buy an
> individual track off of an album.

I certainly would. I've bought albums and one or two songs are great, the
other 9 are mediocre at best. If I can buy exactly what I want, there is no
need to fast forward through the others.

>
> I think everyone has to do what works for them, but I would not buy a
> car without XM just like I wouldn't buy one without air conditioning.
> And I wouldn't buy one planning to add a plug-n-play receiver to it,
> either -- I don't want extra boxes hanging on my dash.

I agree about the extra boxes hanging about. OTOH, how many subscriptions
do you have/need? Two cars and the house is about $28 a month. I'd be more
inclined if I could have a more portable license that would allow me to
listen on any device rather than have the radio registered. Could be easily
done with a plug in card.

I have to wonder if someone will come along with a free setup with
commercials, just like broadcast, only satellite. Sort of like the
superstations of years ago. I do have a couple of issues with local
reception, but what I want to listen to is not on XM or Sirius so they don't
solve the problem, just offer an alternative that I don't want most of the
time.

NoDownTime@gmail.com

> I agree about the extra boxes hanging about. OTOH, how many subscriptions
> do you have/need? Two cars and the house is about $28 a month. I'd be more
> inclined if I could have a more portable license that would allow me to
> listen on any device rather than have the radio registered. Could be easily
> done with a plug in card.

XM has what they call a "minituner" which is a credit-card sized thing
you can move around -- you can plug it in your home stereo, in a
plug-n-play, and they have hinted that we'll see a plug in slot for it
in cars, as well. Audiovox has or will shortly have a headunit for a
car that supports this. XM's Inno is close to this functionality now,
as it is quite small -- but again, who wants an extra box hanging on
the dash. But these things take a couple years to integrate into OEM
systems.

Another aspect of it is that XM is really pushing its "data services"
-- so that navigation systems can have realtime traffic and weather
information and other things (like locating empty parking spaces and
in-car messaging).

> I have to wonder if someone will come along with a free setup with
> commercials, just like broadcast, only satellite. Sort of like the
> superstations of years ago. I do have a couple of issues with local
> reception, but what I want to listen to is not on XM or Sirius so they don't
> solve the problem, just offer an alternative that I don't want most of the
> time.

I don't think the ad-supported version will be coming anytime soon (in
fact, Sirius is threatening to raise its subscription prices now).
Worldspace (satellite radio everywhere but in North America) tried
ad-supported, and it was a terrific flop.

I think you mentioned local news. I doubt if they'll ever have that
(XM had discussed picking up about 6-8 large regional stations run by
clear channel, but for whatever reason that didn't happen). For local
coverage, AM/FM is still going to be the best route to go. My interest
in satellite is solely as an entertainment form (with national news
content, of course).