Awesomewifi.com

Any song you hear on satellite radio stars as a recording in a specific format on different recording mediums. IN most cases, the recording quality has to be maintained fairly high, usually around 384kb/s, while also being reasonably small enough to be transported on CDs and DVDs. The music tracks used in satellite radio are cataloged using a similar system to the MP3 cataloging criteria, the ID3 tags. The choice for the music tracks that will be played is made by each channel individually. The DJ selecting the tracks usually chooses about 20-30 minutes worth of music. The DJ has to listen to the tracks to make sure they are in proper condition and then simply lets the computer decode the original file. The same thing is repeated once the initial 20-30 minutes are exhausted and the music playing cycle repeats itself.

Sound encoding in satellite radio

Encoding is one of the key elements of digital radio. Each channel is handled by a different encoder. The encoder basically takes the analog file and turns it into a digital one. The digitalization process is made in real time and the music files are transformed into 1′s and 0′s. This process is carried out by powerful computers that analyze sound waves and frequency and break them into binary code. The encoding process is carried out at 128kb/s, 44.1Kh which is actually CD quality. After the song is encoded, it is transmitted to a multiplexer where other channels are also present – the multiplexer basically takes all the channels of the satellite radio provider and combines them into a single broadcast transmission. The data is then sent to a satellite modem device which modulates the data and sends it to the broadcaster’s satellites, using unique transmission frequencies.
(more…)

The entertainment industry is one of the most dynamic and attractive ones, and satellite radio has recently captured a large share of it. Audio entertainment products are highly popular today and there is a wide variety of choices when it comes to having good music in your car: regular CD players, car CD players with storage space or MP3 players. When it comes to radio however, there is an even bigger divide – you can listen to or go with one of the new satellite radio offers. The popularity of satellite radio broadcasting has gone sky-high in the past years mostly because it has some exciting benefits that commercial FM/AM programming simply cannot offer. Analog radio stations are not able to broadcast the full range of sounds available through digital satellite radio and this has a noticeable impact on sound quality. Digital radio programs are broadcast through a satellite – this means that users don’t have to switch radio stations every time they get out of a certain geographical area, as the signal is countrywide. Traditional to FM and AM broadcasts have different forms of noise disturbances – satellite radio eliminates this problem as the quality is very close to that of the original tracks it is playing.

Technology and content

Because satellite radio uses such high tech instruments (satellites, small portable receivers) many still perceive it as unapproachable and prefer to stick with traditional radio. Most young people, however, can’t wait to get their hands on the latest in technological advancements, so satellite radio is perfect for this age group. (more…)

The satellite radio industry is dominated by two major players – Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio. Both companies charge a monthly fee for their services, but service payment plans often change to attract more customers. For example, starting in 2005 Sirius offers a $500 fee that is valid for the lifetime of the equipment. Sirius offers 65 music channels, without any commercials and traffic and weather reports for most of the major US cities. On the other hand, some of XM Radio’s channels did contain some commercials, but in much smaller quantities than those found on terrestrial radio channels. Today, XM has 67 commercial-free music channels, 21 channels with detailed traffic and weather information, 39 channels of news, entertainment and sports and an amazing number of 23 play-by-play sports channels. XM Satellite Radio Inc. owns the most impressive digital radio equipment and facilities, boasting over 82 end to end broadcasting studios. Sirius Satellite Radio is located in the heart of New York City with a huge recording studio. Sirius Satellite Radio has an impressive library of over 2 million music tracks.

Sirius Satellite Radio

Sirius Satellite Radio is one of the two main providers of digital radio broadcasting in the United States and it shares this important market with XM Radio. While you would think that XM and Sirius are 100% rivals, you will be surprised to find out that both companies are working together on a joint program in order to develop a receiver for both of their broadcast frequencies. (more…)

Broadcasting digital radio via satellite is not something new and concepts of doings this have been with us for a few years. From the early days of satellite radio, companies like Dish Network have offered digital audio channels as part of their programs. The breakthrough in popularity of satellite radio, however, happened just recently, when the technology became more permissive. Satellite radio was very rare on moving locations, such as boats or cars, mostly because there was the need for some expensive equipment – a tracking dish. This was a strong deterrent which kept satellite radio quite unknown by the general public. Today, however, one can receive digital audio satellite broadcasts by using a small, GPS-like antenna. This greatly increased the feasibility of the satellite radio systems and more and more vehicle owners began considering satellite radios as a good source of music and news.

The birth of satellite radio in the United States

When the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) allocated a spectrum in the “S” band (2.3 GHz) for the broadcasting of digital radio services in 1992 no one thought the amplitude that the system would take in the future. From the initial Digital Audio Radio Service (DARS) things progressed until two companies were given licenses to broadcast digital radio in 1997. These two were American Mobile Radio (today known as XM Satellite Radio) and CD Radio (presently called Sirius Satellite Radio). The fact that satellite radio is nationwide makes it a very attractive media channel, both for commercial and non-profit organizations. The two companies that initiated the development of satellite radio saw the huge potential it had, since it wasn’t confined by the limitations of other terrestrial broadcasters.

(more…)

Together with XM Radio, Sirius Satellite Radio is one of the two main providers of digital radio broadcasting in the United States. Sirius Satellite Radio currently broadcasts on over 120 channels with a variety of broadcasts including music, talk shows, news broadcasts and different other forms of audio entertainment. Sirius Satellite Radio covers the entire US territory. The high quality of the broadcasting signal produced by using the most advanced digital encoding technology makes the transmission clear and accurate. The fidelity of the sound transmitted digitally is much better than any analog radio provider can offer. The noise disturbances often associated to FM and AM broadcasts are now eliminated and the transmission is clear and almost identical in quality with the original track. Sirius Satellite Radio holds one of the two FCC approved licenses for delivering digital radio in the United States. The digital radio broadcaster only shares the field of Satellite Digital Audio Radio Services (SDARS) with Sirius XM Satellite Radio Inc. Here is some more information on the Sirius company:
Corporate headquarters: New York City, New York
Date of launch: July 1, 2002
Satellites in service: 3
Available satellite radio channels:120
Monthly subscription cost:$12.95
(more…)

Sirius Satellite Radio has more than 150 channels available with the subscription that they provide. This includes 65 commercial-free music channels and 56 sports, news, talk, entertainment, local traffic and weather channels.

Music channels seem to be numberless, but unfortunately they aren’t even tough there are plenty of music stations that please every person no matter what gender of songs he or she likes. So, there are country music channels that include New Country, Classic Country, Alternative Country and Bluegrass. For hip-hop lovers, Sirius satellite radio has 4 channels: Hip-Hop Nation, Shade 45, Wax and Back Spin and not to mention the other streams where you’re ears will be delighted with house, club mixes, electronic a, disco, R&B, reggae and not to forget rock(classic, alternative, mellow, metal, blues) music. For classical tastes, there are three channels: classical pops, chamber music and classical voices. But if you are a jazz type of person you can relax by turning the radio on one of the six-channels of non-stop jazz.

(more…)

Proprietary systems abound; just take Apple for instance. Ever try to really do anything with iTunes that wasn’t Apple oriented? While that is probably a poor analogy, let’s look at it this way. Sirius radios are proprietary. This means that you must have a Sirius radio to listen to their programming (unless you’re getting it online). So, what’s the problem with that, you ask? Plenty of folks feel that Sirius (and XM) should adopt an open access solution, perhaps helped along by the FCC.

So, what does all that mean to consumers? It means plenty. For instance, it would open up the market to manufacturers who want to build radios that can receive Sirius signals. What does that mean for Sirius? No doubt they are concerned about not selling as many radios. However, it also means that they would receive the subscription fees for each consumer using a different company’s radio. It opens up the market to an enormous degree, allowing other companies to provide radio solutions to consumers, while still providing revenues to the coffers of Sirius and XM.

What do consumers stand to gain? Again, they stand to gain plenty. Think about it this way. What if the Internet were closed access? What if a single company (or two) held the only means of accessing the web, through modems or another device? There would only be two options for consumers to turn to for both their access hardware and their content. Open access satellite radio would provide enormous completion in the industry, driving down the costs of radios. And again, Sirius would still stand to profit from the subscription fees from all of those consumers who used a different brand of radio.

It may be a moot point, though. With the looming merger, the FCC may mandate open access as part of the deal. Quite a few consumers would be incredibly happy with that particular option. Competition is a healthy part of any industry. It eliminates monopolies and puts all parties on a level playing ground. Additionally, it provides consumers with protection against overpriced hardware, though, thus far, Sirius products have been relatively affordable.

(more…)

Many people like upgrades. They want the newest and best in everything in their life, including the not so new but the definitely upgraded version of radio, satellite radio.

But you may wonder why would anyone want satellite radio? Isn’t that the radio that costs you a subscriber’s fee every month?

Yes, it is. But it also offers you a far better range of entertainment than the normal free radio we all grew up listening to back in our glory days.

To begin to understand satellite radio a bit, you can go to any electronics store and see the wide variety you have in the choices of the radios themselves. They are smaller and they are movable. You can listen to the radio in your car. Take it to work with you and then pop it right back into your car.

Another advantage to satellite radio is the quality of the radio broadcasts. The signals are all digital. Digital means clearer sound.

Yet, satellite radio biggest advantage is that the subscriber controls what he or she listens to and does this without listening to any commercials or any talk that you don’t want to hear. For instance, do you prefer listening to just music and just your favorite type of music? Satellite radio gives you all the choices you could possibly want when it comes to music. They have stations that cater to: rock, country, jazz, hip hop, R & B, Classic, Latin, Gospel, contemporary, Christian, etc (you get the point.)

Yet, Satellite radio does not stop at music. You can get news, weather reports, traffic reports and entertainment.

Plus, Satellite radio is uncensored. The hosts of the programs say what they want. You will hear no bleeping. If they curse, you will know what they say. This is especially great for people who like edgy programs. But don’t worry, if you don’t like what they are saying, guess what, you can change the station. It is still your choice at what you are hearing.

What is also great about Satellite radio is the fact that you don’t have to worry about losing your radio signal when traveling. The signal will continue and you can hear your favorite stations at home, on the road, or even across the country.

The entertainment programs on Satellite radio seems to be growing daily. Many popular celebrities have their own shows, including the likes of Barbara Walters and many other television and radio stars.

In the United States you have two choices when it comes to subscribing to satellite radio: XM and Sirius. When choosing one of these companies, you should look at more than their prices. You should look at the content they offer, although you will find that both companies offer a lot of content.

XM radio offers over 170 channels including 68 commercial free ones. (Plus you can hear talk show host Oprah on her own satellite shows).

(more…)