XM on DirecTV = bag of suck [Text View] - Page 2

davebaum-md

12-09-2005, 06:40 PM

]I would say tell us all how he did it and we all will be happy. But at this point, I would say that someone is confused.

Here is what is apparently happening with the classical channels. He (that is, my father-in-law) receives the current XM stations on 864, 865, and 866. He receives TWO channels 834 and TWO channels 836, one of each of which is labeled as Music Choice classical stations, the other of each of these is labeled according to the XM convention (some weird kind of music we don't listen to). I've seen this. At this point, I don't see anyone this end who is particularly confused.

However, in spite of the way in which these channels are labeled, in fact 834 MC is the same program as 865 XM, and 836 MC is the same program as 866 XM.

So, further research suggests that maybe you're right, he's _not_ receiving MC channels anymore, _but_Directv_is_making_it_ look_as_if_he_is. Why? I've no idea, unless it's contractual. Mind you, I didn't bother to check out what's going on with all the OTHER Music-Choice-labelled channels he's still getting.

d baum

WillieWildcat

12-09-2005, 06:43 PM

Mind you, I was looking forward to XM on DirecTV, I really thought it would be great, but in reality, it is not. I like to listen to music, period. Music, no talking, at all! I don't care who you're featuring this Saturday. I don't care what you call this channel, I know what it is, I chose to listen to it. etc... I was looking to get an XM radio but now I will not be, so I am so glad this happened in a way, now I know it would have been a waste.

You really don't know what you got till it's gone... ;)

If there is one benefit (if you can call it that), I too was going to purchase an XM unit and service. DirecTV saved me some money there. :rolleyes:

FireMen2003

12-09-2005, 07:26 PM

DirecTV was GM's (General Motors) baby via it's Hughes Division. XM is GM's baby I believe. So this brings up a bunch a questions and could be the underlying reason why we now have the much inferior XM instead of the much superior, no advertising, no commercials, no talking period, only music, Music Choice channels.

Did GM piggy back XM on Hughes DirecTV birds? If not, does XM use Hughes birds? (That would seem to make sense, why use someone else's equipment when you have a division that can provide it.) Did XM go with the sale of DirecTV? Does Murdock now own XM too? Is there some affiliation between DirecTV+XM+Murdock that makes it a financial advantage for DirecTV to drop Music Choice and force XM on us?

No to almost everything. Directv after it was purchased by Murdoch dumped its portion of XM that it had acquired during the purchase.

HNS did make the birds for XM but they are completely different from Directv satellites that provides service to us. XM is a completely different company from Directv. No corporate connection.

BlankMan

12-09-2005, 07:36 PM

Thanks, I was looking for some sane logical reason why they would switch from commercial free music to commercial saturated music, guess this wasn't it, but it probably was due to $$ savings for DTV.

tbb1226

12-09-2005, 08:33 PM

Right now it seems to me to be a corporate nightmare.It's my considered opinion that you may be projecting your own personal preferences on the whole of DirecTV's subscriber base in making this statement. It's easy to do because you've got a few like-minded buddies in this forum agreeing with your opinion, but you really can't know if there are enough XM haters out there to say that "D*'s subscribers have voiced a negative impression of the service." For all we know, the majority of DirecTV's subscribers prefer the XM channels, and they don't happen to frequent the TiVo forums.

My guess is that a huge majority of subscribers pay no attention to the music-only channels on DirecTV, and those that do notice them are about evenly split between MC and XM. Among those who say now that they don't like XM, many are simply accustomed to the unobtrusive style and repetitive music selection on the MC channels, so they have to adjust their expectations -- but they will, because they value the television service they get from DirecTV far more than the music-only service.

A very rare subscriber it is that will actually change television service providers over a music-only service. I would warrant that even those who have boldy proclaimed here that they would do it will wind up realizing the foolishness of it and not do it.

chadhumm

12-09-2005, 08:50 PM

Ive called and emailed DirecTV about the "bag of suck" XM radio. Does anyone know the address of direcTV so i can write them. I miss the talk free radio with better music that we had before. Ive been with dtv since 1993, Im going to have to switch to the dishnetwork to get a rock and roll station. XM is a huge disappointment.

dtremain

12-09-2005, 09:00 PM

It's my considered opinion that you may be projecting your own personal preferences on the whole of DirecTV's subscriber base in making this statement. It's easy to do because you've got a few like-minded buddies in this forum agreeing with your opinion, but you really can't know if there are enough XM haters out there to say that "D*'s subscribers have voiced a negative impression of the service." For all we know, the majority of DirecTV's subscribers prefer the XM channels, and they don't happen to frequent the TiVo forums.

My guess is that a huge majority of subscribers pay no attention to the music-only channels on DirecTV, and those that do notice them are about evenly split between MC and XM. Among those who say now that they don't like XM, many are simply accustomed to the unobtrusive style and repetitive music selection on the MC channels, so they have to adjust their expectations -- but they will, because they value the television service they get from DirecTV far more than the music-only service.

A very rare subscriber it is that will actually change television service providers over a music-only service. I would warrant that even those who have boldy proclaimed here that they would do it will wind up realizing the foolishness of it and not do it.I quite agree. I simply can't imagine anyone dropping Directv over this. Perhaps I'm biased in that I far prefer XM to Music Choice, but had the change gone the other way, I certainly would not be thinking of quitting the service. I spend a lot more time watching television with it than listening to music over it. The music channels are simply a convenient blip in the whole picture.

A handful of people are posting over and over here and making it look like a groundswell. I have no doubt that the suits at Directv know better and are pretty underwhelmed by the whole thing.

But, continue to vent if it makes you feel good.

IndyJones1023

12-09-2005, 09:20 PM

I heard an ad on FM tonight on the way home for XM. They were blabbering on about "commercial free" music. Blah. They're full of *****. I don't care if they interrupt the music with "buy Metamucil" or "we're XM and now here's A Flock of Seagulls" or "check out our comedy channel 120," those are all advertising something else. Commercials. Commercial free my ass.

BlankMan

12-09-2005, 09:26 PM

craigo

12-09-2005, 10:00 PM

Let me start by saying that I am not a fan of XM. I am, however, a fan of Sirius. I have Sirius in my car and my home. After listening to XM for the past month or so, I am glad I chose Sirius over XM. IMHO, Sirius has better music, sports and programming over all.

In saying this, I have 1 question for you XM bashers? Are you guys crazy? With all do respect, do you actually think by complaining to Direct TV, they are going to change anything? MC vs. XM blah.blah.blah....Who cares......

I ask each and every one of you, when you signed up for Direct TV, was it because of MC at the time? Probably not. Out of the 6 million+ subscribers they have, do you think the 50 or 100 people here complaining in the "Tivo Community" are going to have any impact? Heck no.

C'mon people. Relax and enjoy the "TV" programming.

This thread needs to end.

SpacemanSpiff

12-09-2005, 10:14 PM

tbb1226

12-09-2005, 10:23 PM

Given the fact that people are getting callbacks from D* as well as e-mails that acknowledge the complaints, what makes you think that the people on this board are the only ones complaining?

If there were only 60 upset customers total would they give any of them the time of day? Heck no. The response shows that there is a larger issue than we here have seen.Don't assume that a personal contact means they are going to do something constructive. It sometimes takes a while, but DirecTV responds to every customer complaint they get. I got a call back when I e-mailed to complain about the NFL HD ripoff package, and I got a call back when I complained about not getting HD baseball from the Extra Innings package. In neither case did they satisfy my demands, but they responded. It's what they do.

dtremain

12-09-2005, 10:26 PM

Can one of you people who like XM over MC explain to me why is it you like talking on supposedly music only channels? And don't get into the repetitive thing that I'm hearing with MC channels, I listen in long enough stretchs and XM is just as repetitive, at least on the channels I am listening to. So I really would like to understand why, on music channels, talking is tolerated when the talking is not mentioning the song name or artist, which would be the one thing I could understand. Not to be a SA, but you want talk, listen to a talk station or OTA radio, but you want commercial free music then it should be just that, advertising free music, no talking. Period.Okay. I suppose my music tastes are different from yours. I've been listening, for example to XM Classics. Most of the programs are programmed and hosted by Martin Booksmith. Mr. Booksmith is a highly respected expert on classical music and a former NPR host. His introductions to the musical works add to my enjoyment of them because he lends his knowledge to the programs. He also produces the programs around appropriate and intelligent themes.

It reminds me of the "good old days" of New York classical music before stations either dropped the format or went "classical light." On the pop music channels I've listened to (primarly the heavier classic rock station) and the jazz stations, I haven't heard any announcers.

People complain about the announcers on the 60's station. I've listened to it, but haven't heard any announcers.

I'm very happy with the playlists and with the well produced radio programs rather than just the aural wallpaper that Music Choice provided.

dtremain

12-09-2005, 10:28 PM

Out of the 6 million+ subscribers they have, do you think the 50 or 100 people here complaining in the "Tivo Community" are going to have any impact? More like ten by my estimation.

tbb1226

12-09-2005, 10:31 PM

Ive been with dtv since 1993, ...Interesting claim, considering DirecTV didn't even launch until '94. I bet you really enjoyed your Music Choice on DirecTV back in the day, didn't you? :rolleyes:

dtremain

12-09-2005, 10:32 PM

Given the fact that people are getting callbacks from D* as well as e-mails that acknowledge the complaints, what makes you think that the people on this board are the only ones complaining?

If there were only 60 upset customers total would they give any of them the time of day? Heck no. The response shows that there is a larger issue than we here have seen.Sure. I was unhappy with a hotel room and left criticism on the little courtesy response card. I got a letter from the manager of the hotel acknowledging my concern and telling me that it was taken up with the appropriate staff.

Do you really think it was taken up with anybody? Do you think I was sent a letter because a lot of people complained? Do you think they are going to change one little thing?

Of course not.

Companies respond in writing to consumer complaints no matter how few or many there are.

tbb1226

12-09-2005, 10:42 PM

I really would like to understand why, on music channels, talking is tolerated when the talking is not mentioning the song name or artist, which would be the one thing I could understand. I've had XM in my car for a few months prior to the DirecTV switch, and I have never heard anyone on a music channel talk about anything other than the music.

I'm not big on the Decades channels, which I've heard might have some retro news and throwback ads. That sort of thing I don't appreciate. I do sometimes appreciate an interesting fact or story about the artists, or maybe even a personal anecdote about the music in the life of the speaker can be cool. These kinds of things can serve to connect me to the music a bit more, if done well and not too often. I don't think they do it too often, so it's OK by me.

Aside from that, there are more channels on XM with music that I like to hear than there ever was on Music Choice. A short speaking interlude every twenty or thirty minutes doesn't offset that plus.

SpacemanSpiff

12-09-2005, 11:23 PM

I do believe that critiques both positive and negative are taken up with the "appropriate" staff. Companies that pay lip service to customer feedback don't stay around very long.

BlankMan

12-10-2005, 12:06 AM

When I want to hear talk I listen to NPR myself, on the way to work every morning. On the way home I listen to an AM talk show, any other time it's usually NPR unless they have something on I don't like or am not interested in, then it's an OTA FM commercial packed music station.

I can see someone coming on talking about the music being played and adding anecdotes, sorta, but would not be my choice and is not what I'm hearing, and it is still not living up to expectations that the listener originally has. When it is billed (as in advertised) and sold as "Commercial Free Music", that to many implies all music no non music interruptions. As we all have come to know now, that it not the case. Although technically, maybe not commercials, there are a lot of advertisements, and to me, commercials, advertisements, same difference.

On the old MC channels I mostly listened to the Blues channel, 841 I believe, it was a pretty decent mix of really old and current. Sometimes I'd listen to 828 a Country channel that played kinda rockin' Country music. I would hear the same songs from day to day, but rarely, if ever (that I can remember) would hear repeats during the course of the day. And I listened anywhere from a couple hours a day to 8, 9, 10 hours a day. (Headphones to block out background noise while I work.) XM's Blues channel seems to play mostly the really really old Blues, a lot that I am not familiar with. As such I haven't listened to it a lot because it's not quite my cup of tea. But maybe I'm not giving it a fair shake and maybe I just hit it at times when that was the genre. BUT, every time I did listen to it, talking, talking telling me things I really didn't care to hear, I want to hear music.

Lately I've been listening to Highway 16 (I swear owning a pickup truck now made me listen... ;) ), and on that channel every few songs they gots to tell you you're listening to Highway 16. Like I forgot from 20 minutes ago?!?! And they tell you how to contact them, I think, I don't want to nor care so I tune that part out. And they tell you who they're featuring this Saturday (that's where that came from) and I don't really care, I don't listen on the weekends and I'm sure as heck not going to tune in special to hear anyone, period. I listen Monday through Friday (excluding Holidays unless I have to work) and between the hours of 08:00 and 18:00. So, just play music, don't interrupt, just play music.

If these were suppose to be All Sports Commercial Free channels and every 10, 15 minutes someone came on tellin' you how to make a better quilt or a better way to knit two pearl three, although technically not commercials either, I bet they'd be a whole lot more people raisin' holy h*ll about it! ;)

heySkippy

12-10-2005, 07:34 AM

With all do respect, do you actually think by complaining to Direct TV, they are going to change anything?
Wouldn't be the first time. If enough noise is made to start a critical mass then the media picks up on it and reports which brings more people to the cause. I definitely think something could be made to change. I have started polling DTV subscribers on other boards I frequent and am advocating they call and write if they're not happy. I'm sure there is a tipping point, it's just up to us to see if we can get to it.

dtremain

12-10-2005, 08:06 AM

Wouldn't be the first time. If enough noise is made to start a critical mass then the media picks up on it and reports which brings more people to the cause. I definitely think something could be made to change. I have started polling DTV subscribers on other boards I frequent and am advocating they call and write if they're not happy. I'm sure there is a tipping point, it's just up to us to see if we can get to it.And, to hell with us subscribers who think that XM is an improvement!

You can take that view. I doubt that Directv will. This is a subjective judgment, not a clear cut problem, and you are just on the louder side of it. I am quite certain you are not the larger side.

The largest side, I'm sure, hasn't even noticed that there have ever been music channels.

schaltegger

12-10-2005, 08:16 AM

dtremain

12-10-2005, 08:17 AM

I don't listen on the weekends and I'm sure as heck not going to tune in special to hear anyone, period. I listen Monday through Friday (excluding Holidays unless I have to work) and between the hours of 08:00 and 18:00. So, just play music, don't interrupt, just play music.Do you work at home? Otherwise I have to presume that you subscribe to XM? Is that correct? If so, and forgive me if I am confused, are you telling me that you pay $12.95 a month for something you don't like?

heySkippy

12-10-2005, 08:39 AM

And, to hell with us subscribers who think that XM is an improvement!
I would never say something like that but I am not responsible for your happiness. Since you know a subset of subscribers are unhappy and openly complaining it would probably be in your own self-interest to let DTV know that you are happy with XM.

heySkippy

12-10-2005, 08:49 AM

I just registered a complaint with XM through their website. Assuming DTV and XM talk to each other, it can't hurt for both sides to know what's happening.

What else could be done to bring attention to the issue? It'd be great to find a way to get a story about this linked to Fark or Slashdot or ???

IndyJones1023

12-10-2005, 08:52 AM

Good ideas, Mac!

WillieWildcat

12-10-2005, 09:18 AM

BlankMan

12-10-2005, 11:26 AM

Do you work at home? Otherwise I have to presume that you subscribe to XM? Is that correct? If so, and forgive me if I am confused, are you telling me that you pay $12.95 a month for something you don't like?Are you kidding? Pay anything for something I don't like? And if I subscribed I would have known XM was a bag of suck long before DirecTV got it. I stream it via one of my Linux servers so I can listen to it where ever I am that has an Internet connection or WiFi.

BlankMan

12-10-2005, 11:36 AM

I just registered a complaint with XM through their website. Assuming DTV and XM talk to each other, it can't hurt for both sides to know what's happening.I did that too yesterday with XM and DTV. Got a human reply from DTV, got a automatic form email from XM saying the can't respond to every message, the usual BS. So I still had XM's "Thank you for contacting us" page up so I hit the back button and submit a few more times so they got multiple copies of my message so they will take notice. Had to do the same thing with ITT Cannon earlier this month. Asked them in October for some component specs, didn't hear anything for days so every couple days I asked again. Finally in December when I still hadn't heard anything did the back->submit thing 42 times, that got the attention of the Product Manager who contacted me and I finally got the specs. Turns out a local Distributor was give the info in October and was suppose to contact me but sat on it instead.

BlankMan

12-10-2005, 11:42 AM

XM is great - I listen to it in my car and at work all day. I'd been streaming it through my PC at home, too, until DirecTV replaced the "bag of suck" that is MC. I'll take XM over MC any day of the week. I could listen to MC for two hours and often hear repeated songs or stuff that barely fit the genre for the channel. XM has a MUCH wider catalog, the stations with hosts offer a couple minute's worth of knowledgeable commentary every ten - twenty minutes, and the channel selection is much wider.So what do you listen to on XM? Music? With talking interruptions? And you like that aspect? Then why pay for XM just listen to OTA radio. If not, i.e. you're not listening to music then XM may very well be great for the other content it provides that you listen to. BUT the issue here is with the XM music channels and how they went from MC all music, commercial free, advertisement free, talking free, to XM packed commercials, advertisements and talking. IMO

BlankMan

12-10-2005, 12:32 PM

Well let's see what the poll (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=275842 )says.

dtremain

12-10-2005, 12:38 PM

It sounds to me that the people who like XM radio and the channels on DirecTV, are already XM subscribers. Of course you have an obvious bias. You PAY for the service!!
Not me. If you look back at earlier threads when the change was first announced, I voiced my opposition to satellite radio in general, seeing it as an attack against those few indie local radio stations that still exist.

But now that it's here, it is clear to me, from the perspective of someone who prefers well-produced radio to bland aural wallpaper, that it is far superior to MC.

chadhumm

12-10-2005, 12:41 PM

Interesting claim, considering DirecTV didn't even launch until '94. I bet you really enjoyed your Music Choice on DirecTV back in the day, didn't you? :rolleyes:

Im not sure the exact date I signed up it was around 1993. I'll admit music choice wasnt the reason I subscribed to DTV in fact I probably didnt even know they had it. It was a pleasant added bonuses which in the long run made me stick with DTV. Back then I don't even know who the competition was maybe echostar turning to dishnetwork. Nevertheless for those that say the music change isnt enough to switch providers, I ask why not. Everything else is the same FX on DTV is the same as the FX on Dishnetwork. And if you say the music channels arent important why did they switch and more importantly why are all their new advertisements mentioning the XM programming. Apparently DTV thought it would bring in more customer, maybe it will. Another thing i'd like to address is someone mentioned that all the talk/chatter is always music related.... maybe it depends on the channels that you listen too, but that is not the case on the channels Ive listened to. In fact on the 1 rock station, less than half of the DJ talk is music related. Another issue is the amount of choices we have and again it depends on the genre of music. Those that like rock music have less choice, maybe for the other genres the choices have improved I don't know because I don't listen to them. and as far as the repititiveness of the songs it seems to be a wash. Another issue is the advertising and talk. We went from ad and talk free to XM, there are ADS there is talk..non music talk. IndyJones I agree with you..witches of eastwick..wtf. All these are factual reason I prefer MC over Xm I also have a few that are just my personal opinions. I don't like the profanity between every few songs it obviously never used to be a problem. Im givng XM another try right now and it appears to be o.k. it during the weekdays that its a problem. But I have it set up that i have music in every room in my house, I now have to turn it off when family and friends are over so i don't subject them to it.. Which is ridiculous it shouldnt be necessary. I'm not a prude i swear, not a lot but I do/I don't think its necessary for it on "TALK FREE" radio. I'm interested to know how others feel good or bad, about XM. It would be great if we could have some sort of a poll as someone mentioned. It would be so difficult being this is such minute sample of DTV cutomers and it would be skewed beyond belief lol. being most of us here came to complain about XM rather than came here to defend it. Our complaints to DTV probably wont have much influence, not as much a lot of customers cancelling their subscriptions, but most arent going to cancel "just for the music". they will keep it and not listen to it or listen to it and not be completely satisfied with it. To close........giving XM a second chance didnt work out. I just found out the profanity is just as bad on the weekend. They played a clip of Billy Bob Thorton swearing, from some movie--how is this music related.

BlankMan

12-10-2005, 12:53 PM

Well said chadhumm! And yes, all the talk I hear on Highway 16 is not related in any way to the song they just played or the song they're going to play.

I just don't understand why people like their music to be interrupted by talking??? How then can they listen to albums or CD's?? There's no talking between songs or every couple songs. Do they re-record these and interject talking every so often so their more comfortable with it? ;)

SpacemanSpiff

12-10-2005, 01:06 PM

How come they need a channel promo to tell me what channel I'm listening to? All I have to do is push the Info button and voila' there it is.

How come they need to tell me the song and artist I just heard? Once again the Info button is our friend?

Same goes if I were listening to XM on a stand-alone receiver.

BlankMan

12-10-2005, 01:24 PM

Well said SS. I've been asking the same thing and none of the XM supporters have addressed it.

Wow. I just had to interrupt my typing to answer the phone. It was DirecTV in response to my XM bag of suck email to them. The lady listened to all the reasons why I'd like MC back, like talking, commercials, advertisements, telling me the station I'm listening to when I know what I'm listening to, telling me who they're featuring Saturday when I don't care, etc. She said this was they kind of info they want to hear and she was going to relay it to Programming Management. She stressed that DirecTV does not want to lose any customers over it and I mentioned I have no current obligation to stay with them, so...

tbb1226

12-10-2005, 01:33 PM

someone mentioned that all the talk/chatter is always music related.... maybe it depends on the channels that you listen too, but that is not the case on the channels Ive listened to. In fact on the 1 rock station, less than half of the DJ talk is music related.

Another issue is the amount of choices we have and again it depends on the genre of music. Those that like rock music have less choice, maybe for the other genres the choices have improved I don't know because I don't listen to them. I don't understand why you are lying to yourself (and us) just so you can make yourself miserable. XM has at least 10 rock stations to choose from, and only three of them have any "profanity" whatsoever. Now, your definition of "rock music" is either extremely narrow-minded, or you are unnecessarily punishing yourself by listening to the one station you've picked on.

You keep harping about all the chatter on "the channels I've listened to", yet all your other comments are regarding only Squizz-XL. I suspect you haven't really listened to much else, probably because you only like five songs, and those five songs are played most often on Squizz?

Listening to a single channel that is listed openly as "explicit language" and then complaining about the language is patently ridiculous.
They played a clip of Billy Bob Thorton swearing, from some movie--how is this music related.Oh, my god! The horror! :rolleyes:

BlankMan

12-10-2005, 01:41 PM

Oh, my god! The horror! :rolleyes:Most responsible parents with young children try to prevent those children form this type of thing. If this station which to the best of my knowledge does not display a Rating for Language on DirecTV so a parent will know, has profanity intermingled, that is not right and I can see chadhumm's problem with it. I too would have a problem with it under those circumstances.

Obviously you must feel profanity is Ok in all environments to all audiences, not everyone else does.

tbb1226

12-10-2005, 01:53 PM

If this station which to the best of my knowledge does not display a Rating for Language on DirecTV so a parent will know, has profanity intermingled, that is not right and I can see chadhumm's problem with it. I too would have a problem with it under those circumstances.

Obviously you must feel profanity is Ok in all environments to all audiences, not everyone else does.Obviously, your "best knowledge" is not so good, because the Squizz channel and the other XL- labeled channels are designated with "Rated R" on DirecTV. Responsible parents already have the "Rated R" block turned on.

Nobody said profanity is OK for all environments. You really should cut back on the hyperbole and leaps of judgment if you want people to take you seriously.

BlankMan

12-10-2005, 02:12 PM

Obviously, your "best knowledge" is not so good, because the Squizz channel and the other XL- labeled channels are designated with "Rated R" on DirecTV. Responsible parents already have the "Rated R" block turned on.Ah. You are correct. I just looked and saw Boneyard has an R rating too. Like I said to the best of my knowledge. I use the the Favorite Channels list, as such I only have 2 or 3 XM channels in there so I never saw a rating other then "none" And for this you take this opportunity to slam me instead of relaying this information to me civilly, all because I choose to disagree with you.
Nobody said profanity is OK for all environments. You really should cut back on the hyperbole and leaps of judgment if you want people to take you seriously.And maybe if you weren't always on the attack and could participate in a debate without always resorting to character assassinations you would have more credibility and people would listen to you instead of ignoring you.

BlindLemonLarry

12-10-2005, 02:15 PM

On the old MC channels I mostly listened to the Blues channel, 841 I believe, it was a pretty decent mix of really old and current.......XM's Blues channel seems to play mostly the really really old Blues, a lot that I am not familiar with. As such I haven't listened to it a lot because it's not quite my cup of tea. But maybe I'm not giving it a fair shake and maybe I just hit it at times when that was the genre. BUT, every time I did listen to it, talking, talking telling me things I really didn't care to hear, I want to hear music.
I've been listening to the Blues channel for several hours this morning, and have come to the same conclusion. I definitely preferred the "mix" on the MC Blues channel, there was a better balance of roots/acoustic vs modern electric blues.

Still, my initial impression was fairly positive....until a DJ started yakking over the top of an incoming song, in a David Lee Roth tone of voice: "Folks, you wouldn't believe this XM studio I'm talking to you from...man, it's like crazy out of control, like a spaceship! Yow!!!" It was the least bluesey thing I've ever heard, and a totally unwelcome interruption.

While I can't see cancelling my DirecTV over it, I definitely prefer the continuous music that MC served up.

BlankMan

12-10-2005, 02:18 PM

"Folks, you wouldn't believe this XM studio I'm talking to you from...man, it's like crazy out of control, like a spaceship! Yow!!!" I wonder if this is the value added talking that in tbb1226's opinion makes XM better?

formulaben

12-10-2005, 02:47 PM

I was at a friend's house last night who has Comcast...guess what we ended up listening to over drinks? (cough MC cough.) For the first time ever, I'm thinking about switching. I can get an HD DVR with NO COMMITTMENT/CONTRACT OR DVR TO PURCHASE. Right off the bat I'd be saving ~$400 for the HD DVR that D* sells.

urkel-Os

12-10-2005, 02:48 PM

formulaben

12-10-2005, 02:51 PM

If commercial breaks are so annoying, Tivo an hour or so of some channel, and use 30s skips when the offending breaks occur. If you have a SA, you could even do TTG to get rid of tunes that you dislike as well. (Ok, just kidding about the TTG.)

Reasons why this is impracticle:

1) Directv DVRs are not allows to record music content
2) I don't know anyone who sits on the couch watching music (remote in hand, ready to execute 30-second skip)
3) The entire purpose of PAYING for radio is to eliminate talking

crkeehn

12-10-2005, 03:03 PM

I've had XM in my car for a few months prior to the DirecTV switch, and I have never heard anyone on a music channel talk about anything other than the music.

I'm not big on the Decades channels, which I've heard might have some retro news and throwback ads. That sort of thing I don't appreciate. I do sometimes appreciate an interesting fact or story about the artists, or maybe even a personal anecdote about the music in the life of the speaker can be cool. These kinds of things can serve to connect me to the music a bit more, if done well and not too often. I don't think they do it too often, so it's OK by me.

Aside from that, there are more channels on XM with music that I like to hear than there ever was on Music Choice. A short speaking interlude every twenty or thirty minutes doesn't offset that plus.

The 40s channel is one that plays retro news. It kind of threw me the first time I heard it because I didn't expect it. Personally I find it to be delightful, a taste of the decade. I haven't listened to the 60s channel too much, I enjoy the music but haven't been conscious of any obtrusive chatter.

I have to agree that I am listening far more to XM than I ever would have to Music Choice. My wife is a regular listener now, especially the 40s' channel and the holiday channels. She never listened to Music Choice at all.

tbeckner

12-10-2005, 04:12 PM

If commercial breaks are so annoying, Tivo an hour or so of some channel, and use 30s skips when the offending breaks occur. If you have a SA, you could even do TTG to get rid of tunes that you dislike as well. (Ok, just kidding about the TTG.)You cannot do this on a DirecTiVo. But do you believe that I should work with a remote in my hand?

tbeckner

12-10-2005, 04:17 PM

Still, my initial impression was fairly positive....until a DJ started yakking over the top of an incoming song, in a David Lee Roth tone of voice: "Folks, you wouldn't believe this XM studio I'm talking to you from...man, it's like crazy out of control, like a spaceship! Yow!!!"I find the "YOU ARE LISTENING TO CHANNEL 106" crud meaningless.

I guess we should realize that XM RADIO, is just that RADIO and it's roots come from RADIO, and RADIO is all about talking, self promotions, and in a CAR, you are listening to CHANNEL 106 is just fine, but at home it is JUST TACKY.

urkel-Os

12-10-2005, 04:19 PM

Reasons why this is impracticle:
1) Directv DVRs are not allows to record music content
Ok, didn't know about that -- thanks for the info. Only used my SA for XM so far.
2) I don't know anyone who sits on the couch watching music (remote in hand, ready to execute 30-second skip)
I agree with you in part, although have just returned from doing some chores, and XM was playing on the SA all along with a nice buffer built up. It's actually ok to sit here while websurfing and flick the skip every so often to jump past an annoying tune or break. Unfortunately, no visual cues for knowing when to quit advancing once "screensaver" mode kicks in.
3) The entire purpose of PAYING for radio is to eliminate talking
My D* service isn't commercial-free, plus D* advertises on some of its own channels! Comquack did the same back when I was a subscriber and probably still does. Both still beat the alternatives for most people. Why should XM be different in this respect? MC was ok, but XM seems to offer more channels that I would actually listen to, and is the better alternative IMHO.

chadhumm

12-10-2005, 04:20 PM

I don't understand why you are lying to yourself (and us) just so you can make yourself miserable. XM has at least 10 rock stations to choose from, and only three of them have any "profanity" whatsoever. Now, your definition of "rock music" is either extremely narrow-minded, or you are unnecessarily punishing yourself by listening to the one station you've picked on.

You keep harping about all the chatter on "the channels I've listened to", yet all your other comments are regarding only Squizz-XL. I suspect you haven't really listened to much else, probably because you only like five songs, and those five songs are played most often on Squizz?

Listening to a single channel that is listed openly as "explicit language" and then complaining about the language is patently ridiculous.
Oh, my god! The horror! :rolleyes:

OK TBB1226 if thats the case give me the channel numbers of the hard rock stations that replaced the music choice hard rock station because Im having a hell of a time finding them...it. Leave out the ones that have alternative music i dont care much for that. I like a lot more than 5 songs in fact Id say I liked 9 out of 10 songs on music choice hard rock and about 2 out of 3 on XM-squizz. Thats fine Im complaining about all the crap in addition to it. And you are right my profanity complaints are about 1 station in particular-squizz.....but guess what thats the kind of music I like and the kind of music want to listen too I shouldnt have to change my musical tastes to accomodate XM. And Thanks Blankman...I agree with you 100%. The only good thing I can say about XM is that it comes in handy if your "info" button is broke.

BlankMan

12-10-2005, 04:24 PM

1) Directv DVRs are not allows to record music contentYes you can, or could with Music Choice, haven't tried it yet with XM.

chrpai

12-10-2005, 04:28 PM

Yes you can, or could with Music Choice, haven't tried it yet with XM.

My SD-DVR80 wouldn't record Music Choice and it won't record XM. Now I'm sure I could just set the channel and start recording to an 8 track player or something but I'm sure that isn't what you meant.

BlankMan

12-10-2005, 04:35 PM

My SD-DVR80 wouldn't record Music Choice and it won't record XM. Now I'm sure I could just set the channel and start recording to an 8 track player or something but I'm sure that isn't what you meant.It's a well known fact here at TC that DTiVo's could be made to record MC channels. But ya know, in your opinion I'm just a troll so what do I know...

formulaben

12-10-2005, 04:42 PM

It's a well known fact here at TC that DTiVo's could be made to record MC channels. But ya know, in your opinion I'm just a troll so what do I know...

Could. Well, I guess it's my fault for not stating the obvious...

UNHACKED STOCK DIRECTV (not stand-alone Tivo) DVRs CANNOT RECORD MUSIC CHANNELS.

BlankMan

12-10-2005, 05:22 PM

Could. Well, I guess it's my fault for not stating the obvious...

UNHACKED STOCK DIRECTV (not stand-alone Tivo) DVRs CANNOT RECORD MUSIC CHANNELS.Bet me.

One of my T-60's is currently recording channel 814 Highway 16.

Took me a while to remember how to do it since the last time I did it was in August.

If any of you people doubt me, I will gladly take a picture of the screen and post it for all to see.

BlindLemonLarry

12-10-2005, 05:29 PM

I guess we should realize that XM RADIO, is just that RADIO and it's roots come from RADIO, and RADIO is all about...
I think you've really hit on something there: Music Choice felt like something more...like a premium service. A premium MUSIC service. XM just feels like listening to the radio, albeit with more options. While I would otherwise consider it a welcome addition to my DirecTV account, it's a poor replacement for MC.

heySkippy

12-10-2005, 05:32 PM

Neither of my HDVR2 units would record the old MC channels. Haven't tried with the XM channels yet. Not that it matters, if I could it would solve nothing.

BlankMan

12-10-2005, 05:33 PM

Could. Well, I guess it's my fault for not stating the obvious...

UNHACKED STOCK DIRECTV (not stand-alone Tivo) DVRs CANNOT RECORD MUSIC CHANNELS.
( Bet me. )**2

My totally stock HR10-250 is currently recording channel 814 Highway 16 also.

If you think outside the box and take that can't be done as nothing more then a challenge, almost everything can be done.

It really has never been too difficult to make any DTiVo record Music Channels.

My motto has always been We can do the impossible, it just takes us a little longer...

chrpai

12-10-2005, 06:06 PM

My SD-DVR80 wouldn't record Music Choice and it won't record XM. Now I'm sure I could just set the channel and start recording to an 8 track player or something but I'm sure that isn't what you meant.

Look at what I posted. I didn't say my SD-DVR80 couldn't record MC/XM, I said it wouldn't. I get a message that says "Sorry, this feature is unavailable for audio only programs".

I didn't mention any other models or any other hacked software loads. I also didn't claim that my remote was longer or had more girth then yours. Geesh, ever hear of YMMV?

BlankMan

12-10-2005, 06:16 PM

Look at what I posted. I didn't say my SD-DVR80 couldn't record MC/XM, I said it wouldn't. I get a message that says "Sorry, this feature is unavailable for audio only programs".

I didn't mention any other models or any other hacked software loads. I also didn't claim that my remote was longer or had more girth then yours. Geesh, ever hear of YMMV?
Still betcha could.

chrpai

12-10-2005, 06:29 PM

Still betcha could.

I probably could. Frankly I don't have the interest. I was given the Tivo for free without a harddrive. I used MFSTools to load an image and thats all I feel like doing. The Tivo is for my wife and to her it's just an appliance. I have other toys I play with when I have spare time on my hands.

Draven X. Byrne

12-10-2005, 07:19 PM

I find the "YOU ARE LISTENING TO CHANNEL 106" crud meaningless.

I guess we should realize that XM RADIO, is just that RADIO and it's roots come from RADIO, and RADIO is all about talking, self promotions, and in a CAR, you are listening to CHANNEL 106 is just fine, but at home it is JUST TACKY.

And your opinion is fine - except that there isn't a XM Home service - same service everywhere.

I have refrained from posting on this thread because I believe it to be a stupid waste of space (my opinion :D ) but - come on - get over it! Don't like XM - then stop listening to it and bitching about it - Like MC - then go away. No one is forcing you to stay - on top of that threads like this seem to be a good excuse to plump certain people's posting numbers as well. . . . .

DXB

TX WJ

12-10-2005, 07:46 PM

I have Directv, XM and Sirius.

I never could get into the Music Choice channels, and I can't get into most of XM's Music channels either. I prefer Sirius for music.

I have XM for talk and MLB.

Some like XM, some like Music Choice, and some like Sirius.

I know that Dish has Sirius and I think most people liked the switch.

tbeckner

12-10-2005, 08:14 PM

And your opinion is fine - except that there isn't a XM Home service - same service everywhere.

I have refrained from posting on this thread because I believe it to be a stupid waste of space (my opinion :D ) but - come on - get over it! Don't like XM - then stop listening to it and bitching about it - Like MC - then go away. No one is forcing you to stay - on top of that threads like this seem to be a good excuse to plump certain people's posting numbers as well. . . . .

DXBAlready have, added cable for Music Choice and HBO OnDemand. I would say that by now my bitching about XM RADIO is as bad as XM RADIO's chatter is to people who like Music Choice's uninterrupted music.

But then again, my opinion about XM RADIO's chatter is JUST AS IMPORTANT as your opinion is, but then you don't have to READ my opinion, but if I want to listen to music on DirecTV, I have to listen to XM RADIO's chatter. There is a big difference.

If you don't like people's opinions, then you do not have to read them, do you? The same cannot be said about listening to uninterrupted music on DirecTV NOW!

I do have to agree with you, it is NOT XM HOME music service, it is XM RADIO, maybe great in a car or on a portable as a replacement for bad FM RADIO, but XM RADIO just does not work as an uninterrupted music service for the home or some businesses.

IndyJones1023

12-10-2005, 09:19 PM

Anyone else experiencing drop outs?

BlankMan

12-10-2005, 09:39 PM

Anyone for a new XM logo?

http://www.curtronics.com/images/xm_logo.gif

:D :up: :D :up: :D :up: :D

WillieWildcat

12-10-2005, 10:12 PM

Anyone else experiencing drop outs?

No, but maybe DirecTV is. :p

redondoman

12-11-2005, 02:39 AM

I turned on XM for the first time and though there are lots of genres and styles, I was immediately dissapointedf by the constant commercials. In my opinion the compressed digital signal sounds worse than FM. DirecTV is slowly but steadily moving the wrong direction. First they start replacing Tivo with an inferior DVR and now this. I would switch if it weren't for the fact that Adelphia in my area is an absolute joke and DishNetwork is still lagging behind. Perhaps if Verizon get's their act togehter and creates their TV over Fiber Optic network they keep talking about there will be better alternatives.

chadhumm

12-11-2005, 10:47 AM

i like the new logo it says it all

crkeehn

12-11-2005, 01:53 PM

It sounds to me that the people who like XM radio and the channels on DirecTV, are already XM subscribers. Of course you have an obvious bias. You PAY for the service!!

We the DirecTV customers who are being force-fed XM and are fans of MC and their line-up of stations have every right to be upset. Can I go out and purchase a MC receiver for my home or car? NO!

Are you XM people getting it yet?

Nope, not even close. The only way I pay for the service is through my DirecTV subscription. I will admit that our exposure to XM on DirecTV may serve to get us to subscribe to the full service, both for the car access and for the additional stations which DirecTV can't offer.

I find the choice and variety of music on Xm to be far superior to Music Choice and am listening to XM much more and longer than I could force myself to try Music Choice.

crkeehn

12-11-2005, 01:57 PM

Bet me.

One of my T-60's is currently recording channel 814 Highway 16.

Took me a while to remember how to do it since the last time I did it was in August.

If any of you people doubt me, I will gladly take a picture of the screen and post it for all to see.

Under v3.1 the DirecTivo could be "encouraged" to record the music channels. That ability was apparently taken away with V6.1/6.2

The T-60 is a series 1 DTivo and won't receive the v6.2 upgrade.

BlankMan

12-11-2005, 02:14 PM

The T-60 is a series 1 DTivoBut the HR10-250 isn't.

balboa dave

12-11-2005, 02:22 PM

XM has better music, more artists and more depth of programming.

MC was barely a step up from Muzak. Bland music, shallow playlists and repetitive programming.

There's been more verbage complaining about XM than the talking they're complaining about. :rolleyes:

BlankMan

12-11-2005, 02:29 PM

XM has better music, more artists and more depth of programming.

MC was barely a step up from Muzak. Bland music, shallow playlists and repetitive programming.
This is a very subjective topic and you have your opinion, I have mine, and other people have theirs.

IMO the channels I listened to on MC provided the music I wanted to hear and I was satisfied with the content. If I wouldn't have been satisfied with the content I would not have listened, simple as that. But now DirecTV has taken that choice away from me.

craigo

12-11-2005, 02:31 PM

This is a very subjective topic and you have your opinion, I have mine, and other people have theirs.

IMO the channels I listened to on MC provided the music I wanted to hear and I was satisfied with the content. If I wouldn't have been satisfied with the content I would not have listened, simple as that. But now DirecTV has taken that choice away from me.

BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH........

BlankMan

12-11-2005, 02:54 PM

BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH........Is somebody forcing you to stay glued to this thread and read every post?

But your post is exactly in line with the core problem being discussed here and is what I would expect from someone who likes babble in the form of talking with their music, and that is non valued added content.

Hopefully there will come a time in your life when you'll be able to contibitute something useful to discussions like these, but then again you may think that you do and never realize that you really don't. That is so sad.

crkeehn

12-11-2005, 03:10 PM

But the HR10-250 isn't.

No, but the software upgrades were only for Series 2 and 2.5 SD receivers. The HD receivers have still not received a version 6 upgrade

BlankMan

12-11-2005, 03:16 PM

No, but the software upgrades were only for Series 2 and 2.5 SD receivers. The HD receivers have still not received a version 6 upgradeInteresting, and too bad. Have you tried it yourself? In order to get my HR10 to record I created a keyword wishlist for "New Country Hits" with no catagory specified and that then recorded 814 Highway 16. If you haven't tried it could I impose on you to give it a shot? If that's really the case, I hope I never see 6.x. I'm tempted to fire up an HDVR2 and get 6.x just to see.

BlankMan

12-12-2005, 11:38 AM

Doesn't hurt to get this thread back on the top either, I like it's title.

crkeehn

12-12-2005, 01:38 PM

Interesting, and too bad. Have you tried it yourself? In order to get my HR10 to record I created a keyword wishlist for "New Country Hits" with no catagory specified and that then recorded 814 Highway 16. If you haven't tried it could I impose on you to give it a shot? If that's really the case, I hope I never see 6.x. I'm tempted to fire up an HDVR2 and get 6.x just to see.

Yes I did try it. Got the message that I couldn't record the music channels.

BlankMan

12-12-2005, 01:44 PM

Yes I did try it. Got the message that I couldn't record the music channels.Thanks. Darns. Well not really I guess anymore, I don't see myself ever recording Chatty Cathy XM.

tdurden

12-13-2005, 02:55 PM

For what it's worth, The DVR Whose Name We Dare Not Speak In This Forum will definitely record XM channels.

Tyler

IndyJones1023

12-13-2005, 02:58 PM

Voldemort?

rumbarrel

12-13-2005, 05:58 PM

Well, I'm sorry that some of you are not happy with the switch to XM. Personally, I am thrilled! I think the best thing you all can do is just listen to it for a while. I really think it will start to grow on you.

It is still WAY BETTER than OTA radio. So you may have to listen to a DJ talk for a few seconds...big deal. If if really bothers you, switch the channel. You DON'T get 5,6,7 minutes of commercials!!

What I really like is the selection of channels that actually play a good "mix" of music. You aren't stuck with the SAME type of music constantly. ie: The Mix, The Blend, etc.

Another thing I would suggest is going to the XM website....there it gives an indepth description of all their channels. This is very enlightening towards explaining the XM experience.

Anyway, I don't think it will do you all any good griping about the change. One must learn to accept change and adjust to it.

I truly LOVE the new XM access on DTV and hope that many of you can learn to do the same.

Happy Holidays to you all. :)

BlankMan

12-13-2005, 06:09 PM

.... I really think it will start to grow on you. ...As soon as they start supplying uninterrupted music, I could love them. I could even see buying a radio for my truck (maybe) and my car (maybe), but not until then. The whole benefit to MC, which I would pay extra for, was uninterrupted music, I cannot see paying for interrupted music, that I already have all over the place. Including now on DirecTV. :(

cowboys2002

12-13-2005, 06:59 PM

Surely you're not trying to compare a DJ talking between songs on a music channel with hosts talking on TALK RADIO channels?!? One is an unwelcome interruption of programming, the other IS programming.

From all the comments ( I refuse to call them complaints), it appears that many are pi$$ed at talk defined as:

1. Any talking
2. Talking between or during songs
3. Promo's, PSA'a ,etc about ANYTHING.

BlindLemon, of course I'm not comparing a DJ talking to a talk radio channel.

I used to listen to the MC channels, especially around the holidays. But IMHO, the sound quality left a lot to be desired. My original DTV receiver had the rain, pawprints, etc. that disappeared after a while. For those complaining about having to press the guide or info button to see what is on, have you ever considered that this was done on PURPOSE to keep logo BURN IN from happening on our precious LCD's, Plasmas, DLP, etc.???

You have a choice in your video programming.
You have a choice in your audio programming.

Make the choice that is best for you, and not others.

In the past, I mostly listened to MC Sounds of the Season or a Jazz channel mostly when we were entertaining. Much better than playing DJ,Host, and server at the same time. Pick a channel, set the volume and DONE!
:) :p

BlindLemonLarry

12-13-2005, 07:33 PM

From all the comments ( I refuse to call them complaints), it appears that many are pi$$ed at talk defined as:

1. Any talking
2. Talking between or during songs
3. Promo's, PSA'a ,etc about ANYTHING.

BlindLemon, of course I'm not comparing a DJ talking to a talk radio channel.
I was merely trying to determine what your point was in bringing up Dr. Laura and Howard Stern, when the issue being discussed was that of DJs interrupting otherwise continuous music. I had no idea why you thought it was relevant. (I still don't, but that's OK!)

For the record, I'm not the least bit pi$$ed about any of this. I preferred the non-stop music of MC to the more traditional radio style of XM, and merely expressed it. It's not a make or break issue to me, but I do have a preference. Judging by one of the polls, I'm in the minority....which also is OK! I've got more important issues to worked up about. :D

BlankMan

12-13-2005, 07:43 PM

e or info button to see what is on, have you ever considered that this was done on PURPOSE to keep logo BURN IN from happening on our precious LCD's, Plasmas, DLP, etc.???I don't think you can burn in a DLP, I don't think the little mirrors on the chip care and I don't think the color wheel cares and I don't think the screen has any phosphor on it so it don't care either.

chadhumm

12-14-2005, 02:03 PM

i have given XM a chance ..many chances..it didnt grow on me so ive been looking into alternatives. What I liked about MC was that there were no interuptions..none at all. and the programming appealed to me better. Thats just me. For those of you that don't like XM I have found a reasonable alternative. It won't work for everyone, but hear me out give it a try if you want and let me know what you think. Some of you Im sure are aware of yahoo launchcast /launchcast plus. After trying Xm and getting so sick of hearing the dj talk about the girl he screwed last night I decided to try launcast. If you have decent bandwidth this is a legitimate alternative. the cost is $2.99 a month , you can try it out for free for 7 days. they have tons of channels and you can create your own channel with mutiple genres all together, and rate artists and songs so you eventually weed out music you dont like. Ive found it to be very pleasant and the sound quality through my audio receiver is amazing. i honestly did not hear a difference in quality between xm and mc as some people on this forum claimed. except for the mix channel on xm sounded echo'y . of course there are good and bad aspects of it you would need at least a reliable 480 kbs connection. a decent sound card with a digital or line out to connect to the auxillary of your audio receiver... i also have a video card that has an s-video output ..for a second monitor...so i hooked that up to my svhs vcr since the satelitte receiver was using the svideo on my tv. so at the push of my tv tuner button on my tv remote i can see on my tv the song and the artist....equivalent to pushing the "info" button. I have to say its heavenly having high quality talk free and ad free music back. After having it for so many years I didnt realize how great it was until it was gone.

tbeckner

12-14-2005, 08:38 PM

As soon as they start supplying uninterrupted music, I could love them. I could even see buying a radio for my truck (maybe) and my car (maybe), but not until then. The whole benefit to MC, which I would pay extra for, was uninterrupted music, I cannot see paying for interrupted music, that I already have all over the place. Including now on DirecTV. :(I have to agree that XM RADIO would be a good choice to replace FM RADIO is a car or even in a portable, but for uninterrupted music at home it really is TACKY.

I actually believe that the MAJORITY of the pro XM RADIO fans fall into one of the following categories:

Current or previous XM RADIO subscriber
Current or previous SIRUIS RADIO subscriber
Music Choice listener, who did not like the Music Choice selections
Never listened to Music Choice
Are under the age of 50
Actually Love Talk Radio

balboa dave

12-14-2005, 09:11 PM

I have to agree that XM RADIO would be a good choice to replace FM RADIO is a car or even in a portable, but for uninterrupted music at home it really is TACKY.

I actually believe that the MAJORITY of the pro XM RADIO fans fall into one of the following categories:

Current or previous XM RADIO subscriber
Current or previous SIRUIS RADIO subscriber
Music Choice listener, who did not like the Music Choice selections
Never listened to Music Choice
Are under the age of 50
Actually Love Talk Radio
Not one of those categories apply to me, and I prefer XM. :confused:

IndyJones1023

12-14-2005, 09:14 PM

Are under the age of 50
I would change that to over the age of 40 - they're more used to commercials.

tbeckner

12-14-2005, 09:14 PM

Not one of those categories apply to me, and I prefer XM. :confused:Noticed that I said MAJORITY, so you are in the minority.

tbeckner

12-14-2005, 09:15 PM

I would change that to over the age of 40 - they're more used to commercials.I would have, except that I thought more people would complain, I was shooting for a MAJORITY.

BlankMan

12-14-2005, 11:50 PM

I have to agree that XM RADIO would be a good choice to replace FM RADIOThe more I think about this the more I agree, and they're able to charge fot it.

chrpai

12-15-2005, 12:27 AM

tbeckner

12-15-2005, 12:33 AM

Man I just dumped D* today and switched to TWC. Blankman would be happy to know that I'm now on Music Choice again instead of XM and I will have to bust D* on one thing. On all of my receivers the Music Choice ( and now XM ) channels did very boring scrolling text displays of the music be displayed. On TWC its much more graphical with all kinds of album covers and trivia about the music and artists being displayed. There are also several music on demand channels that seem to be unrelated to Music Choice. It's more of a music videos on demand setup but still pretty cool.I started to ask what TWC was, but I figure it stands for Time Warner Cable.

BlankMan

12-15-2005, 01:31 AM

Man I just dumped D* today and switched to TWC. Blankman would be happy to know that I'm now on Music Choice again instead of XM and I will have to bust D* on one thing. On all of my receivers the Music Choice ( and now XM ) channels did very boring scrolling text displays of the music be displayed. On TWC its much more graphical with all kinds of album covers and trivia about the music and artists being displayed. There are also several music on demand channels that seem to be unrelated to Music Choice. It's more of a music videos on demand setup but still pretty cool.I see you made that phone call. :) And I envy you having MC again. :D

MC info was slow and I too wished they had done the album cover thing or something for those times when the TV was on while listening. I'll probably take even more flack for this, but I noticed XM is a lot slower getting the song info up then MC was.

Well, enjoy.

tbeckner

12-15-2005, 01:36 AM

I'll probably take even more flack for this, but I noticed XM is a lot slower getting the song info up then MC was.That is an understatement, the XM RADIO feed sometimes doesn't show up for a full minute after the music has started and then appears to be mixed up.

mwhip

12-15-2005, 10:15 AM

I am starting to come over to the other side now. Last weekend was the first time I spent half the day cleaning the whole house with XM instead of MC. I put on the cinemagic channel because so far that is my favorite. In the 8 hours I had that channel on they played dialogue from movies (kind of understandable) and interviewed 2 composers. I had to change the channel because I just wanted to hear music. When I flipped it to the classic rock and 80's channels they did the same thing with interviews.

tbeckner

12-15-2005, 10:24 AM

BlankMan

12-15-2005, 10:58 AM

I actually believe that if a person was use to the uninterrupted music on MUSIC CHOICE and started listening to XM RADIO for long time periods in a passive way, that they just might start to see the light.Yep, one of my friends liked it at first too, a couple of days ago he now says Music Choice was better, and his wife agees, she liked MC's Jazz channels and does not like XM's. I actually kind of liked it at first too but not quite as long, maybe for an hour or so, till I realized all the commercials, advertisments, and talking where here to stay.

newsposter

12-15-2005, 11:26 AM

any ideas why some channels say searching for satellite 2?

Wife wanted to listen to 873 last night and some channels gave that error message. paying over 100 a month you'd figure they can let us list to some music

jfalkingham

12-16-2005, 03:19 PM

Might be old news, but....

If you use comcast for your ISP, you can get Music Choice over the PC (http://www.comcast.net then to music). Laptop to receiver, and I'm listening to the old channel 819, Sounds of the season! Now, the quality is not perfect, I don't get into the "do you hear the artifacts?" debate, I just hear the music I want without any interruption from a DJ or promo.

FIOS (for internet now, TV in the spring when active) is being installed after Christmas and they have Music Choice on their Internet & TV services.

IndyJones1023

12-16-2005, 11:22 PM

Man, I just noticed XM is mixing the ends of songs with the beginnings of the next songs. Major suckage. :mad:

tbeckner

12-17-2005, 05:19 AM

This evening between at least 11pm PST and 11:24pm PST, XM RADIO was down on all channels, and it was not a local weather outage or local equipment failure, it just was flat down, all channels. My daughter wanted to access the XM Classical channel and we tried all of the channels, and I thought that DirecTV cut me off from XM RADIO because I have been complaining loudly about the excessive chatter, compared to MUSIC CHOICE. (paranoid delusions).

But DARN IT, IT CAME BACK ON!

formulaben

12-17-2005, 01:21 PM

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not coming for you...

tbeckner

12-17-2005, 05:15 PM

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not coming for you...It's one of three P words, but I am not sure which one it is: Perceptive or Paranoid or Pitiful

dtremain

12-17-2005, 11:11 PM

Man, I just noticed XM is mixing the ends of songs with the beginnings of the next songs. Major suckage. :mad:It's called a segue (pronouced seg-way). Again, it is radio.

chrpai

12-17-2005, 11:45 PM

It's one of three P words, but I am not sure which one it is: Perceptive or Paranoid or Pitiful

I was thinking more along the lines of paranoid delusions of grandeur. D* doesn't care if one of us complains about them here. We really aren't that important.

BlankMan

12-18-2005, 01:21 AM

It's called a segue (pronouced seg-way). Again, it is radio.Yeah. Stop reminding me. Radio = Sucks :)

chrpai

12-18-2005, 09:17 AM

Yeah. Stop reminding me. Radio = Sucks :)

Well sure, you are using the assignment operator and not the equality operator.

I don't really listen to FM radio either. I usually listen to AM talk radio.

TomK

12-18-2005, 09:41 AM

I don't hear any commercials on the XM music channels. I do hear promos of what's coming on other channels but a promo is not a commercial in my opinion. I hate commercials but I don't mind promos.

BlankMan

12-18-2005, 11:08 AM

I don't hear any commercials on the XM music channels. I do hear promos of what's coming on other channels but a promo is not a commercial in my opinion. I hate commercials but I don't mind promos.This was posted in another thread but I'll post it here for TomK's benefit. This is the third time I had to do that.

Those interruptions you refer to as "Promos" are de facto commercials. One of the definitions of Commercial is "Sponsored by an advertiser or supported by advertising". The definition of an Advertiser is:

1. To make public announcement of, especially to proclaim the qualities or advantages of (a product or business) so as to increase sales. See Synonyms at announce.
2. To make known; call attention to: advertised my intention to resign.
3. To warn or notify: “This event advertises me that there is such a fact as death” (Henry David Thoreau).

Nowhere does that part say it has to be from/for someone/something else nor does it qualify that money has to exchange hands to be considered a commercial. The part of the definition that says "supported by advertising" implies some sort of payment takes place to do the "support" part but that does not have to be money, one XM channel could be advertising thus supporting another XM channel. At any rate that part is qualified by an "or", so "Sponsored by an advertiser" take precedence in this case.

XM is making various announcements of its programming, station name and whatnot, therefore they are the "Advertiser" and they are the Sponsor in what is the Commercial. Nowhere does it say just because they are advertising themselves well then that's not a commercial.

Don't kid yourself, they are commercials. Can't wait till somebody gets PO'd enough or some lawyer somewhere decides to start a class action suit based on it being advertised as "Commercial Free" when it's really not. Where's Denny Crane when you need him...

And....

The other morning I was flipping through channels and checked out Highway 16 again. During the short time I had it on there was this big blaring spot (commercial, advertisement, promo, what ever you want to call it) for XM's Gospel music channel. Now not that I'm against Gospel music, I actually like it, but that Commercial had nothing to do with the songs being played on Highway 16 or by any stretch of the imagination anything at all to do with Highway 16.

I don't know how anyone can defend that and not classify it as a Commercial.

Period.

tivoupgrade

12-18-2005, 11:13 AM

I was merely trying to determine what your point was in bringing up Dr. Laura and Howard Stern, when the issue being discussed was that of DJs interrupting otherwise continuous music. I had no idea why you thought it was relevant. (I still don't, but that's OK!)

For the record, I'm not the least bit pi$$ed about any of this. I preferred the non-stop music of MC to the more traditional radio style of XM, and merely expressed it. It's not a make or break issue to me, but I do have a preference. Judging by one of the polls, I'm in the minority....which also is OK! I've got more important issues to worked up about. :D

You are not alone in your opinion. My wife and I liked the MC stuff much more than XM; the choices we preferred are not even close to being comparable with the XM selection we now have.

Personally, I would have preferred a move to Sirius, if a move needed to be made.

BlankMan

12-18-2005, 11:13 AM

Well sure, you are using the assignment operator and not the equality operator.

I don't really listen to FM radio either. I usually listen to AM talk radio.Ok, how about Radio == Sucks? :) Sucks == Not Good. XM ~= Radio. :D

Me too. NPR in the morning. Local AM Talk Show on the way home. NPR for music in the evening.

IndyJones1023

12-18-2005, 11:34 AM

It's called a segue (pronouced seg-way). Again, it is radio.
Since it's text, I can't tell if your condescending attitude was intentional or not. I know what a segue is. I know how to pronounce it. And I also know that MC did not do this and it deteriorates the quality of both songs.

chrpai

12-18-2005, 01:32 PM

Ok, how about Radio == Sucks? :) Sucks == Not Good. XM ~= Radio. :D

Me too. NPR in the morning. Local AM Talk Show on the way home. NPR for music in the evening.

For reasons that I won't enumerate, I don't listed to NPR. I'll let you guess why.

chrpai

12-18-2005, 01:34 PM

IndyJones1023

12-18-2005, 02:06 PM

You mean did he mean to be condescending or that he just can't help it? Does it really matter?
To me it does.

BlankMan

12-18-2005, 02:20 PM

You mean did he mean to be condescending or that he just can't help it? Does it really matter?I can be condescending and mean it. :D

I hate segues in radio too. I want to hear the song, the whole song, and nothing but the song. FM Radio, one station, always lops off the end of a song I really like, every single time. And not just a couple seconds a good 10, if not 15. They will be receiving a comment regarding that in the near future.

I just timed it, that FM station lops off 24 seconds of the song.

tbeckner

12-18-2005, 06:45 PM

I can be condescending and mean it. :D

I hate segues in radio too. I want to hear the song, the whole song, and nothing but the song. FM Radio, one station, always lops off the end of a song I really like, every single time. And not just a couple seconds a good 10, if not 15. They will be receiving a comment regarding that in the near future.

I just timed it, that FM station lops off 24 seconds of the song.BlankMan, I am with you about the chatter, but I also agree with some of the other people on this forum, that our chatter about the chatter on XM RADIO is as BAD as the chatter on XM RADIO.

I have a great new idea, my daughter had channel 866 on today for classical music and when it interrupted to do their chatter, they said something about e-mail, why don't we bombard XM RADIO e-mail with our complains.

I do not have all the information yet on how we can do that, but when I have their e-mail addresses, I will post them. Maybe if we hit the DJ's directly with the complains about their excessive chatter they might get the idea that maybe they could cut it down or maybe at least forward those complaints to management.

We would be doing everyone a favor, not just us, even the XM RADIO fan, listeners, and subscribers would be happier if there was less chatter and more music.

I will post the e-mail addreses as soon as I find them.

skinnyjm

12-18-2005, 08:04 PM

Not as good as MC, but we don't get to decide, do we? :confused:

dtremain

12-18-2005, 09:28 PM

nor does it qualify that money has to exchange hands to be considered a commercial. Really? You might want to look up the meaning of the word "commercial" as in "commerce" as in money.

Looking up the word "advertise" in a general dictionary has nothing to do with what the word means in the broadcasting industry.

As I tell my students, looking up the meanings of a commonly used word in a general dictionary does not qualify as research, and does not act to support your point. You have to deal with what the word means in the current context. Doing that, XM does not broadcast advertising or commercials. They do broadcast promos and the occasional psa.

dtremain

12-18-2005, 09:32 PM

Since it's text, I can't tell if your condescending attitude was intentional or not. I know what a segue is. I know how to pronounce it. And I also know that MC did not do this and it deteriorates the quality of both songs.I meant to be informative. I have no idea what those who have never been in the broadcast industry know in terms of jargon. MC did not do segues. They were not radio. To say it deteriorates the quality of both songs is a subjective judgement. Some would argue that an interesting segue can add to the quality of the whole presentation.

Forgive me if this sounds condescending, but it is only pop. Nobody segues opera arias.

tbeckner

12-18-2005, 09:43 PM

And not just a couple seconds a good 10, if not 15.There is NO reason why any music service should be cutting into the music, that is just plain TACKY. If they want to chatter, they can wait until the music has finished playing and leave a small couple of seconds blank period, just like a CD or vinyl record.

chadhumm

12-19-2005, 09:44 AM

FlWingNut

12-19-2005, 10:14 AM

i dont care what you call it or how you define it they talk too much and it sucks. hence the name-bag of suck. mc was better no interruption and better choices. everytime ive called directv or they call me they've sounded suprised when I mention the profanity thrown in on the rock station. I'm going to make a recording and play it for them or send it to them, i can't imagine those that decide on the programming watch or listen to it all the time. if they did we wouldn't have XM crap. There use to be a nice flow song after song after song with no interruptions it was so pleasant. Now I hear ads..commercials...chatter..dj's trying to be what they think is cool, or what they think is funny ..and not being successful at it. and for some reason they interrupt to tell you what the song and artist is... thats unnecessary unless you can't read .. they actually cut off parts of the music to tell us this. and most of the chatter is NOT music related.

Briefly, as I mentioned on another thread, what you perceive as chatter, unfunny, what they think is cool..etc, could be enjoyed by others. Everyone uses the radio differently. Remember, XM was not designed as a "home" listening service in the way that MC was/is. It was first designed as an alternative to OTA radio, with everything "radio" except the commercial loads, and the first receivers were car/portable. Hence, the need for artist/title info, DJ chatter to keep you company on long commutes, and talk and sports channels. I'm not sure the folks at XM ever anticipated people using it at home or work for hours at a time "listening" through their TV sets with info buttons at the ready. In other words, to the people at XM, their paying customer base comes first, not the Directv crowd, and if the base likes it it'll stay the same.

For the record, I don't care which service they use. The channels are a bonus anyway -- I subscribe for the TV channels.

heySkippy

12-19-2005, 10:51 AM

Some would argue that an interesting segue can add to the quality of the whole presentation.

Probably the same people who think laugh tracks are a good thing in sitcoms.

formulaben

12-19-2005, 12:45 PM

Briefly, as I mentioned on another thread, what you perceive as chatter, unfunny, what they think is cool..etc, could be enjoyed by others. Everyone uses the radio differently.

I would agree, except that these guys advertise "commercial free" so the whole argument goes out the window...

FlWingNut

12-19-2005, 03:23 PM

I would agree, except that these guys advertise "commercial free" so the whole argument goes out the window...

I haven't listened to XM enough to know for sure, but are they saying the music channels are commercial-free or all their channels? Even if it's just the music channels, promos for their other channels or programs, DJ chatter, "imaging" audio, and public service announcements are not classified as "commercials." In radioland, commercials are paid spots for products or services, and I don't think XM runs those on their music channels. "Commercial-free" does not mean "interuption-free" and never will.

IndyJones1023

12-19-2005, 03:27 PM

Hey, FlWingNut! I'm in Lake Mary, too!

FlWingNut

12-19-2005, 03:32 PM

Based on your picture, I think I saw you at Publix! :D

BlankMan

12-19-2005, 04:15 PM

. You have to deal with what the word means in the current context. And the context from my perspective is that they are interrupting the music to advertise something about themselves (that I don't care to hear) so in that context I consider it a commercial.

Thank you for pointing that out, yes I tend to agree, context makes a difference and in this case strengthens the case.

restart88

12-19-2005, 04:35 PM

I could understand the talking on certain channels, say America, but when I tune to a music channel I want to hear music - not yammering. And certainly not commercials to buy what I already have!

I both have D* & a pair of XM receivers. I have my display on the XM receivers set for artist/ song title, so why do I even need talking about the music??

And as for promoting other channels - that's what the newsleter is for as well as one channel devoted to nothing but promoting the various channels.

robertq

12-19-2005, 07:54 PM

I believe the depth of music is far better on XM than it was on Music Choice. But, there were formats on Music Choice that just aren't available on XM. The one I miss the most is RetroActive. Fred defines alternative classic too far into the nineties for my tastes.

I suspect Panero is raising advertising revenus from the classic commericals you hear on the 80s and 70s channels. If he isn't, he should be. BTW --- why not sell a 5-second add spot where you air the classic commerical for yesteryear. Brings back memories and revenue at the same time. It's not like Brawny changes its towels every year!

And, there are commericals on XM. I've been recording twelve hour blocks of programming with my PC, and listening at work. On the eighties channel, I've heard ads to activate additional XM radios for $6.99 a month usually every two hours. As a Sirius subscriber (for the past two years), I can't remember a time I've head that. And if I had, it may be once or twice, or on the preview channel. Not the same frequency as on the 80s channel.

I haven't cancelled DTV for XM yet, but I haven't been happy with them since blackouts started on NFL*ST. The only reason I stay with them is because of the NY/LA feeds, and once those are gone, its Comcast or Verizon FIOS for me. Comcast witll have Tivo, and I'm not sure what FIOS will have. But I suspect I'll be gone from DTV by the end of next year.

tbeckner

12-19-2005, 08:28 PM

"Commercial-free" does not mean "interuption-free" and never will.Which is too bad, because "interuption-free" is what I have been use to for over 11 years.

Funny thing, I had always considered XM RADIO and SIRUIS RADIO, because I thought they were "interuption-free", but now that I have taste of at least XM RADIO, I am sure that I would NOT subscribe to either service (if they are the same) to use both in the car and in the home. I always thought that having an "interuption-free" music service available in both the car and home, with both being from the same service would be great, but now it appears nothing like that exists.

I did notice that other XM RADIO subscribers are agreeing that the constant inter-service promos are unnecessary, so maybe just being use to "interuption-free" music from MUSIC CHOICE didn't spoil me.

newsposter

12-20-2005, 08:55 AM

Funny thing, I had always considered XM RADIO and SIRUIS RADIO, because I thought they were "interuption-free",

I thought this too. I never did research but had assumed paying X a month meant no commercials. Seems like paying a premium for radio is like paying for movies that are on TNT with 5 minute commericals every 5 minutes :) Anyways, I dont listen to music that much, i'm more a tv person. Enjoy your interrupted music :)

dtremain

12-20-2005, 01:23 PM

I thought this too. I never did research but had assumed paying X a month meant no commercials. Seems like paying a premium for radio is like paying for movies that are on TNT with 5 minute commericals every 5 minutes :) Anyways, I dont listen to music that much, i'm more a tv person. Enjoy your interrupted music :)Do you subscribe to any premium movie channels? They cost extra beyond your regular Directv subscription and run promos for their movies and shows. Are there threads complaining about that? I don't see them.

The only difference I see is that XM is included in the base price.

Neither one runs paid commercials or interrupts artistic works.

IndyJones1023

12-20-2005, 02:12 PM

Bob_Newhart

12-20-2005, 02:16 PM

You are correct, Mr. Jones.

IndyJones1023

12-20-2005, 05:00 PM

That's Doctor Jones.

;)

balboa dave

12-20-2005, 05:32 PM

Isn't that somewhat of a straw man argument? Movie channels play adverts between flicks to pad for start times. Otherwise, Movie A would start at 2pm, Movie B at 3:54pm, Movie C at 5:19pm, etc. They add filler so movies start at the top or bottom of the hour, usually.Not at all. The reasons for the timing of the promos may be different, but that doesn't change the fact that they are identical in nature to what XM does. A straw man argument is when someone tries to compare adding commercials to a CD to to what XM does. Trying to equate the 1 hour or so of music on a CD to the 50,000 hours of music XM broadcasts for approximately the same price makes sense? Ignoring the industry defined distinction between the commercials of FM radio and cross-promotions that XM does? I don't think so.

I do get the difference between the interruption free music of DC and what XM does, and in a perfect world, I would prefer no interruptions. But the music of XM is so much better, I'm finding myself listening to it a lot more than I ever listened to MC. NOT a bag of suck! :D

newsposter

12-20-2005, 05:52 PM

Do you subscribe to any premium movie channels? They cost extra beyond your regular Directv subscription and run promos for their movies and shows. Are there threads complaining about that? I don't see them.

The only difference I see is that XM is included in the base price.

Neither one runs paid commercials or interrupts artistic works.

We are looking at different points of view here. I pay for premiums to have uncut uncensored movies and am watching on delayed tivo recording 99.9 percent of the time. XM, to my knowledge is a live service and you have no option to record it. Maybe my world of TV is slanted since I've had tivo over 3 years but I feel that i'm paying extra to get the commercial free movies on my tivo for viewing at a later date. Therefore I'd expect XM to have commercial free music based on my limited knowledge of the service.

keep in mind radio is just a background thing for me and I dont live it like others on this forum do. So I wouldn't even pay 1 penny a month more for radio, regardless of content. And I have no idea what commercials or interruptions people are talking about on XM because i dont care to research that. So I freely admit to possibly posting in error because I dont have the full info.

It's all relative and to all the xm experts, these words will mean nothing anyway :)

dtremain

12-21-2005, 12:15 AM

heySkippy

12-21-2005, 05:26 AM

So the question stands, why does it bother you with XM, but not with a movie channel.
There is absolutely no comparison in the way each channel is used.

With HBO, I tell my TiVo to record something and then when I want to watch it, I sit down and watch it. I don't watch the promos at either end therefore they don't annoy me.

With MC or XM, I put the channel on and set a volume level and then go about my business around the house. On XM the music is interrupted regularly with non-music content. That annoys me.

See?

dtremain

12-21-2005, 06:28 AM

There is absolutely no comparison in the way each channel is used.

With HBO, I tell my TiVo to record something and then when I want to watch it, I sit down and watch it. I don't watch the promos at either end therefore they don't annoy me.

With MC or XM, I put the channel on and set a volume level and then go about my business around the house. On XM the music is interrupted regularly with non-music content. That annoys me.

See?Yes.

It is not really the method of programming that differs, but the manner in which you use it. Probably not the programmer's fault.

Here's an idea. When those brief announcements occur, every half hour or so, that trouble you so much, ignore them. Pretty much the smae thing as fast forwarding.

heySkippy

12-21-2005, 08:16 AM

Yes.

It is not really the method of programming that differs, but the manner in which you use it. Probably not the programmer's fault.

Do I care? No, I only know that I used to have something (uninterrupted music) and now I don't.

Here's an idea. When those brief announcements occur, every half hour or so, that trouble you so much, ignore them. Pretty much the smae thing as fast forwarding.
1. It's WAY more than once every 1/2 hour.

2. I don't want to.

Instead I'll continue to advocate that DirecTV either return what we had or reduce what we pay since the level of service is now less. That reminds me, it's about time to call them again.

Also, everyone who wants MC back, be sure to ask your friends who have DTV to write and call. Even if they don't have a preference they might be willing to ask for the return of MC. Numbers are the only thing that will win this battle.

IndyJones1023

12-21-2005, 08:19 AM

No, it is a perfectly lucid argument. If their sole purpose was to provide padding, they would provide something more entertaining than promos, short films perhaps. Their purpose is to promote their own programming, and you are paying extra for the time.

You are not paying anything extra for XM.

So the question stands, why does it bother you with XM, but not with a movie channel.
Wow, you sound brainwashed if you think these two situations are similar. They are completely different.

dtremain

12-21-2005, 11:16 AM

Wow, you sound brainwashed if you think these two situations are similar. They are completely different.How so?

dtremain

12-21-2005, 11:19 AM

Instead I'll continue to advocate that DirecTV either return what we had or reduce what we pay since the level of service is now less. That reminds me, it's about time to call them again.Knock yourself out.

Let's see. On every poll that anyone has started here, no matter how they have worded it, a clear purality prefers XM. A large percentage of people couldn't care less. Directv, presumably has signed a contract for whatever period of time with XM.

But you figure they are going to violate their contract, risk civil suit and their corporate reputation, and displease the purality who like it better because you complain.

Enjoy.

heySkippy

12-21-2005, 11:24 AM

How so?
We've come full circle (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?p=3594422&&#post3594422).

tbeckner

12-21-2005, 11:24 AM

Knock yourself out.

Let's see. On every poll that anyone has started here, no matter how they have worded it, a clear purality prefers XM. A large percentage of people couldn't care less. Directv, presumably has signed a contract for whatever period of time with XM.

But you figure they are going to violate their contract, risk civil suit and their corporate reputation, and displease the purality who like it better because you complain.

Enjoy.Actually, I doubt that XM RADIO is going to sue DirecTV over adding MUSIC CHOICE, since one of the major investors in XM RADIO is DirecTV.

IndyJones1023

12-21-2005, 11:24 AM

How so?
One is a visual medium you schedule time for. The other is a fluid audio experience.

Either you sit down and watch a show or set up a recording for it. TV has been segmented into half and one hour time slots since its inception. Adhering to this pattern is what viewers are used to and would probably demand if it were to change.

Music is not on a schedule, each song is of widely varying lengths, played one after another. You don't play a 3 minute song on the radio and then 2 minutes of commercials to start the next song at the 5 minute mark so people are ready for it.

This is kinda common sense stuff. Or do I need to expound some more?

dtremain

12-21-2005, 11:36 AM

How so?Yes. The situations are not intrinsically different. They are identical. They are different to you because you do different things with them.

I know.

dtremain

12-21-2005, 11:37 AM

Actually, I doubt that XM RADIO is going to sue DirecTV over adding MUSIC CHOICE, since one of the major investors in XM RADIO is DirecTV.Welcome to the real world. Business partners sue each other every day.

dtremain

12-21-2005, 11:39 AM

One is a visual medium you schedule time for. The other is a fluid audio experience.

Either you sit down and watch a show or set up a recording for it. TV has been segmented into half and one hour time slots since its inception. Adhering to this pattern is what viewers are used to and would probably demand if it were to change.

Music is not on a schedule, each song is of widely varying lengths, played one after another. You don't play a 3 minute song on the radio and then 2 minutes of commercials to start the next song at the 5 minute mark so people are ready for it.

This is kinda common sense stuff. Or do I need to expound some more?Irrelevant to the point under discussion.

BlankMan

12-21-2005, 11:49 AM

Ok, all the XM supporters are repeatedly saying that the interruptions to the music are less then FM Radio AND they are informative. Well I spent an hour listening to an XM station and here's the results.

In that hour there were 9 interruptions.
The average interruption occurred every 2 songs (18 songs played / 9 interruptions - 09:30:07 to 10:29:52)
The most songs played in a row without an interruption was 3.
The least songs played without an interruption was 1.
None of the interruptions had anything to do with the songs being played! No value added information as some have claimed that the interruptions provide.

Now granted the elapsed time per hour spent advertising is less then Free FM Radio, but non the less the interruptions are frequent, occurring every couple of songs, and are useless and annoying.

XM Highway 16
Thursday December, 21st, 2005
All times CDT

09:30:07-33 27 Seconds Artist talking about puppy she got for Christmas as a child. Whoopee. :rolleyes:
2 songs played
09:38:16-28 13 Seconds Highway 16 Promo (Advertising itself)
2 songs played
09:45:39-56 8 Seconds Highway 16 Promo (Advertising itself)
2 songs played
09:52:24:24-31 8 Seconds Highway 16 Promo (Advertising itself)
3 songs played
10:03:44-46 3 Seconds Highway 16 Promo (Station ID)
2 songs played
10:10:57-10 14 seconds XM + Napster Promo (Advertising)
2 songs played
10:17:52-57 6 Seconds Highway 16 Promo (Station ID)
2 songs played
10:25:26-06 41 Seconds Highway 16 Promo (Weekend Highlights & Station ID)
1 song played
10:29:44-52 9 Seconds Artist Promo for Highway 16 (Advertising)
2 songs played
10:37:47-52 6 Seconds Highway 16 Promo (Advertising itself)

tbeckner

12-21-2005, 11:54 AM

Welcome to the real world. Business partners sue each other every day.But you said partners, not major investors. Partners usually have a contract with the other company, but do not always invest large sums of capital. And the suing company would usually be the investor not the company that has to have the investment to stay alive, like XM Radio. A somewhat different situation.

tbeckner

12-21-2005, 11:55 AM

Irrelevant to the point under discussion.I do not view it as irrelevant!

TomK

12-21-2005, 11:57 AM

This was posted in another thread but I'll post it here for TomK's benefit. This is the third time I had to do that.

Those interruptions you refer to as "Promos" are de facto commercials. One of the definitions of Commercial is "Sponsored by an advertiser or supported by advertising". The definition of an Advertiser is:

1. To make public announcement of, especially to proclaim the qualities or advantages of (a product or business) so as to increase sales. See Synonyms at announce.
2. To make known; call attention to: advertised my intention to resign.
3. To warn or notify: “This event advertises me that there is such a fact as death” (Henry David Thoreau).

Nowhere does that part say it has to be from/for someone/something else nor does it qualify that money has to exchange hands to be considered a commercial. The part of the definition that says "supported by advertising" implies some sort of payment takes place to do the "support" part but that does not have to be money, one XM channel could be advertising thus supporting another XM channel. At any rate that part is qualified by an "or", so "Sponsored by an advertiser" take precedence in this case.

XM is making various announcements of its programming, station name and whatnot, therefore they are the "Advertiser" and they are the Sponsor in what is the Commercial. Nowhere does it say just because they are advertising themselves well then that's not a commercial.

Don't kid yourself, they are commercials. Can't wait till somebody gets PO'd enough or some lawyer somewhere decides to start a class action suit based on it being advertised as "Commercial Free" when it's really not. Where's Denny Crane when you need him...

And....

The other morning I was flipping through channels and checked out Highway 16 again. During the short time I had it on there was this big blaring spot (commercial, advertisement, promo, what ever you want to call it) for XM's Gospel music channel. Now not that I'm against Gospel music, I actually like it, but that Commercial had nothing to do with the songs being played on Highway 16 or by any stretch of the imagination anything at all to do with Highway 16.

I don't know how anyone can defend that and not classify it as a Commercial.

Period.

Yes indeed, I do feel special and enlightened and benefited. :)

BlankMan

12-21-2005, 12:01 PM

Yes indeed, I do feel special and enlightened and benefited. :)'bout time. ;)

newsposter

12-21-2005, 01:04 PM

Are there any 'over the air' services that do provide music without interruption to the consumer at large (not dept stores etc)? Just curious

BlankMan

12-21-2005, 01:30 PM

Are there any 'over the air' services that do provide music without interruption to the consumer at large (not dept stores etc)? Just curiousI believe so. A lot of FM stations transmit music on sidebands of their regular transmission. A recent issue of Nuts & Volts or Circuit Cellar, can't remember which offhand, had a blurb on making a receiver to receive these sideband transmissions. It wasn't that complicated. Hmmmm... That might be something to try now and see just what they might be broadcasting.

funeral

12-21-2005, 01:58 PM

chadhumm

12-21-2005, 08:11 PM

We've gone from what was a premium music service to regular radio. Are these commercials? Maybe..define commercial. They are advertising something all the time, as well as talking through the music we're there to listen to.
'We aren't paying extra for it"? Are we not...I have lesser quality music programming now and my monthly bill is the same. kinda sucks

tbeckner

12-22-2005, 01:10 AM

Hack your tivo, rip your CD's, setup JavaHMO, set MP3's on shuffle and forget about XM. You could even pickup a used DTivo keep it unsubbed and running all the time.

XM is just an infomercial for their service IMO and a poor one at that. :down:A lot of work just to get something that some of us have been getting for over 11 years now on all of our receivers.

kdelande

12-22-2005, 04:13 PM

I have nothing to add here, XM=bag of suck. Bring back Music Choice, I don't want breaks in the music.

KD

Draven X. Byrne

12-22-2005, 04:41 PM

A lot of work just to get something that some of us have been getting for over 11 years now on all of our receivers.

True -

but really - what's your alternative - leave DirecTV? :confused:

I'm sure if if a mass exodus of people called them about this they'd do nothing but laugh.

A lot of people are getting all wrinkled up over something that they can't change . . . .

I feel for those of you that like MC better but -come on - get over it. I still can't believe that this is still a hot issue of discussion here after more then a month.

Damn, TiVo better update something to make everyone here talk about something else :D

Merry Christmas to all -

DXB

extension 721

12-22-2005, 04:41 PM

When XM first started on directv a few weeks ago, there was a station called "The Heart" (played all love songs). Now I can't find it. Anyone know if they are already altering the line-up?

Christmas music has taken over some channels for a bit.

goony

12-22-2005, 05:24 PM

A lot of FM stations transmit music on sidebands of their regular transmission. A recent issue of Nuts & Volts or Circuit Cellar, can't remember which offhand, had a blurb on making a receiver to receive these sideband transmissions. It's called an SCA subcarrier... here's just one outfit that has an SCA kit (http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=SCA1C). If you download their (PDF) manual (http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/downloads/manuals/SCA1.pdf) they explain exactly how the SCA stuff works.

A Google search for sca fm kit (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=sca+fm+kit&btnG=Google+Search) reveals other kits available.

newsposter

12-23-2005, 07:53 AM

I want interactive back on my b65! (how's that for another topic?)

dtremain

12-23-2005, 08:42 PM

Are there any 'over the air' services that do provide music without interruption to the consumer at large (not dept stores etc)? Just curiousIt wouldn't be legal. It would fail to meet several FCC requirements.

Pearhead

12-23-2005, 09:24 PM

True -

but really - what's your alternative - leave DirecTV? :confused:
I'm sure if if a mass exodus of people called them about this they'd do nothing but laugh.
A lot of people are getting all wrinkled up over something that they can't change . . . .
I feel for those of you that like MC better but -come on - get over it. I still can't believe that this is still a hot issue of discussion here after more then a month.

Damn, TiVo better update something to make everyone here talk about something else :D

Merry Christmas to all -

DXB

Hear, hear! Especially when there ARE more viable alternatives for commecial free radio. I'm with you Byrne......I just don't get it. To me it seems that this is more an extensive exercise in complaining about a minor disservice than actually finding a solution to the real problem. :rolleyes:

..

tbeckner

12-24-2005, 03:05 AM

Hear, hear! Especially when there ARE more viable alternatives for commecial free radio. I'm with you Byrne......I just don't get it. To me it seems that this is more an extensive exercise in complaining about a minor disservice than actually finding a solution to the real problem. :rolleyes:

..I think the real solution to the problem and it would be a benefit to even the most diehard XM RADIO fans, would be to get XM RADIO to remove their silly promos and to get their DJ's to cut out some of the needless chatter. I wonder if the DJ's have a quota, a minimum number of hours per week that they need to talk to get paid. :rolleyes:

heySkippy

12-24-2005, 07:23 AM

I think the real solution
You know that isn't going to happen. I reckon the real solution is for DTV to add the MC channels back while leaving the XM channels in place. That would be teh win for everyone. :)

dtremain

12-24-2005, 07:51 AM

You know that isn't going to happen. I reckon the real solution is for DTV to add the MC channels back while leaving the XM channels in place. That would be teh win for everyone. :)And you know that that isn't going to happen.

What is going to happen is that XM is going to be on Directv for years. These threads have already slowed down and will eventually stop. And, we'll all move onto something else.

See you there. :)

chrpai

12-25-2005, 06:30 PM

I think the real solution to the problem and it would be a benefit to even the most diehard XM RADIO fans, would be to get XM RADIO to remove their silly promos and to get their DJ's to cut out some of the needless chatter. I wonder if the DJ's have a quota, a minimum number of hours per week that they need to talk to get paid. :rolleyes:

It's funny, if you ever listen to the likes of Howard Stern, Don & Mike et al you know it's ever radio show host's pain in the rear to be told to stick to the play list and don't talk over the music. Personally I'm glad they told management to shove it up the rear and forged out new territory. After all you don't get to a point of being able to sign a $500 million contract for 5 years by keeping your mouth shut and pushing the button.

BlankMan

12-25-2005, 08:28 PM

You know that isn't going to happen. I reckon the real solution is for DTV to add the MC channels back while leaving the XM channels in place. That would be teh win for everyone. :)I got a call from DirecTV Friday I think it was, the lady said this may happen sometime next year if it were to happen.

heySkippy

12-28-2005, 10:05 AM

I just called & talked to 'Carla' at DTv and refreshed my complaint. This time I got 3 months of Showtime/Starz and $5 off my bill for 6 months. She told me they continue to receive lots of calls and assured me it's being reviewed at higher levels.

So it goes. Keep the heat up.

IndyJones1023

12-28-2005, 10:24 AM

Thanks, Mac! I'll make another call.

crkeehn

12-28-2005, 04:23 PM

It's okay. They can go back to Music Choice now. We liked XM so much, we were encouraged to treat ourselves to a P&P receiver and home and car docking ports. We can now enjoy ALL of the XM stations, not just the ones offered on DirecTV.

That will give me an excuse to block off the whole 800 block as there isn't any way that I will go back to trying to force myself to listen to Music Choice.

BTW, we find ourselves listening to the talk channels, the Old Time Radio, or Laugh USA. I will be playing the signal over the fm modulator and I'll hear my 9 year older laughing in the toy room, he has tuned his new radio to frequency I'm sending the xm signal over, I know he's listening to what I'm sending.

tbeckner

12-28-2005, 06:07 PM

It's funny, if you ever listen to the likes of Howard Stern, Don & Mike et al you know it's ever radio show host's pain in the rear to be told to stick to the play list and don't talk over the music. Personally I'm glad they told management to shove it up the rear and forged out new territory. After all you don't get to a point of being able to sign a $500 million contract for 5 years by keeping your mouth shut and pushing the button.Actually, I have never listened to Howard Stern or Don & Mike and I likely never will.

In addition, your post is an APPLES AND ORANGES comparison. I wasn't talking about TALK RADIO, I was talking about the MUSIC channels.

You might want to read the POST(S) before responding.

Additional Note:

I guess you will now have to subscribe to SIRUIS to get your Howard Stern FIX.

Rkkeller

12-29-2005, 09:10 AM

Chris Gerhard

12-29-2005, 09:21 AM

I have been listening to 801-40's and 854-Bluesville and occassional garbled sound has been a problem. It may be nobody listens to these two but me but the similar channels, Standards and Blues from Music Choice were preferrable in content and sound quality in my opinion.

Chris

Chris Gerhard

12-29-2005, 09:51 AM

Being we are now getting XM for FREE and not paying $10+ monthly for it, I can find no fault with it. A few self promoting commercials like most other pay or premium channels like HBO does is really being over stated here. Most of us pay $10-12 a month for HBO, TMC and what not and there are similar commercials between shows and we ARE paying for them. Thats even worse if you ask me. Lets all start complaining about that too.

Rich

I didn't know XM was free. My understanding is that a $40 package is required to receive the channels. My XM channels have talking over the songs and in between songs. Previews of unpcoming programs on HBO, etc. in between programs are welcomed by me. The crap included by XM is not at all welcomed.

Chris

JimSpence

12-29-2005, 10:00 AM

Is this thread still active?

YAAAAAWWWWNNNNN.

:)

bidger

12-29-2005, 10:07 AM

Is this thread still active?

YAAAAAWWWWNNNNN.

:)
:up: Thank you Jim.

heySkippy

12-29-2005, 10:23 AM

Is this thread still active?

Don't worry, we'll let it die when D* puts the MC channels back on the dial.

YAAAAAWWWWNNNNN.

You really should cover your mouth when you do that.

;)

Rkkeller

12-29-2005, 01:38 PM

My point was and I don't know if you know this but the people that pay XM directly a monthly fee and have stand alone XM receivers have the SAME commercials and talk through as we do and we are not paying XM a monthly fee for what we get.

I personally consider XM on DirecTV as being FREE as I am not paying a separate monthly charge for it like XM's other 5 million users are.

Rich

JimSpence

12-29-2005, 02:20 PM

Wouldn't this discussion be better served here?
http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=12

Bob_Newhart

12-29-2005, 03:44 PM

Wouldn't this discussion be better served here?
http://www.dbstalk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=12
It looks like if it were there, this thread might have 4 or 5 replies instead of 441.

Just to stir up the pot a bit, I don't like the talking on XM television, either. They definitely have a more varied playlist, however. I just wish they could turn down the volume when they start talking. It's annoying to be in the pool listening to music cranked up, and then all of a sudden have a dick jockey come on blaring about what we just heard and what's coming up next.

amgqmp1

12-29-2005, 04:46 PM

Don't worry, we'll let it die when D* puts the MC channels back on the dial.

:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

bv1187

12-29-2005, 06:09 PM

True -

A lot of people are getting all wrinkled up over something that they can't change . . . .

I feel for those of you that like MC better but -come on - get over it. I still can't believe that this is still a hot issue of discussion here after more then a month.

DXB

I here ya Get over it :confused: :confused: :confused:

IndyJones1023

12-29-2005, 06:33 PM

I still can't figure out why the people who don't want to read this thread are reading it.

Billy Bob Boy

12-29-2005, 07:40 PM

Don't worry, we'll let it die when D* puts the MC channels back on the dial.

You really should cover your mouth when you do that.

;)i would not hold my breath about them putting MC back on.. I doubt if a handful out of the millions of subscribers call and complain it would make a difference. I am sure there are just as many who call in and love it. Unless Xm goes under I would not expect to see them change back, or there were a significant loss of subscribers claiming they are leaving because of xm.( i doubt if that would ever happen, Kindof like killing the paitent cause he has a wart) I sincerly doubt if even someone like Blankman would cancel D* just cause he doesnt like 10 channels out of 800! Unless of course cable or dish suddenly get great. (doubt that also) So I guess you are going to Love it or leave it. D* that is. Cause IMHO xm is here for a while.

balboa dave

12-29-2005, 08:21 PM

I still can't figure out why the people who don't want to read this thread are reading it.Because you're wrong and you need to hear it. :D

IndyJones1023

12-29-2005, 08:31 PM

Because you're wrong and you need to hear it. :D
I'm not dating you, so back off.

:p

dtremain

12-29-2005, 10:08 PM

It looks like if it were there, this thread might have 4 or 5 replies instead of 441.From the same 4 or 5 people.

bv1187

12-30-2005, 12:31 AM

I still can't figure out why the people who don't want to read this thread are reading it.

Because we care :o :o :o

tbeckner

12-30-2005, 01:21 AM

Because we care :o :o :oThat's nice!

Draven X. Byrne

12-30-2005, 02:55 PM

I still can't figure out why the people who don't want to read this thread are reading it.

It's not a matter of not wanting to read it as much as seeing what you crybabies are still bitching about now . . . .

another 2 hour report of the seconds of talking, or perhaps more hairbrained schemes to get DirecTV to get MC back. :p :D :p

Now it's more amusing then anything else . . . . shows you that we really have nothing more to talk about in this forum any more - which is sad . . . .

DXB

WillieWildcat

12-30-2005, 09:32 PM

It's not a matter of not wanting to read it as much as seeing what you crybabies are still bitching about now . . . .

another 2 hour report of the seconds of talking, or perhaps more hairbrained schemes to get DirecTV to get MC back. :p :D :p

Now it's more amusing then anything else . . . . shows you that we really have nothing more to talk about in this forum any more - which is sad . . . .

DXB

So really you are interested in reading what is going in this thread and you want to be hypocritical about it.

Billy Bob Boy

12-31-2005, 05:32 PM

Draven X. Byrne

12-31-2005, 05:58 PM

Round 25 !!Ding!! Back to your corners and at the sound of the bell come out fighting.

!!!!!!!DING!!!!!!!!!!!!

This fight is better than ali vs forman!! Xm Vs Mc

Anouncer: And Mc takes a blow to the head while Xm is dancing around. Mc is down 1 2 3 4 5 6 Mc is up. Now xm is down but gets right up!! What a fight ladies and gentelman. Now xm has mc in a headlock

And in a stunning disregard for the rules XM kicks MC square in the nuts! Then keeps walking a mudhole in the spinless puss that is MC :p

And Willie - watching a trainwreck isn't being hypocritical as much as me pointing out in a humorous fashion how this issue has dragged on for almost 2 months now and that we as a community don't have anything else better to talk about - of course I could borrow one of your breathern's arguments and simply say - "if you don't like the thread then don't read it"

:D :D :D

DXB

Draven X. Byrne

12-31-2005, 05:59 PM

So really you are interested in reading what is going in this thread and you want to be hypocritical about it.

Nope -

I just want to increase my post count like everyone else! :eek: :D

DXB

C McB

12-31-2005, 11:38 PM

I got a call from DirecTV Friday I think it was, the lady said this may happen sometime next year if it were to happen.

In her (and your) dreams.

Lori

01-01-2006, 08:42 PM

Well, I read it all because I hate to smeek. :)

I am an XM subscriber. I love the service. I have it in both of my cars, and was trying to figure out a home solution that didn't involve streaming when the announcement was made. I don't listen to music a lot at home--mostly I watch TV but I am thrilled to be able to listen to the channels that I have become attached to.

I have never counted promos on the stations I like, but mostly they amuse me. My husband and I like to look at each other and say "Top Traxx!" in the car with the announcers and I am fond of telling him that "it's in the MIX". :) The stations that I listen to don't seem to have DJs, and the promos happen once every, what? 4? 5? songs. And they take 3? 4? seconds? Totally worth it vs literally 15-20 minutes per hour of commercials for car dealers on local FM. Plus, the audio, at least in my car, is high quality.

So, for me, it's about loving XM--LOVING XM--and having this familiar thing that I love available to me all the time.

For the record, I listen to:

Mix 22
The Blend
Top Traxx
Lucy
Fred
Ethel

xr400

01-02-2006, 12:27 PM

Wolffpack

01-02-2006, 07:32 PM

I don't get how anyone would pay for XM in their car. I liked the MC much better. Here is an example why I think XM sucks. I turn on a "Country" channel and they are playing a christmas version of Ironman. What's up with that? And I hate the talking, why do they even have DJs? I agree XM= bag of suck.
I pay for mine and my wife's XM in the car and my sons pay for theirs. And talking, compare XM to the "lively banter" you experence for hours on end with OTA radio.

Ironman on a Country channel? I figure that would go with all that "Built Ford Tough" stuff the country folk like to sing about. :D

rfieldz

01-03-2006, 02:37 AM

rnwjr

01-03-2006, 03:12 AM

I prefer having XM over the old channels so thanks, Directv!

I agree... I can listen to XM in the car and then when I return home I can play it on each TV in my house and even on my PC... No mess no fuss... Plus I am sure DirecTV is getting use out of XM's Satellites "Rock" and "Roll"... Remember DirecTV also sends signals to such agencies as Blockbuster..... Like they say the best of Satellite TV with the best of Satellite Radio = DirecTV with XMRadio....

tbeckner

01-03-2006, 05:10 AM

I agree... I can listen to XM in the car and then when I return home I can play it on each TV in my house and even on my PC... No mess no fuss... Plus I am sure DirecTV is getting use out of XM's Satellites "Rock" and "Roll"... Remember DirecTV also sends signals to such agencies as Blockbuster..... Like they say the best of Satellite TV with the best of Satellite Radio = DirecTV with XMRadio....Maybe because DirecTV is a major investor in XM Radio?

reddice

01-03-2006, 11:31 AM

Those Artist Confidentals are the worst thing about XM. They simucast the same one at the same time on up to 4 to 6 channels that play that music. So if you like soft rock, they will play it on all of those stations at the same time. Plus they are more boring than anything. All they do is talk, talk, talk, play a bit of music and talk some more. These things should be on the talk stations. The Manheim Stramroller thing was played on Holly but of course it was played on The Blend and Fine Tuning which is why play it on Holly when you wanted to listen to christmas music. That is a lie saying 24/7 Christams music, more like 23/7 Christmas music.

I like XM, except for the Artist Confidentials and Then again lives.

MJHoltorf

01-08-2006, 07:02 PM

I think we've really gone backwards with XM. We used to have the Music Choice channels on in the house almost all the time. Great for parties, quiet dinners, etc. Now we have to listen to talking along with the music. I understand that some of you like to hear commentaries and artist interviews, terrific. Let them put it on a special channel and leave the music channels for music. We had a Christmas party and wanted some Christmas music. Holly was doing an interview with Manheim Steamroller. There was an alternative x-mas channel with Cheech & Chong etc. A country x-mas channel, and a classic one which was like church music. We turned on the radio. If you want to listen to some nice easy music while relaxing, eating dinner etc. why would you need a DJ talking? I don't get it. BTW Dish network still has music only channels. Maybe it's time to switc!

I think, for me at least, that this issue is the heart of the matter. I've read this whole thread, and I can't remember if anybody has articulated the difference in this way, but I think XM is designed as a replacement for radio and Music Choice is a replacement for CD changers. Starting out as a device to replace your car radio, XM (or Sirius) do an admirable job with that. They have many channels of varying genre's to choose from, and they are commercial free relative to traditional radio. It's like taking an over the air radio station and removing the commercials for any product other than the radio station itself. It doesn't mean you'll never hear a promo for something on XM, or that you won't hear a DJ every so often on some stations. You just won't hear an add for an oil change company or a car insurance agency. Once again, this translates well to the car radio environment, or the solo listening experience.

What Music Choice did well was provide a background where the music was not necessarily the primary focus. You could count on the music just going on and on, with every song being different (for at least a few hours), with no interruptions. This lends itself much better to a restaurant, dinner party or other social gathering than having the radio on. It makes it seem as if you have a huge CD collection, and that you have it set to random within the genre you have chosen. No breaks for commercials, promos or otherwise. This type of programming has a place, and XM does not accommodate this. For people that only used the DirecTV music channels for this purpose, they may rightfully feel like they have lost something. For those that never did, they wouldn't miss the old way. I mostly listen to it solo as background for doing homework or housework, where the short breaks are not intrusive, so the changes are something I will get used to. For those times when I want background music for a party or gathering though, I consider the music channels now less functional and may occasionally have to go back to the CD changer.

MJH

Hodaka

01-09-2006, 09:31 AM

maybe they've been around and I've not seen these channels before, but I went to watch IFC (550) and hit the up channel and found several "Commercial Music" channels (not active of course). Maybe that's directv's way of appeasing businesses who were using MC and are now all hacked off..

SpacemanSpiff

01-09-2006, 09:33 AM

scsiguy72

01-09-2006, 12:32 PM

I tried to give XM a chance and I do like some of the channels, but I think the Rock side falls short of Sirius.

newsposter

01-09-2006, 12:55 PM

I rarely unsub to any threads but it's after Christmas and I won't need music until then. So adios :) By then we will have 'serious' radio.

MC lives!

IndyJones1023

01-09-2006, 12:56 PM

We'll be up to 1,000 posts by the time you return! :D

JimSpence

01-09-2006, 01:19 PM

Yaaaawwwwwwnnnnnn!

Billy Bob Boy

01-09-2006, 06:27 PM

Yaaaawwwwwwnnnnnn!Some black coffee for you!

pollyg

01-10-2006, 01:15 PM

Just have to jump in, we had a favorite channel on MC, loved it and now it is gone. We subsribe to XM, used it in our car and at home, on occasion, have a favorite channel with MC we love. Now our MC is gone and the XM we get on Directtv does not included the one station we love on XM and the XM station which should replace our favorite MC station is no match in terms of the music selected. I want my MC back, and I will continue to listen to our favorite station on XM in my car and at home when I do not want to turn on my TV.

Why does any of this matter, it matters because I am paying for both services and they should know I am not happy. I also fear that in the near future Directtv will start charging for the XM service, which of course I am already paying for, bring back MC, please.

WillieWildcat

01-10-2006, 05:21 PM

......but I think XM is designed as a replacement for radio and Music Choice is a replacement for CD changers. MJH

Didn't want to requote the entire message, but the synopsis says it all. The rest of the message explains what I know I've been trying to convey. When we have our friends over, I usually would turn on MC and it made a very nice background. XM really is just meant for radio listening. Thanks MJH for the very insightful post!

tbeckner

01-11-2006, 05:15 PM

Didn't want to requote the entire message, but the synopsis says it all. The rest of the message explains what I know I've been trying to convey. When we have our friends over, I usually would turn on MC and it made a very nice background. XM really is just meant for radio listening. Thanks MJH for the very insightful post!And I agree with both posts. MC was useful as background music and I really missed it when DirecTV went to XM RADIO. It sure would be great if they would bring it back as an option and drop one or two of those BAD shopping channels that I always pull from my list of "RECEIVED CHANNELS". I would pay $4 or $5 per month for the MC channels and I believe a lot of the long term MC people might do the same.

Are you listening DirecTV? Pull a couple of the crappy (can I say that?) video channels (like shopping) and put MC back on the air as an option.

BlankMan

01-13-2006, 02:44 PM

Well I guess everybody was right, XM was meant to be a replacement for Radio and not an improvement in Radio. XM says so themselves:

Date: Fri, 13 Jan 2006 13:29:40 -0500
From: "Anthony, Jon" <Jon.Anthony@xmradio.com>
To: BlankMan <BlankMan@BlankMansDomain.com>
Subject: RE: Talking

<Blankman>, please understand that XM isn't Music Choice. It's not designed
to be Music Choice. Music Choice is its own service. XM is designed to
be RADIO, not simply an audio jukebox. I just want to make sure that
you're not hoping that XM is something that it clearly isn't.

tbeckner

01-13-2006, 04:53 PM

GaryGnu

01-17-2006, 09:55 PM

Did anyone see this?

http://www.xm411.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=22056

If you scroll down a bit someone copied the article.

BlankMan

01-18-2006, 03:29 PM

Did anyone see this?

http://www.xm411.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=22056

If you scroll down a bit someone copied the article.
D*mn! I was right all along. I said a number of times in these threads that I was surprised there hasn't been a lawsuit yet.

:D :D I feel good about myself now. :D :D Na-na Na Na-na :D :D

Billy Bob Boy

01-18-2006, 04:47 PM

D*mn! I was right all along. I said a number of times in these threads that I was surprised there hasn't been a lawsuit yet.

:D :D I feel good about myself now. :D :D Na-na Na Na-na :D :DI would reserve all those good feelings untill after the law suit is settled. Remember those obese people that sued micky D'S for making them fat. Anyone and his uncle can file a lawsuit the trick is winning. If I were you i would reserve my NANANA untill after' Otherwise you might look the fool!! Perhaps i should start a lawsuit against D* for not activating my usb ports. Or mabye i can sue marlboro for the 10,000 i spent on cigs when i smoked. So you see anyone can sue anyone. The trick is winning.

IndyJones1023

01-18-2006, 04:49 PM

I disagree. Sometimes a lawsuit and the negative publicity is all it takes to "effectively" win.

Billy Bob Boy

01-18-2006, 05:09 PM

I disagree. Sometimes a lawsuit and the negative publicity is all it takes to "effectively" win.I disagree. Mcdonalds is still making people fat regardless of the suit and sometimes negative publicity like a frivolous lawsuit gets a company more business' because more people hear about the company become interested in the company and may subscribe to the company because it is 200 % better than radio regardless of the talking. Folks that never heard about sattelite radio or xm may become aware of its existance by hearing about it in the news.

IndyJones1023

01-18-2006, 05:51 PM

With DirecTV's loss of TiVo, the poor user acceptance of their substitute boxes, the cheapness of cable DVRs, and the TiVo Series 3 looming, DirecTV can't afford any bad press.

tbeckner

01-18-2006, 06:06 PM

D*mn! I was right all along. I said a number of times in these threads that I was surprised there hasn't been a lawsuit yet.

:D :D I feel good about myself now. :D :D Na-na Na Na-na :D :DI have to agree with the other post that we cannot celebrate until the lawsuit is over and the plaintiff has won.

But it is a great start and a step in the right direction.

I just hope the plaintiff wins!

tbeckner

01-18-2006, 06:13 PM

I disagree. Mcdonalds is still making people fat regardless of the suit and sometimes negative publicity like a frivolous lawsuit gets a company more business' because more people hear about the company become interested in the company and may subscribe to the company because it is 200 % better than radio regardless of the talking. Folks that never heard about sattelite radio or xm may become aware of its existance by hearing about it in the news.In this case, I don't believe that the lawsuit will effectively bring more subscribers to XM Radio. This lawsuit is like hearing that someone found a cockroach in their hamburger at McDonald's. People do not immediately think that they should go to McDonald's and buy a hamburger, unless of course they are hoping to get a cockroach so they can sue McDonald's. In fact, that type of news usually has a long term negative effect on sales and subscribers. Although in this case the lawsuit didn’t make the national news, so it will not likely have any effect at all, unless it is settled for the plaintiff.

dtremain

01-18-2006, 06:17 PM

[QUOTE=tbecknerThis lawsuit is like hearing that someone found a cockroach in their hamburger at McDonald's. [/QUOTE]Hardly. :o

dtremain

01-18-2006, 06:17 PM

This lawsuit is like hearing that someone found a cockroach in their hamburger at McDonald's. Hardly. :o

Wolffpack

01-18-2006, 06:18 PM

I just hope the plaintiff wins!
The only winners in class action lawsuits are the attorneys. :D

tbeckner

01-18-2006, 06:27 PM

The only winners in class action lawsuits are the attorneys. :DI agree that in almost all case the lawyers are usually the big winners in most if not all class action suits, except in some cases when we are lucky a company may choose to change their product to reflect the outcome.

tbeckner

01-18-2006, 06:39 PM

Hardly. :oSome Isaan (Northeast Thailand) folk believe that eating cockroaches can cure certain illnesses. And some local groups in Mexico eat cockroachs without hesitation.

BTW, I was not attempting to make a direct comparison, but to me XM Radio as a replacement for Music Choice is not a very tasty treat.

BlankMan

01-18-2006, 06:56 PM

I would reserve all those good feelings untill after the law suit is settled. Remember those obese people that sued micky D'S for making them fat. Anyone and his uncle can file a lawsuit the trick is winning. If I were you i would reserve my NANANA untill after' Otherwise you might look the fool!! Perhaps i should start a lawsuit against D* for not activating my usb ports. Or mabye i can sue marlboro for the 10,000 i spent on cigs when i smoked. So you see anyone can sue anyone. The trick is winning.So. You had to take it upon yourself to burst my bubble. You just couldn't let it go. Even for a while... ;)

I know. Winning is the issue. Could be a problem. We could debate that here for years to come. Really depends on a lot of things. A sympathetic jury would be a plus.

But. This lawsuit is going to get it out in the limelight. This is going to get press. Not the kind of press XM wants I suspect. A lot more people will now know XM is not commercial free. Like they advertise they are. That could prevent people who are thinking about getting it from getting it now that they know. That's bound to hurt XM sales. XM will not like that.

So, I figure if the case has merit and does not get thrown out right away, XM is going to want to get it out of the headlines one way or another. Fast. That make good business sense.

I'm also rooting for everyone that's suing Sony regarding XCP, to sue Sony's arse off, to teach Sony a lesson. Lawsuits are the only way to get corporations attention, otherwise they give two sh*ts. $$ is the only thing they care about.

I believed XM Radio music channels were commercial free, I was exploring getting XM last fall before DirecTV's switch. Had I done that, I would have been extremely pissed off to find out after the fact that XM Radio music channels are not commercial free. I'd love to be on the jury of that class action lawsuit...

I don't think I'll have to take my Na-na's back even if the class action fails, more people will know now that XM Radio is not commercial free, that is the best publicity XM can get. :D :D :D

Billy Bob Boy

01-18-2006, 07:57 PM

Than again this lawsuit could set precedence that what xm does IS commercial free. This could set new guidelines for the entire industry. The end result could be a lot worse for you Xm haters cause it could open a floodgate and let in even more chatter. Making it much worse. How about talk after every song. If a judge decides what they are doing are not commercials. It could get worse. Probably not. This law suit is nothing more than a minor inconvienice win or lose xm will go on and xm will be here on D* Win or lose you wont get back MC so what bubble was burst. Heck the cigarette industry lost millions in law suits. They are still here. An old lady won millions from mcdonalds for hot coffee They are still here. This lawsuit is a Tempest in a teacup to xm. And if you wouldn't have stuck your tounge out at us so to speak I never even would have posted.

tbeckner

01-18-2006, 07:57 PM

Hardly. :oOne additional thought: If the lawsuit makes the national news it will very likely have a negative effect on XM Radio subscriptions, because some users likely myself, thought it was ALL MUSIC just like MUSIC CHOICE, and if I had subscribed prior to its release on DirecTV, I would have been disappointed and would have very likely dropped the service ASAP, even if it meant I lost the investment in the equipment.

tbeckner

01-18-2006, 07:58 PM

Than again this lawsuit could set precedence that what xm does IS commercial free. This could set new guidelines for the entire industry. The end result could be a lot worse for you Xm haters cause it could open a floodgate and let in even more chatter.If there was MORE CHATTER, they would have to call it XM TALK RADIO. :)

Additional Edit:

Even in everybody's worst nighmare would XM Radio go out of their way to add more chatter to the "Music Channels". Now that would be truly INSANE.

Billy Bob Boy

01-18-2006, 08:14 PM

If there was MORE CHATTER, they would have to call it XM TALK RADIO. :)

Additional Edit:

Even in everybody's worst nighmare would XM Radio go out of their way to add more chatter to the "Music Channels". Now that would be truly INSANE.your right they wont add more, but win or lose xm is here to stay, long after this thread disapears

BTW Blankman what kind of a response were you expecting to NA NA NA NA NA! Knowing that there are many folks in this thread that like Xm. Were you expecting warm fuzy feelings to this? If you would have cut it off with im feeling good now. That would have been sufficient. My 8 year old nephew goes NA NA NA NA NA!

tbeckner

01-18-2006, 09:40 PM

your right they wont add more, but win or lose xm is here to stay, long after this thread disapearsI agree that this thread will die long before DirecTV ever has an even minor thought about dropping XM Radio. There is no doubt that XM Radio is here to stay. The only hope for us long term MUSIC CHOICE listeners, is that either DirecTV adds MUSIC CHOICE back as a $5 option or adds MUSIC CHOICE as an alternate choice (in other word either MUSIC CHOICE or XM Radio) or XM Radio cuts down the chatter, either of the first two options would likely satisfy all of the long term MUSIC CHOICE listeners, the last option might (depending upon the degree of change) satisfy a large number of long term MUSIC CHOICE listeners.

If DirecTV would get rid of one or two of the DOWN RIGHT MISERABLE shopping channels, they would have enough bandwidth to carry MUSIC CHOICE as either an alternative or an option. And I can say without a doubt that the long term MUSIC CHOICE listeners who really dislike the chatter on XM Radio would be very happy customers if they did.

BlankMan

01-18-2006, 11:15 PM

your right they wont add more, but win or lose xm is here to stay, long after this thread disapears

BTW Blankman what kind of a response were you expecting to NA NA NA NA NA! Knowing that there are many folks in this thread that like Xm. Were you expecting warm fuzy feelings to this? If you would have cut it off with im feeling good now. That would have been sufficient. My 8 year old nephew goes NA NA NA NA NA!Boy. (and I mean that in an exclamatory statement sort of way, no reference to your moniker.) You'd better take a timeout. Chill for a bit. Get the blood pressure down.

To answer your question, I was expecting everyone to laugh, hence all the smiley faces, the ones with the big big smile. I certainly was not expecting everyone, actually anyone, to take that sentence seriously and rise up in force to protect and defend their beloved XM. Looks like I've unintentionally ruffled the XM lovers feathers..

Maybe you could learn something from that 8 year old nephew of yours, it appears he has a sense of humor and understands Na-na. Na. Na-na.....

Oh and.....

Than again this lawsuit could set precedence that what xm does IS commercial free....I don't really care one way or another, I won't be wasting my money by subscribing to XM and I won't be listening to XM even on DirecTV so it's a moot point so it matters not to me. I just like the fact that the unsuspecting masses will now know via all the publicity that XM is not commercial free like they claim to be.

Oh and and.....

You are 100% correct. As long as there are people that are willing to pay for FM Radio delivered via Satellite, XM will thrive.

Hodaka

01-19-2006, 09:25 AM

has anyone tried to call and order the commercial music channels just above channel 550 to see how much and if anyone can order them?

tbeckner

01-19-2006, 10:56 PM

has anyone tried to call and order the commercial music channels just above channel 550 to see how much and if anyone can order them?Those channels are nothing new, they are the standard XM Radio channels, but just in the commercial package.

dishrich

01-21-2006, 10:38 AM

Well, at least I can look at the bright side of this for me - after getting XM for free on D*, I KNOW I have NO interest in actually paying $13 a month for this "bag of suck" in the car, & glad I didn't waste money on a receiver! :D

I absolutely CAN'T stand listening to XM & all the yacking between songs, which almost seems to occur between EVERY song. :mad: :rolleyes: Sorry, but if you "pro-XM" guys like this crap, then bully for you - as far as I'm concerned, XM is not even a 2nd rate choice to MC. And, THE G-D TITLES STILL DON'T WORK RIGHT!!! :mad:

Something else I'm surprised nobody else has mentioned - (at least I didn't see any postings on it) on top of this, on the channels I liked, MC almost ALWAYS played album cuts of songs, while XM ALWAYS plays the "top 40" (ie: shorter) version. If I wanted to listen to top 40 versions, I'd be listening to "top 40" radio. (ie: local radio stations) - and even some of ours DON'T do this anymore, at least on stuff like 60's-70's music.

I finally had enough of this - I got me a digital cable box just to get MC back, which our local cable now carries, after they dumped DMX a few months ago. (already have basic cable/internet) Not only do I now get MORE MC channels than D* had, (45) I now get back the album art/info screens that D* USED to have as well, on ALL of the channels to boot! It is only costing me $5 to have this - WELL worth it to get back MC. I also get a reminder that our cable system carries TWICE as many premium feeds as D* does, as I go by them in the guide - D*, you're really going down the tubes... :p :(