|
|
|
11-28-2005, 07:40 AM
|
#1
|
|
Phileas Fogg-lodyte
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 43,284
|
XM on DirecTV = bag of suck
I heard about the switch over recently and thought "cool" for some reason. I don't know why. I guess I just thought XM was cool. Well, they would be - without the ads! But they put in annoying promos all over the place! What a crock of crap! 
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
.
Common sense is a gift, not a given.
My karma ran over your dogma.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 08:09 AM
|
#2
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 57
|
I suppose they should just beam down directly into your brain what's on their other shows, and when the special events are...how else will you know what's on?
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 08:24 AM
|
#3
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 334
|
Except that when I want to listen to music I want to listen to music, not invitations to listen to other music.
Personally I've run into several streams that had lousy sound quality.
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 08:51 AM
|
#4
|
|
Phileas Fogg-lodyte
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Orlando, FL
Posts: 43,284
|
I prefer the old music channels - commercial free.
__________________
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
.
Common sense is a gift, not a given.
My karma ran over your dogma.
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 09:10 AM
|
#5
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Rolla, MO
Posts: 699
|
I tried to tune in one of the children's channels for my daughter the other day (she's 18mths) and after spending about 20 minutes listening to some gal ramble on, I gave up and went and got one of her CDs out..
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 09:17 AM
|
#6
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 161
|
To me it's just a waste of bandwidth. I would rather they ditch the music and increase the bitrate.
__________________
Grass Valley Venus Video Router
2 Philips DSR7000
Samsung SIR4040R
DVD-9000 reference DVD-Audio/Video
Sony MSW-M2000P MPEG IMX Studio VTR
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 09:32 AM
|
#7
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: CT, USA
Posts: 871
|
I doubt music takes up any significant bandwidth.
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 09:36 AM
|
#8
|
|
Finally-My ugly mug
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Springfield, Illinois
Posts: 1,438
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Hodaka
I tried to tune in one of the children's channels for my daughter the other day (she's 18mths) and after spending about 20 minutes listening to some gal ramble on, I gave up and went and got one of her CDs out..
|
But on the other hand, 7 to 13 year olds love her...
Sorry they don't have exactly what you want for an 18 mth old.
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 09:43 AM
|
#9
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 161
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Mark W
I doubt music takes up any significant bandwidth.
|
On what fact do you base this statement?
__________________
Grass Valley Venus Video Router
2 Philips DSR7000
Samsung SIR4040R
DVD-9000 reference DVD-Audio/Video
Sony MSW-M2000P MPEG IMX Studio VTR
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 09:56 AM
|
#10
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Posts: 1,888
|
I prefer having XM over the old channels so thanks, Directv!
__________________
"If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again,
it was probably worth it." -- Red Green
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 09:59 AM
|
#11
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Rolla, MO
Posts: 699
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Nfuego
But on the other hand, 7 to 13 year olds love her...
Sorry they don't have exactly what you want for an 18 mth old.
|
it doesn't take much to make her happy.. just some music.. unfortunately that seemed to be lacking..
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 10:05 AM
|
#12
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Central IL
Posts: 1,015
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by TomK
I prefer having XM over the old channels so thanks, Directv!
|
If you like XM so much, you could have bought it any time (and gotten everything instead of what DirecTV decides to broadcast). Those of us that prefer Music Choice have no real alternative now to get it back. Pretty simple.
__________________
Matt
Relax, its only TV. . .then what am I doing wasting time on a forum like this and spending hundreds of dollars on glorified VCR's?
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 10:35 AM
|
#13
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Alpharetta, GA
Posts: 1,971
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by ipfreely
On what fact do you base this statement?
|
Audio makes up a small fraction of the bandwidth of a "normal" Directv audio+video channel. Most of the bandwidth is video, of course.
So you can squeeze many audio-only channels into the bandwidth that would be taken by one audio+video channel.
Hence the poster's comment implying that removing ALL of the audio-only channels wouldn't free up much bandwidth.
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 10:35 AM
|
#14
|
|
UltraGeek
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,107
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by ipfreely
On what fact do you base this statement?
|
How about the principles of analog to digital encoding?
A CD quality data stream (44.1KHz/16 bits) WITHOUT compression is only about 700Kbits/sec. - or about 1/4 of the average audio and video channel on DirecTV. Compressed audio can go down to to 128Kbits without any perceptible loss in quality, and down to 32Kbits with acceptable quality.
That is a rounding error in the overall data strean on a DirecTV transponder.
Let me guess...one of your DirecTV gold buddies told you otherwise???
__________________
310 GB DSR-704
250 GB SIR-4040
240 GB SD-DVR80
240 GB DSR-708
80 GB DSR-7000 (Slingbox attached)
(All w/MRV)
Administrator -
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Last edited by Dan Collins : 11-28-2005 at 10:45 AM.
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 10:37 AM
|
#15
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 161
|
Per my calculations. Omission of the XM channels would add bandwidth. Enough to even increase the bit rate.
__________________
Grass Valley Venus Video Router
2 Philips DSR7000
Samsung SIR4040R
DVD-9000 reference DVD-Audio/Video
Sony MSW-M2000P MPEG IMX Studio VTR
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 10:40 AM
|
#16
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Tampa Fl
Posts: 610
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by ipfreely
Per my calculations. Omission of the XM channels would add bandwidth. Enough to even increase the bit rate.
|
Then all the people who use the music channels would be yelling that they don't have them any longer  Can't please all the people all the time.
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 10:50 AM
|
#17
|
|
UltraGeek
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,107
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by ipfreely
Per my calculations. Omission of the XM channels would add bandwidth. Enough to even increase the bit rate.
|
They could save MORE bandwidth (about 50 times as much) by eliminating one of the "mix" channels. Or they could save about 50 times as much bandwidth as ALL of the audio channels, combined, by moving one HD channel to a Spaceway satellite.
Since the audio channels are distributed across many transponders, eliminating them would no appreciable impact on bandwidth available for video transmission.
__________________
310 GB DSR-704
250 GB SIR-4040
240 GB SD-DVR80
240 GB DSR-708
80 GB DSR-7000 (Slingbox attached)
(All w/MRV)
Administrator -
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 11:23 AM
|
#18
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Katy, TX
Posts: 136
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Dan Collins
They could save MORE bandwidth (about 50 times as much) by eliminating one of the "mix" channels. Or they could save about 50 times as much bandwidth as ALL of the audio channels, combined, by moving one HD channel to a Spaceway satellite.
Since the audio channels are distributed across many transponders, eliminating them would no appreciable impact on bandwidth available for video transmission.
|
damnit Dan! Stop confusing the argument with your logic and rational thinking! Can't you see that without the music channels bandwidth would be limitless! Think of all the home shopping channels they could add! Or even site to site matter transmission... that right matter transmission! Why are you trying to keep teleporters from the masses Dan?!
__________________
"The wonderful thing about Tivos, Is Tivos are wonderful things" - My best friend singing about his Tivo
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 11:26 AM
|
#19
|
|
Tivo Addict
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Midwest - Chi & Madtown & Rock TV DMA
Posts: 59
|
Was the choice to switch due to Murdock owning some stake in XM? Does anyone know. I too prefer the music choice over XM.
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 12:18 PM
|
#20
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 1,661
|
I greatly prefer XM over Music Choice in terms of programming, variety, and sound quality.
The occasional announcement or promo doesn't bother me at all. In some cases, as in the intelligent commentary offered on XM Classics by Martin Booksmith (a musical scholar, formerly of NPR), the commentary adds to the experience.
But, then, I critically listen to music and prefer good radio to mediocre aural wallpaper.
As per the unhappy 18 month old, was that Radio Disney or XM Kids? Radio Disney is what it is (it was also on Music Choice). XM Kids plays a lot more music. There was no other kids choice on Music Choice than Radio Disney (since For Kids Only was taken off years ago), and so the 18 month old has only gained by the change.
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 12:55 PM
|
#21
|
|
My Custom User Title
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Houston
Posts: 9,729
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by IndyJones1023
I prefer the old music channels - commercial free.
|
I'm with you 100%. Many times we would put on a channel and listen for hours talk-free. Now there are DJs just like the radio. If I want to know the name of the song that is playing I can hit the info button on my remote. Now I have to quickly mute or turn down the volume when the DJ comes on.
And what's with the stupid channel names? Ethel? Lucy? Fred? wazzup???!
Also, will there be any Christmas music playing this year ala "Sounds of the Season" channel?
__________________
This is my amusing signature included at the bottom of each one of my posts.
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 01:03 PM
|
#22
|
|
has gone his way...
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Tinley Park, IL USA (SW ChicagoBurbs)
Posts: 11,164
|
I don't know... I spend about 20 hours between Sunday and Tuesday listening to the 80's channels... Two of the people that where helping me asked if this was streaming from my computer, as they didn't hear a single commercial...
I knew there where there, but... at least the 80's channel when compared to the old one, the content is significantly better (IMHO).
__________________
- Earl
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 01:08 PM
|
#23
|
|
TiVo-Wobble
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: Louisville, KY, USA
Posts: 1,757
|
Yes, it's called Holly. Not at home, not sure of channel #.
I dislike the XM stuff too. The talk/ads is VERY annoying when we've had "commercial" free music non-stop for years with MC.
 to XM on DTV
KD
__________________
"I reject your reality, and substitute my own." - Adam Savage, Mythbusters
XBL: kdawg5
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 01:38 PM
|
#24
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Sacramento, CA
Posts: 1,992
|
Add me to the list of those who preferred Music Choice. The volume level on XM seems to vary widely from one song to the next. If I tune to the channel I want, and set the volume level I want, the next song could be barely audible or blast me out of my seat! Why the hell can't they get the volume level constant for all songs? It was with Music Choice.
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 01:39 PM
|
#25
|
|
Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 763
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by DevilsChargers
I suppose they should just beam down directly into your brain what's on their other shows, and when the special events are...how else will you know what's on?
|
Putting it on a website would be fine.
On channels that are talk oriented, announcements of guests and programs are fine. On channels that focus on a specific music genre, then they should just play music! No ads, no commercials, no announcements. Don't need to tell me what is going to be on if ALL they play is music.
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 02:00 PM
|
#26
|
|
Finally-My ugly mug
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Springfield, Illinois
Posts: 1,438
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Hodaka
it doesn't take much to make her happy.. just some music.. unfortunately that seemed to be lacking..
|
Yeah, but you can't have ONE channel that all kids will like from age 18 months to 12 or 14...
I'm just thrilled that XM carries the TORCH. My 13 year old likes it...it isn't carried on DTV, though.
I don't know what channels DTV is carrying from XM. I have XM (2 of them). There are actually 2 kids channels on XM. Radio Disney and XM Kids. Are they both on DTV (I have DTV, but don't listen to the stations on there TOO much...and when I do, I know what I like from having XM in the car and work for so long)?
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 02:03 PM
|
#27
|
|
Finally-My ugly mug
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Springfield, Illinois
Posts: 1,438
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by GTO40
Was the choice to switch due to Murdock owning some stake in XM? Does anyone know. I too prefer the music choice over XM.
|
I would imagine it was a WIN/WIN situation for DTV and XM. DishNetwork carries some SIRUIS stations. I would imagine that XM cut DTV a huge deal to carry their stations instead of MC to expose DTV's massive audience to what XM was all about.
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 02:23 PM
|
#28
|
|
TheGoal is Elevation
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 202
|
The promo spots can get a little annoying, but after having XM for the past year it's a much better selection of programming IMHO. The live performances, interviews, and variety more than make up for the promos and DJ speak. I mostly listen to Ethel which had no DJ until about 2-3 mos ago. I hope adding them is not a trend.
__________________
Hughes HDVR2 w/ added 80GB Weaknees Bracket [12/02 to ?]
Hughes HDVR2 Stock [11/03 to ?]
Phillips DSR6000 [10/01 to 12/02 RIP]
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 02:25 PM
|
#29
|
|
TheGoal is Elevation
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 202
|
XM has turned on 5 Christmas music channels. I think at least 3 are available to TC customers
__________________
Hughes HDVR2 w/ added 80GB Weaknees Bracket [12/02 to ?]
Hughes HDVR2 Stock [11/03 to ?]
Phillips DSR6000 [10/01 to 12/02 RIP]
|
|
|
|
|
11-28-2005, 02:36 PM
|
#30
|
|
My Custom User Title
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Houston
Posts: 9,729
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by VoR
The promo spots can get a little annoying, but after having XM for the past year it's a much better selection of programming IMHO. The live performances, interviews, and variety more than make up for the promos and DJ speak. I mostly listen to Ethel which had no DJ until about 2-3 mos ago. I hope adding them is not a trend.
|
I'm sure it will be a trend to add DJs and then probably commercials (just so we can bring you even more and better content!!!) and before you know it it'll be 30 minutes of music and 30 minutes of ads just like over-the-air radio, except you'll be on the hook for $15 a month.
I may be a little cynical. 
__________________
This is my amusing signature included at the bottom of each one of my posts.
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
|
