New time-shifting Sportster Instant Replay from Sirius
By Barb Dybwad 
posted May 25th 2005 10:30AM
posted May 25th 2005 10:30AM
So the hot new feature on this Sirius satellite radio receiver is the ability to record and time-shift programs for later listening, courtesy of some built-in memory that will hold up to 44 minutes worth of content. The unit itself has also been redesigned with sleekness in mind, includes an FM transmitter and a new antenna, and will reportedly be available next week. Mad props to the individual who leaked the shots — not so much for leaking the shots, mind you (we can't condone that, it would be, um, unethical, so we're told) — but for the Humpty Dance reprazent, yo!
nice but i need more time then 44 minutes, howard is gonna be 4 hours long!
44 minutes? They're joking right?
The XM MyFi gives you 5 hours of storage in a portable unit about the size of an iPod ... What good is 44 minutes?
44 minutes is enough time to still listen to Sirius when inside tunnels, heavy tree cover, or in between a stretch of hills or tall buildings.
Btw, did you all notice that Sirius has a forever plan for $500?
I'm sorry but Sirius' hardware technology is pathetically far behind XM's. XM's SkyFi2 and MyFi, both of which have timeshifting, have been available for what, six months now?
Wow is the screen really going to be that awful? It's really not that hard to make a good monochrome LCD screen these days.
Sirius greatly amuses me. They have fine programming and all that, but the company is run by monkeys. That $500 "forever" plan only really means "We're milking you for all you're worth right now because we're trying not to go out of business in 2 years."
I don't think it's fair to compare this to the XM MyFi - the XM SkyFi2 is a more accurate comparison. It only has 30 minutes memory.
I'm still curious why XM doesn't get as favorable coverage on this site as Sirius. I don't recall you guys doing a followup on the "portable" Sirius Xact ReGo. That'd be a hoot.
Baba-booey, right?
#6 I'm almost positive you are wrong on that one. The $500 plan is only good for one specific device. Its worth it if you plan on sticking with the same PNP or headunit for more than 3/4 years but for us who upgrade tech every year or two, its not worth it
"Btw, did you all notice that Sirius has a forever plan for $500?"
"Forever" being a relative term of course... since inevitably it will be selling and/or going out of business long before the $500 becomes worth it. (i.e. Just over three years at $12.95/mo).
Considering Howard Stern is going to be bringing many of his advertisers over from terrestrial radio and Sirius has been growing subscribers at a pretty good clip, I don't really understand how you can say that 'inevitably' the company is going to be out of business in 3 years. In fact, Sirius hasn't even included revenue stream from Stern into their future earnings projections. While Sirius could be in financial trouble in a year or so, I don't see them going anywhere.
Now if only Ford would start putting Sirius into their new mustangs...
Clearly, this spells the doom of XM.
Oh wait, Engadget isn't on that trip anymore?
Lets get SIRIUS people! Stern has anywhere from 10-20 million people in his fan base. His daily audience is around 2-4 million. SIRIUS would only need 1-2 million people who listen to him enough to sign up. Terrestial radio is dead simply because content will drive desire in these premium bands. And XM who had a big head start and still has the lead is losing that lead percentage wise everyday. SIRIUS is the future of radio. Content will drive it's business model.
Yep, another Sirius product that's a year behind XM. And it still looks crappy.
Maybe if the company had the technology in place before spending a half billion on a guy who doesn't even want to work anymore (4 days a week?? What a lazy ass!), and 7 million a year on Martha Stewart who will bring on maybe 2 or 3 new subscribers (how much effort is she going to put into a radio show with all of her other businesses to run and a new Apprentice TV show gig???). Their equipment is laughable compared to XM's. They have Mel Karmazin at the healm who was a pioneer of all the things that are wrong with commercial radio. What makes anyone think this guy is qualified to head a revolutionary new medium? He'll just strip it of everything that makes sattelite radio interesting and like cable/sattelite TV the lines will be blurred between commercial and pay radio with ads, censorship, ads, bad programming, and more ads.
"redesigned with sleekness"
comes with car trailer to carry the unit.
This thing only looks large because of the way the picture was taken. Terrestrial radio is certainly not dead. How do you expect to get weather alerts and traffic news on Satellite Radio?? It's not like they are going to have a copter in every city on sirius radio.
#17 They have stations that report weather and traffic for different cities across the US. I live in NJ and I use the NYC/Philly traffic station to find out what the situation is with the Lincoln and Holland Tunnel whenever I drive into NYC.
#8, actually, your are mistaken. If you were to get the 'forever' plan, you can trade in our radio up to 3 times, but you may have to pay up to a $75 fee to switch units.
#8, actually, your are mistaken. If you were to get the 'forever' plan, you can trade in our radio up to 3 times, but you may have to pay up to a $75 fee to switch units.
XM was popular a few years back. I think Sirius is the more popular now, especially as they partner with some of the higher-end car models.
In any case, check this recent stat out:
http://www.emarketer.com/images/chart_gifs/063001-064000/063724.gif
My JVC SR2000 is still the tops. No other PnP be it XM or Sirius-capable is designed as well. I did hands-on comparisons of all of them and the only one that was even close was the $300 MiFi (and that's a "close but no cigar" kind of close). Go see for yourself. "XM'S technology lead" is one consisting of novelties at best. Good luck getting reception on that MiFi outside of the repeater network (outside of major cities).
My acclaimer: I'm not a stockholder or anything related to satellite services.
Why does everyone have to shill for one company or the other? So angry. It's only satellite radio. Relax. Apparently Howard Stern really has quite a bit more control over you and your emotions than you do over him. Let it go.
It doesn't matter who has better hardware. It comes down to content. Howard Stern, Martha Stewart and other media giants will bring people to satellite radio, not technology. Just look how big AM talk radio is these days. Technology doesn't get any older than that yet Rush and Dr. Laura are HUGE. Sirius is doing the right thing by getting Stern on board and anyone who says he is not influental is obviously out of touch.
For those complaining about it only being 44 minutes...the XM SkyFy2 is only 30 minutes...that's the one you compare it to.
If you're looking for more recording time, the Xact ReGo is coming out soon and will be capable of recording 4 hours.
Whiplash, you are absolutely correct. It's the content that counts.
#28, If XM has 4M subscribers and 70% market share, by what math does that make Sirius more popular?
I have to laugh at the Sirius bashers, you people sound scared, very scared. BTW, the Sportster and the Sportster IR are smaller than the SkyFi2. Personally, I like this new Sirius radio. It will sell very well.
>
you forgot to mention how those four hours it records will not be live. You have to record it for 4 hours then listen to it. The equivalent to a tape recorder with no live audio option
Come on, Rich
Of course you like this new Sirius radio. You would like a pile of horse manure if it had the doggie logo on it.
The ReGo will be able to record up to 4 hours BUT (and there is a but) you won't be able to listen live. [insert price is right loser sound here]
Like him or hate him, Hitler sure killed alot o' jews...
WOW 44 mins!!!!!! amazing, and no built in antenna. I think its time to trash my My-Fi and get this GIANT THING
JUNK!!!!!!
how is sirius going to EVER going to make any money paying hoo-hoo Howie a half a BILLION dollars, and stupid martha 7 Million. when they're a year or two behind XM with their products. this thing looks like a piece of junk!!!!!
and it looks (like all sirius products) TOO BIG!!!!!
XM = $30.87 per share 1yr target Est. $41.30
Sirius = $6.64 per share 1yr target est $6.64
XM.....4 MILLION 70% of all sat subscribers
Sirius..1.2 :( only 30%
'nuff said
ohh and his thing looks like crap!
http://radio.about.com/library/blsubcribesatellitesternetc.htm
I agree with Sam. People must be scared when they try to muster as much FUD on a company as the Sirius-basher(s) do. They need to let it go. There's room for both companies. I can't help but question the motives of these people.
44 minutes is the perfect amount... You can record Howards commercial set... They're usually about 44 minutes long anyway, and the most interesting part of his show...
Beyond AM, Beyond FM, XM Satelite Radio
DaiLa, what headstart are they losing??
XM was the fastest to 1 million in sales behind only the DVD player. They did 2 million 8 months later. 3 million 6 months after that, and 4 million in 5 more months. They are adding subs MUCH faster than Sirius even with Stern's imminent arrival... Check thos % you are talking about...
Sirius has the NFL.
'Nuff said.
but people WATCH THE NFL on TV instead of just listening to it.
Many of SIRI's deals make no sense. That is a prime example.
My god, another example of brainwashed fanboys. It amazes me the people who think that just because XM has more subscribers that it MUST be better. Or how you want to see all competitors go out of business. As we've seen many times before in computers, game consoles, satellite tv, etc. the better product loses to the company who can best brainwash the sheep of america with their marketing.
It's actually best for all of us that there are two companies right now. Once one of them falls, watch the subscription cost rise for the other.
Anyone looked at their cable bill recently?
It's actually best for all of us that there are two companies right now. Once one of them falls, watch the subscription cost rise for the other.
Anyone looked at their cable bill recently?
Looking forward to the XACT Rego. Nothing like a portable unit that is not even portable out of the box. You need to pay another $100 for the "Portable Wearable Kit" on top of the $275 bucks your paying for the unit. And I bet the beltclip dock and headphone with the anntenna built in will look hot.
The only advantage this thing has over the MyFi is that it can play MP3, a feature I'm sure Delphi will add soon.
XM may currently have better equipment, but Sirius has way better programming! Are you choosing your satellite radio based on how cool the receiver looks or how great the music is? The Sirius Sportster is not supposed to be the same thing as the MyFi. It's called Sportster Instant Replay because it's designed to have instant replay for sports programming.
The ReGo will be out soon.
We are talking about the SPORTster replay....notice the emphaisis on the word Sport...this is a device specifically for sports....not to mention XM only carries MLB(which is a shame Sirius doesn't) and NASCAR(which Sirius will have sole rights to in 2007) the 44 minutes is a bonus and so is the that $500 plan.... the fact is, the Sporster is great for all sporting events, and that is why the Sportster replay has my vote....the 44 minutes is meant for an event as such....you are a hockey fan and a basketball fan, you are listening to you hockey team play in overtime while your basketball team in tipping off on the west-coast, so you finish the overtime then tune into the basketball game from the begining, not halfway through the first half. that is what it was meant for, if you want recording for music, either get the Xact ReGo, or an iPod....simple as that.
Wow, just saw the picture of the fish finder above. Will the bass boat be big enough to hall that piece of ugly Sirius. Does that mount in the trunk next to the 6 disc changer? Wouldn't want that thing cracking my dash on those cold winter mornings. Why did they put a quarter in the picture with the options? Do you have to insert a quarter every so many miles?
Folks, the whole idea behind radio, and satellite in particular, is portability. Hear your station wherever you are. Sirius is seriously behind that objective with the equipment they are offering. If I am in the car -- fine. If I'm home -- fine. As long as I spring for the accessories. But what about the "in between". I'd like to hear my radio when I am travelling to and from my home or car.... where's the portable unit? XM has it. The should have come out with it right away!