Sirius announces SiriusConnect SC-V1 Backseat TV

We knew live video was on the way from those Sirius satellite beamz0rs, but it's finally hitting for real: announcing Sirius Backseat TV and the SiriusConnect SC-V1 A/V Tuner. It sounds like those launch predictions were right on as well: the service goes live in Spring 2007. The $300 SiriusConnect setup includes the SC-V1 A/V tuner, a wired display control, wireless audio remote, wireless video remote, rear seat control, FM switching, and two mini antennas. It's a "multi-zone" unit, meaning you can listen to audio up front while the kids peep live TV cartoons in the back (hence that convenient Backseat TV moniker). You can control it all from the front, or let your kids choose their own poison with their own remote. Make sure you check out Orbitcast for pics galore of Sirius' souped up setup at CES.

[kevin @ Jan 10th 2007 2:05PM]

I'm kinda on the fence here - on the one hand, live mobile video is cool, and Sirius definitely knows how to do content; but on the other, this will use up bandwidth that could be used for more audio variety.

[CaptCaveman @ Jan 10th 2007 2:35PM]

Oh you worry to much. There's plenty of "outer space" left. They can just launch more satellites.

[joshua conti @ Jan 10th 2007 2:42PM]

now my kids can watch the blurred naked bodies of howard stern's girls whilst we drive to grandmas...

[enseigner @ Jan 10th 2007 2:54PM]

hmmm... I wonder if anyone talks to their kids in the car anymore...

[Tom Boucher @ Aug 15th 2007 11:43AM]

You clearly don't have

[mck @ Jan 10th 2007 3:30PM]

What kind of video will be available, anyone know?

[robotrock @ Jan 10th 2007 4:22PM]

I feel like an ubergeek for reading "beamz0rs" and not thinking twice about it.

[BAMF @ Jan 10th 2007 5:32PM]

The technophile side of me is getting excited about this, but realistically, is this a good thing? I think the bandwidth would be much better used to improve audio quality or expand traffic and weather offerings to more cities. Sure there is plenty of outer space left for more satellites, but Sirius only has a small slice of radio spectrum to play with. Besides this is only being marketed as backseat entertainment for the kids right now. All of the pics showed Cartoon Network. I would say MAX they might have three video streams, what are the chances that it will be anything worth paying for? I can't even think of one channel I would want to watch in the car, much less pay for.

But really, do we need live streaming video for the kids? Are they gonna know the difference between a satellite feed of cartoons or a DVD?

[Rick Lyon @ Jan 10th 2007 6:34PM]

Very cool idea. Especially when the other choice was the 4' wide flying saucer attached to a bike rack. Also cuts down on DVDs you need to carry. Kinda cool if you are starting from scratch. Feel bad if you have an overhead DVD player with no inputs for turners, aux, etc.

[Butch97 @ Jan 10th 2007 10:04PM]

WTF is wrong with having your kids look out the window or talk to each other.
No wonder they all get diagnosed with ADD and the like if they can't live without a TV in a car trip...

[kd3004 @ Mar 29th 2007 5:24PM]

Obviuosly you have never been on a 12 hr trip with three kids under 6. There is only so much to talk about. They get bored quick!!

[Iscariote @ Aug 15th 2007 11:07AM]

Obviuosly you have never been on a 12 hr trip with three kids under 6. There is only so much to talk about. They get bored quick!!

Before DVD players in cars no one ever took their kids on a car trip for any reason. Personally, I like to yell wacky sound bites at my kids and change the topic of conversation every 15 seconds so that they don't get confused or scared by television withdrawal.