Look, we know all about desperate -- those youngsters are cute and all, but any self-respecting parent starts having some seriously evil thoughts about three hours in to any road trip. In a presumed effort to keep you off of the evening news and in good standing with your relatives, AT&T is launching its CruiseCast in-car TV service today. If you'll recall, we knew the in-car satellite TV solution was being tested in various spots, but today marks the first day that the proverbial beta badge has been ripped off. Of course, such a unique offering ain't running anyone cheap, with the initial hardware package totaling $1,299 and the monthly fee ringing up at $28. If those numbers have yet to faze you, hop on past the break for a look at the channel lineup.

Mobile TV hasn't even taken off in the cellphone market, but it's already looking to take another sector by storm. AT&T has announced here at CES that its CruiseCast in-car satellite TV service will be launching this Spring, and we're told to expect 22 channels initially and 20 sat radio stations to boot. Not surprisingly, the system will set you back somethin' fierce: it'll cost $1,299 for the kit and $28 per month for the service. From the start, the channel lineup will include Disney Channel, Discovery Kids, Animal Planet, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network Mobile, USA, MSNBC, CNN Mobile Live and CNBC (among others), and you'll be required to install a three pound 11.3- x 10.3- x 4.3-inch antenna on the roof of your vehicle. Oh, and if you're looking for a little test drive before you buy in, Avis and Budget are expected to make it available in some locales for $9 a day or $63 per week.

[Via PC World]

Strapping a DirecTV antenna atop a moving vehicle is typically never a sound idea, but thanks to KVH's new lineup of TracVision SlimLine satellite systems, bringing HDTV to your RV just got a whole lot sleeker. The firm has launched four separate 12-inch systems that aim to bring "crystal-clear reception" into one's RV or camper, and those springing for the flagship R6 DX (pictured) will even receive a DirecTV H20 free of charge. Dubbed the "smallest and simplest" in the industry, these devices will actually come integrated into a number of 2008 RVs, but those looking to upgrade their current ride can look forward to "full support for standard and HD DirecTV programming," as well as access to Dish and ExpressVu. Now this is a quintessential aspect of a road trip done right.

While they still seem to be pretty hard to come by at the moment, DBSTalk.com's Earl Bonovich managed to get his hands on one of DirecTV's luggable Sat-Go units, thankfully providing plenty of pics of it along with his first impressions. Unsurprisingly, he found that the device is "not for everyone," although he does seem to think it'll find its share of fans -- at least among those who don't mind carting around a 26-pound gadget in addition to their other gear. While it looks like we'll still have to wait a bit longer for a more in-depth review, you can check out a couple more shots of the device courtesy of DBSTalk after the break, including a peek at its innards -- for those of you into that sort of thing.

It took a little while, but DirecTV has finally made good on its promise of an all-in-one portable satellite receiver, officially announcing its Sat-Go unit at CES. Intended for both indoor and outdoor use, the Sat-Go packs a 17-inch LCD monitor into its flip-and-fold design, along with an integrated flat antenna that DirecTV says will let you find line-of-sight with DirecTV satellites "within minutes." Also included is a rechargeable "laptop-style" battery, although the company isn't making any promises on battery life just yet (it'll also run off your vehicle's cigarette lighter with the included adapter, or plain old AC power). While DirecTV hasn't officially announced pricing details, The New York Times is reporting that that the Sat-Go will come in between $1,000 and $1,300 when it launches this spring. Current DirecTV customers will also be able to mirror their service to the Sat-Go for an additional $4.99 per month. The Times also got word from Sat-Go inventor Rick Rosner (who just happens to also be the creator of CHiPs) that DirecTV already has some additional models in the works, including the Sat-Go Pro, with a ruggedized design for use in emergency situations, and the Sat-Go Light, which will weigh in at less than half the Sat-Go's 25 pounds. Those curious about the Sat-Go's various states of foldedness can check out a couple more pics of it in action after the break.

Read - DirecTV Press Release
Read - New York Times, "Satellite Television in a Portable Box"

We don't yet know much, but it looks like DirecTV is getting ready to unveil a rather clunky looking 70s-brown-and-beige-fabulous portable receiver called the SAT-GO (or maybe that's SATGO, either way). Stay tuned for more details.

[Thanks, Tom]

Cyberlink and Hauppauge unveiled their solution for viewing pay-TV satellite services on a PC at the big IFA show in Berlin this week. Using an updated version of Cyberlink's PowerCinema software and tuner card along with Hauppauge's WinTV CI USB adapter, the system will let you receive and decode protected DVB-S2 and DVB-S signals and view and record MPEG-2 HD and highly compressed MPEG-4 AVC (H.264) satellite TV. What's no so clear, however, is when it'll be available to the general public, although Cyberlink's CEO's statement that the solution offers a "first glimpse of pay-TV on the PC" makes it sound like it may still be quite a ways off.

[Via eHomeUpgrade]