Why isn't DirecTV going after the auto market?

[jrinck]

One of these days, a company like Sirius will announce a real product for automotive TV viewing, but DirecTV has been strangely silent on something like this.

I'm not talking about mobile homes and RVs, I'm talking about a compact solution suitable for automobiles. And yes, it'll be for the backseat passengers/kiddies.

I know it's allowable, as I see those DVD systems in cars (er, minivans) all the time. Why not regular TV?

[Earl Bonovich]

They already started I believe.

I remember that they announced something a few years ago.

But my guess is... there isn't that much demand for "live" broadcast viewing.

Cheaper, Easier, and less "issue" prone (because of geographics, pointing, ect of the dish)... to just use pre-recorded formats for typical auto-travel.

[Greg Alsobrook]

there are products like tracvision... but it's definitely not what i would consider a "compact solution"...

http://www.kvh.com/tracvision_kvh/

[jrinck]

But my guess is... there isn't that much demand for "live" broadcast viewing.

Cheaper, Easier, and less "issue" prone (because of geographics, pointing, ect of the dish)... to just use pre-recorded formats for typical auto-travel.

That's true.

[phat78boy]

This is the solution sirius is using...

http://www.sirius.com/backseattv

[doctrsnoop]

The technology Sirius (and for that matter XM) is inherently superior for non-directional reception, and thus pre-made for on-the-go video. I can't imagine they have much more bandwidth available for more programming,though

[davring]

It is a current option on select Chrysler products provided by, I believe, Sirius.

[ramcm7]

The technology Sirius (and for that matter XM) is inherently superior for non-directional reception, and thus pre-made for on-the-go video. I can't imagine they have much more bandwidth available for more programming,though


If and when the FCC gives the OK to the Sirius-XM merger, I expect we will eventually see some redundant channels consolidated freeing up some room for more video content. There is discussion of this service on the Sirius boards (siriusbackstage.com and siriusbuzz.com). I recall reading that the PQ was not super, most likely optimized for smaller screens, so those thinking they will eventually show sports and they can run it through the big screen they brought to the tailgate party may be a bit disappointed. But you never know...

If WiMax ever gets a foothold, I could see mobile video as a big selling point. :yesman:

[boba]

TREES /UNDER PASSES/ TUNNELS/ BRIDGES don't affect prerecorded programming but satellite delivered programming would glitch on these obstructions.

[Juppers]

One of these days, a company like Sirius will announce a real product for automotive TV viewing, but DirecTV has been strangely silent on something like this.

I'm not talking about mobile homes and RVs, I'm talking about a compact solution suitable for automobiles. And yes, it'll be for the backseat passengers/kiddies.

I know it's allowable, as I see those DVD systems in cars (er, minivans) all the time. Why not regular TV?

They have actually been offering it for a while now, just not advertising it.

http://directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp?assetId=1200067

[bushead]

there are products like tracvision... but it's definitely not what i would consider a "compact solution"...

http://www.kvh.com/tracvision_kvh/

Actually, the A7 product is relatively compact at 5.3" high

http://www.kvh.com/products/product.asp?id=125#

[Greg Alsobrook]

Actually, the A7 product is relatively compact at 5.3" high

http://www.kvh.com/products/product.asp?id=125#

yes... but it is also 30"x30" and weighs 50 lbs... whereas the antennas for sirius backseat are 2"x2" and weigh < 1 lb.

[tonyd79]

TREES /UNDER PASSES/ TUNNELS/ BRIDGES don't affect prerecorded programming but satellite delivered programming would glitch on these obstructions.

My XM hardly ever drops out. I doubt Sirius does either.

They have ground transmitters all over the country as well as mutliple satellites to get as many angles as possible.

[1948GG]

TREES /UNDER PASSES/ TUNNELS/ BRIDGES don't affect prerecorded programming but satellite delivered programming would glitch on these obstructions.

Rare comment, but this so SO untrue, it warrants it.

Sirius utilizes Polar obiting sats (unlike XM), which means the broadcasting satellite is within a few degrees of directly overhead, rather than on the Clark Belt like the tv sats (or XM). Those who own Sirius (or are satellite engineers, or both) know that dropouts of coverage with Sirius is very rare, although obviously long tunnels will nail it as soon as the digital 'buffer' runs out.

But overpasses (at anything approaching highway speeds), trees, bridges (I'll assume things like basic steel or suspension types), no problems whatsoever, unless it's almost 'full cover'. The same with any transmission from the Sirius sats, including the tv. There is about 5-10 seconds of 'buffer' in which you have to be completely covered until it 'runs out'. The transmission is 'interleaved' to prevent such things as 'glitches' with minor coverages.

Again, this is very unlike XM, which is the major reason (other than, most would agree, better programming sans commercials) that they have it. XM 'avoids' dropouts in the cities by a network of over 5000+ terrestrial repeaters. Doesn't help with reception in the country or the mountains, of course. As an example, Seattle has more than 20 XM repeater sites while Sirius has one or two. It simply isn't required with Sirius.

[Ken S]

Rare comment, but this so SO untrue, it warrants it.

Sirius utilizes Polar obiting sats (unlike XM), which means the broadcasting satellite is within a few degrees of directly overhead, rather than on the Clark Belt like the tv sats (or XM). Those who own Sirius (or are satellite engineers, or both) know that dropouts of coverage with Sirius is very rare, although obviously long tunnels will nail it as soon as the digital 'buffer' runs out.

But overpasses (at anything approaching highway speeds), trees, bridges (I'll assume things like basic steel or suspension types), no problems whatsoever, unless it's almost 'full cover'. The same with any transmission from the Sirius sats, including the tv. There is about 5-10 seconds of 'buffer' in which you have to be completely covered until it 'runs out'. The transmission is 'interleaved' to prevent such things as 'glitches' with minor coverages.

Again, this is very unlike XM, which is the major reason (other than, most would agree, better programming sans commercials) that they have it. XM 'avoids' dropouts in the cities by a network of over 5000+ terrestrial repeaters. Doesn't help with reception in the country or the mountains, of course. As an example, Seattle has more than 20 XM repeater sites while Sirius has one or two. It simply isn't required with Sirius.

I like Sirius, but I have to disagree on the dropouts. At least here in South Florida any overpass and I lose signal. Now, part of that may be my dash mounted antenna.

I'm also using an older radio, a Starmate 2, I'm sure the newer radios do a better job.

As for TV...once the merger is finalized I know you will see quite a bit of expansion of the Sirius TV offerings.

[Greg Alsobrook]

Sirius was terrible for me (dropouts)... see my post here... http://www.dbstalk.com/showpost.php?p=1501243&postcount=6

[1948GG]

I like Sirius, but I have to disagree on the dropouts. At least here in South Florida and any overpass and I lose signal. Now, part of that may be my dash mounted antenna.

I'm also using an older radio Starmate 2...I'm sure the news radios do a better job.

As for TV...once the merger is finalized I know you will see quite a bit of expansion on the Sirius TV offerings.

So, just like the folks here with extremely bad DirecTV installations, you use as your 'test' a very poor installation. Umm. How about trying a REAL (professional) installation instead? (Hopefully more 'professional' than those we see listed here on an almost daily basis..:D ).

I've had Sirius since virtually the day it was let out for public use (1st Generation Kenwood). Over 120K miles on the vehicle with it (Ford Explorer) going literally coast to coast 3-4 times (and YES, I used to live in Florida, both in Pensacola and St. Petersburg; go Rays!). Has worked perfectly everywhere; I've been stopped at interstate highway rest stops in the middle of Colorado, Utah, Montana, etc., where I've been approached by XM users who can't get a signal (because of the canyons) and Sirius is perfect.

Any other problems can be laid at the feet of bad (non-pro) installs.

[Ken S]

So, just like the folks here with extremely bad DirecTV installations, you use as your 'test' a very poor installation. Umm. How about trying a REAL (professional) installation instead? (Hopefully more 'professional' than those we see listed here on an almost daily basis..:D ).

I've had Sirius since virtually the day it was let out for public use (1st Generation Kenwood). Over 120K miles on the vehicle with it (Ford Explorer) going literally coast to coast 3-4 times (and YES, I used to live in Florida, both in Pensacola and St. Petersburg; go Rays!). Has worked perfectly everywhere; I've been stopped at interstate highway rest stops in the middle of Colorado, Utah, Montana, etc., where I've been approached by XM users who can't get a signal (because of the canyons) and Sirius is perfect.

Any other problems can be laid at the feet of bad (non-pro) installs.

I didn't run a "test". I described the setup I had and the dropouts I was experiencing. I've also had the antenna on the outside of my vehicle and experienced dropouts. The signal here in SE Florida is not directly overhead and comes from the NNW. The buffer in the radio I own is hardly 10 seconds as well.

Thanks for your suggestions. I'll take them under consideration.

[MikeW]

I'm in the XM camp and never experience drop-outs. My travels take me about 300 miles south of the border (into Mexico) and I continue to have no issues.

For video, laptop tethered to a 3G phone+slingbox=all you need! :)

[Greg Alsobrook]

Any other problems can be laid at the feet of bad (non-pro) installs.

mine was a factory installed unit with the factory radio... and i had many problems... told the dealership... and they told me they heard that "every day"...

[kandor]

I was in London a few months ago and many of the cabs and airport vans have satellite television.

[curt8403]

all you would really need is a King Dome for the satellite, and a Satgo for the TV

[boba]

Rare comment, but this so SO untrue, it warrants it.

Sirius utilizes Polar obiting sats (unlike XM), which means the broadcasting satellite is within a few degrees of directly overhead, rather than on the Clark Belt like the tv sats (or XM). Those who own Sirius (or are satellite engineers, or both) know that dropouts of coverage with Sirius is very rare, although obviously long tunnels will nail it as soon as the digital 'buffer' runs out.

But overpasses (at anything approaching highway speeds), trees, bridges (I'll assume things like basic steel or suspension types), no problems whatsoever, unless it's almost 'full cover'. The same with any transmission from the Sirius sats, including the tv. There is about 5-10 seconds of 'buffer' in which you have to be completely covered until it 'runs out'. The transmission is 'interleaved' to prevent such things as 'glitches' with minor coverages.

Again, this is very unlike XM, which is the major reason (other than, most would agree, better programming sans commercials) that they have it. XM 'avoids' dropouts in the cities by a network of over 5000+ terrestrial repeaters. Doesn't help with reception in the country or the mountains, of course. As an example, Seattle has more than 20 XM repeater sites while Sirius has one or two. It simply isn't required with Sirius.
Nice discussion on Sirious/XM but the original question was why Directv wasn't going after auto market.

[JeffBowser]

Duck and run for cover post alert.

Live TV in your auto ? Sigh. We have become a nation of TV addicts (or, at least this particular forum population) :lol:

[dbronstein]

Nice discussion on Sirious/XM but the original question was why Directv wasn't going after auto market.

I'm sure the answer is that there isn't enough of a demand to make it worthwhile. How many people are really going to want to spend the money to get their car wired up for satellite TV with no guarantee that there will be something on that the kids want to watch, when you can buy a portable DVD player for less than $100 and you know you'll always have something to watch.

[Ken S]

I'm sure the answer is that there isn't enough of a demand to make it worthwhile. How many people are really going to want to spend the money to get their car wired up for satellite TV with no guarantee that there will be something on that the kids want to watch, when you can buy a portable DVD player for less than $100 and you know you'll always have something to watch.

Or you can subscribe to DirecTV and get a free portable DVD player after the Class Action settles. :).

I tend to agree on the TV addicts. We were taking my son and another three-year-old to the park in my wife's van and the other child started crying because we didn't have TV in the van. The mom looked at us with surprise when I said we didn't have the entertainment center in the backseat....I guess I just figured my son could somehow make it without watching a video for 15 minutes.

[dbronstein]

No kidding. My wife and I like to use the time in the car to actually talk to our kids, but we're weird that way.

[Greg Alsobrook]

No kidding. My wife and I like to use the time in the car to actually talk to our kids, but we're weird that way.

nonsense... :lol:

[jrinck]

No kidding. My wife and I like to use the time in the car to actually talk to our kids, but we're weird that way.

But sometimes you'd actually like to talk to each other, and that's impossible when the kids are fighting because they are bored.

[JeffBowser]

I remember car trips when I was a kid. I can't count the number of times my dad stuck his fist over his shoulder and told us if we didn't stop fighting we'd get a taste of it :lol:

Personally, enough is enough. Keep the TV out of the cars. Of course, saying that up here is like telling Pizza Hut to stop selling pizzas.

But sometimes you'd actually like to talk to each other, and that's impossible when the kids are fighting because they are bored.

[jrinck]

Personally, enough is enough. Keep the TV out of the cars. Of course, saying that up here is like telling Pizza Hut to stop selling pizzas.

TV in the backseat is fine, just so long as it's kept out of the front seat. The last thing I need is to be sideswiped by some horny loser glued to Skinemax while on the way home.

[Greg Alsobrook]

TV in the backseat is fine, just so long as it's kept out of the front seat. The last thing I need is to be sideswiped by some horny loser glued to Skinemax while on the way home.

i said i was SORRY! :lol:

[ddrumman2004]

I remember car trips when I was a kid. I can't count the number of times my dad stuck his fist over his shoulder and told us if we didn't stop fighting we'd get a taste of it :lol:

Personally, enough is enough. Keep the TV out of the cars. Of course, saying that up here is like telling Pizza Hut to stop selling pizzas.

Here too! "Shut up back there!!"

What happened to playing the Alphabet game with road signs? Lot more Xs and Zs out there now than when I was a kid back in the 60s.
Who can find the license plate that is farthest away?

[SPACEMAKER]

I'd rather that D* focus solely on providing the best home TV viewing experience possible.

[Carl Spock]

Personally, enough is enough. Keep the TV out of the cars. Doesn't anybody play the license plate game on long trips any more?

You get Hawaii and you're going to win.