Radio Head
Satellite radio rocks when you want selection instead of schlock.Cathy Lu, Digital World
Cathy Lu is contributing news editor for Digital World magazine.
Ever since a certain radio station in my former hometown of San Francisco canned my favorite morning-show host, I haven't been able to listen to FM radio. Add to that the constant commercial breaks and looping playlists, and I find most radio programs unbearable--with the exception of Car Talk on NPR. Who doesn't love Click and Clack?
But my recent foray into satellite radio has restored my faith in the medium.
My friends have been showing off their Sirius and XM radios for the past year, so I decided it was about time to check it out for myself. I took Delphi's Roady2 for XM radio out for a spin (look for the review in the December issue of Digital World magazine), and I must admit: I'm in love. It's been heavenly rediscovering Prince and Hall & Oates on the eighties station; swooning to music from the forties while driving at night; and having access to CNN news, classic rock that deserves the "classic" moniker, and commercial-free music radio.
Another satellite radio perk is that the display tells you the name of the song and/or artist that is playing, which is a huge bonus considering the fact that most FM DJs no longer feel the need to fill you in on that info. No wonder I'm stuck in a musical time warp.
But satellite radio does have its issues. For instance, to listen in your car, you need an adapter (sometimes sold separately) complete with an antenna that you must place just so on your dashboard to be able to receive a signal. With some cars you'll need to get the antenna professionally mounted on the exterior for optimum reception.
And that's just one of the subtleties of satellite radio. To learn more, read our exclusive Digital World online article. "A Quick Guide to Satellite Radio" tells you everything you need to know to get started in the world of satellite radio. In the meantime, I'll be busy reliving my Duran Duran and Journey days. Hey, at least I don't wear leg warmers or tease my hair anymore.
Good-Bye DVDs?
Satellite radio's the new love of my life; but my first and greatest love is still TiVo. So I was extremely excited by the recent news that Netflix and TiVo have teamed up to deliver movies over an Internet connection. It's a win-win situation for consumers: You get access to Netflix's enormous library of movies, without needing the foresight to order DVDs ahead of time. While details are still sketchy, the gist is that TiVo subscribers will be able to download Netflix movies to their TiVo boxes--no disc or player required. Unfortunately, the service won't be available until next year.
But that doesn't mean you can't get movies over the Internet right now. There are several Internet movie services up and running--but as PC World's Gadget Freak columnist Dan Tynan will tell you, they're not quite ready for prime time. Read "Coming to a PC Near You" for his review of the Movielink and Starz Ticket on Real Movies services.
TV on the Go
Until Internet movie services get their act together, I guess I'm stuck watching the stuff that my TiVo records--America's Next Top Model, What Not to Wear, and reruns of Dallas, to name a few favorites. (I never said I watched good TV.)
But as much as I wish I could, I can't always be around my TV and TiVo. So I'm quite interested in the portable media centers that are hitting the market this year. A PMC looks like just the gadget I need when I go to the gym or wait while I get my oil changed. What better way to keep up on which model got booted or what scheme J.R. is dreaming up? Creative's Zen Portable Media Center is one of the first multimedia players based on Microsoft's new Portable Media Center platform. But is it the solution for TV addicts? Check out our in-depth, hands-on review.
Also in Digital World
Other recent news and reviews you'll find online at Digital World: