Sirius Starmate Satellite Radio - Everything You Need
The Starmate line of Sirius satellite radios are a selection of “dock and play” radios that receive the 120 stations of the Sirius satellite service. The phrase “dock and play” refers to the capability of moving the radio from location to location, plugging it into “docking kits,” devices that supply sound to the users’ ears. The “dock and play” concept allows people to enjoy satellite radio in several venues while only paying for one satellite reception device.
Typically, this arrangement allows users to own one radio but use it in several cars and even at home. The top offering in the Sirius Starmate line is the Starmate 5 Dock and Play Radio + Vehicle Kit. It provides the radio and associated hardware necessary to use that radio in one car. The Starmate 5 radio is compatible with Sirius’ various programming packages or with a la carte selection. (It can also deliver certain XM satellite stations.) Not only does it allow the user to listen live, it can store up to 44 minutes of audio for digital “rewinding” that the user can go back and listen to a second time. It’s a handy feature for listening to a song a second time, or reviewing a news story the listener missed a few details on the first time.
Stations on the Starmate 5 are displayed via a blue wide screen LCD display and selected by push button. Starmate 5 also features S-Seek Alert, a Sirius technology that notifies the listener when a favorite song or artist is about to be played on a station other than the one currently tuned in. There are two more models in lower price ranges than the Starmate 5. The Starmate 4 also supplies one radio and equipment for installing in one car, but does not have Starmate 5’s ala carte capability. The Starmate 3, priced yet lower, has a smaller display screen than the two higher choices and does not have the “Sirius Replay” 44 minute audio buffer included with Starmate 4 and 5.
By themselves, none of these three kits affords the user the convenience of satellite radio in more than one location. The Sirius product line has a selection of accessories for this. There are dock and play vehicle kits that allow the owner to move the radio from car to car. There are kits enabling use with a home audio system. A couple of “boom box”-style docking stations are also in Sirius’ product lineup, facilitating desktop placement in the home or at the office, or even complete portability. Sirius offers a wide selection of service packages; some include installation. Prepaid programming cards are available. The Sirius channel spectrum includes dozens of styles of music, plus news, talk radio and sports networks. Subscribers also have access to discounted rates on internet-based Sirius reception in addition to the satellite signal. Sirius is also introducing an iPhone app, and support for the iPod touch. Other offerings include traffic information for certain car navigation systems and even satellite backseat television broadcasting for vehicles.
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