Europeans getting revolutionary TiVo-like satellite radio
This particular nugget came from our sibling site Engadget, which reported on the "multimedia car radio of the future."
In conjunction with a few select partners, the European Space Agency (ESA) is developing an entertainment system that will feature "built-in satellite radio and generous timeshifting functionality" too. It comes via a special antenna that will likely become a factory-installed option on certain vehicles. It's described as a "flattened mobile antenna integrated into the bodywork," that will pick up "Ku" band signals already used by communications satellites.
Obviously, using existing satellites makes this much cheaper and more feasible. The best bit, however, and the part that makes this different than current US satellite radio services, is that the service will include timeshifting. You know, just like TiVo. The ability to listen at a later time. It is likely that the service will feature a "cache or hard drive-based system" so listeners can pause or rewind broadcasts. Not a lot of other details right now, but word has it you might spot a prototype system mounted in a BMW if you happen to be near the Noordwijk Space Expo in the Netherlands.
[Source: Orbitcast via Engadget]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
paul34 4:51PM (1/27/2007)
Unfortunately something like this could never work here as the Nazis... I mean, recording industry organizations... would make a fit and make a few campaign contributions to ensure such a TERRIBLE violation of the recording's industries huge profits... I mean, "arists' rights"... doesn't happen.
Companies feel threatened by even small things like timeshifting. They are afraid to let the consumer actually use what he paid for. When will this ever change? People are too apathetic.
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BCM 7:23PM (1/27/2007)
Exactly so. The RIAA is already suing XM over the issue of timeshifting. Although it's not clear to me why XM is alledgedly at fault, rather than the manufacturers of the receivers with the timeshifiting capability. It may be because XM is a closed system and XM controls by licensing the kinds of equipment produced, or because XM produces the program guide that makes it possible to select specific items to record.
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why not the LS2/LS7? 7:20PM (1/27/2007)
Revolutionary?
Like all Ka-based satellite radio, you won't be able to receive signals indoors. So if you park your car indoors at night (or even in a carport), it can't record anything. Basically, the only time it can record is when your car is parked outside during the day or while driving.
The hard drive efforts (from XM and Sirius too) are attempts to work around these limitations of satellite radio.
Honestly, why can't my home computer download it at night as a podcast and send it to the car at about 7AM before I leave for work?
There's little radio besides live events like sports that wouldn't be better done over the internet in a podcast-type format.
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Matt Dell 9:42PM (1/27/2007)
I wonder how this TiVo-like feature would work when the vehicle is parked in a garage.
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zahn 12:56AM (1/28/2007)
Volkswagen already offers it on the new GTI - www.vwfeatures.com.
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Atul 3:08PM (1/28/2007)
This is nothing new here in N. America as #3 and #5 mention. I've been enjoying the timeshifting feature on my XM SkyFi 2 radio for years. I listen to songs more than once as if each song was a track on a CD. The only problem is that once you turn the unit off, the song memory is gone. That should appease the record companies, but I guess not.
Atul
http://www.realitydriven.com
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Bill Hancock 11:44AM (1/28/2007)
test
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J. Harvey 8:28AM (1/29/2007)
Use of existing satellites, instead of purpose-built satellites like Sirius & XM, means that the vehicle antenna becomes unwieldy as per the above picture, instead of tiny.
I'd like to see what happens to the BMW X5's antenna system when the X5 is doing 250kmh on the Autobahn (assuming that the added drag doesn't lower the top speed). Not to mention fuel economy.
Also, imagine the cost of the complicated antenna versus the Sirius & XM vehicle antennas that cost maybe $20.
Sorry - it is Not Ready For Primetime.
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