Does anyone have any information about wiring a converter box to the standard MCS radio in order to receive satellite signal?

I've heard the dealer can do this using a Sirius converter. However, can this be done with a XM box?

Also, any thoughts on whether Sirius or XM is better?

I decided not to wait for Mini to make the satellite radio option available. March was bad enought, but now its June or later.

 

Much has been written about the ease of installing XMDirect. Search the site for answers to your questions.

Theo

 

I'm waiting for xm direct to become available for R56. (Already is for earlier models.) XM is a better signal strength. Note if you do xm, you'll use up the one port available and i-pod adapter won't be an option, you'll still have the aux input to use an i-pod, you won't have the charging feature and control through mfsw.

 

FYI: XM and Sirius announced yesterday that they will be merging.

I'm now glad I was forced to wait on the Sirius, as I don't know what existing radios will be able to recieve (XM/Sirius/both), but they are to combine programming so it should be a huge benefit to the consumer. The cost is possibly another issue.

 

By the way, is Sirius something that uses up the iPod adapter spot as well, or is that specific to XM only?

 

The Merger, It will neve pass Antitrust.

 

It might. It will still have to compete with HD radio for OTA broadcasts and the government let cable companies be a monopoly for a long time.

 

Yea, I'm not sure the other gazillion FREE radio stations would consider themslves to be noncompetitive with satellite radio. I think most would consider themselves the superior value, actually. And most consumers agree.

For a while, Red Bull was just about the only energy drink on the market (and, if it wasn't, let's pretend for a moment)... I'm not sure they had a monopoly, as the other soft drink manufacturers with a cheaper product aimed at a different market probably didn't see it that way.

Time will tell, I guess... I think it'll go. It's not THAT big a consumer base in the first place. We're not talking computer OSes or something that people have little option on.

 

If the feds don't allow the merger, both companies could very well go under in a few years given their horrendous debt loads. So that weighs in favor of a merger.

 

I'll still go the XM direct route. The signal is superior and any merger will probably make use of their satellite constellation over SIRIUS as it is superior. (Geosychronous vs Sirius moving constellation) XM direct should still work in a merger. They'll have to come up with a scheme that will allow older radios to still function.

Of bigger concern is the looming cost increase that will inevitably come from a merger with the excuse that customer's now have an 'improved and larger' programming options. But that is the subject of another website....

 

I bet Howard Stern's doing a bit of hand-wringing right now...

Although I'm sure he'd get picked up in a heartbeat elsewhere.

 

The biggest concern I have, if the merger goes through... is whether my "lifetime" subscription to SIRIUS will be transferred. I paid $500 for it, dammit... I should be able to keep it!

 

I'd assume all previous agreements would have to be met, or compensated for.

 

Be advised the current XM Direct does NOT work with the R56 - (only the R53). Blitzsafe is working on a solution that will take advantage of the MOST (optical) input. If you look in the passenger side rear compartment in the hatch you'll see a connector with four small holes - that is the MOST adapter.

 

Yea, I was aware of that and knew a solution would be around the corner. I'll wait for the solution, hey I won't have the car until Mid to late April!! (week 10 build)

 

I called Blitzsafe today and spoke with Victor Vasquez - he assured me they are working on an interface for the MOST input - it's about 1-2 months out. I'll believe it when I see it.

 

Have you tried to listen to "free" radio lately. No content unless you want to listen to commercials all day. The only choice is Howard 100 and 101. For $13.00 per month, this is the best value in the universe. And Baba booee to you all

 

Here's a good question for the masses. I own a Sirius Sportster Replay radio. It goes in a boom box in my house, another cradle in my truck and now I plan to use it in my Cooper S. Can I use the cars Aux input with it? How would it work? I mean, obviouskly, I will still need to plug it into the cars cigarette lighter for power (right?), but will plugging it into the AUX port mean I no longer have to turn the radio to the unused channel of 88.1 to recieve content? I'm a bit confused here. Any help? Ideas? Thanks.

 

Maybe, maybe not. Latest articles say it may never happen or might take years. Even if it does, there is NO guarantee of backward compatability. I know I read somewhere there will be winners and losers and usually its the public that loses.

Same thing. Maybe, maybe not. Depends upon the merging agreements and what is or is not honored. But, the upside is, if they didn't honor lifetime subscriptions, there would be many upset subscribers.

R56 uses MOST??? Didn't know that. If thats true, do not hold your breath. It all depends upon how proprietary BMW has made it. BMW may have made it that they want nobody messing with the electronics. P-cars use MOST and nobody messes with the fiber optics, no XM, no Sirius receivers and ppl who have tried to add aftermarket HUs ended up with $10K of unreinbursed damage. Why? Because they want you to buy OEM and I would hope BMW did not go that route but who knows.

If your doing RF modulation you can still do RF modulation in ANY car. If you can get it to work in an aux port, then yes, you will be no longer be doing RF modulation but have a better signal if the R56 radios allow you to use it. Regardless, you can still use your unit in ANY car using RF modulation.

 

Backward compatability is not an issue. The same satellites are still broadcasting even under a new company. There is nothing to prevent old radios from working short of the company's desire. All they do is send a signal to ping your radio to activate it so it can recieve channels. Same satellite, same technology, just a different company.