Stellar signal, but the last few feet are all that matters
SIRIUS and XM have long used FM-modulators to make the installation process ‘foolproof’ and easy for the average Joe.
While it’s not an issue for satellite-enabled OEM cars, or people with SIRIUS-Connect headunits, the FM-modulator has long been the achilles heel of satellite radio. Sure it’s easy to use and satisfactory for most users, yet there are countless others who experience static, bleed-thru and poor audio quality.
Orbitcast points out that XM plans to do something about it, by piggy-backing on HD Radio to transmit a digital signal from the satellite radio receiver to the car’s radio.
While this will be a great improvement, there’s practically no cars with HD Radios on the market to begin with. In the mean time, factory installations continue to grow each day.
Regardless, any engineering feat that will improve the integrity of the signal and audio quality is noteworthy.
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