Cable TV parallel ... Canadian streams, new chipsets and radios, hierarchical modulation ...
If what I'm understanding from other posters is correct, Sirius will make five Canadian streams available to all US subscribers in December (e.g., a couple of weeks from now?).
The additional streams will be available to U.S. subscribers in 2006, but we'll need new chipsets/radios to pick them up. (Am I correct?)
I also saw a post about a new technology called hierarchical modulation which will reportedly make it possible for Sirius to offer additional streams to those with the appropriate equipment.
All this suggests to me the thought that perhaps satellite radio could wind up being like cable TV, with a basic service and an expanded service not unlike that offered to digital cable subscribers.
Any thoughts, anyone?
*****
See the following post for more about hierarchical modulation
http://www.siriusbackstage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=23845
SIRIUS to Increase Programming Capacity Over Its Existing Satellite Radio System
Monday , June 13, 2005 08:01 ET
NEW YORK, June 13, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ --SIRIUS Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) today announced that it has developed a new, advanced proprietary technology that will initially increase the company's total network capacity by approximately 25% within its existing digital transmission system. The technology, known in the industry as hierarchical modulation, will allow SIRIUS to offer additional audio channels, as well as advanced services such as data and video, without affecting the quality of its broadcasts.
"Our new modulation technology will use a very innovative approach to increase the number of bits we transmit through our satellite and terrestrial repeater networks, enabling us to increase the effective use of our currently licensed spectrum to add additional programming for the benefit of our subscribers," said Jim Meyer, SIRIUS President, Sales and Operations. "Sirius will continue to deliver uncompromised sound quality, and with this new technology we will retain the flexibility to expand our broadcasts even further in the future."
<snip>
The new modulation technology will not impact the customer experience of existing SIRIUS radios sold or currently on the market. Future SIRIUS radios will be outfitted with the new technology, making it possible for them to receive the additional services planned.
If what I'm understanding from other posters is correct, Sirius will make five Canadian streams available to all US subscribers in December (e.g., a couple of weeks from now?).
The additional streams will be available to U.S. subscribers in 2006, but we'll need new chipsets/radios to pick them up. (Am I correct?)
I also saw a post about a new technology called hierarchical modulation which will reportedly make it possible for Sirius to offer additional streams to those with the appropriate equipment.
All this suggests to me the thought that perhaps satellite radio could wind up being like cable TV, with a basic service and an expanded service not unlike that offered to digital cable subscribers.
Any thoughts, anyone?
*****
See the following post for more about hierarchical modulation
http://www.siriusbackstage.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=23845
SIRIUS to Increase Programming Capacity Over Its Existing Satellite Radio System
Monday , June 13, 2005 08:01 ET
NEW YORK, June 13, 2005 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ --SIRIUS Satellite Radio (Nasdaq: SIRI) today announced that it has developed a new, advanced proprietary technology that will initially increase the company's total network capacity by approximately 25% within its existing digital transmission system. The technology, known in the industry as hierarchical modulation, will allow SIRIUS to offer additional audio channels, as well as advanced services such as data and video, without affecting the quality of its broadcasts.
"Our new modulation technology will use a very innovative approach to increase the number of bits we transmit through our satellite and terrestrial repeater networks, enabling us to increase the effective use of our currently licensed spectrum to add additional programming for the benefit of our subscribers," said Jim Meyer, SIRIUS President, Sales and Operations. "Sirius will continue to deliver uncompromised sound quality, and with this new technology we will retain the flexibility to expand our broadcasts even further in the future."
<snip>
The new modulation technology will not impact the customer experience of existing SIRIUS radios sold or currently on the market. Future SIRIUS radios will be outfitted with the new technology, making it possible for them to receive the additional services planned.