Way back in 1999 (if I remember right) was when I’d heard of Worldspace. I was very excited about it, though in 9th class, there is very little that a boy can understand about technology. I’ve always been the guy with a sensitive ear, and a nice interest and taste in music. I was happy I could finally hear some crystal clear audio for free. Yes. Worldspace was free earlier. After persuading parents for quite some time, I was given a green signal to buy it. It was a Hitachi, with normal radio too, priced at Rs4500. So, you know how difficult it is for parents to agree to buying such an expensive thing based just upon my comments about it. And, remember, I didn’t exactly know how it worked. I received the receiver within a few days of ordering it. I was so excited I couldn’t think of anything else. My eager mind then started trying it out. I initially thought the antenna was supposed to be placed inside the house. After trying several times at several angles, I read the manual. (If all else fails, read the manual, right?). I understood that I’d have to place the antenna facing south-east at an angle of 45′. Aah. Something crackled up the speaker. I could now hear crystal clear audio anytime, without commercials, and for free. Radio Voyager was my favorite. This addiction continue until Worldspace converted the service into a pay-to-receive service several years later. I was heart-broken. At that time, I couldn’t afford the service.(Though the subscription rate increased from about Rs1200 to Rs1800 later). I then sold my receiver for Rs4000 on ebay(super sell). Guess what? Few months later, during the so called super deal of worldspace, my father bought a receiver for himself(something that he’s yet to start using, since he has been living in temporarily alloted quarters till recently).
As you know from my previous posts, I recently made it to the US for my Master’s. I quickly learned about the presence of XM and Sirius satellite radio, from seeing deals of receivers on deals2buy.com . Excited as usual, I checked out their websites, but was disappointed to learn they started at $12.95. For a person just from India, $12= Rs480. That was too much per month. During the deal, my room-mate had bought one receiver for himself. Thanks to him, and me losing some of the rate conversion practices, I made the move to ‘test’ the XM service.
Its been about 20 days that I’ve started the subscription. I absolutely love it. There is just no other word for it. The greatest part of XM vs Worldspace is the receiver/antenna bundle. I’m using the Samsung Nexus receiver, and its so tiny and it takes up so little space. Its also got a remote, something that my bulky Hitachi receiver didn’t have. The antenna too, is atleast a fourth of the size of the OEM antenna I got with the Hitachi.
One noticeable ability of the XM receiver over the Worldspace is the reception. Even with such a bulky antenna, and a bulky receiver, one would expect excellent reception. But, it usually took the most precise placement of the antenna to receive a signal without interrupts. The receiver used to show full signal, but the radio signal cut at odd times, often without much reason that I could figure. Note that this happened with both the outdoor Yagi antenna, and the OEM antenna. With the samsung receiver, it took very few minutes and effort to place the antenna. It was so easy. Just place it so it faces South sky, and no matter how badly placed, if it points south, it works. No signal interruption whatsover. And this, with a tiny antenna, and a tiny receiver. (If one argues that a bigger receiver has better functionality/ reception over the tiny one).
I must say I’m quite impressed with XM. You’ve earned a customer for the long term.
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