The retail version of Sirius Backseat TV, complete with its oversized remote, is now shipping from select Sirius retailers.

The Sirius Backseat TV system is compatible with most aftermarket or factory-installed video monitors, and uses an integrated FM transmitter or AUX output to provide audio. The multi-zone operation allows your kids to watch Spongebob in the back, while you enjoy Sirius Satellite Radio in the front.

Sirius Backseat TV SCV1 sells for a suggested retail price of $299.99. Look for it at your favorite Sirius reseller.

Directed Electronics has just shipped its next-gen Sirius home tuner that adds second-zone capability, integration with multiroom-audio systems, video outputs to display metadata on a TV and recording capability.

The SR-H1000 Sirius tuner has a retail price of $349.99 and with the addition of the optional SiriusConnect Home Tuner (SCH1 - about $49), the SR-H1000 can turn into a dual audio stream/zone tuner  - meaning that it's capable of receiving two different Sirius programs at one time.

Polk's SR-H1000 also features an Instant Replay feature which stores up to 44 minutes of audio for playback later.

Want to display channel, artist and song title metadata on your TV? Sure, just plug in the composite (RCA) video output. An Optical digital output allows the unit to be directly connected to audio components with digital inputs for lossless, pure performance. Stereo analog RCA-type outputs allow the SR-H1000 tuner to connect to any stereo receiver or amplifier. A built-in Digital to Analog Converter ensures that even analog connections have superior sound quality.

What's in the box: The SR-H1000 comes complete with rack mount ears for easy installation into equipment racks, RCA audio cables, Fiber Optic digital audio cable, remote control, and antenna.

Look for this sweet Sirius tuner at your favorite Sirius-dealer.

Onkyo has debuted several new tuners today at a press event, including four tuners that support both Sirius and XM, and two new tuners that combined Sirius, XM and HD Radio capabilities in one.

The Onkyo T-4555P combines Sirius, XM and HD Radio in one for only $499. Gizmodo (who also happens to have a photo of the sexy little thing) says the T-4555P is scheduled to ship "soon" which sources tell us is much earlier than "later."

Meanwhile Engadget brings to light the Onkyo TX-SR575, TX-SR705, TX-SR805, and TX-SR875 tuners that all support Sirius and XM, as well as the top-of-the-line TX-NR905 which packs the Sirius/XM/HD Radio combo. Pricing ranges between $899 and $2099.

[Gizmodo and Engadget via Sirius Uplink]

If you're the owner of a newer GM vehicle, you could very well have a GMLAN equipped system. If that's the case, then the GM SiriusConnect SIRGM1 adapter to convert your headunit to receive Sirius (instead of XM) won't work for you.

Enter the SiriusConnect GML-SC1 GM-LAN Vehicles. It allows for control and playback of Sirius through the GM-LAN headunit and connects to the new line of SiriusConnect tuners like the SC-C1 Universal Vehicle Tuner, and the SC-VDOC1 Universal Vehicle Dock.

It's compatible with many 2006+ GM-LAN vehicles, in both 11-bit or 29-bit versions, and maintains all factory accessories.

Available in Spring 2007. 

The SC-C1 SiriusConnect Vehicle Tuner is a compact component that can seamlessy integrate with any Sirius-Ready or SAT Radio Ready headunit when combined with a specialty SiriusConnect interface bus translator.

Features include:

• Compact size for hidden installation
• Interface cable integrates power, audio and control through a single connection
• Compatible with the next generation of SiriusConnect interface translators

The SC-C1 Kit includes:

• A mini magnetic antenna
• SiriusConnect interface cable
• Removable mounting plate

Like the SiriusConnect Universal Vehicle Dock, this is all part of Sirius' next-generation SiriusConnect setup for vehicles.

The SiriusConnect Universal Vehicle Tuner SC-C1 with go for an MSRP price of $49.95 and is expected to be available in Spring 2007.

Monster is breaking into the home automation market with a suite of products called Einstein, set to soft-launch at CES 2007 (full launch expected in March).

Einstein is not a whole system, but rather a series of components - allowing for a scalable home automation setup. But this isn't about Einstein (you can read about that here and here).

Nope, this is about one of the Einstein components, the Astro (pictured).

The Astro is a three-zone Sirius Satellite Radio tuner. Three-zone as in three different separate channels in three different rooms. Three-zone tuners don't come cheap apparently - the Astro will run you $1,500 (preliminary pricing).

The Monster Einstein is a Linux-based system that supports 1gb over Ethernet, as well as 802.11g/n, Z-Wave and BlueTooth wireless protocols. Whether or not this is how the Astro is able to handle three-zones without three separate subscriptions, via Sirius Internet Radio, is unknown but that would be my assumption. The Astro is fully functional as a stand-alone device.

[CRN]
Thanks Brad!

CNET reviewed the first Sirius-branded dedicated home satellite radio receiver - the Sirius SR-H550 - and gave it a "Good" rating of a 6.9 out of 10. And while they liked the easy-to-read display, they didn't have some very nice things to say about the sound quality, and didn't like the lack of a rewind buffer.

Right now there's not too many User Opinions listed for this Sirius receiver, soooo maybe you should head on over there and let them know how you feel?

[CNET]

The Sirus Starbase, unveiled today at CES, is a new digital control unit that allows any vehicle radio to connect with Sirius Satellite Radio.

Starbase makes it possible for consumers who do not have a satellite-ready radio in their vehicles to connect to Sirius when the unit is combined with Sirius' new trunk mounted satellite radio receiver, SiriusConnect - and an antenna.

The slim unit allows mounting in single din slots of vehicles, or with Velcro to the car dashboard. It also includes a built-in FM modulator that can connect the unit wirelessly to an existing radio over as many as 100 available channels.

Starbase is now available at retail locations at an MSRP of $169.95 (Now even cheaper - click to see the lowest price on the Sirius Starbase anywhere!).

Click to see a big photo of the Starbase.