XM Mini-Tuner Info & Updates (formally XM Passport)
The XM Passport has officially been renamed to the XM Mini-Tuner, according to an XM source. The new name does a better job of describing what the product is, and prevents confusion with other products on the market. As previously reported the XM Mini-Tuner is shipping this month, and will be broadly available in September. Price is set at $29.99 MSRP for the XM Mini-Tuner cartridge, with the home docking station for an additional $29.99 MSRP.The Mini-Tuner delivers XM's signal to all XM-Ready products - with a backwards compatabilty to products that accept the first-gen XM Connect-and-Play antenna. The cable "end" of the XM Mini-Tuner is identical to the "end" of the XM Connect and Play antenna, so the port for plugging is the exactly same. So all Connect-and-Play products will support the Mini-Tuner, and vice versa. Smart.
One of the big benefits of the Mini-Tuner it's ability to be integrated into common household consumer electronics. Of some of the upcoming products that can use the XM Mini-Tuner: the Polk Audio I-Sonic home entertainment system and Sony's Blu-Ray DVD player.
Comments
I have a pioneer XM ready car stereo, with the XM tuner. If I wanted to switch to this device, how would I connect it?
Posted by: man_rob![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.orbitcast.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 3, 2006 09:03 AM
You can't. Until Pioneer embraces this new technology - which they may not, considering the other features that also come from their XM tuner box - you're stuck using your Pioneer XM tuner box.
At this point in time, there are no (at least to my knowledge) car receivers that make use of the XM Mini-tuner. At CES, there was one on display similar to the old XM Commander, but it was connected to the same home cradle that would be needed by a connect-and-play device.
Also, Audiovox showed a whole bunch of Passport/Mini-tuner enabled devices, including boomboxes and clock radios with built-in slots for the mini-tuner, no home dock needed. When they'll be available is anyone's guess, though.
Posted by: MikeV![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.orbitcast.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 3, 2006 10:01 AM
I really don't think satellite radio is going to start taking off until both companies have a lot of CHEAP radios on the market - along with an easier way to set up the antenna for the car.
When anyone can buy a $19.99 satellite radio and plop on a wireless and removeable magnetic antenna to their car roof, THEN you'll see people lining up for it.
Radio shouldn't be intimidating for the average person.
Enough with these little gadgets and doodads.
Make it easy.
Posted by: johnnygriswold![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.orbitcast.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 3, 2006 10:50 AM
Hey Ryan - I think you mean "formerly", not "formally". :-)
Posted by: waterwagen![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.orbitcast.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 3, 2006 12:05 PM
According to Sony you can connect the mini-tuner to any "XM Ready" device, to include car stereos using this set-up.
Plug the docking station into the XM connection on your XM Direct universal tuner box (which is often mounted in your trunk).
Insert the XM Mini-Tuner into the docking station.
Activate your XM service.
-End-
It seems you still need a universal tuner and a car cradle for the passport, but this way allows for the sub to be moved around. Might be worth the change from a pioneer specific tuner to a universal one if you want to save in the long run or use one sub for multiple areas.
Here is the address to see a picture of the install.
http://www.learningcenter.sony.us/Portable/PortableAudio/Research1/DemystifyingSatelliteRadio
Posted by: History Guy![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.orbitcast.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 3, 2006 12:15 PM
ugh. I stink at spelling.
Posted by: Ryan Saghir![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.orbitcast.com/nav-commenters.gif)
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August 3, 2006 12:22 PM