John Albert <j.albert[at]snet.net> wrote in message news:<3EE5EB03.61337871[at]snet.net>...
> Hello all -
>
> I see that XM Radio offers a USB-based hookup into computers:
> <http://xmradio.com/xmpcr>
>
> But... it seems to require software to operate, and -- of course -- they only
> offer a Windoze version of the necessary software.
>
> XM offers a "home" kit to get the signal from their "SKYFi" receiver into a
> home stereo, but it is "analog only", with the only outputs standard RCA-type
> connectors. I _assume_ that the "computer kit" offered above -- being USB
> based -- is sending an actual "digital" signal directly to the computer (i.e.,
> without any "digital-to-analog" conversion).
>
> Has anyone found a way to get the XM signal into the Mac _digitally_, without conversion?
>
> Thanks,
> - John

The xmpcr does not send digital music to the pc through the usb cable.
You have to use the stereo analog output. The usb connection is used
to communicate with and control the xmpcr module.

Kevin

Kevin wrote:
<< The xmpcr does not send digital music to the pc through the usb cable.
You have to use the stereo analog output. The usb connection is used to
communicate with and control the xmpcr module>>

So -- even with the "xmpcr" the actual input signal -- even to a Windowz PC
-- is still only "analog audio"?

In that case, there would currently be _no_ option available to "port" a
"direct digital" signal output into a Mac (or a PC). One could do just as
well on the Mac by buying the "home audio" option (i.e., stereo) and
running that into an analog input, or into a minidisc recorder.

My "goal" was to get XM up and running, then to "export" the signal into my
minidisc recorder -- ending up with MD's of satellite radio broadcasts. I
record Internet streaming audio to minidisc using this procedure:
1. Broadband connection to net
2. 9600 (g4 upgraded) with a PCI/USB card providing a USB audio signal
"out"
3. USB signal into an Onkyo SE-U55 "external USB sound card"
4. Digital output from SE-U55 to digital input of MD recorder
The results are astoundingly good -- better than any FM broadcast, even
when utilizing lower streaming bit rates, such as 64kbps. At 128kbps, it
rivals "CD quality". I didn't say "equals", but rather, "close".

Having said that, I understand that XM (or SIRIUS) signal quality is very
good; I would expect that it surpasses even the highest-quality FM input
signal.

Even without a direct-digital signal, I suspect the finished product would
yield excellent results.

For MD recording with the "home audio kit", I guess the Mac can be
"bypassed": just run the output from the home kit directly into the MD
recorder's analog inputs (or run the output into the analog input of the
Onkyo card, then through the digital outputs into the MD digital input).
Perhaps a simple analog connection would work best in this case, given a
good analog signal to begin with.

Has anyone out there tried recording satellite radio "through" the Mac yet?

Thanks,
- John