General HU questions

[liquidnoize]

1) I already have the "XM commander" which includes the XM receiver. If I buy an "XM-ready" stereo, will I need to buy addtional equipment to use XM? or can I use my current XM receiver?

2) If the new stereo advertises that it is "XM-ready" and it also has one "Aux Input", does the XM receiver use that Aux input? or is the XM connection a separate connection?

Sorry for the noob questions....Thanks -Mike

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[KaeZoo 10+ year member]

1. You can use your current XM tuner, but you may have to purchase a special cable to hook it up to your new head unit.

2. Some (like Sony) use the aux input for the XM, some don't. Check the owner's manual.

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

I can tell you on a pioneer unit that if it is XM-ready it will display it as an XM tuner. If it is NOT xm-ready it will display it as an EXT source.

What is an XM commander?? What brand is it??

 

[KaeZoo 10+ year member]

An XM Commander uses the new type universal XM tuner with an FM modulator and display/controller box.

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

An XM Commander uses the new type universal XM tuner with an FM modulator and display/controller box.

If I'm not mistaken can't you use an FM modulated XM tuner with any system. You won't be able to control the commander from your head unit but you can use with any system even with a factory system.

 

[liquidnoize]

I can tell you on a pioneer unit that if it is XM-ready it will display it as an XM tuner. If it is NOT xm-ready it will display it as an EXT source.
What is an XM commander?? What brand is it??

http://www.xmradio.com/commander/

Thanks. So on the XM-Ready Pioneer (such as this one), do you have to buy the "Pioneer" XM receiver? And does the external XM receiver use the Aux input or does it have it's own input?

I've narrowed it to the Pioneer or the Alpine CDA-9851, but it doesn't look like the Alpine has an Aux input. Thanks!

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

http://www.xmradio.com/commander/Thanks. So on the XM-Ready Pioneer (such as this one), do you have to buy the "Pioneer" XM receiver? And does the external XM receiver use the Aux input or does it have it's own input?

I've narrowed it to the Pioneer or the Alpine CDA-9851, but it doesn't look like the Alpine has an Aux input. Thanks!

If you want xm running through your deck and use the deck's remote to change channels you have to buy that mfg's xm tuner. But if you're using an XM commander like the one you linked you don't have to change to any deck, your OEM radio will work fine.

If a radio is "XM- READY" that means it has an input intended just for that. On my Pioneer I just hook it up via IP-Bus cable and the deck automatically recognizes it as an XM tuner. On my older Pioneer deck that was NOT XM ready it recognized the tuner as an external source but still displayed it like an XM ready deck would. Thats why I go with Pioneer because the IP-Bus system is the bomb.//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[KaeZoo 10+ year member]

Here's the deal: The XM Commander is made by Terk. Terk also makes a universal XM tuner, which is designed to be controlled by any brand of XM-ready head unit. All you have to do is purchase the adapter cable for the head unit you own.

The XM Commander is just Terk's universal XM tuner with an FM modulator and controller added. That means if you get the adapting cable for your head unit, you can use the tuner and get rid of the FM modulator and Commander control box.

To use the XM tuner with a Pioneer XM-ready head unit, you need a Terk model XMDPIO110 adapter kit. This will let you hook your current XM tuner to the Pioneer P-bus input and control it directly through the head unit.

Same thing with the Alpine except that the adapter kit model is XMDALP100.

 

[liquidnoize]

Sweet! Thanks guys.

Oh, btw, adam.....I currently have the XM commander connected directly to (no FM modulator) my OEM stereo. It works fine but I want a new HU mostly for the SAT/MP3/WMA capability in one box, but wasn't going to buy it if I had to buy a new XM receiver.

Then I can get rid of the XM controller and have my sunglass tray back.......//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/cool.gif.3bcaf8f141236c00f8044d07150e34f7.gif

 

[adam71 5,000+ posts]

Here's the deal: The XM Commander is made by Terk. Terk also makes a universal XM tuner, which is designed to be controlled by any brand of XM-ready head unit. All you have to do is purchase the adapter cable for the head unit you own.
The XM Commander is just Terk's universal XM tuner with an FM modulator and controller added. That means if you get the adapting cable for your head unit, you can use the tuner and get rid of the FM modulator and Commander control box.

To use the XM tuner with a Pioneer XM-ready head unit, you need a Terk model XMDPIO110 adapter kit. This will let you hook your current XM tuner to the Pioneer P-bus input and control it directly through the head unit.

Same thing with the Alpine except that the adapter kit model is XMDALP100.

Thanx for the info man...I had no idea there was a universal xm tuner.