Another issue involves bandwidth. Satellite radio does not need as much bandwidth, or data-carrying capacity, since it is primarily audio only. Satellite TV, in contrast, needs huge capacity to carry a video image that changes half a million pixels at 30 frames per second, in addition to the audio stream. That is a bunch of data that can't be compromised by even the slightest obstacle.
What is the North American version of Freeview? The new digital television broadcast system set to replace the old analog TV system in 2009 (unless the date gets pushed back by Congress again) will give you terrestrial off-air television. You already have some stations in the Montreal area.
Another option that was recently released is Sirius Back Seat TV, which delivers live TV from Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network, to the video screens of vehicles equipped with a Sirius Backseat TV receiver. If your fares like those three viewing options, you can sign up now but I suspect there will be additional offerings available at some point in the future.
Best regards,
Richard Lapierre
Q: My OEM CD player has stopped accepting CDs. It pulls them in about halfway, pauses for a few seconds and then spits them out. This happens on purchased CDs and burned CDs. Is this user repairable and, if so, how do I do it?
Jon Hanson
A: There are a couple possibilities that will lead to this type of symptom. First, if the CD were to go in all the way and get rejected after a few seconds, there is a good chance that the laser pickup is defective. Not being able to read a disc leads the unit to assume it has been fed a damaged disk. In the case where the unit only accepts the disk part way before refusing it may indicate a mechanical problem.
In either instance, the unit is clearly at fault since you are using two totally unrelated types of discs. The next question is: "How do I fix it?" Either problem is difficult to deal with if you don't have access to the necessary repair parts, technical information on alignments and calibrations specific to the unit. Cost would be another issue-for instance, if you need to replace the laser pickup assembly, it might cost you over $100 if you could find someone who would sell it to you.
I think you know where I am going with this: It is time to ditch OEM and get an aftermarket unit. You may not know it, but an aftermarket CD player will be a much better choice, even if it costs as little or the same as the repairs to your OEM unit.
Q: I have an ohm question. I need more power. I am currently running three JL Audio W3's off a Precision Power pc2600. It sounds great. The problem is I have three more W3's collecting dust. A local store said I could wire all six to achieve a 4-ohm load. Is this true? I don't trust local dealers. I love the look of the new MTX Elite amps (piano black, chrome MTX in old English). Anyways, can I achieve a 2-ohm load with six W3 dual 6-ohm woofers? Do you guys have an amp suggestion?
Ken Hutchinson
A: If you have six speakers, all with dual 6-ohm voice coils, you have several options. Any way you add it, your circuit will need to be a series/parallel combination.