Q. I own a '04 Infiniti I35. I have been thinking of upgrading the stereo with Sirius Satellite Radio. I read in the user's manual that the stereo is satellite ready if I bought the proper equipment. I went ahead and bought a Sirius (model #SC-C1) Connect-Vehicle Tuner. It's a sat antenna that connects directly to my car stereo. Will this work for my car's model? Do I need any more parts? If it is installed will there be any interference from my AM/FM antenna? I look forward to your response.
Thank you for your time,
Michael Dellaccio
A. The Sirius SC-C1 is a universal download processor (UDLP) that is the core receiver for Sirius signals. The output of the module should connect either directly with a matching multi-pin connector, or through a Sirius Interface Translator. I can't confirm the compatibility, since the chart referred to on sirius.com isn't currently available. In your place, I'd first look at the back of the Infiniti radio to see if there's a matching connector. If so, I'd risk plugging it in to see if it works. I feel pretty safe about this, since the chance of an engineer designing the same plug into two different, conflicting applications is pretty low.
Audio compatibility isn't the concern, since the SC-C1 will output standard analog audio at 1-volt of signal level-it's the control protocols that need a "driver" to convert between the varied buttons found on the front of different head units and any satellite UDLP.
If the connector doesn't match, then visit a local car audio specialist that sells Sirius and see if they have a Sirius Interface Translator. I think they can be persuaded to allow you to plug it in to your already unmounted radio to see if it works before you buy it. Within these two options, I suspect you will have a 95 percent chance of hitting the jackpot.
If not, we have alternatives. On the Sirius webpage it states, "This Sirius Connect Vehicle Tuner is a compact component that can integrate with any Sirius-ready, SAT radio ready head unit, select OEM head units and other compatible controllers when combined with specialty Sirius Connect interface buss translators" (bold emphasis is mine). This means that if the '04 Infiniti isn't on the "blessed" list of compatible radios, you can still use another controller to allow you to command your UDLP. All you should need is the interface buss translator, which isn't shown on the website at this time.
If you have choices between the types of hookup methods available, keep in mind that the easier the hookup, the lower the sound quality. For instance, the easiest hookup for a sat radio is via "FM Modulation." Essentially, you're turning your UDLP into a small radio station that transmits on a particular FM radio frequency, such as 89.7 MHz. When you tune your FM radio to 89.7, you hear the Sirius signal, providing there's no other station using that same frequency. If so, you just need to change the transmit frequency of the Sirius modulator.