XM Radio Hacked by Car Computer Hobbyists 189
An anonymous reader writes "There is an article over at News.com that talks about a small Florida company called Hybrid Mobile Solutions, that hacked XM Radio. They created a cable and software that makes the new XM Commander and XM Direct units work just like an XMPCR. They are in negotiations with TimeTrax to allow recording of XM Radio to MP3's. XMPCR was canned due to this late last month."
TimeTrax... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:XMPCR? (Score:5, Informative)
Check this [xmradio.com] out.
Re:XMPCR? (Score:5, Informative)
Re:XMPCR? (Score:3, Informative)
Basically, XM canned this because people were recording the stream and distributing it over the web. Since XM is a premium service, they didn't want their shows being disseminated over the web so they have cancelled this product and will most likely create something new that is less easy to record from, although I'm sure it won't be impossible for the 1337 hackers out there.
XMPCR is another way of saying (Score:5, Informative)
the XMPCR is a little box that allows you to listen to XM radio on your pc/mac/sun (mac/sun supported by 3rd party apps). it's a little box that has an audio out which you simply plug in to your mic or line-in. it's controlled via usb (the unit internally has a usb->serial adapter which happens to be well supported by *bsd, linux, etc).
the protocol that goes over the usb cable (used to change channels, etc) was reverse engineered, and people started making all sorts of applications to play with them. timetrax is one that allows you to record the music, as well as automatically add the title, artist, etc info to the ripped song
Re:It's all been done before...(not a complete dup (Score:4, Informative)
The other stories you linked to are regarding the xmpcr which is no longer available.
This story is about an interface hack that allows you to use XM radio units originally intended for use in a car on your computer.
Re:XMPCR? (Score:3, Informative)
I'm using an opera browser and it goes to the correct page. I just checked with IE and the results is like what you said.
Here [216.239.39.104] is a chached version for IE users.
Re:TimeTrax... (Score:1, Informative)
Re:XMPCR is another way of saying (Score:5, Informative)
Some Facts (Score:5, Informative)
The new replacement: XmDirect Tuner Interface Cable. From the manufacturer:
With this cable and our software you will once again be able listen to XM satellite radio in your home or in your car using the included Hybrid eXeM interface along with the xmDirect...The SDK is available for developers that want to continue using xm radio within their applications.
The email address to request the SDK (by the way, serious points for offering AND publicizing the SDK) is sdk at hybrid-mobile dot com.
A cool picture: This picture [timetraxtech.com] shows the adapter plugged into what looks like the butt of a Dell laptop.
What is going to happen: Someone is going to get the crap sued out of them.
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Re:TimeTrax... (Score:2, Informative)
Re:XMPCR? (Score:5, Informative)
Of course, we are just speaking hypothetically.
For a little more info (and a photo), check out the XMFan Store [xmfanstore.com]. They are now very difficult (or expensive) to find. Personally, I don't know that I could be talked into selling mine!
Re:What is XM Radio? (Score:2, Informative)
they are mostly commercial free.
Re:Some Facts (Score:4, Informative)
- It's not been conclusively proven that the recording features of TimeTrax hastened the demise of the XM-PCR unit. In fact, IIRC, XM Radio hasn't even admitted that they've discontinued it. Many feel the PCR was on its way out regardless (which was part of why many sites were selling at steep discounts in the month or two prior to its disappearance).
- This unit is basically just a pinout converter, maybe with level adjustment and such. The software must use the XM Direct protocol, which is different from the XM PCR protocl and has not yet been published (by anyone, even those who created this system).
- Another system (at xmfan.com) includes a USB adaptor and a microcontroller-based protocol converter, that accepts the existing XM PCR commands and converts them to XM Direct. That system works with all existing software except the stock software distributed with XM PCR.
What is going to happen: Someone is going to get the crap sued out of them.Why? They've done nothing wrong. In fact, they've done exactly what Terk/Blitzsafe is doing -- provided an interface between the XM Direct tuner module and a head unit. Only in this case the head unit is a PC, not a car radio.
Re:XMPCR? (Score:4, Informative)
I suspect they will. It's called the MPAA v Betamax decision; it states you have a legal right to make recordings for the purpose of 'time shifting'.
Re:XMPCR? (Score:3, Informative)
Definitions:
Obtained by derivation; derived; not radical, original, or fundamental; originating, deduced, or formed from something else; secondary; as, a derivative conveyance; a derivative word.
A derivative work, based for example on a XM radio broadcast, would be if you were to take the content of that broadcast and use it to make your own production or broadcast. Creating derivative works is similar to covering a previously recorded song, or sampling a song to use in your song (see Rap).
A MP3 != a derivative work.
Re:Ah... the good old days (Score:2, Informative)
The chips that go into digital radio contain logic that has been synthesized from behavioral models. No one, not even the architect of the chip, ever sees a gate-level schematic or logic diagram.
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Not the first... (Score:5, Informative)
This "solution" is pretty much just a cable, and this groups software which does the translation. If you want something that works with all the existing software out there now, what you really want is the DirectPCR [xmfanstore.com] brought to you by Ryan and the XMFan people [xmfan.com]. The DirectPCR is more expensive, because it's actually got a microprocessor that reverse translates the standard "A5 5A" serial commands into XM Direct format (which is then dutifully translated back by the XM Direct).
The DirectPCR is the best solution if you really want something with the power and cool factor of the now-defunct XMPCR (no I don't have any business relationship, I'm just an XMFan regular and have been following developments). As for "hack factor" at least three separate people or groups have separately done the XMDirect protocol translation. If you have the right equipment, it's probably about an afternoon's work - just hook up two serial monitors side by side and dump away. So there isn't that much hack cred to speak of in this. Furthermore, if you're comfortable with a soldering iron, you can trivially build an XMPCR-compatible unit out of a SkyFi with a DB9 header, a MAX232, and an optical adapter board.
Re:XMPCR? (Score:2, Informative)
Its slightly better (only slightly) better than FM radio.
Yes, I do have a receiver, thanks.
XM streams over the computer via XM (Score:1, Informative)
Re:Hackers? (Score:4, Informative)
This is just a serial protocol translator, one of at least 3 or 4 separate implementations that have popped up in the last 3 or 4 weeks - a modest reverse engineering of the XMDirect's headunit protocol, translating (probably 1:1) serial commands to the internal tuner (tincan) serial format.
Re:digital audio out? (Score:2, Informative)
you can buy the kit for the PCR
as either a toslink
http://www.myradiostore.us/parts-accesso
or coaxial
http://www.myradiostore.us/parts-accesso
the SkyFi doesn't have as much space so there were a couple guys that were doing the mods, but didn't offer a kit.
Uh, GNUnilink / XMRadio? (Score:3, Informative)
(Unilink is Sony's protocol that allows decks to control disc changers and a limited number of other devices like TV tuners, mobile VHS VCR, DSP modules and so forth).
Re:More info and some questions (Score:2, Informative)