(why) do i have to use the sirius home docking station to connect to a satellite ready home theater receiver?

Question

I'm in the process of purchasing both a sirius satellite radio and a satellite ready home theater system. I'm just not sure if i need to also purchase a sirius home docking station to connect the two. Why exactly is it a satellite ready theater receiver if i need a satellite docking station to make it work?

thank you for any info.

Answer 1

"Satellite Ready" receivers generally have the Sirius  receiver built into them- but the rub is that subscriptions to services like that typically enable ONE device to use the service. If you just want to use the receiver, don't bother with the Sirius unit. You're done, stop here. But.... If you need a Sirius rig for your car, you can also take that inside and use it with the receiver- and you'll need the dock to do that. If that's the case, ignore the "Satellite Ready" feature on your receiver, enable the portable unit, and buy the dock.

If you want to fire up both, you won't need the dock- the second subscription is cheaper (as low as about $7.00), but the $15.00 activation fee remains the same, last I looked.

BTW: If you have a partner that might want to listen at home while you are at work or vice-versa, spring for the second subscription. Otherwise, you might get a free, involuntary trial of the "If you really loved me" channel with that new Sirius unit.