The first satellite radio tuner to receive SIRIUS Backseat TV, the SCV1 lets subscribers watch "Hannah Montana," while drivers listen to music.
SIRIUS has finally released its answer to in-car DVD players, announcing the launch of its first satellite radio tuner that can receive SIRIUS Backseat TV, a proprietary satellite broadcast of television content over its network.
Users hoping to watch MTV or "Days of Our Lives" will be disappointed, however. The SCV1 only gets three channels of television programming, targeted completely at children: Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and the Cartoon Network. With two separate tuners (one for TV, one for radio), kids in the backseat can watch the newest episode of "Drake and Josh" while dad listens to Martha Stewart's channel in the front seat.
Compatible with most vehicles with an FM radio and rear seat video monitor, the SCV1 still delivers up to 130 channels of SIRIUS sports, talk and music programming. The TV programming is controlled by a simple, seemingly kid-friendly remote control, but we couldn’t get it to work with either of the two models we looked at. Surprisingly enough, neither could any of the Sirius reps. Using the wired controller, it was relatively quick and simple to shuffle through the three channels, and program information appeared on the display just like it did for the radio content. There was a slight lag while the player loaded a new channel, but no more than with a typical satellite radio station.
One problem with the concept of watching SIRIUS Backseat TV in the actual backseat is that most aftermarket and factory headrest LCD monitors have widescreen aspect ratios, while the SIRIUS content is broadcast exclusively in 4:3. This is not too much of a problem with the Cartoon Network, as a cartoon character stretched out a little bit can easily go unnoticed, but it becomes problematic watching live-action shows such as "Drake and Josh" on Nickelodeon and Hannah Montana on Disney. That being said, the product is being marketed towards car owners with children, and it is difficult to imagine a 10-year-old complaining to their parents about aspect ratios.
Fortunately, SIRIUS doesn't seem to be forcing consumers to buy any particular make or model car. The company designed the SCV1 to work in any car with an FM radio and a rear-seat video monitor. The unit comes with a wired controller that operates the audio and video functions, but since it involves poking around in the back of your car's head unit, it will most likely require professional installation for anyone other than a car stereo buff.
Packaged with the SCV1 is a main audio/video tuner, wired display controller, audio and video remote controls, dual magnetic vehicle antennas, remote control eye, audio and audio video cables and an FM antenna interface. For users who have Sirius-Ready head units, they can control the SCV1 without the need for a wired display controller, but may require a special adapter.
SIRIUS says the SCV1 will be available at retailers in fall 2007, and will retail at $300.
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