Hi-def audio service

[garitd]

I have no idea where to post this question but..

I'm looking for a service out there that will grant me access to hi-def music. (CD quality or better) Something like Rhapsody but better. Something that either streams to a device that i connect to a stereo system or that just downloads to the computer to listen locally.

Hoping something like this exists.

My next dream would be a service that would do HD movie content streamed to a computer or device. That would be rad!

Please let me know if you guys know of anything.
Thanks tons.
G

[Shinigami-Sama]

VLC?

windows streaming server?

theres web scripts out there as well

[CWR03]

I'm looking for a service out there that will grant me access to hi-def music. (CD quality or better)
Either XM or Sirius should fit your needs - you can get all XM channels for free with AOL (which is now free if you have broadband), which plays at CD-quality on your PC. With a subscription to Sirius, you can also listen to those channels streamed to your PC.

[garitd]

I've listened to sirius radio on an early device and it sounded awful! more compressed than any of my mp3's. Is it not like that anymore?

[CWR03]

I have a Sirius radio in my car, which doesn't have the audio quality of a CD, but I believe it's the device itself and not the service. It's much better streamed on my PC. I've heard XM devices that have a better sound quality than my Sirius device.

[garitd]

cool thanks. So how much do you pay for the computer streamed stuff? And which is better XM or Sirius?

[CWR03]

XM has more channels of what I like (classical). There is a wider variety of genres on Sirius.

Computer streaming is included with the Sirius subscription (which is $14 US per month). You can get some XM channels streamed for free with Winamp, or all of them included with AOL (which is now free).

[foxyshadis]

XM and Sirius are both AAC-HE with a few higher bitrate AAC-LC stations. To me most sound about as good or bad as a cassette tape, without the hiss, and a bit worse (but more reliable) than FM. It really depends on how demanding you are, it sounds a lot better in a car than in your living room.

I'm not a big streaming fan, I just turn on online radio now and then, so the only ones I know of are Rhapsody and iTunes. (And perhaps services like Mangatune if you're into indie music.)

[garitd]

Yeah so far all I see on Aol's XM is a bitrate from 64 to 90.. puke! This is awful! Foxy what online radio do you listen to that doesn't sound awful?

[foxyshadis]

sky.fm has high-quality with a premium subscription (and its sister electronic site di.fm, synthpop 4eva). Icecast.org has a directory of a bunch of small stations, some of which are high bitrate. Don't know of many others, most are horribly low bitrate.