HD Radio replacement for XM????

My initial 3 months of free XM is going to expire next month, and I refuse to pay for something that is freely available over the air waves, i.e. music!

I know the auto manufacturers probably receive some hefty kick-backs from XM (especially with subscription price they charge the consumer), so there's probably no incentive for the manufacturers to offer HD Radio as an alternative to the subscription based XM, but what about aftermarket?

Is there a universal plug-n-play module that can replace the factory XM module on the OEM radio?

I'd love to have the capability of tuning in HD Radio for free because in about 27 days, XM in my Prius will become added vehicle weight and nothing more...

Anything out there that will work with OEM equipment?

 

I'm sure they do, but with XM being offered in just about every vehicle sold today, you'd think the interface would be universal to cut costs and ensure compatibility with every brand radio offered in vehicles that include XM. And if it is a universal interface, you'd think someone would come up with a way to integrate an HD Radio Receiver to utilize that interface, and thus offer OE type control through the factory radio without the need for additional interfaces...

I looked at this, but I'm a bit skeptical of how well it would work and what the sound quality would be like.

Best Buy sells a portable HD Radio for $50, but it doesn't have a USB Interface and the antenna is incorporated into the headphones, so it's not a viable option either. Would be nice if iPod had incorporated HD Radio into the Nano instead of just FM. I know Zune has HD, but I don't know if it works through the USB Port, if so, that may be an option because it would play MP3 and HD Radio...

Anyone try a Zune using the USB Interface in the Prius?

 

I thought I read somewhere the XM Module was mounted under the front seat on the 2010 Prius... Not sure though. If so, then a HD Module that would just raplace the XM Module would be perfect, and would probably be a great seller being as there are no strings attached (i.e. a subscription).

I just want some thing that's easy to install and would interface with the OE System, in my case the Nav System. If there was a unit that plugged in the OE HU or utilized the USB Port I'd be happy, as long as it didn't cost an arm and a leg!

 

I thought I read somewhere the XM Module was mounted under the front seat on the 2010 Prius... Not sure though. If so, then a HD Module that would just raplace the XM Module would be perfect, and would probably be a great seller being as there are no strings attached (i.e. a subscription).

I just want some thing that's easy to install and would interface with the OE System, in my case the Nav System. If there was a unit that plugged in the OE HU or utilized the USB Port I'd be happy, as long as it didn't cost an arm and a leg!

 

I agree, and it seems like you have to purchase about three different parts to make it work, and end up with more than what I actually need. HD Radio, iPod Interface Module and vehicle specific harness... Total costs ends up over $200.00 and I don't need a second iPod Interface, already have one (although this one may actually work better). will be doing more research...

Thanks for all the inputs!

 

Story of my life! I looked on Crutchfield's site, plugged in the info on my Prius, and it came up with a list of every HD Radio component they had, and all said "Not Compatible"!

I wish I was an electrical Engineer and understood this crap, because it sure seems like it wouldn't be too hard to make an interface that would be compatible with a standard vehicle USB Port and have it connect to a portable HD Radio unit that didn't require the headphones be plugged in to receive a signal!

UPDATE: I may be in luck! Because I have the in dash Nav, it has the SAT Button and doen not hav XM printed on the HU. I looked under the seat, and there is a box mounted under there, so maybe that's the XM receiver and I may be in luck!

 

Is that picture upside down? I just looked at mine and it's identical, except the small module is under the larger one. All the connectors appear to be identical as well. I did not see any indication that it was Pioneer, but then I did not remove it either.

So, which module is the XM Receiver, large or small? What is the other Module? Is the other for the iPod Interface? Could a compatible HD Radio Receiver be plugged into the empty socket? Hmmm...

I know Pioneer makes a HD Radio Receiver that works with their HUs, I wonder if they would be a direct replacement for this unit, or maybe plug into this unit to provide additional functions?

 

Oops... Computer burped and double posted!

 

So, does the PAC-Audio Module plug into this unit, or into the back of the HU? If it plugs in here, I may attempt this on my own! Not to keen in tearing into the dash though...

 

I have a guy who can do the installation, I'll have to have him do some research and see what it will entail and what the cost will be. The PAC-Audio Interface looks like it will connect two accessiries, so I wonder if the XM will continue to work. I don't plan on renewing the subscription, but eventually the car will get sold and the next owner may want XM. I just want the ability to add HD Radio and get some decent quality stations for free. Seems to be plenty available in the metro Atlanta area...