A vehicle information system for passenger vehicles, such as automobiles
and aircraft, and methods for manufacturing and using same. The vehicle
information system includes a universal antenna system and a universal
receiver system for receiving viewing content provided by diverse content
sources during travel, including international travel. The universal
antenna and receiver system provide selected viewing content for
distribution throughout the vehicle information system and presentation
via one or more passenger interfaces. As the vehicle approaches the
coverage region of a selected content source, the vehicle information
system automatically reconfigures the universal antenna and receiver
system to receive viewing content from the content source without
requiring manual adjustment to, or replacement of, the universal antenna
system and/or the universal receiver system. Passengers traveling aboard
the vehicle thereby can continuously enjoy the viewing content during
travel with limited interruption in service and without unwanted travel
delays.