Slingbox

New By Slingbox

Slingbox Pro 

  • Optional HD input jack but still no option for HDMI.
  • TV/Analog cable tuner.
  • Connects up to four A/V sources, ideal if you have several audio components.
  • A/V device remote control.
  • Supports 16:9 aspect ratio.

Slingbox AV  and Tuner 

  • The AV supports 16:9 aspect ratio and is ideal for those who have a DVR, digital cable box, or satellite.
  • The Tuner is for those with analog cable.
The Slingbox  digitizes the programming from your cable or satellite box and streams it -- in real time -- to a remote PC. All you need is a Windows XP  or Windows 2000  PC, running Sling’s SlingPlayer viewing software with broadband Internet access. The installation is seamless and the video quality is surprisingly good.

The Slingbox unit connects in-line with any TV set, cable box, DVR  or a PC equipped with a television tuner and infrared remote. It has input and outputs for any kind of video and a wired Ethernet jack. You can control power, channels and play/pause on the TV, cable box, or DVR with an IR blaster. The setup is easy with any PC in your home through the Ethernet jack. Any PC with a broadband Internet connection allows you to connect and play whatever signal Slingbox is currently receiving. It's a one-to-one relationship of one player streaming to one remote PC with the proprietary SlingPlayer software installed to playback the content.

Since the Slingbox has no internal Wi-Fi, it must be placed near your wireless router. However to take advantage of its multiple inputs, it needs to be a part of your entertainment center. An ideal setup would be an entertainment center that doubles as your network hub, with your broadband modem and router installed next to your home theater system.

Watching TV in full-screen mode on your notebook screen doesn't live up to the hype surrounding the Slingbox. TV resolutions are much lower than what your display can handle. Even built-in tuners leave you feeling short-changed. The Slingbox also invariably drops some image quality as it streams video over the Internet. If your PC is connected directly to your router, the loss is minimal. Over a wireless connection, however, the downgrade in picture quality is quite dramatic. And via the Internet, it’s no better than the streaming video you’ll get from any Web site.
  • Easy to use and set up with no new cables required.
  • Setup wizard guides you through the setup process.
  • No subscription fees ever!
  • Enjoy your favorite home TV programming wherever there is an Internet connection.
  • SlingRemote  lets you change channels, view recorded content, fast-forward and set up a season pass with virtually any A/V device.
  • Powered by a digital signal processor that leverages the latest WMV technologies.
  • SlingStream network optimization algorithms provide superior video quality.

Pros

  • Catch up on recorded shows or watch live TV.
  • Easy to set up.
  • Good quality over wireless connections.
  • PDA client in the works.

Cons

  • Lackluster support.
  • Software remote not customizable.
  • Can't have multiple streams, only one user at a time.
  • Hi-speed Internet connection required on both ends for average quality TV in a minimized media player window. Image loses significant quality in full screen mode.

External Links

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