Only works for analog cable, I think.

Actually, I just came across another disadvantage when I tried to fire up my slingbox. The software for Mac OS X is still beta, and while it's functionally fine, every few weeks it "expires" and if you have to download a new version.

Not really something that would normally be worth mentioning, but the topic was fresh in my find from earlier today, and I had to do something while waiting for the new version to download :p

I am on os x so that is good to know.

i LOVE mine. have used it in caribbean, england, seattle, and israel. yes it does stutter in places where the connection is spotty but usually u can find it just great. i love it so much i just bought the mobile version for my phone for those instances i dont need my laptop on the road. its worth every penny.
the inventor should get a nobel. good luck.

Love my Slingbox, but here are my CONS...

Since I am on a CABLE modem, I have found that if I try to use my Slingbox during PEAK times in my apt. building, I should just stick to one channel and MAYBE I will get a good download...I know this a limitation of my internet connection at home.....non-peak times, it's great!

For some damn stupid reason, Windows Media Player always opens and runs whatever file I have in WMP from a earlier session and it RUNS CONTINUALLY!!!!

Even if I close WMP, even if I stop or pause the video or audio file....it always restarts....the only think I can do i MUTE WMP....told sling media support about it a year ago and they considered it a head scratcher...hasn't gone away with subsequent upgrades of software or firmware....(if anyone has a CLUE about this please let me know)....this happens on my laptop AND desktop!

Not so perfect Tivo remote timing...meaning a rewind 5 seconds, usually takes 5 hits on the remote because of lag....

- HF

Hmm my slingbox died. Thats my con. I think the power adapter shorted and killed my box. Aparently, reading online this happened to a few other people. Oh well, its time for an upgrade to the Pro model anyway :)

yes, this is true. You need 2 digital boxes for 2 digital signals (generally speaking; I'm sure someone's got a hack somewhere.)

What kind of quality can you expect to get from Slingbox with 256kbs upload?

I'm thinking not so good. Is this your max speed or average?

I too have a Slingbox and like it, although you really are dependent on the hotel's internet, which most places seems to fluctuate greatly. Sports needs the greatest amount of bandwidth. That, and the remote issues mentioned above regarding skipping commercials are the only big cons I can think of.

First, I absolutely LOVE my Slingbox.

Second, I find that with my setup the commercial skipping is easier if I click on the FFW button three times and as soon as I get the audio cue that the third click went through, I click on the play button. It seems to work just fine for the commercial blocks in the programs I watch. Visually it doesn't look like the right time to stop, but it seems to work for me.

There's much more to be gained than just watching movies you've saved. You can watch your local news; you can add content to your to-do list or dump something you don't want anymore.

One problem I've cleared up is coordinating saved material with my wife. The system we use is that when one of us has watched something (or doesn't want to) then I or she will change the color dot to green (on Tivo, this is Save Until I delete) or whatever. So if I tune in on Slingbox and see something with the green dot, then I can watch it and delete it.

I have a Cable company DVR
 

I have a Cable company DVR. What does that do for the setup? I think someone said that when I am watching it my family will not be to watch tv. Is that correct?

stabile
 

I don't see this as a problem.
first, the latest build stops the expiry,
and, I have been using it for much longer than I can say, and I have not had any problems with crashing, or instability or conflicts.

It runs just fine on my MBP as it does on my t42 and x41.

Other than the $$ out the door, one time, I need no disadvantages. There are usage items to consider though.

Upload speed has been talked about, and when I still only had 256k upload before, it worked quite nicelly. 650k gives me a VERY nice stream from the HD tivo, looks much nicer than the SD tivo stream.

Upload USAGE can be an issue, if you are using VOIP or other upload dependant applications, and someone ELSE is there to use them. If I am streaming in the car for example and sucking up 500kps, the VOIP connectivity seems to suffer.

I think I'll move to a dedicated pipe from comcast, for 1mb upload (deal here in the bay area for 20$ a month for six months) and see what that is like.

Next to tivo, the slingbox is the best consumer product in a few years.

Well actually they can - but you will all be watching the same channel or recorded program. And each of you can change the channel, so a potential dueling remotes situation can occur. I have shown my SO where to yank the plug on the slingbox in case she's annoyed by my channel changing from across the country. :)