Anyone using a SlingBox?
Dec 20, 10, 5:14 pm
#91
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Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
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Originally Posted by RichMSN
I've just received a new SlingBox ProHD as an early Christmas present from my wife. Mainly so I could use the new iPad app. The picture it sends is stunning in comparison to my old SlingBox.
Dec 20, 10, 5:20 pm
#92
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Okanagan, BC (usually YLW)
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I've had one for years and love it for traveling, I'm actually thinking about upgrading because the ipad app needs a newer version of the hardware than I have. That being said, I quite often watch pvr shows on my iphone in the hotel and surf on my ipad. I find that tradeoff better than watching on the ipad and surfing on the iphone 
Dec 20, 10, 5:28 pm
#93
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Originally Posted by tlvancouver
I've had one for years and love it for traveling, I'm actually thinking about upgrading because the ipad app needs a newer version of the hardware than I have. That being said, I quite often watch pvr shows on my iphone in the hotel and surf on my ipad. I find that tradeoff better than watching on the ipad and surfing on the iphone
http://www.slingbox.com/go/upgrade
Dec 20, 10, 8:12 pm
#94
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
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:-)
yes, the new ipad app is very nice, and the new iphone app has stepped up the quality for an HD stream from a ProHD nicely too. With at least 700kps upstream, you CAN get the HD stream out of the LAN to a mobile device. I need more bandwidth though.
yes, the new ipad app is very nice, and the new iphone app has stepped up the quality for an HD stream from a ProHD nicely too. With at least 700kps upstream, you CAN get the HD stream out of the LAN to a mobile device. I need more bandwidth though.
Dec 21, 10, 9:16 am
#95
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Hoosier in Dubai
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Originally Posted by wco81
Wifi at some hotels is so poor, it kills your enthusiasm for products like this.
I was disappointed in the quality at hotel wifi and other hotspots.
Dec 21, 10, 11:21 am
#96
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Anwhere ex-MAN
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Posts: 2,706
Originally Posted by wco81
Wifi at some hotels is so poor, it kills your enthusiasm for products like this.
It's not the wifi/wired that's the issue - so many people are now sucking up the bits and the hotels haven't upgraded their pipes to accommodate.
Dec 21, 10, 11:37 am
#97
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Join Date: Oct 2004
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That's why while Sling has some appeal, I would also be interested in ways to transfer DVR recordings for offline viewing before leaving on a trip.
Not sure if I'm typical but I have almost half my DVR filled with stuff I haven't gotten around to watching yet. It would be great to take some of that content on a trip, in case you have some down time and you can catch up on some of it.
I played around with Zumocast app. for iPad, which lets you stream from computer or transcode and transfer content to iPad for viewing offline, which lets you for instance watch on a flight.
Of course, most DVRs encrypt the recordings and won't allow third-party products to decrypt them. Direct TV is suppose to be working on something called Nomad, which would either just stream or allow transfer to mobile devices. But knowing them, they may charge an upfront fee as well as monthly fee.
People can get torrents of TV shows or just rip DVDs for offline viewing so the business model of Sling and other similar products is somewhat doubtful.
Not sure if I'm typical but I have almost half my DVR filled with stuff I haven't gotten around to watching yet. It would be great to take some of that content on a trip, in case you have some down time and you can catch up on some of it.
I played around with Zumocast app. for iPad, which lets you stream from computer or transcode and transfer content to iPad for viewing offline, which lets you for instance watch on a flight.
Of course, most DVRs encrypt the recordings and won't allow third-party products to decrypt them. Direct TV is suppose to be working on something called Nomad, which would either just stream or allow transfer to mobile devices. But knowing them, they may charge an upfront fee as well as monthly fee.
People can get torrents of TV shows or just rip DVDs for offline viewing so the business model of Sling and other similar products is somewhat doubtful.
Dec 21, 10, 12:14 pm
#98
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 220
Mixed bag
I was recently "forced" to upgrade my Slingbox because I wanted iPad support. They pulled a planned obsolescence maneuver with the iPad app and it required an hardware upgrade even though my Pro with the HD dongle was fine.
I bit the bullet and did it to get iPad support, then I find out they simultaneously pulled the rug out from underneath MacOS users and the current Mac client does not support the newer ProHD device. Yes, you can use the website, but I prefer a full client.
Their support is virtually non-existent, and pathetic when accessible. Not to mention the fact that they pulled the SlingCatcher, which was a GREAT device.
So, overall, I would call myself a relatively unsatisfied customer at the moment, but unfortunately, there really is not a viable alternative that delivers like they do about 50% of the time.
Just my opinion...
-Rob
I bit the bullet and did it to get iPad support, then I find out they simultaneously pulled the rug out from underneath MacOS users and the current Mac client does not support the newer ProHD device. Yes, you can use the website, but I prefer a full client.
Their support is virtually non-existent, and pathetic when accessible. Not to mention the fact that they pulled the SlingCatcher, which was a GREAT device.
So, overall, I would call myself a relatively unsatisfied customer at the moment, but unfortunately, there really is not a viable alternative that delivers like they do about 50% of the time.
Just my opinion...
-Rob
Dec 21, 10, 3:42 pm
#99
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Join Date: Dec 1999
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Originally Posted by robroy90
I was recently "forced" to upgrade my Slingbox because I wanted iPad support. They pulled a planned obsolescence maneuver with the iPad app and it required an hardware upgrade even though my Pro with the HD dongle was fine.
I bit the bullet and did it to get iPad support, then I find out they simultaneously pulled the rug out from underneath MacOS users and the current Mac client does not support the newer ProHD device. Yes, you can use the website, but I prefer a full client.
Their support is virtually non-existent, and pathetic when accessible. Not to mention the fact that they pulled the SlingCatcher, which was a GREAT device.
So, overall, I would call myself a relatively unsatisfied customer at the moment, but unfortunately, there really is not a viable alternative that delivers like they do about 50% of the time.
Just my opinion...
-Rob
I bit the bullet and did it to get iPad support, then I find out they simultaneously pulled the rug out from underneath MacOS users and the current Mac client does not support the newer ProHD device. Yes, you can use the website, but I prefer a full client.
Their support is virtually non-existent, and pathetic when accessible. Not to mention the fact that they pulled the SlingCatcher, which was a GREAT device.
So, overall, I would call myself a relatively unsatisfied customer at the moment, but unfortunately, there really is not a viable alternative that delivers like they do about 50% of the time.
Just my opinion...
-Rob
Wait, I just connected with mine using the Mac client. I had to go into my Sling Account and get the Slingbox ID and then enter it into the Slingbox Info screen (Slingbox --> Get Info), but then it worked perfectly.
Check it out.
Dec 21, 10, 3:55 pm
#100
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
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Yeah, the mac client works FINE WITH ALL SLINGBOXES, but it doesn't do ACTUAL HD streaming to the mac client, just 640x480. On a LAN it still can't be beat, but on the WAN one could actually get HD support out.
In order to actuall see the HD stream in "HD" one needs to use the browser client, which in my opinion works just fine.
So, no OFFICIAL ProHD support of HD streaming, but it works just fine
In order to actuall see the HD stream in "HD" one needs to use the browser client, which in my opinion works just fine.
So, no OFFICIAL ProHD support of HD streaming, but it works just fine
Dec 22, 10, 4:52 pm
#101
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: London
Programs: BA silver, VS, Jet, Carlson gold, Amex Plat
Posts: 612
Originally Posted by Pat89339
Slingcatcher is no longer made. You can probably find one on ebay. I remember reading something about it a few months ago in the Tech forum and how the prices were incredibly high on ebay. Link here. I have one and wondered why the prices skyrocketed but no one elaborated on the issue.
John Lewis are currently selling them for 179.99, and Amazon.co.uk have them for around 170.
Dec 22, 10, 5:01 pm
#102
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Okanagan, BC (usually YLW)
Programs: WS Platinum 18K so far this year
Posts: 418
Office depot in Canada have Slingcatchers for $229 Cdn
http://www.officedepot.ca/a/products...cher/#firstTab
http://www.officedepot.ca/a/products...cher/#firstTab
Last edited by tlvancouver; Dec 22, 10 at 5:01 pm Reason: clarification
Dec 23, 10, 3:09 pm
#104
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Join Date: Dec 1999
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Originally Posted by UALOneKPlus
My slingbox stopped working mysteriously outside of my house one day (I have two), and I have never been able to resolve it. Beware.
Dec 23, 10, 3:57 pm
#105
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
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Posts: 6,757
Originally Posted by UALOneKPlus
My slingbox stopped working mysteriously outside of my house one day (I have two), and I have never been able to resolve it. Beware.
Also, the default port of 5001 is often blocked at offices, hotels, etc. I use 443 for all my SB's, haven't had a problem in over five years that way.
There IS a way to see if it is calling out btw
