Questions for Blake Krikorian of Sling Media?
By Peter Rojas 
posted July 11th 2005 4:51AM
posted July 11th 2005 4:51AM
We're going to be sitting down for an interview later this week with Blake Krikorian, the co-founder and CEO of Sling Media (the company that makes the Slingbox), and we figured we'd do it open mic style and find out what questions you'd like us to ask him. Post them up in the comments below and we'll try and ask him as many as we have time for.
How does the Slingbox handle itself when "placeshifting" a signal and a power failure occurs? On both the Slingbox and the PC end?
Are they worried about the MPAA and RIAA? If not, why?
Will you be bringing this piece of kit out in the UK market anytime soon?
Please ask the following:
1) When will a Windows Mobile and Palm version come out?
2) When will the ability to save or download video to the client be available?
Two questions, will this be coming to the UK anytime soon? Will this be getting a Mac compatible version anytime soon? Thanks, Conrad
Where is the OS X version?
Pure godsend! Thanks for inventing it! I now live abroad and most of the shows that I like simply aren't avaiable abroad. My question is the future legality of such - Who do you think is going to go after place-shifting? What current legal hurdles will you have to fight? (I read a basic article about this already, but it still seems a bit murky.) I realize this wasn't your intention when you were inventing this, but as I see it, I'm still part of their household (yeah... rationalization).
Another question (rather stupid), but does the IR turn off the machine when I turn off the Slingbox connection? (I had my brother-in-law install it and have yet to even see the product.) Is there also a way to know of someone else is watching the TV while I fiddle with the Internet connected version? (I try to be polite about my usage and not interfere with their watching - luckily I'm plenty of timezones ahead, but still.)
Also, where's a place to recommend some minor button additions? I'd like to see a programmable jump (30-second or 60-second) on Tivo because fast-forwarding is a pain when there's a slight Internet lag.
Awesome product. Thanks for making the world bigger and smaller at the same time.
T.
Just to echo a question by PJP, it seems that something along these lines could be made to be OS-agnostic. If it is, GREAT! If not, why not?
Just to echo a question by PJP, it seems that something along these lines could be made to be OS-agnostic. If it is, GREAT! If not, why not?
Will you release an API to the remote control feature, if not the video also?
Two questions. Can one Slingbox stream to multiple desktops? If yes with can each desktop select a different channel to stream? If not when will that feature be available? This feature would make it very attractive in corp networks.
When can we expect the Mac OS X version?
Does the current box (or future editions) work in Europe to watch US TV?
Does the current box (or future editions) work in the US to watch European TV?
Thanks
Dirk
Will there ever be an OS X version?
I love the TV place shifting functionality, but services like Orb allow me to also placeshift images, jpegs and music from my home network.
1. Will slingbox ever allow me to broadcast other media off a network drive (images, video, music)? If so, will it support DRM.
2. When will I be able to stream to a windows mobile phone or a treo?
3. Any plans to allow for playback through a browser (so I don't have to install a client on every machine that I want to use to access my media)?
Yes, it's been asked already, but we need to show the demand is there -
1. When will it be available in, or to, the UK?
2. When will OS X version of the software be available?
MAC OSX Version?
PALM Version?
Any plans for box to box, pc-less streaming?
Simply this: what do you have in store for version 2? SlingMedia is bound to keep innovating.
When will it be updated to support HD, both in format (ATSC, QAM, etc) and connectors (at least component, preferably Firewire, DVI or the like?)
Slingbox was featured on HGTV's "I want that" last night:
http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/shows_hiwt/episode/0,2496,HGTV_21356_38973,00.html
will there be a release of windows mobile software for use with slingbox?
When will you add more remote control functionality? It currently does not properly work with the Scientific Atlanta 8300HD because some buttons are not supported via the IR emitters (in particular, A, B, C buttons).
As I understand it, the Slingbox must have a wired connection to the home network. If this is true, are there plans to support a wireless network connection soon?
For Michael,
If it is installed correctly (that is, if you picked the Scientific Atlanta 8300 when you set up your SlingBox), the A,B,C buttons are available. If you click on the Remote button, then the Misc label, you will see the buttons.
HTH.
Will there ever be a version that will stream video to a PSP?
OS X support? Will the SlingBox ever support firewire input from DVR boxes? Seems that would be easiest way to bring support to Macs - combining some sort of version of the AVCBrowser and that Sling Media magic.
Will you be providing support for the 10 different IR code sets that a DirecTV with Tivo user can use to independently control up to ten Tivos? (most common use of this is in a room with two Tivos, not ten obviously but gives one the ability to prevent the inadvertent changing of two Tivos simultaneously)
Will you be providing support for the Sony SAT-T60 DirecTV with Tivo IR code set?
Will you ever allow users to use one Sling Box with multiple input devices (scenario: user responsible for obtaining their own AV switch but Sling Box would support sending IR codes to command that device as well as the input devices, allowing one to switch between different video input sources, such as multiple Tivo inputs, DVD, VCR, etc.)? This would be great for me since I've got 12 Tivos (I wouldn't want to 'sling' em all but four or five would be nice.)
How much bandwidth should we have to be able to view the Slingbox media. Are we going to need a dedicated T1 line?
Who came up with the form factor and have you fired them yet?
Is there a Nintendo DS version of the slingstream software in the works. Seeing as the DS has Wi-Fi and a touchscreen for creating a virtual remote it might make sense.
Is there any chance that we'll be able to view it in other applications? For instance, making software that creates a virtual WDM tv tuner so that I could view it in any media portal software.
I think that'd be pretty nify.
Is there ever going to be support or a box for HD quality content?
What is the experience using their application, running on Virtual PC on a mac? Waiting for an OSX version of the desktop application.
What video codecs are on the board for the SlingBox? Real-time H264 encoding?
What did the decision to use the Windows Media format over an open standard involve? With digital video codec standards like H.264, doesn't it seem a shame to enslave your product to a proprietary technology?
The SlingBox looks like a cool device and its much cheaper than Sony's offering. (Albeit no LCD, but that's what my laptops for :)
Anyway, can the SlingBox's IR transmitter control more than one device? Example: Satellite Receiver, DVD Jukebox, TV etc...
When will the Mac version of SlingPlayer be ready?
How about a hard (or slightly soft) date on a Mac OS X release?
why is it so damn ugly? why should i spend so much money on something i have to hide out of sight since it looks like an ingot of scrap metal with some horribly designed text painted on it.
How important are retailer and OEM relationships to SlingBox? By watching TiVo progress through retailing and assorted OEM partnerships over the years, what lessons can SlingBox learn? Is it possible for a ground-breaking technology to find acceptance in the US without Best Buy distributorship and the Sony stamp of approval?
Yes, Id like to take a bunch of these connect them to DVD players and charge to rend dvd's over the internet.
Does he endorse this use? is there any legal reson for us not to do this?
Could you provide us with an ETA for the Slingbox PAL ?
Jeez, this is some serious feedback. Thanks. Doors close at end of day Thursday. Interview Friday, should run Monday ...
What type of parameters do you have for evalauting joint ventures for value-added services that utilize the slingbox? (ie. service providers that do not sell devices to retail public)
Very very interested in the Sling Box my question because living in Paris do you intend to adapt the sling box ( works only with NSTC ) with the PAL or SECAM resolution ?
Anyway TV sets in Europe are also with NSTC and do you intend to sell your products in Europe ?
When will you have a SlingBox Media version for the Linux OS supporting Windows Media?
When's Sling Media going public?
Was ON2's VP6 or VP7 codec considered for this product? Because technically speaking, I think it is superior to WM9, etc in a number of ways...