Slingbox PRO, Slingbox AV, and Slingbox Tuner get official
By Peter Rojas 
posted Sep 27th 2006 4:34PM
posted Sep 27th 2006 4:34PM
Details about all three of these already leaked out over the past couple of weeks, but Sling Media is formally introducing three new Slingboxes, the Slingbox PRO, the Slingbox AV, and the Slingbox Tuner. All three perform the same basic function -- they let you stream TV from your cable box (digital or analog), satellite receiver, or DVR to a computer or mobile device -- it's just that each is aimed at different segments of the market.
- The Slingbox PRO is their new flagship model, with additional inputs and outputs so you can control up to four audio or video sources (sadly, if you want to use high-def component inputs you need to drop an extra fifty bucks on a dongle they're calling the HD Connect -- there is no option for HDMI). The PRO also supports 16:9 widescreen aspect ratios. Retail price will be $249.99
- The Slingbox AV is aimed at users who have a digital cable set-top box, satellite receiver, or DVR, and don't want or need to control any other A/V sources. The AV also supports 16:9 widescreen aspect ratios and will retail for $179.99.
- The Slingbox Tuner is specifically for people who have analog cable and will retail for $179.99.
The Slingbox PRO from the back.
That's the Slingbox AV on the left and the Slingbox Tuner on the right.
Will the HD Connect work on the Slingbox A/V? Specifically will the Slingbox A/V work with the Tivo S3?
*wants one*
I wondered why a few places had been selling the 1st version @ "deep discounts". Just picked up one. W/o wifi, I don't feel I made a bad choice (as I'd still need the wall ethernet thing).
Can this be the next contest?
Is it just me, but if they made them vaguely attractive, wouldn't they fly off the shelves? They look too geeky. Make it look like a component and regular guys and gals might buy it, along with people who are concerned about the looks of the thing on top of their other black/silver audio visual hardware.
I consider myself to be a bit of a geek and that PRO look is so putting me off. I was waiting to see what they did as the old chocolate bar one was never getting shelf space. Now I may just start looking for alternatives. The pro looks more exspensive than the AV and Tuner that just look cheap.
I don't want to be down on the Slingbox, but I was pondering the original one in Curry's (we just got them in the UK) and it's the stupidest looking thing I have ever seen in my life.
Slingbox:
Now in 3 kinds of Ugly!
Why not make better use of their time and come out with software compatible on a Mac? I know it's in development, but just like Tivo, release the @#%@# software already!
Oh come on, these are WAY better than the first slingbox, with those horrible perforated-looking fonts. Terrible.
Peter, I'm confused. You say that the PRO doesn't support HDMI. What's the port on the far right?
So... Mac support yet? Haven't they been working on that for 2 years? At least they are closer to Tivo who has basically lied throughout their process.
Could be USB, but now you actually look at it...
I mean really, what does this offer that the original slingbox doesn't?
Why even bother with HDTV inputs? Its not like you will stream that quality over the net.
I have the original slingbox, love it. Works great. But these don't really add anything at all.
sockatume, a friend of mine thought the original slingbox was the box it came in because it was just so....unattractive. This one is a huge improvement over the original.
what's the advantage over the old one?
Ya these are completely unnecessary new units (unless they support more than WMV). They should be working on more client software.
Personally, I could give a rat's you know what how it looks given how useful and cool the functionality is. If the look is really a problem, SlingBoxes aren't too big to be hidden behind other equipment.
As for Mac client compatability, see Engadget's recent story on it here:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/15/sling-ceo-sez-mac-client-poised-to-launch/
Also notice the box shot from the recent "Slingbox AV spotted in the wild!" article:
http://www.engadget.com/2006/09/26/slingbox-av-spotted-in-the-wild/"
Check out the 3rd picture with the closeup of the comparison matrix. The 3rd line says "Watch/control from any PC/Mac/laptop". I'd be willing to bet the Mac client goes public shortly or along with the "official" launch of the units.
The benefit of the new units is clearly to price cut for those who only need one tuner or composite input while the Pro offers 4 inputs for more advanced users (composite, S-Video, coax and HD).
blah, still no mac support, not even beta...
the HD port that looks like an HDMI port is for the hd connect cable most likely.... very odd that they shaped it like an HDMI port though... maybe HDMI is supported out of the box but you only need the adapter for analog HD ( ie compontent inputs)?
Why buy any of these?
I understand this is to watch the contents you would watch at home on your TV while you are away.
TV sucks in the first place. Why bother spending money on something that enable the streaming of crappy TV content anyway?
My guess is the HDMI is only for OUTPUT, not input, with HD input only via Component (via the adaptor).
First off, using a slingbox with live Tv, is good, but not ideal. The real magic is using a Tivo, and a Slingbox. You can control your Tivo just like you were at home. Also don't forget that you can stream video to a Wifi enabled Windows PDA or Phone. So if you still think this is retarded after being able to do all of that well then, there is no hope for you.
I agree that the case is ugly as sin, but who the hell cares, the Slingbox is awesome. It doesn't have to suck you in with fancy packaging, unlike some other products.
Don't knock it 'till you tried it. Sling rules......well except for the Mac support.......
I'll be waiting for the iTV as there's a high possiblity that it'll have the basic functions of both Slingbox and EyeTV.
Khoi - Shouldn't you be busy cutting teeth and all!@@$!%%!^
This should clear up the HD confusion, from http://www.slingcommunity.com/article/15265/
"One of the exciting new features on the Slingbox Pro is a high-definition capable input, though it requires a separate accessory to take advantage of it. For $49.99, you can grab a component video dongle that allows you to throw 480p, 720p, and 1080i signals into your Slingbox...
...You cant plug HDMI devices into the HD Input on the Slingbox PRO. It will only work with Slings HD dongle. "
Will the Sling Box Tuner be able to control an external AV Source (i.e. analog Tivo), in addition to analog cable?
The HDMI port is used for its density - it's keyed to not accept a traditional HDMI cable - don't plug yours into it kids...
You can setup and control two video inputs with the AV (I put a security camera without audio on my second input) as they share one audio input. With the PRO, you can control 3 audio/video sources - Two TiVo's, a Media Center PC and the RF tuner for your cable or rabit ears.
Why is Sony so 'laxed about this? They need to get with the program AND bump up their locationfree to compete with the slingbox.
WTF...does everybody REALLY hate the looks of these things!?
Guess I am the only one who really LIKES the designs... :-/
Really amazes me to see that most people would prefer more of the same boring silver/black boxes like most DVD-players and stuff.
But, to be honest, coming from The Netherlands myself, if I look at the interiors I see in American TV-shows, I shouldn't be amazed I guess ;-)
I could NOT live in one of those!
I agree, wish you could get it in other colors beside red.
Holy sh*t these are ugly. If Slingbox could make these look even pedestrian they'd sell. As is, anyone with EYES would be driven away in a sudden and uncontrollable fear of nastiness.
Why are there so many comments about the look of the Slingbox? Who cares what it looks like? If you don't like the look of it, just put it behind your A/V cabinet out of sight. The only part of the Slingbox that you need to remain visible is the IR eye in front of your Tivo.
I think it looks cool. The complaints are probably from people who think everything should have the "amazing design features" of being white and rectangular.
give me this plz.
my friends tell me the slingbox is great, i'd love to have one.
I intend to use it against a Dish Network SD feed for the moment. I will be able to rip up a bunch of fugly extraneous cable that runs downstairs to my livingroom if I get this thing. Which would be simply awesome.
I really would like to talk to the guy who thought that these designs were a good idea. Not only are they unattractive, they also just look pretty cheap. Like many have said, I think this would fly off the shelves if they just made it look a bit more generic. A brushed metalic finish, or heck, even Jet Black. I just can't imagine putting one of these next to my TV. although I did enter the contest to win one heh!
Currently using Comcast 2 HD DVR
Dual-tuner Motorola digital receiver
Why
Does this work with my Tivo or do I have to build a PVR?
I'd connect mine to a new HD TV of course..!
Great Idea just not Mac compatible, yet
I want to play with this and a MCE DVR.
I just did away with the Tivo so I'll be using it with a cable HD DVR with MOXI software from Motorola. I hate the MOXI service... it runs so slow it takes forever to load.
Sadly, a Comcast digital cable box.
That HD connector looks an awful like HDMI
I'm currently using a Gen 2 Tivo. This would sure look purty sittin in top of that...
I'd use it, but probably just in my house.
why not intergrate with USB support and the disign is too bulky.
Dont know much about sling box
This would make my nights working so much more fun.
17" MacBook Pro
Half of you people REALLY do not even get it! The "Origional" slingbox maxed out at 2 Mbps, the new variety max is 8. This is LAN only, but that is where you'd obviously expect the increase given the current state of broadband in the US. Fortunately I have 5 Mbps uplaod, so it has always been awesome for me remotely, I hook up to a projector & watch my DVR in the office at work!!! As far as why the HD port when it does not stream HD, get over it, at least you have full access to HD if that is your setup at home (which is the point of it anyway). These were a quantum leap when they first came out as far as an off the shelf appliance that made it so easy, and now the new series cranks up the speed "quad", *itching idiots!!!
the new hava pro hd IS WAY BETTER tha n the slingbox since it allows for more than one person to log on and enjoy TV, and it is completely wireless and also has double the resolution as the slingbox.
(see)
http://gobloggit.com/?p=23
Forgive my ignorance but can someone answer a question for me? If the slingbox is set up in your home, how difficult would it be to recieve the TV signal in an office away from home on another TV, or if must be computer? If a computer must be used can the signal make it through a company LAN with a firewall that blocks just about everything that says anything about sports? Please help.
quit bitching about the looks, it works killer!!!!! and small enough to just hide behind something, jesus H. Vhrist, I'm sure, oh, and it does rule so who cares what it looks like???
Faslane