Slingbox PRO HD, BlackBerry SlingPlayer hands-ons

We'll be honest, there's really not a ton to say about the Slingbox PRO HD unit we played with -- it was just an empty device shell, absolutely no guts inside. So we kind of have to take it on Sling's word that the 1080i video it's capable of streaming over your network (or internet connection, if you're so lucky) is, in fact, as efficiently hardware-compressed as they claim -- not that we've any reason to believe it won't be. Of course, for many a BlackBerry toting suit and an increasing number of casual RIM users, the new SlingPlayer client is a godsend. While the build we played with wasn't entirely bug-free (scrolling with the Pearl's pearl seemed a bit wonky), the streaming worked pretty well over EDGE on that low res screen, and that's the important part. Check out the hands-on shots below.

Gallery: Slingbox PRO HD, BlackBerry SlingPlayer hands-ons

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[redrumz @ Jan 4th 2008 1:06AM]

where is the hdmi?

[Raymond @ Jan 4th 2008 2:46AM]

My thoughts exactly. I've been trying to standardize my equipment and keeping cables to a minimum by purchasing stuff that uses HDMI all the way and judging from the pictures, this one just won't make my post-christmas list.

[Dahk @ Jan 5th 2008 12:14AM]

Lol Raymond, not sure it's gonna make your PRE-Christmas list either.

[671GD @ Jan 4th 2008 1:08AM]

That was quick!

[JoshG @ Jan 4th 2008 1:11AM]

Still no Sling Catcher?!?

[roulette843 @ Jan 4th 2008 1:23AM]

The streaming worked well over EDGE?
Hmm. Wouldn't it be nice if another EDGE-enabled device (ahem, iPhone) could replicate such results?
I'm sure Sling would love to have Apple's business.

[Trini @ Jan 4th 2008 1:27AM]

Will this Slingbox work with the Blackberry 8320 Curve?

[Big Sam @ Jan 4th 2008 1:43AM]

Any slingbox will once they release the blackberry client

[Cal @ Jan 4th 2008 1:43AM]

wheres the download?!

[David Hildreth @ Jan 4th 2008 1:45AM]

Probably still WMV based so no iphone :(

[blake @ Jan 4th 2008 2:17AM]

H.264 baby

Also, while we weren't able to show Ryan yesterday in the office, we will have a demo at the booth in Vegas showing HD streaming on PROHD hardware in that empty enclosure that Ryan saw.

[Travis (stupid blog free) @ Jan 4th 2008 10:10AM]

Blake, you guys rock! H.264 Sweetness!

I'm gettin' both the PROHD and the Blackberry client the day they come out.

[SHoe @ Jan 4th 2008 12:53PM]

How are they doing h264? What version of the Blackberry OS? I don't believe any current models support h264. Don't know about the new Pearl - maybe that does? All other existing Blackberries with video capability don't include the H264 codec. And you certainly can't do a software implementation of it in Java.

[Me @ Jan 4th 2008 4:41AM]

I am a spammer: [e-mail], [e-mail], [e-mail]

[Babar Abbas @ Jan 4th 2008 6:14AM]

Wow I just noticed that the slingbox pro hd that was just reviewed one post before is in the background
Scweet hd when youre in middle of a meeting, my kind of work day!

[SHoe @ Jan 4th 2008 12:56PM]

"Scweet hd when youre in middle of a meeting, my kind of work day!"

Blackberries have a max of 320 x 240 screen res (Curve, 8800) and the Pearl is only 240 x 260. Good luck on the magic trick of getting 'HD' on your Blackberry.

[Todd @ Jan 4th 2008 7:17AM]

AWESOME!! I just upgraded to a BB Pearl 8130 from Sprint and am looking forward to turning it into a SlingBerry!! :)

[SHopkins @ Jan 4th 2008 9:12AM]

Do people really not understand how HDMI's encryption and DRM work and why it's there? HDMI is designed to carry audio/video from an output device (DVR, DVD/HD/Blu player, PC) to a display with the possibility of an intermediary stop along the way for audio processing (AV Processor or Receiver). It is specifically meant to NOT allow decryption of the signal by any device that may record/copy/mass-distribute the signal stream. That is why there are no HDMI inputs on DVRs and Disc-Recorders and also why you won't see an HDMI input on any SlingBox product for quite awhile (especially not as long as Clip+Sling is around).

[Ohmaar @ Jan 4th 2008 9:58AM]

The HDMI spec itself has nothing to do with encryption or DRM. Technically, it would be just as easy to add an HDMI input to a DVR or Disc-Recorder as it is to add an HDMI input to a HDTV.

The real reason they don't is because of the legal pressure put on the manufacturers by the Motion Picture Association. It's all just plain, old-fashioned thug politics.

[SHopkins @ Jan 4th 2008 10:21AM]

HDCP is part of the HDMI spec, so DRM and Encryption are actually part of the HDMI spec. The MPAA no doubt had some influence on this, but it is there and part of the HDMI spec. To get the advantages of an all-digital signal path you sometimes have to concede some of the freedoms you had in the analog world.

[Frankenstein Black @ Jan 4th 2008 10:39AM]

Well, here I come, with the "S1ing5h0t"! You guys ready for me? Talk to you soon Jen ;^)...

[Peter Vogel @ Jan 4th 2008 1:23PM]

Here's what I don't get -- there's ONE HDMI port, don't you need an IN and an OUT HDMI? How else does this thing sit between my TiVo Series3 HD and my TV?

Peter+

[blarvh @ Jan 4th 2008 3:57PM]

Read the comments before posting? Even the first one??

There are 0 HDMI ports - it can't.

[Dan S @ Jan 4th 2008 3:59PM]

you run component to the sling, while running HDMI at the same time to the TV

[Peter Vogel @ Jan 4th 2008 4:05PM]

@blarvh -- take a look at the pictures, there's clearly an HDMI there. Further, on this page: http://www.slingmedia.com/go/slingbox-pro-connections they show an HDMI port...

[Matt @ Jan 4th 2008 6:27PM]

Peter,

That link shows the Slingbox Pro, not the Slingbox Pro HD.

[donlphi @ Jan 5th 2008 4:29PM]

Everything is still component with the Slingbox. There is no HDMI on any of their products. The Slingbox Pro has an HDMI slot but it really only connects a component adapter with component in and out as well as audio in and out.

I don't see how this is really different than what was available before...

[Arachide @ Jan 4th 2008 6:11PM]

Will this have an ATSC/QAM tuner?

[Matt @ Jan 4th 2008 7:18PM]

That's what I want to know!

[gweempose @ Jan 5th 2008 5:43PM]

"Will this have an ATSC/QAM tuner?"

Yes. According to what I read over at Sling Community, it will indeed.

[fireshoes @ Jan 6th 2008 8:50PM]

Great looking new Slingbox. I'll definitely be upgrading!

[Brad @ Jan 9th 2008 9:12AM]

Can anyone tell me if you'll need the PRO HD in order to sling to the new Blackberry client to be released? Will their client also work with the Tuner, Solo, Pro, etc.?

[brent @ Jan 14th 2008 4:58PM]

Anyone can tell me where to download Blackberry Sling for my blackberry 8830...?