We were told that Sling Media was getting ready to
ship the Slingbox PRO-HD, and looky here -- one just showed up, looking just slightly less imposing than in the press photos. The $300 box isn't a huge departure from previous Sling gear apart from the inclusion of component and coax digital audio inputs and outputs, but combined with the just-released Windows SlingPlayer 2.0 software, it's the first Slingbox that can stream HD video. Setup with our TiVo HD was painless, and after some quick configuration we were watching pretty nice-looking 1080i video on our desktop, complete with the
new ability to pause and rewind up to 60 minutes back. We did notice that the audio and video had some sync problems -- and when we tried connecting the older Mac SlingPlayer client the video looked great for SD but the audio sync issues made it almost unwatchable. Given how rock-solid our other Slingboxes have been, we're certain Sling will sort this out eventually, but it's something to keep in mind before you drop three bills right off the bat.
Apart from that, there's only so much left to say about the Sling experience that's particularly new: the integrated program guide is extremely nice and much appreciated but not earth-shattering, and the new Sling Accounts single-sign-on system is handy but probably should have been implemented from the start. We're not harshing the product, mind you, it's just that the Sling system is so solid at this point (or will be, if the audio issues are resolved soon) that there's simply not much to say -- if you're in the market and have the cash, this is the box to buy. We'll save the detailed blowout for the
SlingCatcher -- we'll be honest, we're dying to get our hands on that thing.
posted Sep 25th 2008 12:01AM
"We did notice that the audio and video had some sync problems..."
I believe that's what we call a "deal breaker." Especially for a device who's only purpose is to, well, stream audio and video.
Weak.
You could always rip off the face-plate and use it as a sieve or a cheese grater.
That's right. Now you can grate that cheese or strain that pasta in HD.
Well, actually it streams audio and video.
Who said, its going to be synchronous?
The lack of an updated mac client is a deal breaker for me, and I already own a Slingbox Pro. I have no interest in purchasing more slingbox hardware if its basically a "vista only" I'm also amazed they never bothered to release a Linux client or at least some assistance to OSS developers.
I would like to have the higher quality video, but I need the Mac Client.
only 300 bills
So when can i sling to my iPhone...haha. This looks really bad ass. Just one question...will this still play HD on my laptop? I dont think my lappy is HD ready.
You don't think your laptop is HD ready!? How old is it?
If it has a resolution of higher than 1024x768, it's technically "HD ready." And if it's higher than 1280x720, it's non-ghetto HD ready. I think you're probably fine.
You mean 1920x1280, which his laptop is almost certainly not.
Displaying HD-rez images is one thing. Having the juice to decode HD H.264 is another. (granted, anything
@ UnixSystemsEngineer
Nope,
HD 720i/p = 1280 x 720
HD 1080i/p = 1920 x 1080
And as for vertical pixels, his laptop should be fine.
But as Charlie said, it's not just a matter of screen resolution; it's also to do with his CPU and his graphics card.
So correct me if I'm wrong, but the "HD connectivity" of the new Slingbox Pro HD is the same as an old Slingbox Pro with the HD Connect Cable, right? The new HD model just simplifies the process by getting rid of the HD Connect Cable. I guess I'm just trying to tell myself that there's no reason to upgrade.
No. The Slingbox PRO only streams 640x480, even when fed HD. It is down-sampled before encoding. The Slingbox PRO-HD can stream 720p or 1080i as-is.
its not the first slingbox to sling in HD...I have the first slingbox pro and i sling in 1080i from my dvr
No, this is the first Slingbox to stream HD. The Slingbox PRO and Slingbox SOLO, while they accept HD input, only stream up to 640x480. HD input is first down-sampled before encoding.
When will slingbox release an iphone version or anything that isnt windows mobile for that matter.
Anything that isn't Windows Mobile - like the Palm OS, Symbian S60, and Symbian UIQ clients that are out there now?
What kind of bandwidth does this thing require? I tried the non-HD version and my DSL wasn't up to the task. I'd imagine HD needs an even bigger pipe.
Minimum for SD streaming is 256Kbps, minimum for HD is 1.5Mbps.
I feel your pain. I got a slingbox set up with my parents in PA so I wouldn't have to miss any Steelers games out here in AZ. Unfortunately, the picture quality was terrible (not the fault of the Slingbox) and my DSL (thru Qwest, supposedly 1.5 Mbps downstream) often stuttered along while trying to watch anything. It was quite disappointing. I could see making better use of it in the future when I have a solid cable internet hookup (not available in the apartment complex I current live in) and would definitely be interested in the HD when that happens.
Are you guys in Chicago, or are those screenshots from SlingMedia? I was gonna mention how you local ABC's HD graphics look like mine here in Chicago, then I saw the FOX Chicago bug. Is there a place locally to go and play with a SlingBox? Abt maybe?
-Brian
did you notice in the pic of the channel guide, the networks' logos were all off... the abc channel had the HBO logo next to it, etc...
Yeah, I'm in Chicago, as is Mobile ed Chris Ziegler -- good catch!
Isn't slingbox supposed to start coming in Dish network boxes? When?
Probably next year.
Uh? No HDMI?
The lack of HDMI is unfortunate, but unavoidable due to HDCP. Sling Media is not to blame.
It's 2008 and they're still using the mpeg-2 video codec when things like VP7 by ON2 exist. Their product would be 10x better with a modern day codec. Their current SD products a pretty bad IMO, I need 1Mb to get decent SD video in 320x240, that's just pathetic.
So I'll pass on streaming MPEG-2 HD anywhere...
]
If your not familiar with the quality of video that can be achieved with even as little as 384Kbit with today's modern codecs take a look at the link below. Then you'll realize just how inefficient/wasteful Sling's products are... Sling can barely display high quality 320x240 video at 1Mbit. (And this 1/2 SD video quality) Look what a modern codec can do with 1Mb or less... ON2's codec can do 320x240 in excellent quality /w only 280kbit. Then look lower on the page for HD video samples. Also realize these samples are not on their latest video codec VP8, it's two versions back on VP6 and VP7.
VP6 (last generation video codec)
http://www.on2.com/index.php?566
VP7 latest codec from ON2
http://www.hantro.com/index.php?616
Wake up Sling....
Sorry, I should have said SD Slingboxes (older) use MPEG-2. Newer ones use an old version of VC1. Brain fart on my part.
Guess I stand corrected if this is true... the new Pro will use the H.264 codec /w the latest client.
http://www.slingcommunity.com/blog/entry/30050/SlingPlayer-2.0-Symbian-UIQ-PRO-HD-Catcher-Pre-Orders-and-more.../?page=2#79407
However mobile users are still stuck (VC1) WM.
The Pro HD also is the first Slingbox with an ATSC tuner.
With QAM.
I am a newbie for Sling.
What UPSTREAM bandwidth is required to use Slingbox? SD versus HD?
If my wife is watching a show on the TV at home, can I watch something else via Slingbox in a hotel room in another state?
I wish that digital cable terminal and personal video recorder providers would incorporate streaming servers into their product and eliminate the need for all of this additional equipment. Considering the sophistication of current DCTs and PVRs, I doubt this would be difficult. The fact that it has not been done yet leads me to believe it's due to pressure from the television networks and cable or satellite providers.
The DVRs I've always used, seem to have the minimal amount of memory/cpu power to barely do what they do now. Adding a streaming element to them would only tax them further. Also it would be a less-important add-on feature that they wouldn't likely put a lot of effort into. With more Mutli-Room DVRs coming out, having a PC Client becomes more feasible, if they can get past the Hacking phobias.
I personally think a company like Sling would produce better software (disappointing 2.0 software aside).