SlingCatcher gets unboxed, our hearts beat ever faster

After seemingly endless delays, it looks like the SlingCatcher is finally making its way into the world, as evidenced by this grainy unboxing at the SlingCommunity forums. Sure, it looks exactly the same as the prepro boxes we've toyed with, but we won't lie -- we've been waiting for this box with breathless anticipation ever since it was announced at CES 2007, and combined with the recent launch of the Sling 2.0 software, the Slingbox PRO-HD, and the seemingly-imminent launch of the Sling.com video portal, Sling's ending the year strong. Click on for a few more pics, and don't worry -- we'll be blowing this thing out as soon as we get our hands on one.

[Thanks, Christopher]

[Adam @ Oct 7th 2008 1:12AM]

Well if its anything like my Sling Box Solo it should be amazing.

I just love how fast and non laggy the software is. Nothing short than amazing.

[Dave @ Oct 7th 2008 1:48AM]

I wouldn't go so far as to call the 2.0 software "non laggy" as when compared to the original SlingPlayer software it's full of hitches. I've actually gone ahead and disabled the hour long buffer to try and get it to run like the old software...and I'm having this same problem on three different newer high end computer systems. I'm just hoping that they get all the wrinkles ironed out after they get done running around trying to release their new stuff before too many years go by and people forget who the heck they are. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate SlingMedia, I love them, but they themselves have set the bar so high with past products that I'd hate to see them slipping even a little bit. I truly consider SlingMedia with their SlingBox one of the best and put them right up there with TurtleBeach (thanks to the AudioTron - RIP) and MusicMatch (RIP - Yahoo bites). Let's hope the Sling sale doesn't go the way of MusicMatch and get destroyed by a bigger player with ideas and direction that don't stack up to the original creators.

[RyanTV @ Oct 7th 2008 1:45AM]

If sling can get off their asses and get me a client for iPhone, then I'm in 100%

[Frankenstein Black @ Oct 7th 2008 2:04AM]

Apple is "Cock Blocking" Sling for iPhone...

[Luke D @ Oct 7th 2008 2:14AM]

How about this: http://www.tuaw.com/2007/10/03/eyetv-2-5-offers-free-slingbox-style-video-streaming/

As long as you point the iPhone's Safari browser to a standard .mp4 video file (or any other video files the iPhone understands) the iPhone can stream said file over wifi or cellular.

[Dave Zatz @ Oct 7th 2008 8:35AM]

Luke, streaming a static file is a different sort of animal from streaming a live video feed. And that's pretty much LAN only unless you're up for punching holes in your home firewall.

[Davey @ Oct 7th 2008 10:26AM]

They are working on it.

http://www.slingcommunity.com/blog/entry/30050/SlingPlayer-2.0-Symbian-UIQ-PRO-HD-Catcher-Pre-Orders-and-more.../?page=3#80084

[Cal @ Oct 7th 2008 1:48AM]

Just realized theres no sling 2.0 for Mac. frowny face

[Greg @ Oct 7th 2008 1:51AM]

Does this thing have wireless built in? I saw on BestBuy.com that it "Projects video wirelessly from a PC to your TV". Is that true? I don't see anywhere in the tech specs that talks about WiFi...

[LTM @ Oct 7th 2008 5:53AM]

My understanding is a wireless adapter is on the way for the slingcatcher as an option. I think it's like $50.00. I'm hoping that same wireless adapter works for the slingbox as well, because the internet though the electric sockets in my opinion is less than optimal, even if it does work.

[HalfJoey @ Oct 7th 2008 2:31AM]

I almost forgot about this. A year ago i wanted one so bad. Adding Netflix Instant Watch would be great.

[yode @ Oct 7th 2008 2:46AM]

IN THE LICH KINGS NAME

[Shakapooi @ Oct 7th 2008 9:18AM]

The BestBuy on 5th Ave in NYC has had them for several days now, along with the Slingbox HD.

[nick @ Oct 7th 2008 11:02AM]

Strange how my PS3 has been doing this for quite some time along with also playing Blu-Ray movies and games. I still don't see a need for this device when you could do so much more with other devices.

[Abbey @ Oct 7th 2008 11:51AM]

Nothing strange about that. The PS3 rawks!!!!!!!!

[samirss @ Oct 9th 2008 7:57AM]

Ok, so i am dumb.
But I cannot see how your PS3 is able to "sling"(aka project) media playing on your computer onto your TV. Esp. protected content like itunes or unbox movies. I was thinking of using this device as such. But i could be wrong. Also can you please post how ur able to do this with just a PS3?

[JSM @ Oct 7th 2008 1:31PM]

samirss, are you saying this thing can take protected video from your pc and output it, unprotected, so that your TV can play it??? because it you are, I'm suddenly quite interested. However, the downranked op has a point, if this is just effectively a upnp client with tv outputs, the ps3 can do that too.

Frankly I'd be shocked if it could do the former - unless it's SD quality only.

[jtronforce @ Oct 7th 2008 8:16PM]

@JSM
We'll find out soon - the "SlingProjector" software is set to drop very soon. That's the software that makes all the magic happen on the PC side.

[DK @ Oct 10th 2008 3:22AM]

man, i realized there is no MKV support, atleast not yet... thats a big neg point for me, Popcorn Hour it is for me i guess...unless they can update the video containers that it can support...