SlingCatcher now officially for sale

It's been over a year and half since Sling first announced the SlingCatcher, but the mythical streamer is finally, finally here -- it's now officially for sale on Sling's site and at other major retailers. You already know most of the details about the $299 box -- Slingbox playback, SlingProjector computer streaming, extensive codec support including XviD, eventual Sling.com content delivery -- so we'll just let you hit the order page, but rest assured we'll be tearing this thing apart when our test unit arrives.

[Alex @ Oct 9th 2008 12:34AM]

Pardon my ignorance on this one, but...

Can someone explain to me WHY the Slingbox has to be that big?

Am I correct in saying they just transfer video to the internet, which can then be viewed via software? Can't you accomplish the same thing less elegantly with a little TV-tuner on one end? I don't get why they have to be so huge for what they do unless there's something here I'm clearly missing.

[yanks86 @ Oct 9th 2008 12:44AM]

I don't think they are that big. Also, that picture is the slingcatcher which is different.

However, to answer your question, there are a lot of reason. One, those little tiny tv tuners you are talking about are usually the USB ones. They little usb generally don't have hardware encoding. It lets the computer do that. The Slingbox needs to have a processor to handle that. It also needs a larger amount of memory to store the file info before sending it over the internet. It also usually has more input than just the standard coax that a normal usb tv tuner has. Component, and composite take up more space physically. It also needs it own network card to connect to the internet. It also needs to have its own power supply whereas the tv tuner uses the computers power supply. In other words, the Slingbox is not just a tv tuner, and an entirely self contained computer.

[EtherGnat @ Oct 9th 2008 12:51AM]

It's not that big. The SlingCatcher is 11.4 x 4.3 x 9.1 inches, and some of the Slingboxes are much smaller. The SlingBox AV for example is 1.5 x 3.5 x 6.5 inches, for example.

This SlingCatcher is kind of the opposite of a SlingBox, in that it receives video from other SlingBoxes and Internet sources and displays them on your TV. You're right that you could use a computer for the same purpose, but it would be even bigger and clunkier and more difficult to integrate with cable boxes etc..

My issues with the SlingCatcher is price. I could probably put together a basic HTPC for about the same price, which would have much better functionality.

[rumblestrut @ Oct 9th 2008 12:45AM]

I got tired of waiting on SlingMedia's delays on the SlingCatcher and bought an Apple TV instead.

I can't help but think that pushing back the release date repeatedly turned off some buyers.

[davey @ Oct 9th 2008 12:54AM]

That's exactly what I did. I installed xbmc and I couldn't be happier!

[Dave @ Oct 9th 2008 4:02AM]

I didn't go with apple TV but with another PC I had laying around. I have the PC actually in the office on the other side of the wall that my TV and component rack is on. A $49 wireless BTC keyboard/thumbstick combo is the ultimate remote control. I had planned to integrate the SlingCatcher into my system when it FINALLY released...but not for $300! Sure my SlingBox Pro is great. Worked like a champ until I loaded the 2.0 software. Not that my SlingBox locks up all the time now but it NEVER did before 2.0. I'm just not willing to pay twice what I think a product is worth to be their beta tester.

[John @ Oct 9th 2008 1:19AM]

I have popcornhour now... I can't even remember what I wanted SlingCatcher for anyway.

[Mark @ Oct 9th 2008 3:06AM]

A little late to the game.

There's a few companies producing products which can handle all HD video and audio formats, including DTS-HD/DTS-MA and Dolby's TrueHD. This thing can only pass-through DTS.

Kind of a let down when there are other superior, cheaper units which can accept more formats.

[G-Man @ Oct 9th 2008 11:17AM]

$299 can also buy you an entire Xbox 360 that'll stream your media in addition to playing next-gen games. Why would someone buy the SlingCatcher?

[Chris @ Oct 9th 2008 2:00PM]

Can the Xbox 360 or popcorn hour stream live HD TV (without a cablecard PC)? Methinks not.

[ITGuy @ Oct 9th 2008 1:33PM]

I too wanted the SlingCatcher...waited and waited, then bought appletv. Now to come out with a $300 price point, is a bit of a slap in the face. I am going to wait until its $199...if it never gets there, too bad.

[=Alan @ Oct 9th 2008 6:32PM]

And where is the iPhone or Blackberry client. Both demonstrated, neither available or even have release dates.

[Daniel @ Oct 12th 2008 2:25PM]

I recently started using http://parkmytv.com to host my slingbox giving me MUCH better video quality since they dedicate outbound bandwidth (better than my home dsl) to me plus I no longer annoy my wife by changing channels on her mid-stream when I'm traveling :) I got in to an early trial I think they are still accepting sign-ups...