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SlingPlayer gets AirPlay support, Blockbuster arrives on SlingBox 500 in new update

Nicole Lee
Senior Editor
Updated ·4 min read
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Sling Media has just rolled out an update that brings a number of improvements to the Slingbox 500 and to the SlingPlayer app. For the Slingbox 500, Blockbuster On Demand is now available as a premium video service along with a new My Media feature that lets users access media via a USB drive. Only PC/Mac SlingPlayer clients can view the USB-stored media for now, though Android and iOS support are coming soon. Speaking of which, AirPlay is now finally supported on the iOS SlingPlayer Mobile apps, and should be compatible with streams from the 500, 350, Pro-HD and SOLO boxes. Last, but not least, the web client of SlingPlayer has also been updated to support Windows 8.1, IE 11, OS X Mavericks and Safari 7. That's a lot to take in, but thankfully the update should've arrived automatically to affected Slingbox users. If that hasn't happened for you, go ahead to the link below for manual upgrade instructions.

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BLOCKBUSTER ON DEMAND AND ENHANCED MY MEDIA
NOW AVAILABLE ON SLINGBOX® 500

Sling Media also Announces SlingPlayer Mobile AirPlay Support

What: Sling Media is pleased to announce Blockbuster On Demand, a premium Over the Top (OTT) video service for the Slingbox 500. This is part of a just-released firmware and software client update. Slingbox 500 customers can now search, browse, view trailers and rent premium movies for viewing on their big screen TV in beautiful HD quality with a Blockbuster On Demand account.

Slingbox 500 customers will also see enhanced My Media features including the ability to access personal photos and videos stored on a USB drive attached to the Slingbox 500 through the SlingPlayer client software-first on PC/Mac and coming soon on SlingPlayer for iOS and Android tablets and smartphones. Therefore, customers who have videos and photos stored on a hard drive at home can access the files remotely wherever they happen to be.

SlingPlayer for Web has also been updated with the following features:
• Support for Microsoft Windows 8.1 and IE 11
• Support for Apple OS X Mavericks and Safari 7
And finally, Sling Media is pleased to formally announce AirPlay support for SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone and iPad. This feature gives Apple TV customers the ability to watch their home TV on a second TV inside the home (without needing an additional set top box) or on a remote TV. Slingbox 500, Slingbox 350, Slingbox PRO-HD and Slingbox SOLO customers can take advantage of this fully updated and supported feature.

Who: Pioneers of "TV Anywhere" technology, Sling Media provides video delivery products for retail customers and television service providers. Its retail products – the Slingbox 500 and Slingbox 350 – deliver live and on-demand access to all of your favorite TV shows, sporting events, recorded programming and premium content on your mobile device of choice in up to Full HD 1080p resolution, with no additional subscription fees required.

Why: The Slingbox is perfect for sports fans, technophiles, frequent travelers or anyone who wants to view their entire channel lineup via their PC/Mac, tablet, smartphone and now Apple TV. In addition, Slingbox 500 customers can enjoy premium movies from Blockbuster On Demand on their living room TV and access their personal photos and videos stored at home, anywhere using SlingPlayer software on their favorite devices.

How: To take advantage of these new features customers must do the following:

(1) From the TV-screen user interface OR a PC/Mac, confirm that the firmware on the Slingbox 500 is version 1.6.228.
a. TV-screen user interface: Click on About Firmware Version
b. PC/Mac: Connect to your Slingbox 500, then click Settings Slingbox Info Firmware Version

These updates were automatically rolled out to customers starting the morning of Wednesday, October 23, 2013. If your firmware has not updated, you can manually update firmware on the TV screen user interface: About Firmware Version Check Updates.

Availability: The suggested retail price for the Slingbox 500 and Slingbox 350 are $299.99 and $179.99. Both can be purchased in the U.S. and Canada (Blockbuster On Demand not available in Canada) at slingbox.com as well as leading retailers including Best Buy, Amazon.com and other independent retailers.