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Engadget's relaunch giveaways: Slingbox AV!
Last week we put a Slingbox Tuner on the block to give away, and today we've got us a winner! JD Schut's the man going home with one of these suckers, but we've got more. For example, today we're hooking you up with the new Slingbox AV, the Slingbox designed for set-top box or DVR users. We want to give it to you, but first you've got to leave us a comment telling us what kind of box you're currently using which you plan to hook this thing into. (Don't be shy, you can tell us if you hate it, too.) You'll have until next Wednesday (the 11th), then we'll pick the winner at random, assuming s/he follows the rules: You may enter other Engadget contests, however... You may only enter this contest once; if you enter more than once on this particular contest post you'll be automatically disqualified and barred from all future giveaways. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) You may enter future Engadget relaunch giveaway contests though! You can only win once. (If you win and then try to go for a second prize during our relaunch giveaways, you'll be automatically disqualified, etc.) This contest is open to the US only, sorry! You will be shipped your AV when all the contests are up, so sit tight! Good luck, and be sure you've entered our other contests, as well! Hows about an Xbox 360 Premium pack? Second shot at a Nikon S7c WiFi cam! Got a third chance on a Zune! What would you say to a 56-inch Samsung HL-S5679W DLP with LED backlight?
The NOT so HD Slingbox PRO
When we first heard of the Slingbox PRO we thought it was interesting that Sling Media didn't jump on the HD marketing band wagon and call it the Slingbox HD, after all it has HD capabilities. Once the dust settled it all came together, the PRO's HD capabilities are pretty limited. The $50 component dongle allows HD input up to 1080i as well as component pass through, which is great for all those STBs with only one component output, but the Slingbox can only stream 640x480 at 16x9, uhhohh there go those rectangular pixels again that everyone gets in such a tizzy about. This gets down converted even more when streaming over a WAN connection. This isn't all bad as anyone who downloads HDTV sourced BitTorrent shows can tell you HD still looks better than SD when down-converted to 320x240. It is important to note that this is the first consumer product that can encode HD via component at 1080i, previously this has been too expensive for a consumer product. The other miss here is the lack of ATSC tuner, maybe they are saving the Slingbox HD name for a box that supports HD streaming from ATSC, Component, HDMI and hopefully CableCARD support, if CableLABs would ever approve such a device.
Engadget's relaunch giveaways: Slingbox Tuner!
Last week we put two Slingboxes up on the block to give away, and today we've got some winners! Pete and Andy, come on down! (To all the Petes and Andys who entered -- if you didn't get an email from us, it wasn't you, sorry!) So, you no doubt heard about yesterday's big Slingbox announcements, and we've got a little something to give away here; want to get yourself a new Slingbox Tuner? (That'd be the Slingbox meant for users who want to place-shift their analog cable.) We want to give it to you, but first you've got to leave us a comment telling us who your analog provider is (or if you're rocking it OTA) -- feel free to leave a few words about 'em. Hell, vent if you must. We feel your pain, and we hope a Slingbox Tuner might alleviate some of it. You'll have until next Wednesday (the 4th), then we'll pick the winner at random, assuming s/he follows the other rules: You may enter other Engadget contests, however... You may only enter this contest once; if you enter more than once on this particular contest post you'll be automatically disqualified and barred from all future giveaways. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) You may enter future Engadget relaunch giveaway contests though! You can only win once. (If you win and then try to go for a second prize during our relaunch giveaways, you'll be automatically disqualified, etc.) This contest is open to the US only, sorry! You will be shipped your Tuner when all the contests are up, so sit tight! Good luck, and be sure you've entered our other contests, as well! And a Philips 42PF9631D 42-inch plasma! Hows about an Xbox 360 Premium pack? There's a Nikon S7c WiFi digital camera! Another chance to get a Zune!
New Slingbox supports Mac OS X, Symbian - but where's the software?
It's time to check in again on the Slingbox's journey to Mac OS X, as Dave Zatz pinged us with some more details and a purty picture he took off one of the new Slingbox AV models at Best Buy. Turns out there are going to be three new models - Tuner, AV and Pro. Tuner ($150) goes the bare bones route for regular cable or antenna, AV ($180)can interact with a set top box, and Pro ($250) is the One to Rule Them All™ with support for multiple feeds and that hot new 'HD' thing the internets keep talking about. The interesting thing, as you can see, is that these new models list support for Mac OS X (as well as Symbian) right on the box, but as we learned a couple weeks ago, the company is still in the middle of a private beta of their SlingPlayer software for the Mac - nothing is public yet. So for now, it sounds like they're cranking out these boxes without actually having any way for John Doe Mac user to work with them, though after an update over on Dave Zatz's original story, we might have a public beta of the software very soon.If any of you rush out to grab one of these, feel free to let us know if there are some wires mixed here and Mac OS X software actually is shipping in the box.
Slingbox PRO, Slingbox AV, and Slingbox Tuner now official
Details about all three of these already leaked out over the past couple of weeks, but Sling Media is formally introducing three new Slingboxes, the Slingbox PRO, the Slingbox AV, and the Slingbox Tuner. All three perform the same basic function -- they let you stream TV from your cable box (digital or analog), satellite receiver, or DVR to a computer or mobile device -- it's just that each is aimed at different segments of the market. The Slingbox PRO is their new flagship model, with additional inputs and outputs so you can control up to four audio or video sources (sadly, if you want to use high-def component inputs you need to drop an extra fifty bucks on a dongle they're calling the HD Connect -- there is no option for HDMI). The PRO also supports 16:9 widescreen aspect ratios. Retail price will be $249.99 The Slingbox AV is aimed at users who have a digital cable set-top box, satellite receiver, or DVR, and don't want or need to control any other A/V sources. The AV also supports 16:9 widescreen aspect ratios and will retail for $179.99. The Slingbox Tuner is specifically for people who have analog cable and will retail for $179.99. Click on for pics of the Slingbox AV and Slingbox Tuner.
Slingbox PRO, Slingbox AV, and Slingbox Tuner get official
Details about all three of these already leaked out over the past couple of weeks, but Sling Media is formally introducing three new Slingboxes, the Slingbox PRO, the Slingbox AV, and the Slingbox Tuner. All three perform the same basic function -- they let you stream TV from your cable box (digital or analog), satellite receiver, or DVR to a computer or mobile device -- it's just that each is aimed at different segments of the market. The Slingbox PRO is their new flagship model, with additional inputs and outputs so you can control up to four audio or video sources (sadly, if you want to use high-def component inputs you need to drop an extra fifty bucks on a dongle they're calling the HD Connect -- there is no option for HDMI). The PRO also supports 16:9 widescreen aspect ratios. Retail price will be $249.99 The Slingbox AV is aimed at users who have a digital cable set-top box, satellite receiver, or DVR, and don't want or need to control any other A/V sources. The AV also supports 16:9 widescreen aspect ratios and will retail for $179.99. The Slingbox Tuner is specifically for people who have analog cable and will retail for $179.99. Click on for pics of the Slingbox AV and Slingbox Tuner.
Slingbox Pro and Tuner to be released October 22?
While you've seen the first round of Slingbox photos that we posted in the wee hours this morning, more details are starting to emerge, namely that the Slingbox Pro and Tuner versions will be released on October 22. We got this luscious piece of intel from a devoted Sling fan who acquired it after spotting the AV at a Best Buy in Augusta, Georgia, and then subsequently grilled the staff on the availability of the Pro and Tuner. As we mentioned previously, the FCC confidentiality agreement lifts on September 28, so perhaps this new release date is what we should be expecting from Blake & Co.?[Thanks, Dennis]
Slingbox AV spotted in the wild!
Ah, the Slingbox AV -- a not so wily creature which has appeared not only on the FCC twice, but now on the internets in some hot Slingbox-gone-wild nudity. We're not sure why the AV is so much more popular a leak than the Tuner or Pro, but boy can we not wait for this Thursday.
Sling to launch Slingbox Tuner, AV, Pro
It apparently slipped beneath our FCC-radar, but a posting on Sling Community shows some interesting developments according to FCC filings. Sling Media's apparently planning at least three new devices (here, here, and here), the Tuner, AV, and Pro. All are listed with confidentiality agreements, but here's what we know, between the FCC and the forums: the SB220-100 tuner will supposedly just have coax in and out; the SB240-100 A/V is the one we saw a week ago today, with S-Video and composite ins (and is apparently not equipped with a tuner); finally, the SB200-100 Pro supposedly has HDMI, a coax tuner (like the original Slingbox), composite, component, and S-Video inputs and outputs. The FCC confidentiality agreement goes up next Thursday, the 28th, so it would seem either Sling's going to have some announcements to make, or the FCC's going to have some announcements to make for them.[Thanks, KC]
Engadget's relaunch giveaways: some Slingboxes
For yesterday's give giveaways kickoff we started things off by giving away the first of our Zunes -- which, we'd like to mention is still open to contestants until Sunday. Today, however, we're giving away a Slingbox. Hell, let's make it two Slingboxes. In fact, we're going to give away some Sling gear every week for a few weeks, with progressively more impressive stakes. To be entered to win a Slingbox today, just leave us a comment with your favorite television show (or series, or sporting event, or what have you). Seriously, that's all you have to do. You'll have until next Tuesday (the 26th), then we'll pick the winner at random, assuming s/he follows the rules: You may enter other Engadget contests, however... You may only enter this once; if you enter more than once on this particular contest post you'll be automatically disqualified and barred from all future giveaways. (Yes, we have robots that thoroughly check to ensure fairness.) You may enter future Engadget relaunch giveaway contests if you don't win this one! You can only win once. (If you win and go for a second prize for our relaunch giveaways, you'll be automatically disqualified, etc.) Contest is open to US only. Sorry, everybody, we promise we'll do some international gear soon! You will be shipped your Slingbox in a few weeks when all our contests are over. Thanks for your patience! Ok everybody, good luck!
Slingbox beta client coming for Mac OS X
If you're primarily a Mac user, you probably haven't heard much about Slingbox, largely in part because it's never had a Mac OS X client. Slingbox, for those interested, is a device that attaches to your home TV/cable/DVR setup and allows you to stream your TV programming over the internet, typically to a Windows PC or even some mobile phones - but soon, a Mac as well. Blake Krikorian, Sling Media's CEO, confirmed yesterday in an interview with the The Guardian that a beta Mac client was coming "this week" for Slingbox, though since it's already Friday even in the U.S., maybe Blake includes 'the weekend' when defining 'a week'.All joking aside, this is great news for Mac users, as the Slingbox has typically been in the ranks of those gadgets reserved for the elite Windows nerds who just gotta have their TV (don't forget, 'nerd' is technically preferred over 'geek' as a positive adjective). We'll keep you posted when an actual Slingbox client is launched. Thanks Dave ZatzUpdate: Dave Zatz just informed me that Sling Media's VP dropped him a line to say that Blake was misquoted by The Guardian. As it turns out, the private beta is live and well, but the public beta is still a month or so out.
Sling CEO sez Mac client poised to launch
There's great news afoot in the world of the Slingbox, so we'll get right to it: in an interview yesterday with The Guardian, Blake Krikorian, chief executive of Sling Media, dropped some pretty significant info on the future of the SlingPlayer and SlingBox. First, he said that the beta of the Mac client would finally be released worldwide this week -- though given that the week is just about over, we're not sure how that's possible. Second, he told the British newspaper that while Sling had already released a Windows Mobile Smartphone version and a Pocket PC version, more mobile support would be added "before the end of the year" -- look out, S60 and Palm fanatics. Finally, he discussed Sling's business plans; specifically, how Sling's recent deal to put its software in another company's box may not just be a one-off. "Slingbox is a type of product where it starts to make sense to get TV and high-speed data from one place because our product means you can get your TV anywhere," he opined. We're not sure if that means we'll see a simple re-brand, or if a whole new licensing scheme is on the table -- Blake, we're watching you.[Via Zatz Not Funny]Update: Sling gave us a ring, and it's not good news, Mac fans. It would appear The Guardian misquoted Blake, and the above with regard to the Mac client is, well, not entirely accurate. According to Sling, they're still on track for release this year of the Mac client, and do actually expect to have the public beta launched by October. But that this-week-launch thing, not gonna happen. Fret not, we have a feeling it's got more to do with them getting it right than it does with unabashedly trying to piss off the Mac community, you know?
New Slingbox A/V unveiled by FCC!
Sure, the FCC has never been in the business of snapping glamour pics, and those Slingbox kids have always been a bit "edgy" in the design department, but we can't say we'd find this new Slingbox A/V (or Slingbox AV, if you will) attractive anywhere other than on a Babylon 5 set. Hopefully it'll look better on second glance. On the slightly more objective and relevant front, the new box is a whole lot smaller than its predecessor, and we're guessing there's some new processing power to compete with the higher-res HAVA. Sadly, the manual included with the FCC docs makes no mention of WiFi capabilities, but we're not giving up hope just yet. We also assume this little bugger will come packing support for the Mobile and Mac versions of SlingPlayer, but otherwise we'll just have to wait and see just what Sling Media has planned for this device besides the oligatory composite I/O and S-Video ports.[Via Zatz Not Funny]
HTC Excalibur / O2 Xda Cosmo reviewed
If the Boy Genius' soiled-trow, hands-on of the HTC Excalibur had you gasping for more, then peep the full review of the O2 Xda Cosmo just posted at the::unwired. Their unit from O2 Germany came ready to go with Windows Mobile 5.0 and AKU3 which, besides some low-level tweaks, brought a new Internet Sharing application in replacement of HTCs Wireless Modem app. The reviewer who admittedly comes from a more traditional GSM phone background (read: no real experience with a QWERTY/Z Smartphones or BlackBerrys) found the keyboard confusing for "regular phone stuff" like entering a phone number or searching for contacts -- apparently preferring T9-style input instead. Still, he was stoked by this quad-band GSM phones WiFi, GPRS, and EDGE data connectivity options and "satisfied" by performance under normal usage or while watching live, Slingboxed TV. However, the reviewer then goes on to worry unnecessarily about the OMAP 850 processor getting overloaded if say, using it for GPS, watching live TV, and listening to audio over Bluetooth all at the same time. Hell, why not agonize over the risk posed by it getting lodged in your skull when used near certain supermodels? Geesh. Bottom line: if you're looking for a WinMo device with keyboard and "all the latest and greatest technologies" (well, almost all) then the Cosmo is a "great device."
PSP still one of the "top 10 must-haves"
Need ammunition for the strange YouTube video flame war building between PSP Fanboy and DS Fanboy? Well, here's one for you guys: CNET's constantly updated "top 10 must-haves" still has your beloved handheld on the list. The PSP joins other gadgets, such as the incredible Motorola Q, Toshiba Gigabeat S, the Slingbox, the Xbox 360 and Canon PowerShot S80. Here's what the CNET folks had to say:"The Sony PlayStation Portable was the portable gadget of 2005. If you haven't gotten yet, you must not have seen one in action. The screen alone will make you salivate. So much more than a portable gaming console, it also plays music and movies. Not only does it look hot, it also has outstanding sound and graphics, a built-in Memory Stick Duo slot, and Wi-Fi."You get a lot of bang for your buck with the PSP. Considering how the PSP costs only $200, that's a lot cheaper than most of the items on this acclaimed list.[Via 1UP Boards]
Sony announces LocationFree LF-B10, LF-B20 and LF-BOX1
We haven't heard from Sony's LocationFree since 2005, but our best buds over in Japan have been busy on some new models since then -- and they look startingly like a shiny acrylic PS2. Today the company is announcing two new base stations, the LF-B10 and the LF-B20 (pictured above) and the LocationFree TV Box. The LF-B20, which goes for $250, also acts as a WiFi access point, whereas its less expensive sibling, the LF-B10, priced at $200, doesn't. Sony's LocationFree Box (dubbed the LF-BOX1) is a $230 receiver unit that will let you watch said content on an in-home television -- although it may work on your hotel's television too, should you be so inclined to take it with. That said, it's well possible that as an alternative, you'll have your PSP or a laptop with LFTV software on it, just like a Slingbox. The trio of LFTV units will be available next month, and are currently on pre-order from Sony's site.
How the PSP can overcome the PSP-inspired mylo
David Carony, executive editor at CNET, has a lot to say about Sony, the PSP, and their newly announced mylo. Sony's attempting to market the device at a whopping $350, which is ridiculous when many, if not all of its features can be implemented in the PSP, or a PSP redesign. With the right accessories and firmware upgrades, the PSP can do every thing the mylo can... plus it can play games. And at $199, it would be a bargain for the consumer. Here's a list of what Carony believes will make the PSP better: Skype support to make Internet (VoIP) calls (using the SOCOM headset). Support for Slingbox (a competitor of Location-Free TV). Sony could make some bling by not selling hardware, but selling a Slingbox application. Built-in IM applications, similar to mylo's support for Yahoo! and Google. Better e-mail integration. Keyboard accessory. Video output for TV. Stop making Connect so crappy. Where's the revamp? These are all great, plausible and reasonable upgrades that Sony can provide. If Sony actually took these suggestions to heart, I know a ton more college students and business people would pick up a PSP. Let's hope Sony has the brains to follow through on some of this.[Via PSP World]
Slingbox encryption upgrade limits functionality
Since its inception, the Slingbox has been a tough pill for some broadcasters to swallow, and while many were screaming injustice, Sling Media declared its flagship product a model of fair use. Apparently some of the accusations have prompted changes, as Sling's latest firmware upgrade adds encryption to the Slingbox's video streams, contrary to its previously encryption-free process. Presumably in reaction to the demands of content owners and the media industry, this encryption should at least appease those who don't want any streamed content to end up being illegally distributed. But the alteration has caused at least one piece of add-on timeshifting software to become defunct. The At-Large Recorder (previously the Replay SlingCorder) from Applian Technologies had allowed users to record their streamed data directly onto a computer, but now cannot function due to the added layer of encryption, causing its CEO to rail against the decision, saying, "They basically added a feature that nobody asked for, for reasons that they're not willing to discuss, and it happens to break our product too." A spokesperson for Sling claimed that encryption had been in the works for awhile, and the timing here is "completely coincidental," despite Sling's previous run-in with Applian, where they obliged the software company change the name of its Replay SlingCorder product. While the upgrade was likely a defensive move to appease an ever-wary content industry, Sling has stifled some extended functionality with the update; exactly how much choice Sling was left regarding the matter when facing the mighty media regulators we may never know, but for the time being there is a number of Applian customers not too stoked by Sling's decision. [Via Techdirt]
SageTV bringing place-shifting to Linux
Despite Major League Baseball's disdain for the practice, place-shifting is a hot feature that will only get more popular as it becomes easier for people to stream their content -- and software company SageTV is at the forefront of the movement to make that happen. Less than two months after adding the feature to its media center package for Windows, the company is supposedly on the verge of offering similar "slinging" functionality to open-source fanatics, with GigaOM reporting that we can expect to see SageTV Media Center for Linux V5 announced within the week. Until the official unveiling, not much is known about this product save for its Media Extender support, although we've also learned that Mac users will be getting their own version at some unspecified future date. There are certainly other ways for the Linux faithful to place-shift their content -- we recently saw a rather convoluted how-to on Engadget Mobile which uses MythTV -- but if you're willing to pay for commercial software, it sounds like Sage's upcoming solution will be the easiest way to go.
Snappy's HAVA Video Streamer
It might not be quite as edgy as the Slingbox in the design department, and the software support seems a bit lacking as far as client viewers, but the HAVA from Snappy Multimedia has a couple of welcome additions to the Slingbox repertoire. First off, the box includes built-in 802.11b/g WiFi, so adding it to your network shouldn't as much of a hassle. Second, the HAVA includes its own TV tuner, so you can have dual TV inputs if you'd like, or even use it as the primary (and wireless) tuner for your Windows Media Center box. Of course, all the usual location shifting capabilities are there, with up to 30fps DVD quality video available to multiple users over your home network, while lower bit-rate video can simultaneously be encoded for viewing over the Internets. Currently the HAVA is going for $200 after a pair of rebates, so if you're not bent on handheld or Mac support, and your inner fashionista is willing to take a hike, this little unit doesn't seem like a bad option for the remote viewing lifestyle.
