The first generation Slingbox was a big step forward for so-called "place shifting" technology, a device that allowed you to view incoming TV signals on any TV computer in your home, or on any Internet-connected PC around the world. Sling Media is now introducing the successors to this groundbreaking product. Now there are three Slingboxes to choose from, each with features that make it easier than ever to bring your TV and other media with you wherever you roam. Choose from the Slingbox Tuner, AV, and Pro models depending on your entertainment needs. Compare Slingbox models.
 The Slingbox Pro offers Component HD, S-video, coax, and composite video connections. |
The Slingbox Pro ensures that you can watch all of your favorite home theater entertainment anywhere you go, with the ability to watch and control up to three standard definition and one high definition video (via component connection) devices. Using an Internet connected computer or compatible mobile phone (with purchase of SlingPlayer Mobile software), you can watch and control your home TV, DVR, basic cable, digital cable box, or satellite receiver anywhere around your home or around the globe. With a Slingbox Pro you will never be separated from your favorite TV shows, sports broadcasts, breaking news stories, digital video recordings, or video on demand.
The Slingbox Pro also includes the free Slingbox Finder service to locate a Slingbox from any network location, in or out of the home.
How it Works
Slingbox Pro is a small device that connects to your cable box to redirect the TV signal to the computer of your choice--providing high quality video, no matter the distance, so long as there is a high-speed Internet connection. This technology also allows you to access and control your TV from anywhere--and your TV doesn't even have to be on.
 You can enjoy signals from a digital cable box, DVR, satellite receiver, or DVD player on any computer at home, on the Internet, or on a compatible mobile phone. One of the video sources can be an HD component device. |
At Home, At Work, or on the Go
At home, Now you can watch TV in whatever room in the house you choose. Say goodbye to the days of having to watch your child's favorite DVD over and over again. Now you can watch your soaps in the laundry room. You can watch your fix-it shows in the garage. Or you can watch your cooking shows in the kitchen. You'll never get stuck having to watch shows you don't want to now that you're in charge of what's on, when it's on, and where it's on.
Now that you can access your TV wherever you have your computer, the clock won't be the only thing worth watching at work. You can watch your news and business channels to stay updated. You can catch the big game while tending to business. Or, you can watch your favorite shows during your downtime. In any event, work will never just be business as usual.
With the SlingBox you can travel to another country and actually understand the programs. You can visit the in-laws and not get stuck watching The Weather Channel.
 You can change channels and control your TV on your computer just as if you were in your living room. The AV and Pro models add remote control options for your home theater devices. Smartphone support is available with purchase of SlingPlayer Mobile software. |
SlingPlayer software is compatible with the Windows Vista operating system. Future Vista-specific enhancements are expected in early 2007.
What's in the Box
Slingbox Pro, SlingPlayer CD-ROM, AC adapter (100-240V 50-60Hz), ethernet cable, stereo audio cable, RF/coax cable, composite AV cable, S-video cable, remote control IR cable, and quick start guide.
Product Description
Slingbox Pro gives customers with basic analog cable, digital cable, satellite, and/or DVR the ability to watch and control their home TV using any Internet-enabled Windows or Mac-based desktop or laptop computer or Windows Mobile handheld or mobile phone. In addition, Slingbox Pro can connect to multiple AV devices and features an HDTV component connection giving HD set-top box customers added performance and ease of use in connecting their Slingbox Pro to their home theater system.
Product Description
The Slingbox Pro ensures that you can watch all of your favorite home theather entertainment anywhere you go. Using an Internet connected computer or compatible mobile phone, you can watch and control your home TV, DVR, basic cable, digital cable or satellite receiver anywhere around your home or around the globe. WIth a slingbox Pro you will never be separated from your favorite TV shows, sports broadcasts, breaking news stories, digital video recordings or video on demand. Video & Securty Camera NTSC TV Antenna Any NTS, Component HD, S-Video or Composite video source System Requirements - Windows Vista, XP or 200 (SP4), Pentium IV 1GHz, PowerPC G3 or later, 600 MHz any Intel-Base Mac, Mac OS X 10.3 or later, 256MB RAM (1GB recommended), 100MB Hard Drive Space, 24-bit Color Graphics Card, 1024 x 768 display, 16-bit Sound Card, Ethernet Network Connectivity (wired, wireless or power line), Cable or DSL Modem, 256 Kbps Upstream Network Speed recommended, Home Network Router with UPnP compatibility
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Like most everyone else in these forums, I'm fairly happy with my SlingBox. Very easy to set-up, although two things annoy me.
(1) That I need to purchase a proprietary Componant-to-HDMI cable from SlingMedia to get HD routed through this box. Its not an expensive cable, as HD cables go, but if I can't technically route an HDMI source, why fit the Sling with an HDMI connector? Maybe we're talking space-contraints here, since the Pro is already a bit larger than the other SlingBoxes and HDMI takes up less space than componants. Still, most people with similar set-ups will have componant cables lying around to integrate this thing into their set-up. The Componant-to-HDMI cable should really have been included with the Pro.
(2) No 802.11a\b\g\n option. Yes, you can go get your own 802.11-to-Ethernet bridge. Or you can use the (expensive) powerline networking option. Frankly, I'd much rather see a larger SlingBox with a couple extra cubic inches in the box to cram in an 802.11 chipset and an antenna hanging out the back. But I guess that would just increase the headache on SlingMedia's end, from a technical support standpoint.
That said, I still love this unit. The MAC OS X client works like a charm, despite being in Beta. On a Core Duo MacBook Pro, the OS X client is quicker than the WinXP client running on similar Core Duo Dell hardware (E1705). Very nice. Being able to customize the button interface and swap interfaces between Mac and PC (to suit what cable channels you commonly watch) is a nice touch as well.
Lacking any Pocket PC hardware, I can't tell you how well the handheld client runs (are you listening Sling? My Blackberry feels left out!) although the friend that recommended this product to me has connected to my Sling over the internet with his handheld HP.
I'm done here. Nice product, some extra features like 802.11 would be nice, not having to spend an extra 50 bucks on a proprietary HD cable would be nicer still. Despite that, I'm a happy camper.
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