Sling Media Slingbox PRO (SB200-100)
by Sling Media
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Our Price: $399.00 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $143.00 (click here) Category: CE See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sling Media Slingbox PRO (SB200-100)
Customer Review: The best thing for deployed US Soldier!!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
When I bought my laptop, I usually delete all the extra's stuff that is installed on it. When I came to the Slingbox icon, I decided to see what it was about. I went to the web page and liked what I saw and decided to buy it. When I deployed to Iraq this past spring, I didn't get the box because the majority of the things I see that says "watch any where or use any where" it is usually for businessmen going in and out of the country for a few days.
Well when i came home for R&R, I decided I'm going to try it out and if it don't work over here, then at least I can use it for road trips. The minute I got back in country, I tried it, there was a problem with the connection, the first thing that came to my head was "I knew it, just like anything else that states it works anywhere, well it didn't" So when i got back to my actual living area, I tried it again, and man I was like a kid in the candy store!
I no longer had to watch AFN (Armed Forces Network) at all!!! I was watching television from the states in Iraq!
The only draw back and I say again, the only draw back is the internet connection. At certain times of the day, the buffing is real slow, the video is choppy, but once it is on, it is on!
So, to all my brothers and sisters in arms, deployed or not, or if your family members that want to get you something in your "care" package, I highly recommend you tell them to get the Slingbox, or before you deploy or PCS overseas, purchase the Slingbox. You won't regret it!
They sell two types, get the one with the built in tuner, if not, you and your wife/husband will be fighting over witch show you are watching :)
(By the way, I am not getting a dime from this company at all, this is my way of "word of mouth" and endorsing a good product, the US Military has nothing to do with this or the Slingbox company.)
Customer Review: Great execution of an awesome idea!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is a terrific product. The set-up was relatively easy for a somewhat tech-savvy person. Once it's all connected, using the Sling Player is completely idiot-proof, since you're really just clicking buttons on an on-screen remote. Here are some observations regarding things I didn't realize before using the Slingbox:
1. You need bandwith. Lots of it. I'm guessing this is the main reason none of the Slingbox models come with built-in wi-fi. The Sling Media web site has a connection speed test tool. When I ran it on my old DSL line, I was not quite getting the recommended 256k upload. Because of this, I decided against using a bridge and instead switched to cable broadband--this way the modem is right where the Slingbox would go anyway.
2. As others have mentioned, it seems odd that they require a separate HD connector even though the Slingbox Pro is billed as HD-capable. On the other hand, I currently have no use for an HD signal coming out of the Slingbox. The question is, do you have a good enough connection and receiving-end monitor resolution to see a difference? I don't, so I'm not spending the extra money for HD.
3. The Mobile Player works great. I have a Motorola Q, which runs Windows Mobile Smartphone. Right now, I'm in the 30-day trial of the Sling Player Mobile. Even with only a bar or two of EvDO service, the full-screen video looks very good and the delays for controlling the home source are noticeable but certainly acceptable.
4. The Slingbox compares favorably to the Sony version. I tried Sony's product a while ago because I have a PSP. I found it very difficult to set up. Once running, it had longer delays for controlling the cable box and the player did not have nearly as many options. I'd take the Slingbox over the Sony in a heartbeat.
Customer Review: An amazing product
Summary: 5 Stars
We have a lake cabin and my wife has been telecommuting there for much of the summer. We can get DSL there but there is no cable and given our proximity to trees and a hill, satellite reception is also unlikely. The choices seem to be to have her download her shows from iTunes or buy a slingbox and server TV from a Tivo we have at home. I found a good sale on the Slingbox so I decided it was worth a try.
I guess I've been a bit tainted with several recent purchases of high tech items. Of late, items I've purchased promise the moon and deliver much less. Even though I read the review here and on CNet, I was prepared for a bear of a time getting this product to work.
I initially had some trouble during installation. The Slingbox identified that the router I had at home (an ActionTec router used for Verizon Fios) need to be manually configured. Do to the fact that Verizon didn't leave a manual, or passwords with the router I had to call them for technical support. A couple of hours later, I had the router up (and configured a bit better for my home network). After that the installation went flawlessly.
The next day I met my family at the cabin, and tried running the Slingbox player. Amazingly it just worked. No fuss, no muss. Today I installed the sling player on my wife's computer. It's a simple download from Slingbox.com and I inserted my slingboxes id number, and again it worked without a hitch.
This was just too easy. The quality of the video is better than I expected. The only issue I have with the slingbox is that each remote control action takes several seconds to complete. A minor issue really. All-in-all it was a great purchase. I'd heartily recommend it.
Customer Review: Great, once you get it dialed in
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a bit surprised by some of the hostility in the reviews. This is a very clever concept, but it deals intimately with home computer networking, TV hookups, cable TV complications, and internet variability, so it's no surprise that getting it all to work can often be a challenge.
We have a 3-year-old SlingboxPro. We have a big DLP set in the living room, fed by Comcast cable. Six months ago Comcast went all-digital, rendering our Tivo Series2 box less useful, and the Comcast HD converter box they provided was just awful. So, we bought a TivoHD unit, and now the living room video setup is simple and easy to use.
Once the TivoHD issue was settled, I turned to getting the Slingbox up and running again. I needed an adapter dongle with R/G/B connections, but those are suprisingly cheap on eBay.
Getting the SlingboxPro configured was MUCH easier than a few years ago. The setup guide was much more user-friendly than before, and we had video on our home PCs in just a few minutes.
Getting video outside of the home network is a bit more of a challenge, since you need to tell your router to let the Slingbox see the Internet and vice-versa. The automatic setup didn't work for us, but after a few false starts we found the web pages that explained to us how to go into the router (a DI-524 from D-Link) and make the changes necessary. After that, bingo--our remote laptops can see the Slingbox (and thus the Tivo box) from anywhere. Very slick.
But as mentioned this setup is not for the newbie. You may need to enlist the help of a nerdy family friend or a local expert.
Customer Review: Great Device
Summary: 5 Stars
Slingbox is a really cool device that lets you access your cable from anywhere you have internet (including smart-phones, like the Motorola Q; the mobile software is $30 however). The video quality certainly isn't as good as a full TV but it's still completely sufficient for watching on your laptop or phone. The best part is the slingplayer software (which is a free download from their site, only the mobile version costs $$) is just like being at your tv with your cable provider's remote. Installing the slingbox can be difficult, particularly with wireless routers, but their customer service is very helpful, you can log on and instantly chat with a representative who will do the configuration on your computer for you if need be. They have almost every type of cable company's remote, so you can access unique features like ondemand and on-screen program guides on your computer or phone. Mine is at a friend's house back home (he has a better cable plan than I do) which means I get access to all the local channels and best of all, I get to see my home teams' games that aren't covered locally when I'm away at college
The only downside is the cost, slingbox pro is about $300, but 90% you have to also buy slinglink which is another $80 because most people don't have their router right next to the cable outlet. Then again it is just a one-time fee, and if you use it on your mobile phone, it beats any mobile TV service out there by a long shot since it's only $30 one time for the software (you need a good data plan, however)