Slingboxes get My Media syncing to USB, Companion iPad app for at-home viewing

Slingboxes get My Media syncing for USB storage, Companion second screen app for iPad

The Slingbox news hasn't stopped just because Dish made its big splash. An update to the Slingbox 500 at first, and the 350 later this year, adds a local My Media sync component that lets Android or iOS users offload photos or videos to a USB drive attached to the Slingbox -- they just have to stream their content instead of chewing up their mobile device storage. Both Slingbox 350 and 500 owners are also promised the new Slingbox Companion app you see above. As long as they're toting at least an iPad 2, they can find shows, share their tastes through social networks and use their tablet as a remote without the usual live video of the SlingPlayer app. My Media is arriving first, both as a firmware update and a new SlingPlayer release, in the weeks ahead. Would-be Companion users will need to wait until the app hits iPads in the spring.

Continue reading Slingboxes get My Media syncing to USB, Companion iPad app for at-home viewing

Filed under: ,

Comments

Source: Slingbox

Dish launches Hopper with Sling, a commercial-jumping DVR that boots live and saved content to the web (hands-on)

DNP Dish launches Hopper with Sling, a commercialjumping DVR that boots live and saved content to the web handson

Dish's Hopper just took a massive leap. The whole-home DVR solution, which launched at CES last year and began shipping to consumers this past spring, now has built-in Sling functionality -- think of it as a supercharged version of the "SlingLoaded" DVR we first saw in early 2009. The new Broadcom 7125 chipset under the hood enables full Sling capability, with all the benefits of DVR integration, letting you view live TV from any of your subscribed channels, along with each and every program saved to the 2-terabyte hard drive -- there are no content or location restrictions, meaning the box will feed HD video to a compatible device anywhere in the world. Dish subscribers who don't plan to take advantage of Sling will see speed boosts as well, thanks to a new 1.3GHz clock speed and 2 gigs of RAM, with a faster bus speed to boot.

All this power translates to a much smoother experience device-wide. During our hands-on and side-by-side demo with the previous-generation Hopper, menu navigation felt much speedier, with apps launching more quickly and no hiccups during guide scrolling. Like other Sling products, you're limited to one connected device at a time, so don't plan on handing your login to friends and family members on the other end of the world (unless they're willing to play nicely, of course). You'll also have on-demand content through the Dish Anywhere app, and because this is standard video streamed from the web, the simultaneous device limitation jumps to five. Externally, this latest Hopper looks identical to its predecessor, and offers all of the original features, with the added benefit of Sling, boosted performance and built-in WiFi. It's set to ship this month and will ultimately be free for new customers, though an upgrade path for owners of the now-retired original Hopper has yet to be detailed.

Filed under: ,

Comments

SlingPlayer, TuneIn and other channels added to Netgear’s NeoTV lineup

SlingPlayer, TuneIn and other channels added to Netgear's NeoTV lineup

If the release of Netgear's new NeoTV PRIME has left you feeling like your earlier model is a bit dated, then maybe some fresh software for that streaming box will ease those woes. Announced today at CES, several new channels are now available on the NeoTV range, with the biggest names being TuneIn Radio -- if you want to rest those eyes for a while -- and SlingPlayer. You'll need a Slingbox at home to take advantage of SlingPlayer, of course, but it means you can pipe live TV to another room in your house or, if you're in the habit of carting your NeoTV box around, wherever else you take it. WKNTV has also been added, giving you access to live and on-demand content from Korea, and ShopNBC for live feeds of a bunch of hypnotic shopping channels -- you know, for when you wanna watch overly charismatic presenters earn their keep.

Continue reading SlingPlayer, TuneIn and other channels added to Netgear's NeoTV lineup

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

JVC intros 55-inch BlackSapphire LCD TV with 45W virtual surround sound, SlingPlayer

JVC intros 55inch BlackSapphire LCD TV with 45W virtual surround sound, SlingPlayer

Every TV maker trying to avoid total commoditization has a special trick to keep its designs unique and worth a higher price. For JVC, that trick is sound. It's launching the BlackSapphire line of LCD-based 3D TVs with the 55-inch, edge LED-lit JLE55SP4400, whose signature is an unusually powerful built-in audio system: the 45W system and 3D processing supposedly produces surround sound without having to line the living room with extra speakers. Odds are that the set won't provide much competition for dedicated speakers, although JVC is promising more integration beyond this with rare built-in SlingPlayer TV streaming, just in case there's a Slingbox in another part of the home. The all-in strategy could make the inaugural BlackSapphire more of a bargain than it looks: that $1,300 you'll pay when the screen ships this month might be all you need to start watching.

Continue reading JVC intros 55-inch BlackSapphire LCD TV with 45W virtual surround sound, SlingPlayer

Filed under: ,

JVC intros 55-inch BlackSapphire LCD TV with 45W virtual surround sound, SlingPlayer originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Oct 2012 12:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceJVC  | Email this | Comments

Slingbox 350 & 500: Content Place-shifting Gets a 1080p Upgrade

There are plenty of apps that allow you access to some of your content when you’re away from home, but what if you want to access all of it at the same time? The new Slingboxes might fit the bill, since they will allow you to do that.

slingbox streamer content dvr

The Slingbox 350 and 500 offer support for place-shifting video in up to 1080p quality, as well as integrated IR emitters for controlling set-top boxes from across the globe, and without ugly wires hanging from the box. The 350 model works over a wired Ethernet connection, while the 500 has built-in Wi-Fi, as well as HDMI input/output and SlingProjector technology to wirelessly share media from a smartphone, tablet or TV.

slingbox streamer content dvr color

The Slingbox 350 sells for $180(USD) while the 500 sells for $300. Both of them look unique, instead of basic, ubiquitous black boxes.

slingbox streamer content dvr 500

[via Uncrate]


Sling Media Introduces Slingbox 500

Sling Media Introduces Slingbox 500

Sling Media has recently unveiled the new Slingbox 500 that delivers live streaming of your favorite TV shows, sport events, recorded programs and premium contents in Full 1080p HD-quality to smartphones, tablets, laptops and connected devices. This media streamer also features built-in Wi-Fi, integrated IR emitters for controlling a set-top box, HDMI, component and composite. The Slingbox 500 will go on sale in the U.S. on Sunday, October 14, 2012 for $299.99. [Sling Media]

Slingbox 350 and 500 review: Sling Media finally upgrades its line of media streamers

Slingbox 350 and 500 review

It's hard to believe that the Slingbox has been around for seven years, but that only makes it harder to accept these are the first retail models that have been released since 2008. That finally changes today, though: Sling Media just introduced two new place-shifters: the Slingbox 500 and 350 (pictured). Available on October 14th for $299 and $179, respectively, these new set-top boxes replace the Solo and Pro-HD. While the 350 simply adds 1080p streaming for the same price, the 500 adds SlingProjector, a feature that lets you take photos stored on your iOS or Android device and send them to your television (video streaming will soon be supported as well). The Slingbox 500 will also soon be able to play content on USB-attached storage, but that will come in a future software update. The SlingPlayer apps get a refresh as well, adding reminders and an easier way to share your Slingbox with friends. What we set out to determine in this review -- and what you'll discover if you click through -- is how big of an upgrade this really is. Is it worth chucking your old hardware for one of these boxes? What if you're thinking of getting your first media streamer? We'll delve into all that after the break.

Gallery: Slingbox 500

Continue reading Slingbox 350 and 500 review: Sling Media finally upgrades its line of media streamers

Filed under: ,

Slingbox 350 and 500 review: Sling Media finally upgrades its line of media streamers originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

Sling Media officially unveils the Slingbox 350 and 500

Sling Media officially unveils the Slingbox 350 and 500

The company that takes almost full credit for inventing place-shifting is back in retail action with new models and new software features too. The Slingbox 350 takes the place of the older Solo at $179 and adds an integrated IR blaster and the new ability to stream 1080p HD. The $299 Slingbox 500 also does 1080p, but adds WiFi -- which really should be in both -- and an HDMI input and output for. The HDMI output does more than just pass-through too, in conjunction with the new SlingProjector feature it can render your pictures and videos (soon) on the big screen. Both can take advantage of the new SlingPlayer apps with optimizations like reminders as well as a revamp Slingbox.com web interface that makes it easier than ever to share your place-shifting joy with friends and family. These boxes go on sale in the States on October 14th with our friends to the north getting them in November. What might be interesting to all Slingbox owners is that the SlingPlayer client for various platforms is now half the price at $15. Thirsting for more info? Check out the press release after the break, or our review of both right here.

Continue reading Sling Media officially unveils the Slingbox 350 and 500

Filed under: ,

Sling Media officially unveils the Slingbox 350 and 500 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 09 Oct 2012 21:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |   | Email this | Comments

SlingPlayer for Android gets a long-awaited update, adds reminders and better Android 4 video quality

SlingPlayer for Android gets a longawaited update, adds reminders and better Android 4 video quality

Fans of both Android and Slingbox streaming have had a long wait for a significant update to the SlingPlayer app, to put it mildly -- the last major upgrade was to introduce Kindle Fire support at the start of the year. Imagine our delight when Sling Media posts a pair of low-key but significant updates for Android phone and tablet users alike. Smartphone owners get the most out of the upgrade with a new electronic program guide, a fresher overall look and better high-quality video for any phone using Android 4.0 and beyond. Tablet users do get a more optimized interface for the Nexus 7, however, and both form factors will let avid placeshifters remind themselves when a much-anticipated show goes live in the future. Neither of the updates is a complete revolution, but we would say they're coming just in time.

Filed under: , , , ,

SlingPlayer for Android gets a long-awaited update, adds reminders and better Android 4 video quality originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 16:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Bill Stebbins (Twitter)  |  sourceGoogle Play (1), (2)  | Email this | Comments

Slingbox 350 and 500 show up unannounced in Best Buy, flaunt 1080p and built-in WiFi

Slingbox 350 and 500 show unannounced in Best Buy, flaunt 1080p and builtin WiFi

You might say Dave Zatz just had a happy accident. While he was hunting for the as yet unofficial Logitech Harmony Touch in Best Buy, he discovered the Slingbox 350 and 500 -- two more living room gadgets that have yet to receive an official introduction. The placeshifting hubs both look to be major improvements over the aging Slingbox Pro HD and Solo, making 1080p streaming available as long as the connection is up to snuff. Those who spring for the 500 should also get long overdue support for WiFi without having to use a wireless bridge, although they may miss the Pro HD's ATSC tuner. Outside of the networking, Sling Media is making expansion its upsell angle: the 500 supports USB media sharing and HDMI, while the 350 has to make do with whatever can pipe through its component and composite jacks. Zatz was unfortunately foiled in an attempt to buy one of the new Slingboxes and couldn't get final pricing, but Best Buy's suggestion to try again around mid-October hints that we won't have long to wait for a much-needed upgrade to our remote TV viewing.

Filed under: ,

Slingbox 350 and 500 show up unannounced in Best Buy, flaunt 1080p and built-in WiFi originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 30 Sep 2012 18:33:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink   |  sourceZatz Not Funny  | Email this | Comments