Slingbox launched in UK
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See the press release here
What do people think - anyone seen one of these in action, what's the quality like?
What do people think - anyone seen one of these in action, what's the quality like?
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I thought it would never get here. No SCART I see.
User Guide HERE if anyone wants a look.
No, there is a SCART adapter in the sales package though.
It installed really easily - took me about 15mins in all. No hitches, even when selecting to port-forward on my router manually (never trust uPNP on a router!).
HOWEVER, off all the devices pre-loaded into the software to control your AV hardware, there is NO support for the Telewest TVDrive (the HD DVR), and there is NOT A SINGLE Philips DVR supported either.
So that's me up sh1t creek without a paddle.
The streaming seems to work well, but that was within my LAN, so the data rate was huge. The acid test will be at work tomorrow....
First impressions and screenshots from this guy here
Thanks Jeremy ;-)
Streaming to my work PC was terrific. A bit jumpy at times (probably down to my PC), but with Telewest limiting upload speeds to 384kb/s, I was pleasantly surprised with the quality.
You can gain access to the basic functionality of the Telewest TV Drive by selecting NTL as your cable provider, but you can't access the PVR features of the TV Drive with that remote. I'm told they are working on it, and to watch out for future updates.
There is a slight latency in the response to remote control commands, but if you have a Telewest set-top-box, you will be used to that.
Cancel my last message (a case of newbie-itus) - this is an excellent product. The only downside, in my view, is it would be nice to have a full selection of exact-replica remotes for all the popular hardware.
Perhaps if creating the 'virtual remotes' was an open-source type thing, it would solve this drawback.
Deciding between this and the sony location free tv model. I know the sony has the home mode and I love the idea of getting home tv on my psp as well as laptop for ultimate portability
It also has an in built DVB-T tuner so you can watch Freeview on a PC.
See here Sling Media
Having had my slingbox for a few months now, let me just say that all the good words and promises from Slingbox about supporting the Telewest TVDrive came to absolutely nothing.
The problem is the 'virtual remote' they provide has only basic functionality (same for my Philips PVR), and one of the many things NOT included is a button to set or access the recordings (even the four coloured buttons don't work correctly).
I was given one assurance after another that they were 'working on it' and it was 'coming soon' - but this was all hot air, and it never happened.
In my view there is nothing worse than false promises from Customer Support, and that is what you get from Sling Media.
If you want a box that lets you flick the channels over the internet and view what happens to be on the telly at the time - this is the product for you. But if you have a Telewest TVDrive, or a Philips PVR, and you want to remotely set or view a recording - forget it.
The seem to treat the virtual remote as a frilly extra, and only have a one ot two that actually look like your branded remote. The default for most devices yu own is a crappy 'generic' remote with half the buttons missing. Don't be fooled by their PR. It is NOT like you are sitting there with your actual remote in your hand.
What they need to remember is that as far as the user is concerned, the remote is the TOP OF LIST of things they need to get right. The whole experience hinges on it.
If you are listening, Sling Media, don't contact me telling me you are all concerned about my experience, and hoping I'll edit my post like you did last time.
I meaure by results, so just get the effing thing fixed.
It has an IR blaster - so it might be usable with Sky boxes.
Took it back and got the sling box, £50 cheaper and so much better in quality and no £20 charge per install on each machine.
Though bit miffed you have to pay for the PDA software, but even thats pretty good.
Picture & Audio quality is good on my home network, I have yet to try it yet outside of the home (that will come on Monday) but it seems to be all set up correctly for use. I have got the software installed on a USB key and it seems to be running ok off of it.
The in built Freeview tuner seems a little slow, and not as good PQ as my Sky+ which is connected via s-video, but its still very, very watchable.
Should be interesting on how it performs over the internet rather than just over my LAN.. I’m not expecting a perfect picture with ntl's 400k upload, just as long its watchable & controllable!
I love mine.. I have one in New York and one in the UK. Basically you connect it to your sky box/DVR and to your router.
Once its' set up and working you log onto it from a pc and watch your TV from anywhere in the world.
If you have Sky+ you control your programme guide from your pc.
Total control. pretty good picture quality, and no missed TV when you can't be in the same place as your DVR.
by far my favorite purchase(s) this year
(and no I don't work for Sling media) :-)