Sling Media Slingbox AV (SB240-100) by Sling Media
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Our Price: $299.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Sling Media Slingbox AV (SB240-100)
Digital camera Review: As Good As It Gets for a Couch Potato
Summary: 5 Stars
One of my favorite toys is TiVo. I've had one for 7 years. Now I have 2 Series 3 HD boxes and they're networked together. I have a Slingbox hooked up to the outputs of one of them. So I can now watch anything on either of them on my PC wherever I can connect to the I'net. Way cool!!!
The remote (or picture of the remote) is exactly the same as the actual TiVo remote, so nothing new to lean. Just load it up and I'm watching House or Monk. Or that adult movie I recorded off Showtime. I can even delete old shows on the TiVo just like I was at home sitting right there.
I don't know why I waited so long to get one of these.
I got the AV model for <$100. I could have gone for the more expensive HD model, but I don't really need it. I watch on my laptop, not a 30" monitor.
I was waiting for someone the other day, so I pulled out my laptop, grabbed someone's wireless signal, and in no time, I'm sitting in the pizza parlor watching a recording at home; or live TV.
Setup is a snap. Mac or PC, or both. Noone to pay. No experience necessary (although I manage networks for a living, and equipment doesn't get much easier than this. If you can plug in a cable, you can do this).
10 stars for this television/video masterpiece. Now I just need a button to end the writer's strike.
Digital camera Review: As good as advertised ...
Summary: 4 Stars
There isn't, honestly, much I can add that you're not seeing in either (well written) spotlight reviews. The Slingbox is, in my opinion, every bit as impressive as its reputation led me to believe it was. There were, however, a few things I labeled as being pretty important though, that I didn't clearly understand going in. I was hoping to just clear those up for any potential customers.
1. The way this works is that Slingbox, basically, hijacks one of your cable boxes. For example, if I was to turn on the TV that my Slingbox was set up on, it's going to display whatever I'm watching. If I lived alone, this wouldn't be a big deal; but between everyone else in my house, I can't completely monopolize a TV. What I did was just attach the Slingbox to my basement TV, which they never use.
2. A connection to your home network is required. I had mistakenly thought it was optional, that you were hooking SlingBox directly to your PC (like other tuner models). Make sure you have some kind of an access point to connect to. If I was to wish for anything, I would have loved if this model came with some kind of a built-in wireless card. It would have been one less piece of equipment I had to buy.
3. Mac software is now available for download. I know a lot of us were waiting ... now the wait is over.
4. Streaming video is a monster on your internet hook-up's bandwidth, just be prepared for the slow-down if you have a lot of internet-ready devices (notebook, xBox live maybe, etc etc) running all the time. If your system has some mileage on the tires, this might be a good excuse to consider upgrading it a little bit.
Other then that, as I said, this is every bit as good as advertised. Enjoy it!
Digital camera Review: As good as most say it is
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought the reviews for this product were almost too good, so I was a little nervous that I would be disappointed. However, in just one week I don't undrestand how I lived without a SlingBox. Tremendous product that deserves its accolades. Now I just need to increase my upstream internet speed to use the highest quality setting.Digital camera Review: Awesome concept, but not for use as home tv
Summary: 3 Stars
I recently purchased a 19inch LCD monitor for use with my Macbook and decided that the new LCD was big and clear enough to replace my old tube TV in my room. After a little research of products that would allow my computer to become my TV I came across the Slingbox.
Immediately I was intrigued with the idea of being able to watch my Tivo on my computer at home as well as anywhere I may travel. I decided to go with the AV version simply because I have a series 2 Tivo and had no other components I wanted to run with my Slingbox.
When my Slingbox AV arrived I was very excited. Set-up took literally 5 minutes and before I knew it I was watching my Tivo on my LCD monitor. Aside from watching in full screen mode, as I would a normal TV, I have become accustomed to shrinking the screen and watching while I surf the web!
Now for the bad.
I must say I am really not impressed with the video quality. Although it is not bad after tweaking the settings, its still worse than that of my old tube tv, especially in full screen mode (the main mode of use for me.) I was really hoping for something to compliment my new flat panel LCD monitor, but the Slingbox AV isn't it.
I was also bothered by the delay when trying to navigate the Tivo guide and menus. It takes about 5 seconds for the Tivo to respond and complete my request via the "virtual remote." Don't even think about using your home Tivo remote, it takes even longer to process requests.
Although the concept of the Slingbox AV is very innovative, it just doesn't fulfill my needs as someone wanting to watch good quality TV through my home computer. I will probably be reselling my Slingbox and instead purchasing the Elgato Eyetv Hybrid, which supports not only analog channels through coaxial, but also receives over the air HD channels.
I do recommend the Slingbox to anyone who travels frequently, or to anyone who just wants to enjoy TV while multitasking on your computer, but anyone trying to enjoy quality video from an external LCD monitor, search elsewhere.
Digital camera Review: Awesome product !!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been using Slingbox AV for 6 months and I couldn't be happier. I use mainly on my Treo 755p cell phone and sometimes on my laptop(if out of city). I watch games and news while I am away from TV. You can hook it up to your Dish/Cable receiver, DVR, TIVO, etc. You can control it remotely; power on and off, change channels, volume, etc. Great product.