The Slingbox SOLO connects to your home-theater devices and allows you to watch your standard-definition (SD) or high-definition (HD) TV programs on your computer or mobile phone over the Internet from virtually anywhere in the world.

Starting up the Slingbox Solo

The Slingbox Solo allows you to watch your favorite shows in SD quality over the internet via your desktop, laptop, Mac, or mobile phone from virtually any location.

Getting started only requires a Windows PC or Mac, a high-speed internet connection and a home network router.

Setup & Running the Slingbox Solo

The Slingbox SOLO comes with the unit, an AC adapter (100-240V 50-60Hz), Ethernet cable, Quick Start Guide, Composite AV cable and a remote control IR cable.

Once the Slingbox base station is setup and ready, you’ll need to install viewing software on a Windows or Mac PC. The software setup includes a video-optimization wizard to automatically calibrate the software settings to your PC’s CPU and graphics card. Once running, the video window is similar to a QuickTime or Windows Media Player window with channel-changing controls.

The Slingplayer Solo comes with an electronic program guide to view your TV programming schedule. The player allows you to change channels, pause, rewind and fast-forward. The player can also be setup to work as a DVR with the on-screen virtual remote.

SlingBox Solo Phone Options

Mobile software is also offered for viewing TV programming various phones, such as compatible Windows Mobile, Symbian, or Palm OS mobile phones.

Other compatible phones include the iPhone and BlackBerry models. A separete software download is required.

Minimum PC Requirements

• HD Streaming: Intel 2.4 GHz Core 2 Duo class processor or equivalent with 2 GB of RAM.
• Video acceleration support desirable on graphics card.
• SD Streaming: Pentium 4 class or equivalent with 256 MB RAM.
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 with latest updates.
• Browser Support: Internet Explorer Version 7 or higher, Firefox Version 3 or higher.

Minimum Mac Requirements

• HD Streaming: Intel 2.8 GHz Core 2 Duo class processor or equivalent with 2 GB of RAM.
• SD Streaming: Intel-based Mac with 2 GB of RAM.
• Operating System: Mac OS 10.5.7 (Leopard) or later.
• Browser Support: Firefox Version 3 or higher, Safari Version 3 or higher.

What devices can you connect?

• Basic Cable TV Set-top Box
• Digital Cable Set-top Box
• DVR such as TiVo, Comcast, ReplayTV, DISH
• DVD Player/Recorder
• HD component input support with resolution up to 1080i (down-converted for streaming)
• Satellite Receiver such as DIRECTV or DISH
• Video/Security Camera
• Apple TV
• Windows Media Center

Video review of Slingbox Solo

Various Slingbox Solo Feedback from Online

The Amazon reviews of this device are fascinating in how some praise it as wondering while several others label it as “the worst product ever” (worse than Betamax?)

CNET’s review identified this as a nice choice for those who need HD compatibility, or pass-through outputs, but don’t need the extra features of the Slingbox Pro’s multiple device control. Reviewers like on Amazon were just a mixed in the praises, some stating that it worked as expected, and others saying that the device never worked properly.

Slingbox Solo – Prices, Deals and Discounts

On Amazon:
Available to buy at Amazon
On eBay:

Sling Media Slingbox SOLO SB260 100 Free shipping US $179.95   Auction Ends: 24d 10h 48m Make it yours…

Slingbox SOLO SB260 100 Network Media Player US $129.00   Auction Ends: 18d 14h 47m Make it yours…

You may also be interested in:

• Review of Hava Titanium Wi-Fi PlaceShifting Device on WebTVWire
• Other Articles on PlaceShifting & Slingbox
• Slingbox Solo Devices on Ebay

The Hava Titanium allows you to watch your home television content on your PC or mobile phone via a wireless connection.

What the Hava Titanium Does

The Hava Titanium HD is a placeshift device that lets you broadcast your TV content over wireless broadcast to PCs and mobile devices. It can also be combined with a USB drive to make it a DVR system.

You connect it to a USB hard drive and then record or play back any shows with the Hava PC Player. The system comes with the Hava box, a CD with software, cabling, an IR blaster and a USB WiWfi adapter.

Viewing TV Remotely with Hava

The HAVA Titanium HD WIFI lets you watch programming from your TV or another A/V device from virtually anywhere in the world with a broadband Internet connection. In addition, while watching, others in the household can watch the same programming on the home system.

Additionally, you can remotely control the settings for numerous A/V devices, such as PVRs, satellite TV, and digital cable boxes.

Video Example of the Hava Tinanium HD

Various Reviews of the Hava Titanium

Of the few reviews on CNET the opinion was mixed, with some criticism of the poor performance and difficult setup.  The review on PCMag also dinged the system for subpar performance and a difficult setup and configuration.

Gadgetell’s review, slightly more positive of the Hava, features a comprehensive gallery of images of the Hava worth checking out.

Specs

• Input/output: HD input, A/V input, S-Video input, aux audio, HD output, A/V output, S-Video output, Ethernet (RJ-45), IR blaster, 2 USB 2.0 ports
• System requirements: Windows XP (Home, Professional, MCE) with SP2, Windows Vista (all versions); Pentium 1.2 GHz or equivalent processor (1.5 GHz or higher recommended); 512 MB RAM (Windows XP), 1 GB (Windows Vista); 75 MB disk space to install the HAVA software, at least 500 MB disk space for time-shifting, 10 GB disk space recommended for recording; available RJ-45 Ethernet port; wired/wireless router
• Video format: MPEG-2, MPEG4
• Wireless specification: 802.11g

Prices, Deals and Discounts for the HAVA Titanium HD

On Amazon:
Available to buy at Amazon

On eBay:

HAVA Titanium HD PVR WiFi 80211G Internet Video Stream US $149.00   Auction Ends: 15d 20h 39m Make it yours…

HAVA Titanium HD TV Streamer MMA 20 JA 2410 US $49.99   1 Bid Auction Ends: 6h 42m Make it yours…

You may also be interested in:

• Kworld LiveQ IPTV Anywhere is Another Placeshifting Slingbox Alternative
• Other Reviews and Posts about Placeshifting Devices
• Hava Titanium HD Devices on Ebay

Zagg has made a big jump into the home convergence & placeshifting set top box market, from their typical line-up of cell phone screen protectors. Enter the ZaGGbox…

The device acts as a central hub for your various home TV devices (Xbox, Blu-ray player, PS3, DVR, cable box etc.), a way to watch media from devices on your home network as well as a Slingbox style placeshifter.

Universal Remote

A neat feature of the Zaggbox, which is largely absent from other media streaming hubs, is the fact it has a truly universal remote.

You can control any device hooked up to the device with the remote (pictured below) or with the iPhone/iPod touch app. Remote control apps for other smart-phones are also due to be released.

I got to check out the Zaggbox at this year’s CES and it does have an easy-to-use onscreen interface. So using the universal remote to manage your integrated home media equipment from one convenient control is pretty easy.

Record from any Device

You can record from any device that is hooked up to the Zaggbox too onto its internal 1TB drive. This gives it basic DVR functionality as well as creating an easy way to record of gaming consoles or any other set top box.

When recording the ZAGGbox automatically reads and transcodes any video codec into two formats at one time; one for television viewing and a separate version optimized for the Apple iPhone/iPod family.

It’s video compression ability makes for high quality placeshifting if you want to view your home TV content on a computer or iPhone with an internet connection.

Stream Within & Beyond the Home

Media stored on the ZAGGbox can be broadcast within the home or beyond the home (like the Slingbox) via a browser or cell phone client.
The media content streams through UPnP, Video Podcasting, or a built-in web server. You can also share media with friends but the Zaggbox will screen the videos your share for copyright and may restrict what you can share.

In addition, the ZAGGbox has the ability to aggregate the video from compatible security cameras, which can be viewed on a live stream with a mobile Internet device. It makes sense that the Zaggbox could also be used as a live broadcaster – aka slingcatcher.

Being internet enabled it would have been a sweet bonus to have access to online video, but that could be cheaply achieved with a PopBox.

Home Automation

The ZAGGbox allows for home automation. Utilizing the Z-Wave system, it will be compatible with security systems, HVAC systems, door locks, or lighting. This feature set will be available shortly after launch.

Feature Overview

• True Universal Remote
• 3 HD inputs & 2 SD inputs
• 1TB internal hard drive.
• 4 USB ports for expandable storage
• UPnP and DLNA support
• iPhone/Ipod remote control Apps
• Stream media from devices on home network
• Watch home recordings on any internet/3G/wi-fi connected iPhone or computer
• Home automation functions.

Zaggbox Specs

• Hard Disk – 1Terabyte
• Network – 100 Base-T
• Wireless – 802.11b/g/n; Ad-Hoc Open with WEP or Infrastructure Open with WEP, WPA-PSK with TKIP or AES
• Connectivity – SMB (Microsoft Windows share) or UPnP
• HDMi Output – v1.1
• Audio ADC – MP3, AAC, M4A
• Video Decoder – MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG4.2, WMV9, VC-1, MPEG4.10(H.264)/AVC, DivX®, Xvid
• HD Encoder – 10X compression for HD .mov files; 50X-100X compression for iPhone platform
• Inputs – 3 component, 2 composite video/S-Video, 5 USB 2.0, 8-1 Multi ready (SD, Xd, MMC) SD card reader. No HDMI Inputs?
• Parental Controls – USA TV/Movie, Canadian English/French rating levels, user-defined ratings, channel block, front panel control lock
• Closed captioning – Analog and digital closed captions with customizable colors, fonts, and backgrounds. Single-button CC on/off.

Pros

• True universal remote
• Plenty of inputs
• Aggregate home network onto the TV set
• Works great with iPhone
• Healthy 1TB internal hard drive & USB ports for more
• Access home media from anywhere

Cons

• Pricey
• No access to online TV channels
• Small monthly subscription fee
• No HDMI inputs

The Bottom Line

Priced at a whopping $999 (with a $799 pre-order option) this is an expensive device. If you have a bunch of black TV gadget boxes in your front room then this is a great device to bring them all together and make them accessible from one remote and allow online access. As a home media convergence device it does the job well, but still costly.

However, I can’t understand why there are no HDMI inputs. If you want to access all your home media devices via the Zaggbox interface then some of those will connect via HDMI, but you would have to settle for an SD composite connection unless they can stream over the home network.

Zagg did also mention a small monthly subscription fee (about $5/mo) which appears to be for the ability to stream your media beyond the home.

It is available for pre-order from the Zagg website, and any eBay deals will appear below when available:

Also See:

• The Monsoon Volcano – Another home convergence device (which is cheaper)
• More internet TV set top boxes on WebTVWire
• HDMI cables on eBay

ConnecTV is billed as the world’s first social media center for MIPS Android-based embedded platforms. Today it provides an insight into how the digital home may evolve over the next few years as more powerful internet frameworks are rolled out.

Today I got a hands-on preview of the ConnecTV platform produced by Home Jinni. At first it looks like just another GUI for a home media center like you’d see on the AppleTV, Boxee or PopBox. However, after a while you realize this media center software is incredibly powerful and packed with potential.

The platform would be used by any TVs, media centers, cell phones and set top boxes that wanted the technology. There’s also the possibility it would be released as a standalone open-source software for compatible computers reminiscent of Boxee.

Let’s take a hands-on peak…

A Media Center for the Future

Essentially it has the potential to create a set-top-box that has everything. A couple of years ago I dreamed about the DVR of the future, now ConnecTV looks like the platform that could pull it off.

Times are changing though with on-demand web video sneaking into the mainstream, which would make DVR functionality mostly redundant. At least that’s how Shidan Gouran of Home Jinni sees it.

What makes ConnecTV stand out is the speed and seamless integration between devices. It is built for MIPS Android based systems and for use with the faster and more powerful internet framework IMS/4G which looks set to become mainstream over the next 5 years.

Placeshifting, Broadcasting & Home Networked Video

For example, you could flip the video you are watching onto any DLNA device on your home network, or to any other compatible Android device in the world without the need to install additional software. It’s a media extender and placeshifter in one.

The idea is you could literally login from anywhere and move your media between any DLNA devices on your home network.

So imagine you are watching a cool video. Using the social networking feature you could almost instantly stream the video to a friend’s smartphone where it would pop-up right on their screen.

It’s Slingbox and Slingcatcher functionality all in one. Watch your home video collection from anywhere, and send media and video (including live video) to anyone with a compatible device.

Platform Built for Apps

ConnecTV for the most-part is open source allowing anyone to create Apps for the platform.

It is likely that some (probably most) of the manufacturers that would use the platform would decide to lock out third party apps. A cable provider for example would want tight control over what you could do on your media center.

However, it is very likely some forward thinking company would embrace the open source aspect allowing an array of hacks and apps to do almost anything you could imagine with ConnecTV.

Designed for Consumer Electronics

Built from the ground up for Androld, ConnectTV can be embedded directly in all Blu-Ray players, digital TV sets and set-top boxes that support the MIPS Android platform.

Internet TV

• Search and browse for TV content from thousands of websites.
• Stream directly to the TV set without needing a PC or media adaptors.
• Just input what you want to watch and have ConnecTV find it for you across all Internet sources. This can include virtually any online video source the set-top-box manufacturer wants.
• Play media from devices on your home network.
• ConnecTV claims it is the most advanced client for online movie databases and TV meta-data lookup, for example showing a movie synopsis from the IMDB database.

Social Networking

• ConnecTV comes integrated with all popular Soclal Networks including Facebook, Myspace Twitter, Ning, Orkut and all Opensocial sites.
• Social Recommendation Engine, watch what your friends recommend.

DLNA Network

• Discover aggregate and search all media in your home network from DLNA devices.
• Just enter what you are looking for and ConnecTV will look for it on your home network and on the net.
• Seamlessly play media on any DLNA device in the home.
• ConnecTV is a full featured DLNA Controller, Media Player and Media Server

Application Framework

• A rich application framework for unified search discovery and aggregation of content from Internet TV and DLNA media sources.
• Plug-in Container
• A powerful component architecture to extend the ConnecTV Internet TV and DLNA framework.
• Example TV application plug-ins include:
  - Non Web TV media sources (1MS/Open IPTV, P2P-Next, etc)
  - Network IP Camera Controller/NVR
  - Chrome Energy Management / Home Automation

The ConnecTV Low Down – Where it Could Go Wrong

ConnecTV certainly makes a promising media center, but it is a long way of from becoming a reality.

The first hurdle is the uptake of the underlying technology. 4G/IMS internet would need to become more mainstream, and the device hosting the software would need to use a MIPS Android platform.

With Google being such a fan of the Android platform, and with 4G/IMS currently looking like the favorite technology for the next internet framework things do look promising in that respect.

However, the key for ConnecTV is partners that would manufacturer devices which use the media center platform. Right now ConnecTV does not have anyone signed up, but CES is the first time the product has been unveiled.

It should be available to OEM partners by the summer of 2010, at which point we’d hope to see ConnecTV finding some solid partners.

Also See

• Monsoon Volcano HD Review | Slingbox Placeshifting, YouTube Streaming Internet Video & TiVoToGo All-In-One
• More CES 2010 Coverage
• Unlocking Android: A Developer’s Guide (Book)

A new promising placeshifting device with the potential to become the ultimate all-in-one home TV device is due for launch in March 2010.

The ‘Volcano’ from Monsoon Multimedia (the makers of the HAVA placeshifting line) is WebTVWire’s favorite device from the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show. Quite simply this slimline set top box is packed with a variety of promising features.

It is essentially does all of the following:

• HD placeshifter – Allows you to view 720p high definition streams of your home Cable TV connection and home video library over the internet.
• DVR – Plug in your cable box or other TV source and you have the typical DVR functions of recording and playing TV.
• Internet TV – Right not its YouTube for online video and CinemaNow for paid movies. In the works are many other web TV services including Boxee and Netflix.
• Apps – The device should also allow you to play on Twitter and Facebook as well as do a lot of other stuff like play games and check the weather through third-party apps.
• Live Broadcast - It can even broadcast video from your home live across the internet.
• Home Network Media – Access and share video and media across your home network wired or wirelessly.

Soak up some pics and watch a video of it in action…

An Internet TV Set Top Box

In addition to placeshifting the device also tries to be an internet enabled set top box like the Roku. It can play a variety of content including videos from YouTube and on-demand movies from CinemaNow.

Simply putting YouTube on the TV screen will make a lot of people happy, and makes the PopBox, which lacks YouTube streaming, look a lot less appealing when this slim little box can access the biggest video site on Earth.

Digital Video Recorder

Monsoon describe the DVR feature as being akin to TiVo with a recommendation engine that records your favorite TV for you. The typical DVR features of pausing and rewinding live TV are also present.

It doesn’t come with an internal tuner so you will need to hook it up to your cable box or other TV source. Lacking a tuner will mean that you probably won’t be able to record and play different TV stations at the same time.

The DVR can also be accessed remotely so you can manage your recording schedule.

A Media Extender

It doesn’t end there however! The Volcano can also play videos off local storage media via USB, eSATA and UPnP. It even crosses into media extender territory with support for DLNA meaning it can access DLNA compatible devices on the home network.

It can also stream files over a home network over UPnP, and video streaming in this fashion is also planned.

To be clear you can both access media on other devices and play them, and other devices can access the Volcano and play the media stored on it.

App Crazy

Monsoon is very keen on getting as many apps for the Volcano as possible. Already guaranteed for launch are YouTube and CinemaNow, but also planned is Twitter, Netflix, Facebook, Last.fm, Boxee and many more.

App production is open to third party developers.

A TiVoToGO-esque Function

No it doesn’t stop there either! You can copy videos from an attached set-top-box (say your recorded programs on your DVR) and quickly export them to external media, or the integrated storage that is planned on later models. This is a bit like TiVoToGo.

A Placeshifter

Simply connect to your home theater using the software available ot PC, Max OS X, iPhone, Symbian, or Windows Mobile smartphone.

To stream content over the net it uses a 150kbps uplink speed, as well as H.264 video compression technology developed by Monsoon

A Live Broadcaster – aka SlingCatcher

Also planned for the Volcano is the ability to stream live (or recorded) video from your home across the internet. This is what the SlingCatcher does.

If the Volcano can pull all this off it will be a media extender, Slingbox, SlingCatcher, Internet TV set-top-box & TiVoToGo machine all in-one!

Monsoon looks set to take the place of Slingmedia as the innovative company coming out with ground-breaking disruptive technology. Slingmedia seems to have lost its disruptive passion when it was taken over by Echostar (aka DISH Network).

Volcano Features Overview

• All-in-One video convergence device combines major features of TiVo, Slingbox/HAVA, Roku and Remote DVR features for a fraction of the cost
• High-quality video playback
• Includes hardware remote control; smartphones and computers have on-screen remotes
• Free app with EPG supports Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Blackberry, Android, Symbian and Windows Mobile smartphones
• Streams high-quality video at H.264 and MPEG-4 standards at 150kbps
• Enables full remote control and channel changing capabilities of any TV source such as Cable, Satellite, DVD or TiVo
• Wireless N for video uplink and broadcast throughout the home
• Smooth video over 3G as well as Wi-Fi
• Browse EPG for schedules, series and episode descriptions
• Built in infrared to control set-top box remotely
• Multiple users can have recordings on the Volcano hard-drive and access them independently

GUI Let Down?

According to Dave Zatz the GUI is a little rough around the edges so usability could be an issue, although Monsoon did say the interface is stll being worked on and improved. The media interface is Cover Flow-esque (like how you browse albums on the iPod) which looks promising.

The box design however is certainly very sleek (pictures coming shortly), it is a thin black design with a healthy selection of inputs and outputs on the back.

How Much?

The Volcano is expected in March in a 4GB flash memory version for $199. A Pro edition will also be sold for $299 which features a more healthy 250GB drive. A lifetime or term-based subscription will also be needed, but details on this have not yet been released.

Buy Monsoon Volcano

As soon as the Monsoon Volcano is available to purchase it will be listed here:

Also See

• DISH Network DVR with Slingbox technology
• More Slingplayer & Placeshifting News
• Monsoon HAVA placeshifters on eBay

DISH has been showing off the ViP 922 DVR at this year’s CES which integrates Slingmedia’s Slingbox technology and on-demand video.

The DVR is internet enabled and will include the TV Everywhere experience allowing you to watch a variety of HD cable TV shows and movies, on-demand, using your internet connection.

In addition this set-top-box also has Slingmedia technology allowing you to access live TV and recordings from your home. Like with a Slingbox you can access the video content over your home network, or any computer or sling-compatible device connected to the internet.

“By integrating Sling Media’s Slingbox technology into our industry-leading HD DVR, DISH Network is providing even more ways for our subscribers to view their TV programming – through their television sets, their desktops at home, their laptops on the road, and their smartphones including Blackberrys, iPhones and more,” says DISH Network Chairman, CEO and President Charlie Ergen.

It features the typical DVR features like rewinding and pausing live TV, as well as a hefty 1TB drive which will store approx. 1000 hours of standard definition video content.

In addition you can connect to the DVR remotely over the internet to manage and view your recordings.

Innovative Touchpad Remote

The ViP 922 remote has lost most of the buttons of a standard remote and instead uses a touchpad which allows cursor-like navigation on the TV-Screen.

"With a slide of the thumb, viewers experience scroll-over activation of the new user interface: on-screen widget-like tiles and pop-up menus. All features are selectable by an underside index finger trigger selection on the radio frequency-controlled remote, which offers two-way learning of codes from other AV equipment remote controls."

The remote can be seen in action from last year’s CES:

ViP 922 DVR Features Roundup:

• News feeds located on the home screen, giving viewers instant access to national news, weather, sports, and stock quotes.
• Ability to organize channels by channel name or number.
• 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480i and 480p support.
• Internet-delivered DISH On Demand including 1080p content.
• Ability to move one day in the guide while browsing full screen EPG or partial EPG.
• Connections to home networks via Ethernet, HomePlug Turbo (the next generation of HomePlug that allows for faster in-home transfer of content using home power lines), or WiFi (with optional WiFi adapter).
• Powerful search capability across all available video sources, including IP, VOD, satellite or DVR.
• Intuitive timer creation and DVR management, allowing users to categorize programming by groups (video source, title, genres) or by content description (date, length, ratings and more).
• Ability to load photos, MP3s and selected Internet content.
• Future upgrades such as photo sharing, movie ticket purchases, family calendars, instant messaging, streaming audio, and the ability to transfer content within a home network.

DISH 922 DVR Low Down

It certainly sounds like a great DVR to have which is packed with a lot of features for the uber-TV user, but is probably beyond the needs of the average viewer.

It pretty much has all the features you could expect from a cable network, sure we’d like to see more, but those features don’t fit with a cable company’s business model.

The question really comes down to price, and DISH have not disclosed pricing details yet, but I’d expect it would only be available on the high-cost subscriptions or cost a minimum of $400 to buy outright.

DISH DVRs on eBay:

Dish Network UHF remote for 501 DVR US $2.20   4 Bids Auction Ends: 1h 12m Make it yours…

DISH PVR 508 Receiver Digital Video Recorder Remote US $29.95   1 Bid Auction Ends: 7h 53m Make it yours…

Dish Network Dual TV DVR625 w 2 remotes all cables US $20.00   0 Bid Auction Ends: 9h 46m Make it yours…

Also See

• WebTVWire CES Coverage
• More TV Gadgets on WebTVWire
• TiVo DISH DVRs on eBay

The Kworld LiveQ TV IPTV is a placeshifting device. This simply means that it allows you to broadcast your home TV (cable, DVR recordings etc.) securely over the internet so you can watch it from anywhere with an internet connection.

The Kworld LiveQ conveniently shapes like a small, compact cube, and allows the user to broadcast live TV, recorded programs and music from their home to watch from the internet.  The LiveQ basically functions similar to the way a SlingBox does.

Controls and Recording Options with the KWorld LiveQ

The system also provides additional AV/S-Video input for connecting other video sources, such as DVD Player, VHS or camcorder. A Scheduled-Recording function allows programs to be recorded and played later. The LiveQ also supports a picture-in-picture (PIP) function.

Technical Details

The setup and installation of the KWorld Live Q with CyberLink Live is very direct. It uses the USB 2.0 interface of the PC. CyberLink provides the software that allows the user access from an external connection, using PowerDirector and CyberLink Live.

Video Review of the Kworld LiveQ

What Others Are Saying about the KWorld Live Q

Techradar offered a mostly satisfactory review, although they did identify some limitations with the signal based on location, as well as some lack in flexibility, as the home machine needs to remain switched on since the LiveQ lacks a wake-upon-demand feature.

User reviews appear mixed on Buy.com. Some praise the convenience of the system when traveling, while some noted issues with setup and configuration.

Kworld LiveQ – Prices, Deals and Discounts

On Amazon:
Available to buy at Amazon

On eBay:

You may also be interested in:

• My-IPTV Anywhere Mobile 2.0 for Watching TV on any Cellphone or PDA Device
• Other Posts Discussing Slingmedia – The Innovators of Placeshifting Devices.
• Other Kworld LiveQ Systems Offered on Ebay

SlingPlayer

For those unaware of Sling Media, the Slingbox, or SlingPlayer Mobile, a quick explanation. The Slingbox is a device which once hooked up to your other equipment and your Broadband router allows you to watch TV anywhere in the world on your computer.

Not only this, but you can also control your TV, cable box, DVR, or whatever from afar. It’s an essential piece of equipment for those people who spend long stretches of time away from home but don’t want to get back to their house with a plethora of television content to catch up on.

Smartphone Mobile App

The Slingbox seems made for interaction with the new breed of smartphones. Combining the two pieces of technology would be a dream for people who want to be able to watch television on the move. Sling Media agrees, and has spent the last few months developing and releasing SlingPlayer Mobile for as many platforms as possible.

The SlingPlayer Mobile App is now available for BlackBerry, Windows Smartphone and Pocket PC, and Palm amongst others, The mobile app means Slingbox owners can now do everything they previously needed a laptop to do using just their compatible smartphone.

Blackberry and iPhone

The Blackberry version has now come out of beta after finally being released in December after a long wait. Sling Media is offering a free 30-day trial of SlingPlayer Mobile for Blackberry which you can get your hands on by visiting http://mobile.slingmedia.com on your Blackberry. The full version costs $29.99, which may seem hefty but is quite a bargain when you consider the amount you get for your money.

Even more exciting is the news that SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone looks like finally being on its way. The app has been rumored and anticipated ever since Apple released the iPhone. It was first seen in public at Macworld 2009, and CNET takes a first look at how it works in the video below.

Finally On Way

Sling Media has now announced that it has submitted SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone to the iTunes App Store. The last stage before it finally appears is for Apple to approve it. This is highly likely but Apple has a history of wanting to over-control its business and could still put a spanner in the works.

Update: Slingplayer iPhone App is Here

Apple did approve the app and it is available to download here.

BlackBerry Smartphone on eBay

NEW Unlocked Blackberry 9530 Storm Smart Phone US $154.99   Auction Ends: 27d 6h 1m Make it yours…

BlackBerry Tour 9630 Black Verizon Smartphone US $199.99   Auction Ends: 15m Make it yours…

Slingbox

Sling Media has long been a player in the world of Internet TV, but until now, that has been only via the Slingbox, a placeshifting device that allows you to stream cable TV to a PC or mobile device.

The Slingbox, originally introduced in 2005, was a simple yet brilliant product allowing you to broadcast your traditional television signal around your house via the Internet. Any Internet-enabled device could receive the signal, allowing you to watch TV on a number of devices.

SlingCatcher

With TVs not generally being Internet-enabled, the big-screen television in your bedroom or whatever wasn’t part of the deal. Until now.

Now, Sling Media has entered the already crowded set-top box market, with its SlingCatcher product competing with Apple TV, the Roku box, and Vudu, amongst others.

Features

The new SlingCatcher fills this void, doing three things:

• Watch video from your Slingbox.
• Watch video from the Internet.
• Watch video from your PC.

The capability to watch video from the Internet is what Apple TV and Roku already enable you to do, but SlingCatcher isn’t limited to content partners. Instead, anything you can watch on your PC can now be watched on your TV. This includes Hulu, YouTube, and Joost.

Conclusions

Apple TV does have one advantage: a hard drive making it possible to store content, which SlingCatcher doesn’t have. Roku may be much more limited, but it’s a lot cheaper (at $100), with the SlingCatcher retailing for $300.

As Web video grows, the range and need for these types of devices will grow with it. SlingCatcher may not be a must buy right now, but it could become as essential as an Apple iPod or PC in the years to come.

SlingCatcher Marketplace – Prices, Deals & Discounts

On eBay

slingcatcher and slingbox new from slingmedia USA with full warranty and support US $400.00   1 Bid Auction Ends: 4h 17m Make it yours…

SLINGCATCHER BNIB US $329.00   Auction Ends: 24d 12h 29m Make it yours…

On Amazon
Buy a ‘Sling Media SlingCatcher’ box from Amazon

Dave Zatz is reporting that Echostar Communications Company, the people known for its Dish Network Satellite TV will be shelling out that amount for the company.

Sling Media is the maker of the Slingbox and Slingplayer which allow you to placeshift your TV programming from your home across the internet to allow you to view that content anywhere there is an internet connection.

Any time an innovative company like Sling Media is purchased by a larger media/distribution company there are concerns about the future path of that innovative company and this will be no exception.  

Blake Krikorian Quotes

Still Blake Krikorian, the CEO of Sling Media said this in an interview with the Paid Content weblog:

“We expect very little change to our business except that we have even deeper pockets, and access to other core technologies.”

Here’s what he said regarding why they are selling to Echostar:

“With EchoStar, we’d gotten to know them, to know Charlie. Charlie is one of the real pioneers. He’s a guy who helped build an entire industry, he’s a founder, he’s an entrepreneur. Clearly, there’s a lot I can learn from him.

He understands us … He knows what it’s like to be this passionate about what you do. I’m very confident that the position we’re being put in here, the opportunity being provided us is one that will only accelerate what we’re building.”

Conclusions

This should be interesting to watch.  Its interesting that Echostar is interested in Sling Media and will be even more interesting to see what they plan to do with Sling Media.

Echostar also announced that they were considering a spin-off of their technology and infrastructure assets from the Dish Network U.S. consumer business.  

This would leave the pay-TV Dish Network in the existing company and the remainder of the assets, presumably including Sling Media’s in a separate spin-off.

This article was written by Brent Evans, a tech & gadget enthusiast. It is licensed under the Creative Commons.