The news
Sling Media is introducing - initially only in the USA - three new members to its family of Slingbox video-distribution devices, including a high-def-ready model. A Slingbox lets you watch on a PC a household's TV programmes - at home and also anywhere in the world there's a decent internet connection. And you can control programming over the internet, too.
In contrast with the original Slingbox, all three newcomers are compatible with Macs, not just Windows PC. They're also usable with Windows-based mobile phones. Check out the specs and requirements here.
The HD-ready Slingbox PRO (suggested price $250) doesn't have an HDMI port - though you might be fooled when looking at the socket line-up.
Instead, you plug into that pseudo HDMI port at the far right a $50 optional extra, the HD Connect, though that won't be arriving until later in autumn. This pass-through device adds the ability to handle inputs from component video and is said to be compatible with HDTV video services of up to 1080i resolution.
What also needs to be realised is that the Slingbox PRO doesn't necessarily output HD to the PC. Instead, it's said to use "SlingStream" technology within the box to adapt the high definition video stream to current network conditions - whether watching TV on a computer or a mobile phone.
Click for larger imageSo, what Sling Media is really saying is that your having an HD TV services doesn't now prevent you from watching it on a PC or mobile - though what you see there won't necessarily (or, perhaps, evenly likely) be HD because the box has adjusted the level of its "high quality" video compression to suit.
The two other newcomers are the Slingbox AV and Slingbox TUNER, each priced at $180 - about $20 less than the original and now discontinued Slingbox. They're described by Sling Media as segemented replacements for the original, with each aimed at customers with "specific TV configurations" at home.
Unlike the original, which has a built-in TV tuner, Slingbox AV is aimed at folk who receive standard-def TV using a set-top box of some sort - terrestrial TV, satellite or, perhaps a terrestrial or satellite PVR. The AV takes in its signal via an S-video or composite video connection from the set-top box.
Support is said to be provided for widescreen (16:9) and, again, the level of its "high quality" video compression can be adjusted to suit different circumstances.
The Slingbox TUNER, in contrast, only takes in an RF signal - from an analogue satellite receiver.
It's not clear which of the three models will be coming to the UK (we should know that early next year). Logically, Sling Media must bring in the PRO and, we'd guess, probably also the AV, since between them, they pretty much cover all possibilities - doing away, we think, with the need to bother with the Slingbox TUNER.
What ever the case, we rather hope that, unlike the original - which was introduced here only in June (fitted with a Freeview digital terrestrial tuner and priced at £180) - the new products won't arrive as Dixons Store Group exclusives.
Oh, and for those who still can't quite get their heads around the Slingbox concept, below are a few explanatory images that we included in our summer write up of the Slingbox's UK arrival. But do please realise that these images relate directly to the original product and not any of the three new models, though the concept remains much the same.
SlingPlayer software putting up programming from NTL that's
controlled by a virtual remote handset (note the IR transmitter
draped over the broadcast receiver box in the diagram below)
Check out Slim Media's press release on page two, then share your thoughts and experiences on internet video-distribution devices in this thread in the HEXUS.lifestyle.news forum.
Update - October 4, 21:42
Sling Media got back to us to clarify some details about the functionality of the three new products, so we've made considerable changes to the above text, especially in the parts about the Slingbox AV and the Slingbox TUNER and thereafter.
HEXUS.links
HEXUS.community :: discussion thread about this articleHEXUS.lifestyle headline :: Revolutionary Slingbox video distribution system finally arrives in UK
HEXUS.lifestyle headline :: LocationFree, Sony's Slingbox rival, hits UK at lower-than-expected premium
External.links
PC World - Slingbox home pagePC World - home page
Sling Media - Slingbox UK home page
Sling Media - Slingbox tech specs and system requirements
Sling Media - home page
