Sling Media Slingbox PRO-HD SB300-100
by Sling Media
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List Price: Category: CE See more product details |
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(Click here)
Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Sling Media Slingbox PRO-HD SB300-100
Customer Review: This is a great product in theory
Summary: 1 Stars
I can't agree more with the other users frustrations from online support. I got this product so that I could use it when I moved from the US to Switzerland. It worked flawlessly, FOR the First 3 months. I was getting near HD quality from Michigan to Switzerland 2.5 to 2.8mbs signal. It varied at times but for the most part that was acceptable. Then they rolled out a firmware update, and I accepted it and it still worked for another month. Then in December (just in time for the College Football Bowl Games) my player was receiving a steady signal at 120kbs. This occured from France/Switzerland/friends who were in Michigan etc. all got the same signal. It had nothing to do with the quality of the internet service. Their Warranty and support is a sham. I tried but got no help and told the same $30, $50 story. The fact is it is clearly a problem with their equipment. In fact I had my friend at home reset everything box, router, etc. This fixed the problem and I thought it was a glitch and wondered why they didn't post this issue/fix on their website. Well, that only worked for about three weeks and now it is streaming between 120kbs and 200kbs. At least now I do get a picture, the first time it was sound only.
It is such a necessary product for me, but they have mismanaged the support so badly I am thinking of junking it and cancelling cable modem in US and cancelling direct TV.
Also of note, there is a part of their site that claims now that they know about this problem and requests all sorts of information and feedback. Just one problem! There is no place to submit the information.
Buyer be aware.
Customer Review: Note if you are interested about the SOC regulations
Summary: 4 Stars
I did quiet a lot of research prior to buying this gadget. I am reasonably technical and didnt have too many issues setting up the system; it does what it says on the tin and does stream HD content well. I still have one issue getting the Sling player website ActiveX plugins to work in IE - everytime I install them on Windows 7/IE8 it thinks I dont have them, not a prob right now as it works in Firefox. However the item I wanted to bring to everyones attention is this: In May 2010 a piece of legislation was passed called the SOC (Selectable Output Control if you want to look it up more) and it allows the movie and cable companies to control the output ports on the back of electronic devices. Therefore if you are intending to have both a TV connected to your cable box using HDMI and also run an HD component lead to your slingbox you may find it doesnt work. The reason for this is that the cable box (mine is a Scientific Atlanta 4250HD unit) will shut down the other HD outlets when an HDMI cable is inserted - meaning you cant watch HD content via the slingbox unless you unplug the HDMI cable to the TV first, this obviously isnt practical unless you are next to your cable box etc when you want to switch over. There are a couple of work arounds, however they kind of defeat the purpose of buying this product - you can try to use S-Video out from the cable box, but then you wont get HD onto the slingbox; or you can switch to using component connections between the slingbox and TV - but then you have to downgrade from HDMI cables. For more info on the work around see: [...]
Hope this helps some of you..
Cheers
Philip
Customer Review: Love the Slingbox PRO-HD
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this device as a way to help a friend get American TV while stationed overseas, but turns out he doesn't have enough download speed to make it possible. Won't be able to help friends and family in places such as Iraq or Afghanistan, but that has nothing to do with the Slingbox itself. That has to due with wireless and networking infrastructure in those places.
On my wireless network at home, this device provides a beautiful picture on all of my computers. My new ASUS netbook struggles with the amount of data being thrown at it, so I had to dial its Sling Player settings back in order to have a real good netbook viewing quality. For those of you who don't know, you need Slingplayer ( a free download that you use on your computers to watch your Sling box ) to be able to hook up to your Slingbox via the internet or your own network. Don't be a hero! Let the auto configuration stuff do what its suppose to do. Trust in the technology!
My upload speed out of my network is a pawltry 384 kB/s, and when I am viewing from a remote computer such as work, the max speed inbound is 266 kB/s. This is sufficient for a decent, non-HD viewing. I have found that the absolute minimum (go/no go) needed is 180 kB/s.
Love the fact that there is a tuner built in, so you don't have to disturb anyone else's television viewing.
And I love the potential of this box, as in "what else can I hook up to it?"
Bottom line is: works as expected, really looks good on the INTERNAL network where there is more speed available for enhanced viewing. Program Guide works. This is a good device. Recommended buy!
Customer Review: Great Once I Got It Working
Summary: 5 Stars
I installed this device over a few hours at a relatives house. My goal is to watch Fall sporting events remotely.
Review of using the device:
PROS: I am able to view in HD & lower quality and it looks fantastic! Sounds great too. Like the 3 interfaces to use the Slignbox: full client install, via the Web & via mobile phone. All 3 look great.
CONS: Sometimes the sound is out of sync slightly with the video, but not enough for me to worry about. The software interface is not the sleekest & most intuitive but it does well enough. Channel changing can be slow but I understand why & can live with it.
Install: (3 Stars)
PROS: I had no real issues getting the Slingbox to recognize the channels available. I was very happy with the chat support who was able contact me, to remote into my computer, and solve my issue in like 8 minutes flat.
CONS: Internet setup for remote viewing trickier than I thought & I am generally comfortable with that stuff. The documentation was wrong for my router (or maybe all routers?), the tech switched one number in the router setup & we were done. Also the 'router wizard' they have failed to work for the older router that I had available.
Caveat: I setup a very vanilla system, just plugged in a cable ready into the Slingbox & was happy. Did not have a use for controlling a cable box or DVR, so it was as simple as I think it can get setup-wise; no IR blaster for me
Overall very pleased, the picture is razer sharp at HD levels, I am looking forward to the Fall 2009 when I can see
my team play in near HD.
Customer Review: Beats Paying Cable
Summary: 5 Stars
First off, I've been a user of the slingbox for almost two years, have two pro hd's and also have the Sony Locationfree device. Locationfree uses the same technology as Slingmedia except sling's technology is more refined. The location free using the same location, internet, and everything else, constantly skips and pauses when watching for long periods. The slingbox, however, doesn't do that as often. My internet speeds from the slingbox location is usually 1mb up, 5-8mb down. The place where I usually sling is 3mb down, .7 up. Very decent quality on a 26" flat screen.
Warranty/Customer Service
I suggest anyone who will depend on watching slingbox as your primary means of TV to get the extended warranty. Many are confusing the 90 day warranty with the actual 1 year warranty. The warranty is 1 year. The customer support is 90 days. The customer service, however is not as great at times but once you confuse them, they usually will give you what you want. If not, hang up and call another person. I've called them for support after the 90 day period and just told them there were problems with it. They exchanged it for me without a problem. This was for a slingcatcher though, but I don't see a problem when asking for a slingbox pro hd. If it does break after the warranty period, they offer a replacement for $150. BUY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY!
Overall impression
This thing is the best. I have two, purchased the extended warranty, and supposedly, I can apply it to any of the pro hd's I have. Cable cost nearly $100 dollars per month. Internet cost less way less.