Sling Media Slingbox Pro-HD
Manufacturer: Sling Media Part number: SB300100
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Sling Media Pro-HD streams live TV to your PC or smartphone--but for most users, its excellent HD-capable picture quality will be diminished when accessed outside of the home network.
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Where to buy
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CNET editors' review
Sling Media Slingbox Pro-HD price range: $297.95
- Reviewed by: John Falcone
- Reviewed on: 09/24/2008
- Released on: 09/24/2008
The good: Streams home TV and other audiovisual sources to any broadband-connected Mac, Windows PC, Windows Mobile, Palm, or Symbian device in the world; streams HD video (bandwidth permitting); no host PC or monthly charges required; easy-to-use software; controls almost all cable and satellite boxes and DVRs; superb video quality over home network, good video quality via the Internet; simple, straightforward setup.
The bad: Cell phone/PDA viewing software costs extra; no built-in wireless networking support; monopolizes most AV sources during viewing; best video quality requires ample bandwidth and muscular PC.
The bottom line: The Sling Media Pro-HD streams live TV to your PC or smartphone--but for most users, its excellent HD-capable picture quality will be diminished when accessed outside of the home network.
User reviews
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I really like the Slingbox PRO-Great solution for me!
by bnegaard on March 16, 2010
Pros: 1- Excellent way to share a TV from a remote location(probably the only easy way)
2- The picture is quite good in HD best quality.
3- No monthly fee.
4- You can run it on any computer you log in to(only one at a time though)Cons: 1- You MUST have a high speed connection on both sides if you want to stream in HD (otherwise it is choppy)
2- You have to dedicate a cable box for it-sharing it will not be much fun.
3- Better on a small screen like a laptop.Summary: Overall an excellent product. If you have someone on either end using a video intensive application (XBOX Live comes to mind) you will get choppy performance on both the Slingbox ...
Summary: Overall an excellent product. If you have someone on either end using a video intensive application (XBOX Live comes to mind) you will get choppy performance on both the Slingbox and XBOX. It is definitely a hog for your pipeline. It will get choppy whenever your download speeds are low. I would not do it unless you have purchased a highspeed connection beyond standard DSL. You will need at least 1mbps speed or run it at a lower quality (setable on the screen). I use it at work all the time to watch FOX news or other programs when I have time. I also have a second house-I was able to bypass buying a second Uverse package and just went for high speed internet instead. I use it daily for 3+ hours and have not had much to complain about. The best part is I can set and record shows just as if I were at home. Overall a money saver. There is no monthly access fee either. I think you have to factor that into the initial cost. If I had to pay $20 per month I would still do it but it becomes pricey.I would buy it again and recommend it to others. If you only have one cable box don't do it unless there is no one at home watching. It fills a need.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Brilliant Product
by TechnoPhobe01 on July 3, 2009
Pros: The Pro is a dream to setup, and as an over the air digital tuner. I also have a sling catcher in my other apartment so I only need one Cable subscription instead of two.
Cons: The phone software is extra.
Summary: Fabulous - highly recommended.
Summary: Fabulous - highly recommended.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Product great, dependent on signal strength
by garyg51 on November 2, 2008
Pros: I have owned the Slingbox HD for a couple of years. Great product but the quality of the picture is very much dependent on the signal strength. On my home network, the picture is great. At a hotel, it depends on the signal.
Cons: No wireless connection.
Summary: I do use the Slingbox to monitor my house using security cameras and a DVR and for that purpose it is great. I also use it on my smartphone and ...
Summary: I do use the Slingbox to monitor my house using security cameras and a DVR and for that purpose it is great. I also use it on my smartphone and again as long as you have a strong signal, 3G in my case, it works really good.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Excellent product if it wouldn't freeze up
by Bobdc6 on August 13, 2010
Pros: The ability to view and control your home tv system from anywhere in the world.
Cons: Slingbox Pro HD freezes up often for unknown reasons, and no response fromSlingMedia concerning this problem. http://answers.slingbox.com/message/7401
No HD streaming for MAC yet.Summary:
After going through troubleshooting with Sling tech support, they are sending me a new Slingbox Pro HD.
Updated on Sep 10, 2010
Should get it in 3 days.
Updated on ...Summary:
After going through troubleshooting with Sling tech support, they are sending me a new Slingbox Pro HD.
Updated on Sep 10, 2010
Should get it in 3 days.
Updated on Oct 16, 2010Got my new Slingbox Pro HD 3 days ago, so far, so good. During configuration, it upgraded to firmware 1.3.170 (I'm using a Mac Intel). Got my $29 back, and it's working! Will post if it stops working.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Picture quality is amazing on the PC
by kwei813 on December 15, 2008
Pros: We love the product for streaming live sports. and it works great with SlingPlayer 2.0.
Cons: We have some issues getting it to work with the Time Warner Scientific Atlanta set top box.
Summary: Great for those that travel and those that want to catch sports live AND have a PC and/or a mobile device that's compatible with the Sling mobile software.
Summary: Great for those that travel and those that want to catch sports live AND have a PC and/or a mobile device that's compatible with the Sling mobile software.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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An HD Slingbox...finally!!
by broskowski on October 23, 2008
Pros: HD quality given enough bandwidth, QAM digital tuner for free over the air digital channels (keeps me from monopolizing my living room TV), no more HD Connect Cable, new software buffer and EPG
Cons: No HD streaming to Mac yet, still lacks HDMI
Summary: I was highly impressed with the quality of this Slingbox. I upgraded from the Pro to this and am glad I did. Even at 800 kbps, I was able to ...
Summary: I was highly impressed with the quality of this Slingbox. I upgraded from the Pro to this and am glad I did. Even at 800 kbps, I was able to stream in HD. I had to adjust the stream rate, but it did come in HD. Also, the QAM tuner is a great option if you worry about controlling your set top box while your family watches it from home. I typically am watching a game or local news, so I'm able to get those channels with no issues. All in all, I recommend.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Very cool device that actually works as advertised
by caliraftdude on September 25, 2008
Pros: Easy to setup and configure (monkeys could set this thing up...), high quality video locally, respectible video abroad, client app installs and works well, decent security measures/features.
Cons: Sling Link (different, but possibly necessary product) is sketchy, wireless device app install was confusing, support initally lacking - better now, wireless bridge would be nice, 'remote' operation sometimes requires patience.
Summary: There is not a lot for me to add or disagree with the CNET review - its honestly right on the money. I have owned one since Christmas last year ...
Summary: There is not a lot for me to add or disagree with the CNET review - its honestly right on the money. I have owned one since Christmas last year and like it a lot. Setup for the application and device is very, very simple. It?s pretty much a plug-it in and go experience with no hassles. I have had HD for as long as you could get it and currently use DirecTV for a provider. The "piggyback" worked the first time and player connection to the slingbox was easy enough to let my dog handle the operations.
I had several experiences with this device which may go beyond what most users will do. I have SBC DSL - which imho is crappy at best - however my line is rated at 768 up and 6M down. At work, which was in town in SJ - the device worked very, very well and I didn't miss a single hockey game (GO SHARKS!). It was NOT HD when used like this, but was widescreen and worked very well. For the next 6 months I worked all over in Asia (Korea, Thailand, Japan) which would put my playoff viewing in jeopardy.. I am happy to report that I was able to follow games in all three countries as well as Narita and Suvarnabhumi airports. The only problem I ever had was when the dolts at DirecTV decided to upgrade firmware and locked up the SAT device (a reboot mechanism here would be cool - but not a ding imho). Sometimes the ?remote? operation is a little clunky with delays ? but it does work and allows full control (like setting the dvr to record something you forgot about before you left for a foreign country).
The mobile player install was not real obvious to me (I had a blackjack II at the time). Later, I finally figured out that you needed to download the install file to your laptop and install from there - even though a mobile website and download area exists. Why not allow me to browse on my mobile device and install directly? Regardless, there was an extra cost and condensed video on my phone didn't seem worth the effort and time I spent with the noob tech support guy on email.
The Sling Link (Ethernet over power) has worked pretty well for me but as I try to press higher rates (NAS media server and PS3 Media player - HD video rips) I am finding it doesn't have sufficient bandwidth (15.8 MBps..). This is no reflection on the Slingbox - but if you use the mechanism to route network traffic - download the utility and look before filing complaints. Wireless here (as stated in the review) would provide another solution and would be nice as an option. The Support guy I worked with this for this problem was very helpful and a vast improvement over my first experience.
Overall - I think for in-house viewing this system is fantastic. I have even watched movies out by my pool when it was too warm or I just didn't want to be inside. When away from home - a DVR is a cool piece of technology but sometimes being able to see "your game" is very, very cool ? especially watching NHL playoffs in Seoul. The technology works although having at least 768 up would be advised.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Buyer Beware!! Slingbox software updates are a scam!
by Slingboxscam on May 15, 2013
Pros: Does allow placeshifting as long as the unit is in warranty.
Cons: Once your slingbox unit is out of warranty you'll receive a software update that causes your product to stop working. Either pay the $29.95 tech support fee (potentially EACH time a software update comes out) or enjoy your new paperweight.
Summary: If you are considering buying a Slingbox PLEASE do your research before you buy!! A good place to start is slingbox's own answer forums (http://answers.slingbox.com/index....
Summary: If you are considering buying a Slingbox PLEASE do your research before you buy!! A good place to start is slingbox's own answer forums (http://answers.slingbox.com/index.jspa ). Search for "firmware update" or "software update" and you'll find dozens of instances of updates causing product failure. Sling Media (the company that manufactures/sells Slingbox hardware) has a habit of sending out what they call "firmware updates", basically new software, 1-6 months after the warranty expires. After these updates a large number of Slingbox owners have found their units cease to work. Upon calling for support Slingbox owners/users are told they must pay $29.95 for technical support. Sling Media explicitly states that while the technical support may or may not fix the problem, the fee is NON refundable regardless of the outcome.
Additionally, Sling Media says in their own Software License Agreement that software downloads are warranted for 90 days, however when owners have asked Sling Media to honor this policy, Sling Media refuses.
While I cannot prove that Sling Media intentionally sends out faulty software (perhaps someone with more experience reading/writing computer code could), it cannot be denied that Sling Media does have motive to send firmware updates that cause out of warranty units to stop performing correctly. 1) Anyone who owns an out of warranty slingbox is a potential revenue stream for Sling Media. 2) Sling media controls the frequency of software updates, and in theory could release another flawed "update" as often as they want and generate additional troubleshooting fees. 3) Multiple users have reported their slingbox units worked up until the release of a software update, lending credibility to the idea that the updates are causing Slingbox units to stop working.
I encourage anyone who has had a similar experience to respond to this blog, to follow @slingboxscam and search #slingboxscam on twitter.
http://slingboxscam.blogspot.com/2013/05/if-you-are-considering-buying-slingbox.html -
I LOVE my SlingBox
by dpowell7299 on October 13, 2012
Pros: watch TV from any internet connected device. How many more pros do you need? There have been 4 critical news issues I was able to watch in real time because of being able to connect to my TV at home from work.
Cons: One of mine,I have 2,is an older one and every time I start up the viewer it threatens not to work. So far it has worked every time but it is annoying that it might go away. But I understand they can't keep up with one I bought back around 2000 :))
Summary: Simply the best way to access your home TV (and the DVR or just about any other video source) from just about any wireless device.
Summary: Simply the best way to access your home TV (and the DVR or just about any other video source) from just about any wireless device.
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Sometimes is actually works
by sblevine on May 29, 2012
Pros: When it works its great.
Cons: Usually doesn't work. I've wasted an enormous amount of time trying every possible thing to get it to work. Sometimes it will work as advertised and I think I've fixed it and then the next time it won't work. 90 days support then $30 paid support
Summary: Save your health and your money and wait for someone to build a reliable device.
Summary: Save your health and your money and wait for someone to build a reliable device.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sling Media
- Part number: SB300100
- Description: The Slingbox PRO-HD is the first ever HD-streaming Slingbox. With the Slingbox PRO-HD, you can watch and control multiple devices - including your standard or high-definition DVR, digital cable, satellite receiver, or DVD player - from anywhere in the world on your computer or mobile phone. And your high definition programming streams in HD quality for an amazing picture. With the Slingbox PRO-HD you can watch your favorite HD shows and sporting events from anywhere.
General
- Type of product Streaming player
- Dimensions (WxDxH) 13.3 in x 5.6 in x 2.4 in
- Weight 4 lbs
Network & Internet
- Functionality Digital video broadcasting,
Digital audio broadcasting TV Tuner
- Digital TV Tuner Type ATSC DTV / QAM
- Digital TV Tuner / Tuner Qty 1
Connectors
- Coaxial Digital Input Yes
- Coaxial Digital Output Yes
Audio System
- Output Mode Stereo
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Antenna ( F connector ) - Rear,
1 x RF output ( F connector ) - Rear,
1 x Composite video/audio input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear,
1 x Composite video/audio output ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear,
1 x Component video input ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear,
1 x Component video output ( RCA phono x 3 ) - Rear,
1 x Audio line-in ( RCA phono x 2 ) - Rear,
1 x Audio line-out ( RCA phono x 2 ) - Rear,
1 x S-Video input ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - Rear,
1 x S-Video output ( 4 pin mini-DIN ) - Rear,
1 x ( RCA phono ) - Rear,
1 x SPDIF output ( RCA phono ) - Rear,
1 x Network ( RJ-45 ) - Rear,
1 x USB ( 4 pin USB Type A ) - Rear,
1 x Remote control - Rear System Requirements Details
- System Requirements Details - 1.3 GHz - RAM 1 GB - HD 150 MB,
- 1.3 GHz - RAM 1 GB - HD 150 MB,
- 1.3 GHz - RAM 1 GB - HD 150 MB,
PowerPC G4 - 800 MHz - RAM 1 GB - HD 150 MB Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories IR blaster
- Cables Included Network cable,
Video / audio cable,
S-Video cable,
Component video cable,
Audio cable,
Antenna cable Power
- Type External
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Sling Media products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Sling Media
- Phone: 650-378-4411
- Fax: 650-378-4422


