Which is best for out-of-home streaming for live channels?

Slingbox all the way. Despite the slight "lag" with navigating, I find it to be far superior than anything that the Tivo Stream capabilities of my Roamio Plus can currently offer.

Pros:
1. No restrictive CCI bit (using component connection)
2. Adaptive streaming and access over cellular data
3. Android device support

Cons:
1. Navigation "lag"
2. Cannot remotely download content for local playback

 

Actually you can using 3rd party methods.

 

Yes, but this is not necessarily an out-of-box functionality could be done from something like an iPad.

 

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You don't need to initiate a recording yourself, the Tivo does that on its own.

 

Not sure if this is a factor for you, but I think development & support is pretty much a dead end for the Belkin and Vulkano options and those products are more or less coming to an end. Slingbox & TiVo products are still being developed and fully supported.

 

Sling is is also supported on some connected devices such as WD Live for viewing directly to a TV and that app is included FREE with the connected devices. However, Sling's mobile app costs a one-time purchase of $15. Also, is it still the case that even with younger competitors and TiVo Stream, Sling's proprietary algorithm still provides for the best PQ and best at adapting to low bandwidth and providing best PQ at low bandwidth? I've read some recent articles/reviews in which Sling is still easily providing the best PQ overall. One downside is that the Slingbox does take over the STB so that no one at home can use it without interfering with what you are streaming, while TiVo Stream and Dish's Sling Adapter and Hopper with Sling merely use on of the available tuners while allowing others at home to use the same box.

However, even with that taking over the box limitation of the Slingbox, the Slingbox is still the best overall today (IMHO) and seems to have the most flexibility or at least the best just like at home experience because EVERYTHING on your remote box is available because you are controlling the ENTIRE box, not just limited access.

 

Can slingbox work with a mini?

 

Yes, but you'll need special component breakout cable for the Mini. Previously only TiVo sold it, but recently looks like amazon has it now too (via weaKnees).

 

How does that work?

I thought for a TiVo to work it had to be subscribed.

 

If you want just live TV then it still works (without guide information obviously).

 

Can you still pause or do manual recordings?

I thought if it wasn't a series 1 it was essentially an expensive, not very practical door stop.

 

No manual recordings. With series 3 I think there's still 30 min buffer, but I believe starting with series 4 there's no buffer so no pause.

 

The Belkin product was based on Vulkano. Between settling with Sling and what I presume to be poor sales, I've been informed they are done in this space. Vulkano suffered a major setback by not responding to Sling's complaint and in theory are not supposed to sell infringing product in the US.

 

There's a fellow by the name of jimmy that you might want to talk to, he's got an opinion on this (ducking)

 

Unless things have changed, Slingbox forums were full of complaints about the 350, and far less complaints for the 500. I've got 500 and have two devices connected. VERY NICE. Love Slingbox.

 

It's not even close . The Slingbox blows away the Tivo Stream .

I don't even bother with the Tivo Stream unless someone wants me to show them how it works .

Well did it the other day and error message came up . Could not connect to the stream .

Slingbox controls are sluggish , which is the only complaint I have about the Slingbox .


I also wouldn't recommend the Slingbox if you have slow DSL or slow internet speeds . 5/2 Mbps or thereabouts
could be too slow for a good picture .

 

I love the TiVo stream and use it all the time. My. I gets complaint is that the stream seems to disconnect from the iOS app fairly regularly.

The quality is fantastic on my FIOS network and the immediate controls and picture quality are impressive.

Just this freezing issue that continues to be an issue.