[unixguy]

Hi

I am looking for an alternative to slingbox.

I have a slingbox solo .. but do not want to have to purchase a slingbox hd to watch tv in any room from my pc.

Is there an (non-hack) alternative .. that will allow me to watch shows on my tivo premier on my pc?

 

[unixguy]

Just to clarify .. I would like to watch recorded shows and also change channels .. basically a slingbox without a slingbox.

 

[danjw1]

Tivo Desktop allows you to transfer shows to a PC (I believe you have to buy software to do it with a Mac). Some shows are blocked by the cable provider from allowing that, so that depends on your cable provider. Comcast, locally, seems to not block anything from broadcast and regular cable (ie. USA, TNT, ...) but they do block stuff from HBO, Encore, etc. Also, an unannounced feature, is that Premiers can stream from one to another Premier. This last feature is still buggy.

 

[smbaker]

and also change channels .. basically a slingbox without a slingbox.

Try wifebox and/or girlfriendbox. Both are voice activated and will change channels. Operation can be intermittent though.

As far as the video playback ability, it really depends on whether you're looking to watch something realtime, or if you want to play previously recorded content. If it's the former then a slingbox (or Vulkano) is the way to go. If it's the latter, then there are multiple software solutions for transferring programming to a PC.

 

[Worf]

You could always set up a PC and a high-def capture card (like the Hauppage HD-PVR), then do some software magic and use it to transport video over the netowrk that way.

Won't cost less than a slingbox, but it's not a slingbox.

 

[yoheidiho]

Just get a Slingbox!

 

[smoothtivo]

I have been using the monsoon vulkano for several months and it works very well. It streams like the sling box but also records for later watching over streaming.

 

[ciscokid]

I've had a Hava Platinum HD for about two years, now, with absolutley NO PROBLEMS!

I have it installed in m son'a apartment in Philly and I can watch all of the Phillies and Eagles games sown here in Tampa.

Works very well!! And is quite a bit cheaper than a Sling Box.

 

[aadam101]

Why wouldn't you want a slingbox? It's one of the few devices in the world I've never heard a bad thing about.

Tivo used to be like that.

 

[lafos]

Why wouldn't you want a slingbox? It's one of the few devices in the world I've never heard a bad thing about.

Tivo used to be like that.

Slingbox, yes. There was some dismay over the slingcatcher, first the lack of resolution, then its disappearance from the market with no replacement.

 

[robm15]

Why wouldn't you want a slingbox? It's one of the few devices in the world I've never heard a bad thing about.

Tivo used to be like that.

So you never heard of the bad capacitor issues that plagued the slingbox solo and HD for years? Don't know if it was resolved, but it was documented in many reviews and forums where the slingbox was discussed.

 

[aadam101]

So you never heard of the bad capacitor issues that plagued the slingbox solo and HD for years? Don't know if it was resolved, but it was documented in many reviews and forums where the slingbox was discussed.

No. I have never heard of that. Admittedly I don't follow that device too closely.

 

[SMWinnie]

No. I have never heard of [bad capacitors on the Slingbox Solo]. Admittedly I don't follow [the Slingbox Solo] too closely.

Big point of failure for the Solo is bad capacitors. Some in the device; some in the power supply. Nice description here.

The "that sticks in my craw" part is the warranty coverage. If you suspect the caps are bad, you have to roll the dice and pay for service, then hope that they admit the caps were bad and agree to credit it back if you. The Slingbox is still a great device, but it hasn't fared too well under Charlie's stewardship after Dish bought Sling.

 

[yoheidiho]

Slingbox, yes. There was some dismay over the slingcatcher, first the lack of resolution, then its disappearance from the market with no replacement.

My Slingcatcher works fine with the Slingbox Pro HD and Slingbox Pro. Resolution is fine with the Pro HD but the SD Pro is well SD. The Sling Projector software is a memory hog though but it does allow anything on the monitor to be slinged.

 

[smbaker]

My Slingcatcher works fine with the Slingbox Pro HD and Slingbox Pro. Resolution is fine with the Pro HD but the SD Pro is well SD. The Sling Projector software is a memory hog though but it does allow anything on the monitor to be slinged.

The disappearance of the slingcatcher was one of the things that really confused me when I started looking into slingbox-like devices. It seemed like a very necessary building block for the product line. An iPad with an HDMI adapter may be the logical (albeit expensive) replacement.

Which brings me to another point, and the reason why I chose a Vulkano over a Slingbox. 'Slingplayer Mobile' is $29.99. 'Vulkano Player' is free. It really irritated me that Sling felt the need to charge so much extra for the mobile player.

Capacitor issue also factored into my decision, A lot of the slingbox reviews were filled with capacitor-related complaints.

 

[yoheidiho]

Capacitor issue also factored into my decision, A lot of the slingbox reviews were filled with capacitor-related complaints.

No hardware issues to date, knock on wood. I do hear that there are plenty of people with power supply issues. Cheap Chinese crap!

 

[Seattle]

No hardware issues to date, knock on wood. I do hear that there are plenty of people with power supply issues. Cheap Chinese crap!

I have seven Slingboxes and a Slingcatcher. The power supply on a few failed and my Slingbox Solo is one with bad caps. I also have a few Havas and they still work fine.

 

[Beryl]

Which brings me to another point, and the reason why I chose a Vulkano over a Slingbox. 'Slingplayer Mobile' is $29.99. 'Vulkano Player' is free. It really irritated me that Sling felt the need to charge so much extra for the mobile player.

Especially since they charge full price for every platform.

I've never had a problem with 3 models of Slingboxes over 6 years. However, my Vulkano has more features at a significantly lower cost.

 

[Worf]

Yeah.

I still remember when I got my slingbox many years ago - they were throwing in free copies of Slingplayer mobile.

Then again, this was when slingbox was its own company, not bought out through echostar and now whomever owns them.

Guess I should look into this vulkano thing.

 

[smbaker]

Guess I should look into this vulkano thing.

Make sure to look around for deals. At the time I bought mine, there was a very good deal on the Vulkano if you bought two of them. That being said, I have no idea why someone would want two of them.