Software
No matter which Slingbox you choose, you’re
going to use the same software. Client has a plenty of selections, but only the
new web browser versions are included for freely. We had little trouble setting
up the two boxes and watching 1080p HD from Internet Explorer, Chrome (PC) or
Safari. The guide makes it easy to see what’s happening by browsing or
searching. There are several new features like the ability to receive programming
reminders and invite guests to program your Slingbox (still limited to a single
connection at the same time), but in general, it is the same Slingbox client
experience that you love or hate. Of all the new features, we have mostly
disappointed by the lack of a sports-specific perspective. By that, we mean
that we believe there’s no more attractive use-case for a Slingbox then watching
your favorite team when you would otherwise be predisposed unavailable - for
example, we have been known to keep an eye on NFL playoffs during CES. Quick
and easy access to live events currently available would be a big first step,
but why not throw up some scores with one-tap access to stream the game? In our
opinion, the major miss is the reliance on IR. In these days of HDMI-CEC, IP
control, DLNA and everything else out there in the world control, relying on
the slow IR with one-way nature spells a missed opportunity for tighter and
faster integration with sources.
Slingbox
350
We cannot test every SlingPlayer client,
but at $15 a pop, we believe that you will limit the diversity of your devices
as well. Despite updates to the iPhone SlingPlayer client for the new hardware
and additional features, it is not optimized for the new iPhone’s larger screen,
which leads to the black boxes on all four sides on 16:9 content. AirPlay mode
is presented, but all the streaming is limited for 720p on iOS. You can only
view in landscape mode, which is pretty good, and if you like, you can lock the
screen and just listen. However, the biggest complaint is the complete lack of
resume – if, say, you need to switch over and reply to an email quickly. A
close second is the fact that the guideline doesn’t remember where we last were
and instead always presents Channel 3 at the top.
Sling Media’s adaptive streaming technology
has never disappointed us and these new boxes are no exception. We tested them
in an office, at home and on the road and found that they made the best out of
whatever throughput was available. Using LTE on a smartphone, the quality was
smooth at 5Mbps. However, reducing below 1Mbps does significantly degrade the
quality. It helps that our maximum upload throughput was 25Mbps, and that we
were well connected while testing on the road. If we have a complaint about the
quality, it would be that we want the optimization process were faster. Starting
up a stream can take more than a few seconds before everything becomes smooth.
Slingbox
500 with Wi-Fi integrated
The new software feature that really
impressed us is the ability to share your Slingbox with your friends. You can
enable this feature by navigating to "Users" under
"Settings" in the web player and adding your friends' email address.
They will receive an email with a link to accept the invitation, which requires
them to sign up and log in to Slingbox.com. From here, your Slingbox will
appear with any other Slingbox they have access to until you remove their
access. Of course, only one person can stream from a particular Slingbox at a
time, and while a visitor cannot interrupt the real owner’s active session, the
primary user can interrupt a friend at any time. This is far faster than simply
sharing your Slingbox.com credentials, but requiring your friends to register
on Slingbox.com is less than ideal. However, we cannot say that we have a
better idea on how to control access while opening the service a little, at the
same time.
Wrap-up
After 4 years for the follow up to the
Slingbox Solo and Pro-HD, we’re glad there are fresh Slingbox on the market,
but in 2012, the 350 and 500 models feel like haft-hearted efforts on Sling’s
part. The best news here is that you can now stream 1080p HD for the price of
the old, SD-only Slingbox Solo - although it’s only 720p for the non-browser-based
SlingPlayer. The 500 model has WiFi, but we wonder why the 350 model doesn’t
have. The 500 model will also soon be updated with support for USB-attached
storage, which is attractive. Even so, we cannot think of much practical use
for the 500’s new SlingProjector feature, which allows you to send pictures
(and video in near future) from your mobile device to your television – provided
you’re on the same WiFi network. The killer application would have been an
integrated SlingCatcher, allowing the 500 model to play a place-shifted stream
from another 500 model.
Moreover, the price of the Slingbox are nearly
equivalent as they were back then, but you can still stream just one program at
a time, and they still connect to the DVR over a slow, one-way IR connection.
That means the Slingbox still cannot asked the DVR what recordings are stored
on it. And why not add the ability to place-shift radio stations? Perhaps with future
updates, the Slingbox 500 will develop into something more than a media streamer
with Wi-Fi. However, this time, we suggest you select a Slingbox 350, pick up a
$15 SlingPlayer app for your mobile device and be glad that the content
industry has not figured out a way to permanently put Sling Media out of
business.
Slingbox
350 And 500 ‘s packages
Technical specs
Slingbox
350
Outputs
·
Video outputs: Component (1 outputs), RCA /
composite (1 outputs)
·
Audio outputs: RCA stereo
Inputs
·
Video input support: Yes
·
Video inputs: Component, RCA / composite
Remote
·
IR blaster: Yes
Pricing & availability
·
Released: October, 2012
·
Original price: $ 179.99
Slingbox 500
Outputs
·
Video outputs: Component (1 outputs), HDMI (1
outputs), RCA / composite (1 outputs)
·
Audio outputs: RCA stereo
Inputs
·
Video input support: Yes
·
Video inputs: Component, RCA / composite
·
Audio input support: Yes
·
Audio inputs: RCA stereo
Remote
·
Remote (included): Yes
·
IR blaster: Yes
Pricing & availability
·
Released: October, 2012
·
Original price: $ 299.99
