List Price: $299.99
Sale Price: $298.00
Today's Bonus: 1% Off
Customer review from the Amazon Vine Program Before I begin this review, let me first get this caveat out of the way: I am new to the Slingbox placeshifting paradigm. Consequently, I neither have any investment nor experience with older Slingbox products. And, I can't share in the angst that seems to arise when comparing this product to earlier functionality that might no longer be available with the 500.
This review is aimed at others like me, who are new to this style of product, and are considering whether this will meet their needs.
Some Background:
##########
The following three ideas have become commonplace in modern TV viewing.
#/ Time-shifting :where you watch video from a given source, at a more convenient time, as with Tivo and other DVRs.
#/ Place-shifting :where you watch video in a geographically different location than its source, e.g., viewing video on a mobile device in an airport lounge sourced from a set top box in another state. This is what is solved by the Slingbox family. A Slingbox unit is installed at the source, and the source's video is accessed over the Internet using a client a browser, a mobile device such as an iPad, or some streaming devices.
#/ Streaming devices :While placeand timeshifting normally involves the viewing of normal TV broadcasts, streaming devices (like the Roku XD) let you view video on the Internet (Youtube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc.) The WDTV Live Hub does double duty as a streaming device as well as a Place-shifting client for the Slingbox.
A final note is on HDCP (High Bandwidth Digital Content Protection), which is an encryption technology intended to prevent the copying of digital signals.
The Slingbox 500 cannot handle HDCP. As a result, even though it can be connected to a source that outputs HDMI, that signal cannot be transmitted to its client devices. At most, it passes through the HDMI digital signal to your main TV avoiding any degradation of the primary signal.
So how does the Slingbox handle protected source video? It needs a Component video connection which means that it only can truly receive and broadcast an analog signal. It also means that rather than a single HDMI connection, you now have 5 cables to connect it to the source (3 for video and 2 for audio.)
That said, my eyes could not tell a difference in video quality, especially as my mobile devices are much smaller than my TV. (This is also why the Slingbox 350 might be sufficient for most users see comparison below.)
So, how did the Slingbox 500 HD work for me?
Setup:
####
This was simple, though there are quite a few steps involved.
1. Connect the output from my set top box (a Comcast Motorola device) to the Slingbox 500 with both component and HDMI video
2. Connect the output from the Slingbox to my receiver.
3. Connect the IR remote transmitter to the Slingbox and place the other end near the Motorola set top box.
4. Connect the Slingbox to my network (it uses the less polluted 5GHz band!)
5. Create an account on Slingbox's web site (did it on the Slingbox itself)
6. Use a notebook and a browser to log in on the Slingbox site and view TV
7. Get the latest firmware for the WDTV Live Hub (v3.08.14) which adds support for the Slingbox 500
Performance:
#########
Viewing TV on my laptop was amazing I had a solid signal and the HD video was great. I could even bring up a facsimile of my remote, and use it to control my set top box, including using DVR and OnDemand functions. Even the program guide was a joy to use allowing me to search for programs and filter on HD content.
The WDTV Live Hub performance was less thrilling. It was slow, with button clicks taking up to 30 seconds to register, was choppy, and in the end just froze up on me, forcing me to retreat to the Home screen.
So far, I have not tried SlingPlayer on my iPad, nor the Boxee Box (discontinued last month).
Conclusion:
#######
Overall, while I was thrilled with the freedom offered by the 5GHz 802.11n connection on my laptop, I was less than enamored by the connection on my WDTV Live Hub. Hence the loss of a star.
Do note that the Slingbox 350 provides much of the same functionality at a better price. The key sacrifices with the 350 are:
no wireless connectivity
no HDMI input
no on-screen setup
no sharing of personal media
no unique (conversation-starting) form factor
I personally think the wireless connection is very handy, but it is debatable whether the other differences are worth the extra premium. For instance, the HDMI input on the 500 is not truly material, given the issues with HDCP.
Happy Place-Shifting!
0 comments:
Post a Comment