Customer Rating:  
Summary: Good product
Comment: I am quite pleased with this, it works just as advertised. I was a little worried that it would not work with my AT&T U-verse service after all the problems I had trying to get Windows Media Center to work with that box. Even the power on/off button on the virtual remote works, which is good since the Motorola VIP 1200 box turns itself off after six hours. There is a problem with the version 2.0 of the viewer software that incorrectly says that you don't have an Internet connection from some computers, which prevents you from logging onto your sling account. Under this version the only way to connect to the box is via logging on to their web server. I installed the 1.5 version of the software, manually configured the settings to connect to my box (version 2.0 does not let you do this), then upgraded to 2.0. The configuration from the earlier version stayed and I could use the new version with no issues. The remote with the 2.0 is exactly like the real remote, I can watch video on demand, recorded TV, etc. The viewer automatically adjust the stream bit rate so you get the highest rate your connection can support without stopping to buffer. The only addition I think they should add would be an internal web server that has a Java embedded player, so you could use the box from any computer without having to install the viewer software.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Cool and impressive, but the picture is only so-so
Comment: The Slingbox does what it says it will, and the remote ability is way beyond cool - totally amazing. Honestly though, the picture is OK but not great when viewed in a reduced size box, but pixelates when viewed full screen. I had hopes of getting output from my computer to a TV, but blowing it up to TV size would be pointless.
The Tivo-like ability to pause and replay is neat.
The Slingbox provides a nice ability to have when it is the only option for watching something I really want to watch, but it isn't a way I would choose to watch TV on a regular basis.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Sling Box Solo
Comment: Amazon had the lowest price and extremely fast shipping on this great product. As for the Sling Box, it is a great invention. It is one of those technology fixes (like a TiVo) that you cannot truly appreciate until you actually have one up and running,
I love being to access my home TV on my MacBook Pro anywhere I have a hard-wire or WiFi connection. Traveling anywhere in the world, I can access my programs and my TiVo. Setup can be a little challenging but as a technologically sophisticated user, I had it operational in 20 minutes. I hear that there tech support is very helpful.
I will definitely purchase one for my son as he leaves for college next year. This will save me on paying for a cable bill. Good work Sling Media and Amazon.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Remote Control issues because of hardware
Comment: This could be a really great little device EXCEPT for the way they try to control your box. They use IR Blasters, which are these little wires that sticky tape to your box. I personally have never gotten these stupid little things to work with any device (tivo), maybe it's me, but there were MANY questions about IR problems on their support blog. Tech support said "Should be working, good luck" and washed their hands of me. BTW I am a Computer Support Specialist so I am pretty tech savy. The sticky tape also ends up giving way too.
I really wanted this to work, setup was easy and fast. Support was adequate and I liked the technology they used, but you can only do so much with a lousy hardware setup/component.
Didn't like the fact that you couldn't view DVR recordings without changing the tv viewing as well. Could have used a dedicated box but that defeats the purpose doesn't it.
They have been bought by Dish Network so maybe Dish will build the technology into future boxes, until then give it a try but without the remote functions you will not be able to use the full capabilites of the box!
Customer Rating:
Summary: Sling versatility
Comment: I just bought my son a Solo for Christmas and currently own an Slingbox AV unit. I bought the AV to be able to use the Wi-Fi when out of town and watch home TV through my Dish network DVR.
Keep in mind that the quality of the Slingbox video depends upon two things. First the upstream speed of your home Internet connection. Keep in mind that if you have DSL, speeds are always slower on the upstream side. I've had 1.5, 3.0 and now 6 meg DSL service. The faster your upstream side the better the picture on your PC or Mac can be. The other controlling point of quality is the Wi-Fi throughput at the site outside your home. Heavy usage of the access point you are connected to will also negatively affect picture quality. This is something you won't know until you connect at the remote site.
The thing that I didn't consider is that by connecting to my wireless router at home, the Slingbox streams at very high speed since it doesn't have to negotiate through the Internet. Your laptop then becomes a very good quality TV. What we discovered is that we now use our Mac all over the house and outside on the deck. No wires, no moving TV's or running cables. I want to work on the car in the garage? I take the Mac out with me and fire up the Sling software and watch the satellite receiver in the garage. Consider that when running through your home router, the Slingbox will be able to stream 8-15 times more bandwidth than what you will get in the real life world connecting through your Internet service. That translates into pretty good picture quality. Yes it's not the quality of your big screen but it's pretty good.
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