Comments on: Slingbox announces new 350 and 500 models

By: Me

Me — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 04:16:00 +0000

I would not want something that looks like a twisted melted piece of plastic on or near my TV… Maybe the next model will look better and I can invest in that one .

By: Papagator2

Papagator2 — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 02:47:00 +0000

It is not close to my Vulkano Blast which was shipped with a 500GB Internal HD at half the price of Sling350 . It has a built In Wi-Fi and works as a DVR for me. Why go Sling???

By: Joellyn Carpenter

Joellyn Carpenter — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 17:15:00 +0000

Well I have the sling box app and it works fine on my android phone/tablet, and kindle fire. Just had a upgrade the other day. Maybe because Apple is a closed system they where not able to get into the software sooner to make changes.

By: Brian Mundt

Brian Mundt — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 08:06:00 +0000

Actually, no, it doesn’t work. The HQ/Auto options on both the iPhone and iPad apps have been broken for nearly two weeks because Sling encountered a problem with iOS 6. They should have been testing iOS 6 months ago, when they got first access, but they didn’t.

In order to “rectify” the problem, they disabled both high quality modes for every iOS user, regardless of iOS 5 or iOS 6. Instead of prepping these new boxes, they should be concerned with existing customers being able to use the hardware and software they paid for.

Personally, I’ve got nearly $900 invested in Sling products. I currently own two Pro-HD’s a SOLO, and both the iPhone and iPad app. Instead of watching out for problems affecting loyal users, they cavalierly cast us aside and refuse to give us answers. To see how bad the problem is, visit their Facebook page or their support forum. People are upset and Sling refuses to offer timeframes and answers.

Just today, they released a firmware update that promised to fix the issues, but it did absolutely nothing. Frankly, “incompetence” is the only word I can think of.

Even at $15, if these apps are never or rarely updated, it’s not worth the investment. The communication has been horrid, as is often the case with Sling. As a long time Sling apologist, my patience has worn so thin, I don’t think I’ll ever purchase a new product.

If anyone is considering purchasing a new Slingbox, PLEASE do a little homework. Visit their forums, their Facebook page, or their Twitter account. Read the disrespect they have for their existing customer base, the way they charge you $30 for simple tech support, the year-long periods between app updates, the frequent hardware failures due to low quality capacitors, and the shaky history they have with their “Watch on Slingbox.com” service. If you want a company that stands behind their product, SlingMedia is not it.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 07:39:00 +0000

The new app is $15. Still expensive considering Belkin’s is free, but it’s not the end of the world. As for updating the app, I’m not sure what your issue is… does the app you have not work? If I had to guess, I would say they were more focused on launching this new product than updating their app.

By: joe

joe — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 07:38:00 +0000

you are what is wrong with the world.

By: Jason

Jason — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 07:35:00 +0000

Untrue random assessment. Belkin’s @tv plus is a far inferior product to either of the new Slingbox lineup. It is basically just a rebranded Vulkano, which haven’t had a solid update in some time.

“@tv sends a 720×480 max resolution. It is better than the Slingbox Solo but not quite as good as the Slingbox Pro HD.”

Both of the new Slingbox offerings are better resolution than then Slingbox Pro HD. So I don’t know how the @tv is “sure to do a better job”. The reality is, Belkin just got steamrolled by a product that is a generation ahead in terms of specs and features.

By: CJ

CJ — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 06:25:00 +0000

Belkin’s @tv plus is sure to do a better job.

By: Chad

Chad — Wed, 10 Oct 2012 05:46:00 +0000

I wouldn’t buy one! Sling media is very slow about updating what the already have! I have an iPhone 5 and still run the old app! They got the new iOS 6 way before it was Released, so if they cared about their Customers they would do a little better about their updates! Oh yeah that app is $30 bucks not like its a .99 cent one!