The first model, the Slingbox 350 shown above, is the more economical option of the two, and offers full HD 1080p video streaming and integrated IR emitters. The Slingbox 500 model offers both of those features, in addition to built-in WiFi, USB storage, a remote, and HDMI/component video ports. Both of the models have been redesigned over previous models, and have a new chassis. Perhaps surprisingly, neither the 350 nor the 500 have an ATSC tuner.

Slingbox works by allowing you to toggle your home media content so that it’s available wherever you go. You can use your Slingbox to watch a show in a different room of your house, for example, or to watch your DVR content while away from home. These products are two of many that aim to remove the restraints of your current DVR and TV system without adding another monthly subscription fee into the mix.

Despite its surprise appearance at Best Buy, it won’t be officially available until October 14th. Prices haven’t been announced yet. Although the picture circulating of the two accidentally-put-out-too-early products have price tags under them, both are for different items.

The big deal with the first announcement with Sling, as reported by Light Reading Cable, is that while most streaming television solutions on the market currently require you to stay within the confines of your very own wi-fi network, this new deal with Broadcom will allow Slingbox to break the confines. At the moment, Dish Network is the only other place you can get this “place shifting” (a fancy term for moving around wherever you want) in a Slingbox set-top for your TV. Broadcom’s new chip will allow new cable, telecom, and satellite TV operators to bring a paradigm shift to streaming video in the third quarter of 2012.

As for Myriad Alien Vue, we got a glimpse of what this could mean for us in the very near future last last month. What Broadcom is announcing today with Myriad is that the former will be supporting the latter in their efforts to bring Android apps to the TV. What this will mean in practice is that set-top boxes using Broadcom chips (the same BCM7425 SoC mentioned above) will be able to run and will be encouraged to run Myriad Alien Vue. Myriad Alien Vue not only allows you to run Android apps on your TV, it supports plug-ins such as “Myriad Connect & Share” for multi-screen functionality.

Exciting stuff! In a nutshell this set of deals means we’ll potentially have boxes in the near future that can stream live TV, hook up to any display, and run Android apps as well! Sounds like a neato 2012 coming up!

High definition video, meanwhile, demands at least a 2 Mbps connection. SlingPlayer is a new option in the TV & Movies category; once you’ve loaded it, you can log in with your Sling credentials and then access your remote Slingbox as usual.

That means full support over the remote control of whatever sources are plugged in at the time, and, if you’re hooked up to a DVR, you can also program it to record new shows and playback existing ones. The new functionality comes as Google is attempting to rejuvenate interest in its Google TV platform, pushing out an Android 3.1-based upgrade in recent weeks that pares down the UI so as to make it less overwhelming for users.

[Thanks Carl!]

The SlingPlayer for Boxee Box app requires a Slingbox SOLO or PRO-HD, and the company warns that – as ever – you’ll need at least a 600Kbps connection for a SD stream or a 2Mbps or higher connection for an HD stream. Unlike the smartphone/tablet apps, however, this Boxee Box integration isn’t a paid download, and will be added free instead.

The new functionality is part of Boxee’s attempt to position its platform as a replacement to cable TV subscriptions and the like, with a TV tuner for local live TV access coming in January. Of course you might want to pair your Slingbox with a paid cable/satellite subscription, but this new streaming support may allow you to trim it down to a single sub rather than multiple ones.

The Boxee Box is priced at $179.99.

That should allow Sling to modify and tweak its Connected Devices offering more readily than if it demanded a firmware update every time. Since Google developed a custom build of Chrome with 1080p HD Flash hardware-acceleration support, it shouldn’t lag when it comes to performance, either.

As you can see in the video demo below, SlingPlayer for Connected Devices automatically tests the connection speed to figure out what quality settings it should use, and then the UI is generally the same as Sling’s mobile apps. Registration to the beta is free; you can sign up here.

[via ZatzNotFunny]

Deliveries of the HDS-600RS are expected from March 28 2011, though it’s worth remembering that you’ll need a satellite dish to plug the DVR into. EchoStar promised that owners will see regular updates, too; from the outset the STB supports BBC iPlayer, but more IPTV services will be added in later.

As well as watching locally and streamed via the Sling apps, you can also tune in via the free webpage and watch online from your browser. For more on the SlingLoaded HDS-600RS, check out our hands-on report from earlier this week, along with the video demo below.

EchoStar SlingLoaded HDS-600RS demo:

[Thanks Dave!]

Video demo after the cut

The HDS-600RS does a lot, and there’s plenty of box to accommodate all that too. Measuring in at a hefty 386 x 280 x 58 mm, it follows the usual trapezoidal Slingbox style with red highlights. Up front is a 16-character LCD display and a row of nine touch-sensitive buttons, along with a USB 2.0 port and Smart Card reader. On the back, meanwhile, there’s HDMI, two SCARTs, S/PDIF digital audio, RCA audio, another USB port, 10/100 ethernet, twin RF inputs and the power port.

Inside, meanwhile, there are two DVB-S2 freesat+ tuners – allowing the HDS-600RS to record two channels simultaneously, or show live TV while recording another program – together with a 500GB hard-drive good for up to 300hrs of SD content or 100hrs of HD. Regular 576i SD broadcasts can be upscaled in-box to 720p or 1080i.

Rather than the more common – and more easily installed – Freeview standard, EchoStop opted for freesat+, which is subscription free but still demands a satellite dish be installed (or a leftover Sky dish be used). That, the company told us, was to bypass the “unregulated free-for-all” of budget Freeview boxes and DVRs as well as give the company more scope for launching the HDS-600RS hardware across Europe. With only minor – and relatively low cost – modifications, the DVR can be adapted to suit Germany, Italy, France and Spain, following the UK debut.

Of course the most interesting aspect of the new EchoStar box is its Sling functionality. Like the Slingbox Pro-HD, it can push content from its own tuners either within the home network or over the internet, using automatic quality-scaling to suit the capacity of whatever connection you’re working with. The HDS-600RS is particularly targeted at multiroom media addicts; 55- to 60-percent of Sling users funnel their content around the home rather than outside it, and EchoStar expect the DVR to be popular with young couples and small families who want to be able to pause TV in one room and resume playback elsewhere without the traditional hassle of setting up a distributed A/V system.

EchoStar SlingLoaded HDS-600RS demo:

The Sling component works with the company’s existing iPhone, iPad and Android apps, together with the web portal for notebooks and PCs. If you’d rather watch on a regular TV, there’s the SlingCatcher; that comes with its own remote, but the software viewers show the same on-screen UI as the main HDS-600RS itself. Since that’s being rendered on the DVR and then squirted over the wireless connection it can be a little slow to respond; we asked if there were plans to make a free-to-download remote app, similar to what Logitech and Sonos offer, to run on an iOS or Android smartphone, but currently EchoStar plans to stick with just the regular place-shifting apps.

That does mean you’ll have to pay a reasonably hefty fee per mobile device. The iPad, iPhone, Android, Windows Phone 7 and other apps are $29.99/£17.99 each (though you can install the iOS versions on up to five devices, as long as they’re registered to the same iTunes account) though the regular web portal is free. EchoStar is yet to confirm pricing for the HDS-600RS itself, though the box itself is expected to go on sale – initially in John Lewis retail stores and though Amazon online – from April 1, with pre-orders from tomorrow.

After that, EchoStar told us, they’d be looking to potential bundles, pairing the HDS-600RS with other Slingbox components. A “TV Two” style package is perhaps the most likely, with the PVR and a SlingCatcher. Meanwhile, the PVR itself is likely to see regular updates thanks to its expansible design; it will ship with BBC iPlayer support, and the company tells us other IPTV services will be added shortly after launch. Future plans could include pay-per-view or subscription streaming content, something which – when paired with Sling functionality – might mean an end to digital rentals going unwatched because they’re stuck on one device in your living room. If the HDS-600RS is popular enough, a Freeview HD version could also be on the cards.

Press Release:

EchoStar Europe launches the world’s first Freesat+ digital television recorder with SlingLoaded® TV anywhere

London – 22 March, 2011: EchoStar Europe (www.echostar-europe.com), a leading developer of added value, connected device solutions to the digital television industry, announce their SlingLoaded® HDS-600RS, the world’s first HD digital video recorder (DVR) to combine Freesat+ features with Sling Media’s (www.slingmedia.com) unique place-shifting ability, enabling TV anywhere, on all popular smartphones and tablets*.
The SlingLoaded feature enables users to watch and manage their live and recorded TV remotely anytime, anywhere, via 3G or Wi-Fi, with no additional monthly fees. With Freesat+, viewers get over 150 digital channels, including HD, On Demand services and the ability to pause, rewind and record TV, all subscription free. There’s seamless access to catch-up TV including BBC iPlayer, with other connected TV services including ITV Net Player to follow.
Once connected to home broadband, the EchoStar HDS-600RS will Sling live or recorded TV anywhere, to your iPhone®, iPad® or Android™ smartphones or tablets, and any device supported by SlingPlayer® Mobile* (www.uk.slingbox.com/go/spm), even to your Mac® or PC via SlingPlayer® (which can be accessed for free, online at www.uk.slingbox.com). This ensures that you’ll never miss a moment of your favourite show, movie or sports event ever again. Throughout your home or around the world, you can truly Sling your TV anywhere.
The EchoStar HDS-600RS delivers a host of viewing options; ‘live pause and rewind’, simultaneously watch one show and record another, and one touch series-link via the High Definition (HD) Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) all ensure that you’ll never miss a show! The 500GB hard disk drive provides huge capacity to record up to 300 hours of Standard Definition (SD) programming or up to 100 hours of HD programming. You can even connect to a compatible Dolby® Digital home cinema amplifier, using the integrated Digital Audio Port, allowing you to enjoy cinema quality sound at home. All this is packaged in a stylish unit with a touch sensitive display.
“For TV lovers everywhere, this is the ultimate combination of subscription free TV anywhere meeting digital television recording and connected TV”, said Rhod Williams, General Manager of Echostar Europe. “We’re bringing together the strengths of EchoStar and Sling Media Inc. to create a hybrid device that will give people the ultimate TV viewing experience; what they want, when they want and where they want it. With this industry first we’re making TV anywhere a reality that delivers an enhanced user experience to consumers, with no monthly fees.”
Freesat Managing Director Emma Scott commented “This is a great partnership for us. It’s our first foray into EchoStar’s ‘TV anywhere’, and offers even more fantastic choice for our customers. Freesat has constantly evolved since launch and this paves the way for more exciting innovations in the future.”
The product will be available for purchase online at Amazon.co.uk and in-store and online at John Lewis (www.johnlewis.com) from 1st April 2011. Consumers can pre-order from Amazon.co.uk from 23rd March 2011. Please see retailers’ websites for the latest pricing.
For all of the latest product news and purchase information, please visit the new EchoStar consumer website www.myechostar.com.

Meanwhile the SlingPlayer Mobile application for iPhone will continue to work in “Compatibility Mode” on the iPad, though without the higher resolution video support. The new app is priced at $29.99, £17.99 or €23.99, depending on location. Obviously a Slingbox is sold separately.

Press Release:

Sling Media Announces Availability of SlingPlayer Mobile for iPad

App Transforms iPad into a TV

Foster City, Calif. — November 24, 2010—Sling Media, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), today announced the availability of the SlingPlayer Mobile™ player for the Apple iPad. Available for purchase on the iTunes App Store, SlingPlayer Mobile software for iPad lets Slingbox® owners extend their living room TV experience to their iPad and takes advantage of the iPad’s high-resolution, 9.7-inch LED-backlit display for great video quality. The revamped program guide uses the iPad’s intuitive native interface, and a recent channels feature puts a viewer’s recent channels at his fingertips.

“A Slingbox is the perfect accessory to an iPad,” said John M. Paul, executive vice president of products at Sling Media. “When combined with the new SlingPlayer Mobile app, now anyone with an iPad can enjoy a beautiful, personalized TV experience anywhere in the world.”

How it Works
When connected to a Slingbox SOLO or PRO-HD, the award-winning SlingPlayer Mobile software makes it easy to watch your home TV on your iPad. Now Slingbox owners with iPads can change channels, control their DVRs and watch their favorite shows anywhere they have an internet connection. They never have to miss another show or game, no matter where they are.

Pricing and Availability
SlingPlayer Mobile for iPad is available now for U.S. $29.99, UK GBP £17.99, and Euro €23.99 from the App Store on the iPad or at http://itunes.com/apps/slingplayermobile. SlingPlayer Mobile for iPad can be purchased from the iTunes Store, downloaded, and installed in minutes.

The SlingPlayer Mobile application for iPhone will continue to work in “Compatibility Mode” on the iPad at no extra charge. The iPhone version of the app streams from all Slingboxes, but not at the higher quality resolutions required for the iPad.

UPDATE: As it turns out, this iPad app only works for Slingbox SOLO and PRO-HD, making it even less useful then it’s iPhone app relative. Perhaps instead you’d like the Android app or SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Phone 7? According to Engadget, Apple or Slingbox will be sending out a $50 coupon that’ll help them upgrade to one of the newer units. Craaap.

You can pick one of these apps up at your local wireless marketplace, available now for $29.99 (US), £22.99 (UK), €21.10 plus local VAT (Europe), and CN$31.99 (Canada) from the Windows Marketplace. You can also access this app via Microsoft’s webpage, it being able to be purchased, downloaded, and installed in minutes. English only at the moment, other languages soon to come. Read the full press release below:

Sling Media Announces Availability of SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Phone 7

Sling Media Featured as Microsoft Launch App Partner
 
Foster City, Calif. — Nov. 9, 2010— Sling Media, Inc., a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), today announced the availability of SlingPlayer Mobile™ for Windows Phone 7.  As a Microsoft Launch App Partner, Sling Media is making the new SlingPlayer Mobile software available for purchase and download from the Windows Marketplace on the same day as North American mobile carriers introduce the new handsets in their retail stores.
“The big story about SlingPlayer Mobile on Windows Phone 7 is the quality of the user experience,” said John M. Paul, executive vice president of Products at Sling Media. “From the fully revamped user interface to the clear, sharp video images, customers are going to thoroughly enjoy watching TV on their Windows Phone 7 handsets.”
How it Works
When connected to a Slingbox SOLO or Slingbox PRO-HD via the Internet, the award-winning SlingPlayer Mobile software makes it easy to watch your home TV on a variety of handsets. Now Slingbox® owners with Windows Phone 7 devices can change channels, control their DVRs and watch their favorite shows anywhere they have a 3G or Wi-Fi internet connection. 

Pricing and Availability
SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Phone 7 is available now for $29.99 (US), £22.99 (UK), €21.10 plus local VAT (Europe), and CN$31.99 (Canada) from the Windows Marketplace, accessible on any Windows Phone 7 handset or via the internet at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsphone/en-us/apps/default.aspx.  SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Phone 7 can be purchased, downloaded and installed in minutes. Initially, the software will be available only in English, with other languages to follow soon.

Video demo after the cut

Sling Media is yet to confirm an official release date for the new app, nor any pricing details, but we’d imagine it will be priced at around the $29.99 of the Android version.  You can sign up to the company’s mailing list for updates here.

[via WPCentral]

Like the original PRO-HD, the new version has composite, component, S-Video and S/PDIF inputs and pass-through outputs (for hooking up the local TV).  Still no HDMI port, and nor is wireless built-in; instead Sling recommend a pair of their SlingLink TURBO powerline adapters.

Meanwhile Sling is also launching Slingbox.com in Europe, an online portal that takes the SlingPlayer experience into the browser.  Rather than requiring a software client be installed on your PC or Mac, you can now view your streamed content in Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari.  Sling reckon it’s ideal for watching media when you’re at a friend’s house or using a public computer.

We caught up with Sling Media’s VP for Europe, Stuart Collingwood, to find out how the PRO-HD fits into the company’s vision, and he was unsurprisingly keen to point out that it’s just one step in pushing place-shifting to a broader audience.  Collingwood said Sling was currently in talks with TV manufacturers regarding integrating Slingbox hardware into their future HDTVs, so you could plug in the set’s ethernet cable and automatically be pushing out content.  Interestingly, Sling’s research found that 70-percent of buyers are using their Slingbox not for travelling but simply to placeshift content around the home, something Collingwood expects to increase as tablets like the iPad and Dell Streak increase in popularity.

Meanwhile, they’re also working with carriers and cellphone manufacturers to see the SlingPlayer app preloaded onto new handsets (the company has Android, iOS, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile and Flash versions of its SlingPlayer Mobile app, and is working on a Windows Phone 7 version).  In fact, they recently demonstrated a stripped-down Slingbox Solo – smaller than a new Apple TV – which they’re promoting among carriers as a potential bundle option: the buyer would just have to plug the tiny box into a video source and then start streaming content to their phone (likely with an unlimited data plan thrown in with the deal too).

Finally, we asked about YouView, and whether Collingwood saw either Sling’s hardware being integrated into upcoming YouTube IPTV STBs or, alternatively, a SlingPlayer client being developed for the OS.  With discussions still at an early stage, he was understandably coy about saying anything concrete, but did say that Sling were keen to get placeshifting onto as many platforms as possible and that a Sling-capable YouView box was an obvious route.

The European version of the Slingbox PRO-HD is available to buy in the UK now, priced at £249.99.  It’ll roll out across Europe in the coming weeks.  Of course, you shouldn’t just take the press release at face value; check out our full review of the Slingbox PRO-HD too.

Press Release:

Sling Media unveils Slingbox PRO-HD: Watch High Definition content wherever you want it

Enables high quality content delivery to compatible SlingPlayers

London, UK — 23rd September 2010— Sling Media, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), today announced the UK launch of Slingbox™ PRO-HD, a new addition to the award winning Slingbox family.

With the Slingbox PRO-HD , viewers can enjoy HD content originating from their home television, including over the air DVBT digital signals, HDTV cable or satellite receivers, or HD PVR’s, on a laptop or desktop computer. In addition, when paired with the SlingPlayer for mobile application, customers can stream content straight to their compatible mobile device for viewing on the go.

“Millions of people are enjoying the benefits of HD quality pictures at home, creating a huge market for new products like Slingbox PRO-HD. With Slingbox PRO-HD, our customers can placeshift their HD programming without sacrificing the quality of the picture,” said Stuart Collingwood, VP EMEA, Sling Media. “Slingbox PRO-HD marks a giant leap forward in hardware and software development from Sling Media, such as powerful encoding enhancements. All of this means the Slingbox PRO-HD delivers a delightful user experience and amazing picture quality.”

As part of the launch Sling Media is also announcing Slingbox.com. Visitors to the new online portal can watch their content using any major Internet browser, without need to download the SlingPlayer application.

The Slingbox PRO-HD is the first and only Slingbox product capable of streaming HD content. While the Slingbox PRO and Slingbox SOLO scale HDTV sources to SD resolutions, the Slingbox PRO-HD preserves the original resolution and delivers it to a HD-compatible laptop or desktop computer or secondary TV when paired with a SlingCatcher.

Slingbox PRO-HD is designed to meet the varied requirements of today’s multi-faceted TV-viewing households. The product includes standard (4:3) and widescreen (16:9) video support and features multiple integrated sets of audio-video inputs and outputs (Digital Terrestrial TV Tuner, S-video, composite video, component video and either analogue or multi-channel, 5.1 surround digital audio) and features integrated looping outputs for each input. Slingbox PRO-HD transforms PCs, laptops, Macs and a variety of smartphones (including the Android platform) into personal, portable TVs and builds upon the goals of the original Slingbox – to give consumers the freedom to view their home TV programming anywhere.

Slingbox PRO-HD will be available for purchase in the UK, for a suggested retail price of ₤249.99, from Amazon, John Lewis, Best Buy and PC World and will be rolling out to other European countries in the coming weeks.

About Sling Media

Sling Media, Inc., an affiliate of EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), is the leading provider of video place shifting products and services for consumers and television service providers. Sling Media’s product family includes the internationally acclaimed, Emmy award-winning Slingbox that allows consumers to watch and control their living room television shows at any time, from any location, using internet-connected PCs, Macs, PDAs and smartphones. For more information, visit www.slingbox.com

We consider this to be one of those “pleasant surprises” that people always talk about. SlingPlayer Mobile is designed to bring the same controls and full feature set-up that you would find on your set-top box. Basically, you’ll be able to access all of your favorite television shows, right from your handset. You’ll be able to do all of that, as long as you’re connected to a SlingBox SOLO, PRO, or PRO-HD, and have some kind of cellular signal (whether that be 3G or 4G), or access to a WiFi network. You’ll be able to watch live or recorded TV right from your Android handset, and you’ll also be able to schedule recordings.

“We’re committed to the Android platform, and users of our new and improved SlingPlayer Mobile application will experience one of the most complete mobile television experiences available today,” said John Gilmore, Sling Media Senior Vice President and General Manager. “Now the full spectrum of viewing, including local channels and sports teams, video on demand, pay per view and even control of their home DVR, is available to the growing number of people moving to Android.”

You’ll be able to make use of the touchscreen control scheme easily, as well as take advantage of the faster startup and control response times. But, the big question is, how much does it cost? You’ll be able to download the Sling Media SlingPlayer Mobile application from the Android Marketplace starting June 22nd, and it will cost you a cool $29.99. So, starting tomorrow, we expect you back here to tell us how your SlingPlayer Mobile app is working. Don’t forget! In the mean time though, check out our hands-on video just below, to get you ready for you downloading craziness tomorrow.

Press Release:

Sling Media Launches SlingPlayer Mobile for Android Smartphones

Application now delivers your home TV experience to Android phones anywhere you have mobile phone access

Foster City, Calif., – June 22, 2010 – Sling Media, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), announced today the availability of its SlingPlayer Mobile™ application for Android™ Smartphones. The all new application gives Android phone users easy access to their home TV experience anywhere they have mobile phone or Wi-Fi internet access. Now anyone with an Android phone never has to miss a favorite TV show when they’re away from home.

“We’re committed to the Android platform, and users of our new and improved SlingPlayer Mobile application will experience one of the most complete mobile television experiences available today,” said John Gilmore, Sling Media Senior Vice President and General Manager. “Now the full spectrum of viewing, including local channels and sports teams, video on demand, pay per view and even control of their home DVR, is available to the growing number of people moving to Android.”
How it Works
When in your mobile phone provider’s area of 3G, 4G or Wi-Fi coverage and connected to a Slingbox® SOLO, PRO or PRO-HD, SlingPlayer Mobile makes it simple to watch and control your living room television at any time from any location. Watch live and recorded TV and schedule recordings of new programs from any Android Smartphone.

SlingPlayer Mobile for Android features faster startup and control response times, and it works among a variety of Android-based mobile phones in the market today.  It also has a new user interface that gives quick-touch access to the most critical remote controls and recently viewed channels.

Current Pricing and Availability
SlingPlayer Mobile Android is available now for download for $29.99* in the Android Market in the following countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States.
*Price is in U.S. dollars. U.S. dollar to local currency exchange will be carried out at purchase via the customer’s bank or credit card provider. Pricing and availability subject to local laws.
Visit http://www.slingbox.com/go/android for more information.

About Sling Media, Inc.
Sling Media, Inc., an affiliate of EchoStar Technologies L.L.C., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), is the leading provider of video placeshifting products and services for consumers and television service providers. Sling Media’s product family includes the internationally acclaimed, Emmy award-winning Slingbox™ that allows consumers to watch and control their living room television shows at any time, from any location, using internet-connected PCs, Macs, PDAs and smartphones. For more information, visit www.slingmedia.com.

Video demo after the cut

We tried the app over both a WiFi connection and over a 3G connection, but it would only play nicely with WiFi; when we attempted to log in via the cellular network, SlingPlayer couldn’t get online (though other apps would).  [Update: We've spoken with Sling Media about the 3G connection issues we've been seeing, and they think it could be to do with the O2 network in the UK that our Nexus One is using; apparently they've seen similar issues with O2 iPhones.  They're looking into the issue and we'll revisit this when they have a solution; needless to say, they intend Sling over 3G to work on Android, and it's performing just as it should over US 3G networks.]

Image quality wasn’t as good as with local media but was still very watchable, and latency between on-screen button tapping and the PVR – in this case a DISH Network box – felt low.  Considering the Slingbox itself is in the US and we were testing the beta Android client from the UK, that’s impressive.

Since the app is still pre-release we unsurprisingly stumbled across a couple of issues.  Occasionally the stream would crash and then, when we restarted the app, it would throw up an error message saying that the Slingbox was already in use by another user.  Force-quiting SlingPlayer and re-opening it generally did the trick, but we observed the error even after hitting “Disconnect” in the app’s menu.  We also wished there was a persistent OK button on each screen, as sometimes a dialog on the set-top box would pop up and we’d have to change the set of controls we were dealing with so as to dismiss it.

Still, we’re guessing these will be ironed out in time for the full release.  No word from Sling on when exactly that will be – beyond the initial “Summer 2010″ they first mentioned – but from what we’ve seen we’re impressed so far.

SlingPlayer Mobile for Android demo:

The new Dish VIP 922 DVR packing Slingbox technology inside has launched. The device is the first DVR in the world to integrate Slingbox tech inside and since Dish parent company EchoStar owns Sling Media the odds of the tech making its way to other satellite providers is nil.

The DVR also has a 1TB drive which make same weep for the paltry 20GB HDD inside my DirecTV DVR. The Sling tech inside should mean that tossing your recorded shows onto other screens around the house is a breeze. Official pricing isn’t offered, but rumors peg the price at $695 outright or $200 for a lease. A lease with a satellite provider means you give them the $200 and they let you use the DVR as long as you keep the service, cancel and the DVR goes back to them.