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EchoStar is set to launch its SlingModem – a product that combines a standard Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) cable modem and a Slingbox at a Cable Show trade event in New Orleans next week. The device incorporates the place-shifting capabilities of Sling’s popular Slingbox, which allows television content to be transmitted from a consumer’s TV set to any location with an Internet connection. 

The SlingModem observes the DOCSIS 2.0 specification and can be used like a typical high-speed-data modem that connects to the Internet. Moreover, it also includes Sling Media’s proprietary video-encoding technology, which enhances traditional TV programming and makes it suitable for streaming to PCs and Internet-capable mobile devices – in one efficient housing. 

EchoStar is said to be working on other products and services for cable operators and would probably launch them this year.

Via [Crave]

Looking to keep its promise of delivering newer versions of its SlingPlayer Mobile software, Sling Media has made updates available for download on their web site today. And not only did they update three currently existing versions of their software client, but they also added support for a few new devices, namely the Nokia N95 8GB, the Treo 500v, and the Samsung i760. Streaming has also been optimized on select handsets, and one such is the Sprint Mogul. Interestingly enough, though, the SlingPlayer Mobile software client on the Palm OS has not been upgraded yet like the other clients.

To download the latest version of SlingPlayer Mobile, all you have to do is log on to Sling Media’s web site and click on the appropriate links. You won’t be needing to fork out any money because the download for the upgrades are free, unless of course if you’re not already an existing customer, at which case you’d have to pay $30 per handset. And don’t forget you also need a Slingbox set up in your home (or any place you stay) for all this to work. So unless you do and you’re willing to pay for the hardware (and software, for new customers), don’t be dreaming up about this right now, thinking that things will magically appear out of nowhere. More info available at the following links.

Download [Sling Media] Via [Crave]

Sling has announced that they’ll be rolling out an updated version of SlingPlayer this spring. The updated SlingPlayer will be optimized for devices running on Windows Mobile (both touchscreen and non-touchscreen versions) and they’re working on a similarly optimized Nokia N95 8GB client as well. Support for Symbian UIQ is also in the works and at the same time, their mulling over Apple’s recently released iPhone SDK for a possible future release of a stand-alone iPhone SlingPlayer client. Well, if that doesn’t get you excited, I don’t know what will. Think of it as a substitute for until YouTube begins live video streaming. Online video sites have yet to kill the couch potato’s holy grail, anyway.

Via [IntoMobile]

Sling has announced the Slingbox PRO-HD, bringing you flexibility to view your HD content around the house. The PRO-HD will feature multiple inputs and outputs including a digital audio and digital ATSC/QAM tuner. With the PRO-HD users will be able to stream 1080i, 5.1 surround content to a computer in the house or using the SlingCatcher the content will be able to be passed off to another HDTV in the house. Streaming to a remote computer will be possible but will require a fast internet connection such as FiOS.

The Slingbox PRO-HD is scheduled for a release in Q3 2008 and will retail for $399.99.

Read [SlingMedia]

Sling Media Inc. is releasing another box-top TV signal grabbing device later this year. Similar to the currently available SlingBox, the new SlingCatcher grabs and redirects TV signals to software compatible devices. The new box connects to a TV using RCA, HDMI, Component, S-Video and Composite cables and includes a built-in wireless adapter and an Ethernet port so you can connect to a networked PC. (The image of the back also shows two USB ports.) The SlingCatcher is expected to cost around $200 when released later in 2007 and will work with SlingPlayer and SlingProjector software. See our other post for more information about SlingPlayer.

Sling Media has hinted that more software will be announced closer to the hardware’s release, further indicating that an intermediate computer (PC or Mac) may no longer be necessary to redirect the signal. That’d be especially nice since the people at home watching TV might not appreciate someone mysteriously changing channels from afar. (Big Brother or Big Sister could quite literally - and annoyingly - be watching.) All of the Sling products are on display at CES 2007.

Site [Sling Media] Read [ZatNotFunny]

Palm and Sling Media have joined forces to add more media goodness to the already uber-useful Palm products. The new software, called SlingPlayer Mobile, allows 3G-enabled Palm Treo Smartphone owners (700p, 700w, 700wx and the new Treo 750) to control and watch TV through their Treo. It will also allow wireless control of DVR and TiVo boxes.

The app requires the SlingBox, a bit of hardware that redirects (or as they call it, “placeshifts") the TV signal from the source - cable box, receiver or DVR - to a Windows PC so it can then be watched through the Treos. Three Slingboxes are currently available, each with slightly different capabilities: Tuner for $179.99, AV for $179.99 and Pro for $249.99. The yet-to-be-priced SlingPlayer software is expected be to available early 2007, initially as a beta download, through Sling Media’s web site. I suspect it won’t be much more than SlingPlayer for Pocket PC, which currently goes for $29.99.

As a bonus for those looking to buy HP notebooks, SlingPlayer will soon come pre-installed on all QuickPlay-enabled HP consumer notebooks in the US. Also, going for a trifecta of announcements, a Windows Vista-friendly version of SlingPlayer will be available Q2 2007. The Vista version will support full-screen presentation, customized controls and allow simultaneous operation of multiple SlingBoxes.

It all sounds like a hacker’s dream setup to me - redirecting TV signals, watching it from computers and handhelds, controlling devices from a distance. That’s all high-tech goodness that should make for some fun re-imagining by technically savvy hackers. Let us know when you see a few creative uses.

Site [Sling Media] Site [Palm] Product [SlingPlayer] Download [SlingPlayer] Product [SlingBox]

MY-IPTV Anywhere provides an inexpensive solution for catching the shows you want, on your home channels, when you’re not home. The software allows you to deliver your home or local TV programs to anywhere in the world as long as you have broadband internet access (like Slingbox and Sony’s Location Free TV).

TV programs are delivered to you using MY-IPTV Anywhere’s built-in MPEG-4, H.264 software compression technology. Soon you will also be able to pause, rewind and play live TV programs utilizing MY-IPTV Anywhere’s PVR function. Once you have registered with honestech’s online membership, connection to your home PC and local TV programs is just a click away. The connection is peer to peer so you can be assured of a secure connection. You can also burn recorded TV programs onto a DVD.

The product sells online for an average of $130, which is about $50 less than Sling Media charges for its comparable Slingbox Tuner hardware. Other place-shifting hardware for viewing TV remotely--such as Monsoon Multimedia’s HAVA Wireless HD and Pinnacle’s PCTV To Go--are even more expensive, at $250.

My-IPTV can’t do all the things that high-end place-shifting hardware can. But if you want a cheap way to watch your favorite midday soap opera and to keep tabs on Fido as he sleeps on your living-room floor while you are in a remote location, My-IPTV & Cam Anywhere is a great option.

Read [Hones Tech] Via [PC World] Via [Boston]

Monsoon’s HAVA is a new device that has all of the functionality of a Slingbox but with more features and capabilities and double the video resolution - plus it’s completely wireless. HAVA does much more than the Slingbox. The software that comes with it allows for recording, placeshifting, timeshifting, scheduling (like TiVO), and unlike Slingbox, more than one person can log in and watch the same program.

The HAVA can also function as a wireless tuner card for Microsoft Media Center PCs. It “tricks” a Media Center PC into thinking it is
an installed TV Tuner card, thereby allowing MCE owners to have full PVR functionality without wires and without having to put their computer in their living room.

Monsoon’s HAVA features:

• Connects to any TV source such as Cable, Satellite, DVD, TiVo or a Camcorder


• All inputs include a pass-through connector, eliminating the need for splitters when connecting HAVA to home video equipment.


• Component Input - “HD Ready”


• Streams video wirelessly - no additional equipment or routers needed


• Streams video at an average of 8Mbps directly to PCs in the home network in MPEG-2 D1, full screen at 720 x 480 pixels


• Streams MPEG-2 format over the home network, MPEG-4 format over the Internet


• VBooster video streaming software technology developed by Monsoon enables DVD-quality wireless video streaming


• Enables TiVo-like functionality on the PC. Users can record, store, pause, rewind and fast forward stored video


• Schedule and record programs for later viewing


• Allows burning of stored material to DVD


• Windows XP Media Center Edition integration - appears as an installed TV-tuner card

Read [Monsoon]

SlingBox has added the popular T-Mobile Dash/ HTC Excalibur and rising Cingular Samsung Blackjack to their list of Windows SmartPhones that can host the mobile player. The rest of the Smartphone list includes the i-mate SP5m, Motorola Q, and the T-Mobile SDA/ HTC Tornado Tempo.

On the mobile Pocket PC side of things, SlingPlayer Mobile currently supports a whole host of Dells, iPAQs, Treos, and more.

You can download the software here.

Read [Zatz Not Funny]

The other day, we mentioned SlingMedia had a pending announcement regarding a partnership with a major mobile carrier.  The company that is famous for its location-free TV - Slingbox - has just announced plans to team up with 3 Group, a large provider of commercial 3G services to provide customers with TV channels on their mobile handsets.  One of the products that will include the new service is the X-Series from 3 Group.  Customers that have both a Slingbox and an X-Series handset will be able to watch anything you can watch on your home TV.

Additionally, SlingMedia is has announced that the SlingPlayer Mobile software will be available on two new mobile handsets, the Nokia N73 and Sony Ericsson W950i - including but not limited to “terrestrial TV, Freeview, cable, and satellite TV.  In addtion SlingPlayer Mobile lets customers control their TV recorder at home to watch recorded shows, pause and rewind live TV or even queue a recording when away from home using the handset.”

At this time, the 3 Group / Slingbox partnership will only be available to customers in Italy, the UK, Australia, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Hong Kong, Israel and Ireland.