Archives For Slingbox

New Slingbox App Fees Ahead?

Dave Zatz —  December 23, 2011 — 8 Comments

slingplayer-subscription1

When the recently released Boxee and Google TV Slingbox client “apps” launched (1, 2), I was pretty psyched. Not only did this represent the first time we could stream our content television-to-television (without dedicated SlingCatcher hardware), unlike Echo Star’s mobile apps, these new services arrived at no cost. However, the fee-free element may merely be temporary given the latest Slingbox emailed newsletter:

During this introductory period SlingPlayer for Logitech Revue is free!

SlingPlayer for connected devices is free of charge in North America during this introductory period.

Interestingly, the way in which EchoStar first presented the Flash-based SlingPlayer for Connected Devices about a year ago led me to believe we might see some sort of monthly or annual subscription. Which is why last month I was “pleasantly surprised to see it’s being offered without a one-time or recurring fee.” But it looks like I may have spoken too soon and changes lie ahead… perhaps dependent on uptake.

On a broader scale, roll-your-own placeshifting technology remains a niche and transitional solution. So, for EchoStar to keep this division and product line alive, they probably need to see substantially more revenue and ongoing service fees could be just the ticket.

In Slingbox
 permalink

SlingPlayer Comes To Google TV

Dave Zatz —  December 16, 2011 — 12 Comments

spcd-googletv-screens

After nearly a year in development, EchoStar has released the SlingPlayer for Google TV. And, as the recent Boxee and Facebook Slingbox players, what we’re really dealing with is a Flash-based webpage. As Engadget points out, this means you won’t necessarily have the same level of polished remote keymapping… yet the platform is infinitely more portable/reusable than a dedicated app for each OS. At least until Adobe kills mobile and television Flash. But, hey, at least it won’t run you $30 like Sling’s mobile apps.

Like all SlingPlayers, this version allows you to watch your home television content beyond the confines of your property line… OR within rooms, say, without a set-top box. Originally, the Slingbox streamed video to desktop software or mobile clients, but the advent of Boxee and Google TV provide for television-to-television streaming. So as bad as the Logitech Revue is, for $80 to $100 it makes a better “sling catcher” than the ill fated and discontinued SlingCatcher ($300).

To partake, you’ll need a Slingbox SOLO or PRO-HD ($150 – $300) and the SlingPlayer “app” can be found under the Google TV Spotlight.

In Gadgets, Slingbox, Video
 permalink

Everybody’s in the TV Guide Business

Mari Silbey —  November 29, 2011 — 1 Comment

Everyone wants in on the EPG business. That’s one of the conclusions I took away from the SCTE Cable Tec-Expo event earlier this month. Even as CE manufacturers are pumping up the volume on connected devices with their own video interfaces, vendors in the cable TV world are pushing a range of solutions that tie the electronic program guide into larger content management systems for pay-TV operators. I talked about Rovi’s TotalGuide EPG a couple weeks back, and there’s Arris’ Moxi guide, but those two are far from the only players in this game. Here’s a sample of three other companies touting their own guide solutions.

Clearleap

Clearleap is perhaps better known in the world of Internet delivery than it is in the cable industry, but the company is rapidly carving out a niche among MSOs. Speaking with CTO John Carlucci at the SCTE event, I learned that Clearleap has a hosted, white-label guide on the market, and that it offers media services to help operators manage, encode and deliver video to connected devices. Clearleap’s solutions are strictly IP-based, but they’re already being used by Verizon for its VOD platform, and Carlucci says the company’s in trials with “four of the top five” operators for its media services. As for the guide specifically, Clearleap’s solution could be a compelling one for tier-2 and tier-3 operators. The service runs on a pay-as-you-go model, and Clearleap is rapidly adding advanced features. The company recently integrated with Great Lakes Data Systems (GLDS) to add options for a-la-carte transactions that are tied back to a subscriber’s monthly cable bill. (Think additional IP content purchases on top of the monthly subscription) Carlucci says social features are on the way. Orbitel, a small cableco out of Arizona, launched the Clearleap/GLDS solution in October to create a branded VOD experience on subscriber Roku boxes.

Motorola

Motorola showed up with a reference EPG back at the Cable Show in 2010, but that’s as far as the company had ventured into the guide world until this fall. Continue Reading…

In Broadband, Industry, Moxi, Roku, Slingbox, Software
 permalink

Boxee Now Streams Slingbox

Dave Zatz —  November 22, 2011 — 16 Comments

Hot on the heels of their Facebook Slingbox app, EchoStar has just officially unveiled a SlingPlayer for Connected Devices. While it’s been in beta testing for some time and we expected to see initial support for Google TV, the Boxee Box (~$180) is up first.

The Slingbox (~$150) has always allowed one to view their home television on the go or around the house, yet there’s never been a way to do so in a lean-back fashion… beyond the half-baked SlingCatcher. So this SlingPlayer for Connected Devices effectively turns gadgets we already own into virtual Catchers for TV-to-TV viewing. And, I’m pleasantly surprised to see it’s being offered without a one-time or recurring fee.

Unfortunately, this first iteration is probably Flash-based like the aforementioned Facebook app, limiting it’s distribution and potential – due to the small number of Flash-capable set-top boxes and Adobe’s abandonment of “digital home devices”. An even better solution? Non-Flash Slingbox apps for Roku and Apple TV.

(via TechCrunch)

In Gadgets, Slingbox, Video
 permalink

Slingbox Player Comes To Facebook

Dave Zatz —  November 18, 2011 — 24 Comments

Earlier today, Echostar launched their Slingplayer for Facebook application enabling Slingbox SOLO (~$150) and Slingbox PRO-HD (~$250) owners to stream their home television content through one of the worlds most popular web destinations. (demo video above) Unlike the stand-alone computer applications or existing web players, this requires no software install… meaning folks might experience more flexibility in how and where they view their feed (work,a friend’s home, Kinkos). Sling’s probably also banking on the social nature of Facebook as we advertise their solution to our friends. Unfortunately, the still mostly ubiquitous Flash browser plugin is required and owners of older Slingbox models need not apply.

Speaking of Flash, I suspect this web app features the same underpinnings as the Google TV SlingPlayer demo-ed at CES and upcoming Boxee implementation. Unfortunately, there’s still no word when that SlingPlayer for Connected Devices will launch… or if it’ll carry with it some sort of monthly access fee. All the more reason to identify what URL Sling’s new Facebook app is calling? Continue Reading…

In Slingbox, Video, Web
 permalink