Watch your HD content while on-the-move
Available in North America for many years,
the Slingbox Pro-HD is now officially released. For the uninitiated, this is a
network-enabled box (with a digital tuner) that accepts connections form
multiple AV sources and streams them over the Internet, so that you can enjoy
your content even when you’re out and about.
Sling
Media Slingbox Pro-HD
The Pro-HD package comes with AV cables
aplenty. You’ve component video, composite video and audio, a
SCART-to-composite-AV adapter, and even an RF cable. In addition to connecting
to the TV antenna via its aerial jack, the Pro-HD can hook up two additional AV
sources: one HD device via component video cables (for audio, you can use either
analog or digital cables terminated with RCA jacks), and another SD device via
composite AV (or preferably, S-video) cables. The Pro-HD also acts as a
pass-through device, so every set of inputs is paired with a set of outputs
that goes to your TV. In case you’re wondering, no, the Pro-HD has no HDMI
inputs. It also doesn’t support 1080p signals – so for the HD device, make sure
it’s outputting at 1080i.
To get the Pro-HD onto the Internet, your
only option is to connect it to a router by way of an Ethernet cable, as it
doesn’t come with wireless connectivity. (Remember, the Slingbox line hasn’t
been updated for years). If your router is nowhere near the Pro-HD, a way to
get around it is to resort to powerline networking. To control an AV device
remotely, you need to connect the included remote control IR cable to the
Pro-HD, and place an IR emitter (there are four) near the IR sensor of the
device.
Sling
Media Slingbox Pro-HD
The Pro-HD setup is done via a web
interface over at the Slingbox website. The process can take a bit of time,
especially if you’ve many devices connected to the Pro-HD. You can save a bit
of time if you note down the make and model of your devices beforehand. If
you’re a StarHub Cable TV subscriber, you should feel at home with the customized
virtual remote. We also had no problems with changing the channels, as the
database includes the relevant remote codes. We also managed to watch a Blu-ray
version of Superman Returns (via a BD player at home) while sipping coffee at
Starbucks. For Internet viewing to work, you may need to setup port-forwarding
on your router. The SlingPlayer Mobile app is required if you want to watch
content on your Android, iOS, or Windows Phone devices, and it’s not free. For
example, the SlingPlayer Mobile for iPad costs $38.98, and that’s only for the
iPad. You need to pay another $38.98 if you want the iPhone version of the app.
The Slingbox Pro-HD is a neat device for
‘slinging’ your TV programs to wherever you are. For other AV devices, we
strongly recommend that you think through how you want to hook them up, since
the Pro-HD doesn’t come with HDMI and Wi-Fi support.
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Details
·
Maximum resolution: 1080i
·
No. of devices: 1 x HD, 2x SD
·
Network: 10/100 Base-T Ethernet
·
Weight: 1.8kg
·
Price: $498
Specifications
·
Network bandwidth: HD Viewing 1.5 Mbps or
higher;
·
SD Viewing: 384 Kbps or higher;
·
Mobile Viewing: 150 Kbps or higher
·
Supported AV Sources: Basic cable TV set-top
box, digital cable set-top box, DVR, DVD player/ recorder, HD component input
support with resolution up to 1080i (down-converted), satellite receiver,
video/security camera, Windows Media Center Extender
Verdict: 8/10
·
Physique: 8/10
·
Features: 8/10
·
User-friendliness: 7.5/10
·
Value: 7.5/10
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