Back at CES, EchoStar came clean with their Sling Media acquisition intentions in announcing the “SlingLoaded” platform – part DVR, part Slingbox. The first model is headed to DISH Network as the DISH VIP 922 and now Echo has unveiled digital cable-enabled tru2way SlingLoaded hardware. Unlike the previously demo-ed satellite version, these tru2way devices would house a single multistream CableCARD (M-Card) and feature licensed operator interfaces – Echo has a few on display, including Digeo’s Moxi experience. While Echo could conceivably head direct to retail, I suspect they’re looking for a cable partner to get the SlingLoaded HD DVR out the door. Also, on display was a lone (and lonely) SlingModem. Echo assures me the DOCSIS 2.0 device and cable-modem+Slingbox bundled hardware initiative isn’t dead. We’ll see.
In other Sling news today, EchoStar has drawn the line in the sand. Slingbox Solo, Pro, and Pro-HD models will be the only units capable of running the upcoming iPhone client. Classic, AV, and Tuner owners are out of luck. Having said that, they’ve launched an upgrade program that knocks $50 off the price of new hardware. Which probably still comes in higher than Amazon. I assume Sling wants or needs folks on more capable platforms as they move to H.264 encoding and with Clip+Sling still waiting in the wings.
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I’ve got a pretty elaborate tru2way SlingLoaded DVR data sheet. Will see about scanning or snapping it at home later. It covers resolutions, codecs, networking, etc.
I’ve heard so much about Clip and Sling yet still no proof that it actually exists. Is this really going to get released or has it been killed by other interests? Also do you know whether or not Echo had to pay a license fee to embed Sling into their DVR boxes? Sling should be 100% legal in my opinion, but the minute that you’re put in a position where you have to negotiate for content, it makes it a lot easier to get squeezed. Anyone want to make a guess on the over/under before TiVo introduces placeshifting capabilities into their own DVR? I’m going to say more then a year from today, but less then 2.
“Classic, AV, and Tuner owners are out of luck.”
You have got to be kidding me?
That makes me very very unhappy.
“Classic, AV, and Tuner owners are out of luck.”
That makes no sense. My AV Slings like a champ to my underpowered WinMo phone. Why would the iPhone be any different?
Ditto on the AV comment. I have had great luck slinging the AV all over. Seems like a money grab to me.
Will wait and see if this app works over 3G…not just Wifi before I give in.
Wow, even though I have a PRO, I find the fact that sling is leaving half(maybe even more) of there own customers in the dark when it comes to iPhone streaming really upsetting…Kind of reminds me of that sling lcd tv with a battery that only works with the Dish 922 DVR or whatever its called…If it works with the embed sling, it should work from them all.
What a utter disappointment and major mistake, to say the list. This will only alienate your customer base, Sling! If it works on the latest Blackberries just fine, why do we have to throw our perfectly working Slingbox AV to get a new one?
This is not a good way to thank you loyal customer base that has supported SlingMedia since its infancy.
I guess its time to ditch the iPhone and move to a different platform while I use my existing SPM license.
Wow this is a very interesting product. I’m def. interested in a DVR with built in Slingbox functionality. With the upcoming IPhone app, this could be a killer combination to finally get others such as Tivo to start to make improvements.
Also, I’m surprised to see it running Moxi. That’s such a niche UI, you really don’t see it anywhere but a few remote Charter markets.
Whew, SlingMedia is really killing me. Turning into a horrible company from what used to be a great little company. And I was wondering why the original guys in charge resigned a year after the Echostar takeover? Because the Echostart + Sling = The darkside