Looking for a Slingbox alternative? Belkin could have you covered when they launch @TV next month. Like Slingbox, Belkin’s upcoming $150 hardware relays audio and video from your DVR or other set-top to computer or mobile around the house or anywhere the world. Computer and iPad or Android tablet viewing software will be free, but the smartphone client will run you $13.
While it’s not clear if this hardware actually streams in HD, it’s entirely apparent who’s producing the box for Belkin… as I turned up this very same Vulkano product via FCC filings last fall. Further, a quick Google search of “Belkin” and “Vulkano” points us to Android Marketplace and iTunes App Store clients (that have been active for months). Monsoon, the maker of Hava and Vulkano, has been down this OEM path before with Pinnacle and Linksys — and here’s to hoping they have better luck with Belkin’s brand awareness and retail shelf space. Assuming consumers are still interested in roll-your-own placeshifting given all the mobile media alternatives.
It’s absolutely crazy that this device isn’t going to have HDMI. Just component and composite…come on Belkin!
HDMI licensing prohibits recording. At least it did back when I worked at Sling… That’s why you don’t see DVD recorders or DVRs with HDMI inputs. Technically, it can be done. But the powers that be are in collusion.
We’ve talked about it a bit here:
https://zatznotfunny.com/2010-11/qotd-record-from-hdmi/
And here:
https://zatznotfunny.com/2011-07/hdmi-licensing-strikes-again/
I’m still interested in Sling-style devices. While I certainly stream more stuff via the various on demand apps, web sites and so forth there are still lots of things I can’t get via those methods. If I just want to watch a show the same night it airs for example, or virtually any sports, or any show where I’m w-a-y behind (I’m just catching up on Season 4 of Breaking Bad now, and still haven’t gotten around to watching Justified yet).
And given the issues with Sling’s corporate parent, here’s hoping another device can gain a real foothold.
I think they make component to HDMI converters.
They do. And some, such as the HDFury, will even spoof and strip a HDCP handshake. I assume it’s not worth the HDMI coalition’s efforts to go after them. Here’s HDFury’s stance on their legality. Interesting stuff.
http://www.hdfury.com/hdmi-hdcp/hdcp-strippers-legality/
In fact, some folks with older non-HDCP compliant sets suffering on DirecTV are buying HDMI splitters that complete the HDCP handshake before passing the video on.