As Google modernizes their Chrome web browser, Sling has alerted customers that they’re unprepared to continue streaming support at this time.
As part of their 64-bit upgrade process, Google is discontinuing the support of 32-bit browser extensions for Mac OS X and Windows computers. Since the current version of Watch on Slingbox.com for Mac and PC uses a 32-bit browser extension, it is therefore no longer supported by the latest version of the Chrome browser. You won’t be able to stream from your Slingbox using the latest version of the Chrome browser. We are in the process of addressing this issue and are expecting a temporary interruption of the free, web-based Slingplayer service for Chrome browsers version 39 and above.
While Sling has once again released a desktop client (yes!), it’s incomplete and support hasn’t been extended to most models (not to mention the software is next to impossible to find) — so that’s not an option for most impacted by this news. Indeed, in speaking with Sling last June, I got the sense that their player intentions were somewhat in flux… so it’ll be interesting to see where we ultimately land. For the interim, I guess us Slingbox owners have one more reason to keep Yahoo’s Firefox around.
Here’s the Mac desktop software download. It’s either just for M1 or M1 and SlingTV/500:
http://download.slingmedia.com/SlingplayerDesktop/Mac/5.0.38/SlingplayerDesktop-5.0.38.dmg
As for my placeshifting needs, with TiVo’s new-found Android support, I’m thinking of picking up a Stream – especially since the company indicates they’ll ultimately enable Android downloads, in addition to streaming. Then again, I do occasionally enjoy accessing my Slingbox via Chromecast. Maybe TiVo needs to release that Fire TV app…
I would think that they would want to modernize their plugin structure as Chrome isn’t the only 64bit browser around. I imaging the others will eventually make their way to 64bit as well. I’ve been using it on Chrome mostly because I typically use Firefox for my main browser so use Chrome for high-CPU usage tabs.
“I would think that they would want to modernize their plugin structure as Chrome isn’t the only 64bit browser around.”
Well that note does speak of a “temporary interruption”, so, the elasticity of that phrase aside, one would assume they will indeed do as you wish…
“Maybe TiVo needs to release that Fire TV app…”
Why the hell isn’t Roku on that list?
I don’t want an Amazon box/stick. Beyond all the normal reasons to prefer Roku to Fire, I really like keeping my devices and service providers separate. (Which is one of the reasons I got a TiVo in the first place. Which is one of the reasons I’ve always disabled iCloud. Etc, etc…)
“As for my placeshifting needs, with TiVo’s new-found Android support, I’m thinking of picking up a Stream – especially since the company indicates they’ll ultimately enable Android downloads”
I regret to inform you that the Stream won’t work with your S1 TiVo.
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Off topic, but after having my Roamio for a few weeks now, I’m really McLovin’ it. Truly a kickass product. And they’re not serving me ads so far – I’m guessing they’re waiting for the 30 day warranty to expire.
But Dave did steer me wrong on one item. The OTT services are damn weak. Not only do Netflix and Amazon launch slowly, as Dave warned me about, but even once launched, navigation is incredibly slow, and the interface is very weak, which is where Dave steered me wrong. In short, the UX sucks.
On the plus side, the TiVo search function totally trumps the Roku search. The beauty of punching in a director with the Slide, and getting to rapidly see the all of the TV recording, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Amazon a-la-carte options is a killer feature. (Oddly, I’ve never seen anyone write about this.) It’s nice to use that TiVo search, and be able to quickly add something to my OTT service watchlists from the TiVo, if it’s not on the TV schedule, even though I usually end up watching on the Roku. Plus, unlike the Roku search, you can quickly ‘n’ easily go straight ‘back’ from the OTT service to the search, without having to needlessly navigate around for a while first, which always pissed me off about the Roku search. (Sometimes I will enjoy the instant gratification of immediately watching OTT straight from the TiVo search, since I don’t have to navigate TiVo’s lousy OTT interface in such circumstances.)
But for starting Netflix or Amazon from scratch, I always switch inputs from the TiVo to the Roku, which is too bad, considering the advantages of the single remote workflow…
Yeah, TiVo is slower than all my other currently plugged in boxes and sticks. If I’m binging a show, as I usually am on Amazon (Alpha House) or Netflix (Scandal), my content is already queued up in one of the top slots and the interface speed is less of an issue – I prefer the single remote and input. I surely wouldn’t browse for content from TiVo’s OTT apps (supposedly Amazon Instant is much slower than Vudu, hm) and never use search beyond TiVo’s mobile app. Chucky, have you tried launching video from tablet/phone-to-TiVo (using DIAL via the little Chromecast beaming icon) and does that change the math for you?
Margret did mention being able to choose Amazon Instant and/or Amazon Instant Prime in providers, presumably with your universal search being one manifestation of the two tiers.
Roku seems to be a more simplistic and limited end point than the Android-based Fire TV. But based on some surveys and TiVo-provided screengrabs, Roku could also be on TiVo’s list. Who knows.
“Chucky, have you tried launching video from tablet/phone-to-TiVo (using DIAL..) and does that change the math for you?”
Netflix DIAL works perfectly for me with the TiVo. Couldn’t find it with Amazon, but didn’t look very hard.
Doesn’t really change the math for me, since, despite my hopes, when it all comes down to it, I guess I just don’t really find the utility for a smart phone / tablet remote in my workflow. Even TiVo ‘my shows’ DIAL, which I’d had high hopes for in moving on up from S3, ends up being a disappointment in reality. Physical remotes are nice.
“If I’m binging a show, as I usually am on Amazon (Alpha House) or Netflix (Scandal), my content is already queued up in one of the top slots and the interface speed is less of an issue – I prefer the single remote and input.”
Yeah. I can definitely see that use-case scenario. In the midst of an ongoing binge, the UX would be tolerable.
But for me at least, that would be the exception to the rule. For most times, I’d rather have the second remote handy, and hang out in the far more pleasant UX of the Roku.
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“never use search beyond TiVo’s mobile app.”
Dude, you are missing out. Assuming you’ve got a Slide, TiVo search on the box really ends up being a killer app. Best implementation I’ve seen by a mile. Best functionality on any box. With Netflix, Amazon Prime & a-la-carte, and the multicast integrated, totally transforms the utility of search. Better than sliced bread.
(And, as noted, straight from TiVo search is only way I ever find myself end up using TiVo’s OTT apps.)
@Chucky – thats what I get for reading too fast :)
“@Chucky – thats what I get for reading too fast”
Just make sure you don’t go swimming for at least an hour after reading. You can get cramps, and that can put you in danger for drowning.
Also on the upgrade from S3, somewhat underwhelmed about using the management features of the TiVo app on phones/tablets. It all works, but it’s just so damn clunky.
But I had no idea that kmttg could access those same mobile app hooks and do management from a usable and highly productive interface. Yowza! That’s good stuff. Kmttg: it’s not just for downloads anymore…
It’ll also do your backdoors so you don’t have to get the remote timing exactly right and even reboot.
Thanks for the link for the desktop client for Mac. I just tried it and already like it much better then the latest web client and had not seen it before.