Sling Media: The Slingbox for $199.99 Shipped

thats a really cool device, but thats still such a steep price, imo. Anyone ever hear of Orb?

http://www.orb.com/home/
"What is Orb?

Orb takes the home out of home entertainment! Orb gives you secure access to your digital media from your home computer through a simple Web interface. Stream your live TV, photos, music and videos to any Web-enabled device."
 
LiveSquid said:
thats a really cool device, but thats still such a steep price, imo. Anyone ever hear of Orb?

http://www.orb.com/home/
"What is Orb?

Orb takes the home out of home entertainment! Orb gives you secure access to your digital media from your home computer through a simple Web interface. Stream your live TV, photos, music and videos to any Web-enabled device."
Click to expand...

Is it really free and does it work well, LS?
 
Well, its over the internet so how well it works is kind of subject to your connection..

Directly from their FAQ,

How much is Orb?
Orb is free! With no subscription fees, Orb eliminates the final barrier between consumers and their digital media.

Where can I use Orb?
You can Orb from anywhere you have an Internet connection and a Web-enabled mobile phone, PDA, laptop or PC.
 
Far from the same functionality, though.

For instance, Orb requires that all media run through your home PC. To accomplish what the Sling Box does naturally, you must acquire a TV tuner and use your home PC as a DVR, etc. As for recordings already on your Tivo? Probably unavailable. Plus, DirectTV may be impossible to run through Orb. Someone else might know these things for certain.
 
Personally, Im willing to forego live TV for a difference of $0 vs. $200. Plus, since its not WiFi, you would need to run an ethernet cable to the slingbox (which is likely going to be hooked up tp your main TV). I dont really want a long cable running through my house to get from the slingbox in the living room to the router in the computer room. The tuner is NTSC. What about the PAL content that you may have downloaded? I know I have some.

So no, its not the same but they both have pros and cons. For my money, Im going with the free one.
 
I agree that orb does not do the same thing as the slingbox.

1) Slingbox can be used with any A/V device such as a cable box, satellite, dvr, dvd changer, antenna, etc. Orb is limited to a small number of compatable tv capture cards.

2) With the slingbox, there is no need to have a computer running 24/7. While that may not be an issue for some, most people turn off their computers when they are away for an extended period of time.

3) The slingbox consumes a lot less electricty than a PC.

4) The slingbox is easy to connect and set up. Just about anyone can hook one up. The same can not be said for installing a TV tuner.

5) The interface is the familiar. You car controling a device you are already using and the remote controls look like the remote for the device you are using.

In my opinion these benefits more than justify the $200 price tag.

As for it not having wifi, thats not an issue. Most people already have a network connection for game consoles. If you dont, you can find wireles bridges for pretty cheep now. I personally have a wireless bridge connected to a switch so I can connect my slingbox, consoles, and receiver (it can play mp3s found on my network or internet).
 
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Has anyone actually used one of these? I have seen then at a few stories, but I'm not sure how good they are.

Kage_
 
Yes, the quality is pretty good. If you have a bad connection then it drops down is always quite watchable. Its not as good as watching it directly, but its still pretty good.
 
You just gotta show me up, huh? Fine, one day Ill do something and show you up. Then the shoe will be on the other foot. We'll see how you like it. :P
 
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