Sling Media Slingbox SOLO (SB260-100)

by Sling Media

• Watch and control your live and recorded TV in standard definition on your laptop or desktop - supports Windows XP/Vista and Mac
• Watch and control on your mobile phone - compatible with Android, iPhone, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Symbian or Palm OS-based mobile devices
• Connects to one high-definition or standard-definition A/V device, such as a DVR, cable set top box, satellite receiver or DVD player
• No monthly fees

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 11.6 x 9.6 x 3.5 inches ; 2.2 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B000VXKD8K
• Item model number: SB260-100
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (449 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,070 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
  • #39 in Electronics > Computers & Add-Ons > Networking Products > Digital Media Devices
• Date first available at Amazon.com: August 28, 2005

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Slingbox turns your PC, Mac, tablet or smartphone into a TV.

Never miss your home TV shows, regardless of where you are. Take your TV with you on the road. Easily connect the Slingbox SOLO to practically any one of your home-theater sources and watch your standard-definition (SD) or high-definition (HD) TV shows, sporting events or special programs on your PC, Mac, tablet or smartphone* over the internet, from anywhere in the world.

Easily Connect

Connect to one HD or SD source in your home theater, such as your DVR, digital cable set-top box or satellite receiver.

Take Control

Take complete control of your TV via the web with the comprehensive and easy-to-use on-screen remote control and electronic program guide (EPG).

Sit Back and Enjoy

Watch your favorite shows in crisp SD quality over the Internet via your PC, Mac, tablet or smartphone—from anywhere, anytime.

No Monthly Fees

Watch and control your TV and its programming on your compatible device with no monthly subscription fee.*

*Download sold separately. Additional fees from your mobile provider may apply.

Connections

Getting Started with Slingbox SOLO is Simple

1. Connect the Slingbox to an A/V source, such as a DVR, cable set-top box or satellite receiver (The Slingbox is compatible with just about any AV source.)
2. Connect the Slingbox to your home network (If your router is too far from your Slingbox for a direct connection, use the SlingLink TURBO or another Ethernet bridge for connectivity.)
3. Fire up your PC or Mac computer from your home-network connection, complete the Slingbox setup and enjoy your very own home theater on your PC, Mac, tablet or smartphone.

What Devices Can I Connect?

• Basic Cable TV Set-Top Box
• Digital Cable Set-Top Box
• DVRs (such as TiVo, Comcast, ReplayTV, DISH or one provided by your cable/satellite provider)
• Blu-ray Disc™ Player/Recorder
• HD Component Input Support with Resolution Up to 1080i
• Satellite Receiver such as DIRECTV or DISH
• Video/Security Camera
• Windows Media Center

What do I need to watch on my laptop?

Watch and control your TV directly from Slingbox.com. Using Firefox, Internet Explorer or Safari, you have complete access to your Slingbox and its connected cable box, satellite receiver or DVR. You get a virtual remote control as well as a searchable TV guide—all without downloading or installing desktop software.

Virtual Program Guide and Remote Control

View all of your television programming with the virtual program guide. With the on-screen remote control, change channels, pause, fast-forward or rewind and set up DVR recordings.

Popup Video Player

Multitask while watching your TV, or if you prefer, watch your TV in full-screen mode.

PC and Mac Support

Access your Slingbox from any high-speed Internet-connected PC or Mac laptop or desktop.

What do I need to watch on my smartphone or tablet?

With SlingPlayer software (sold separately) watch your TV and all of its programming on your iPad, iPhone, BlackBerry, Android phone, Android tablet, Windows Phone, Palm OS or Symbian mobile devices.

Full Control of Your Home TV

Control your programming with easy-to-use menus and shortcuts on either a touch screen or navigational interface. Easily change your TV channels, navigate program guides and schedule recordings on your DVR.

Easy Access to a Wide Range of Devices and Programs

Control your digital cable box, satellite receiver, DVR or DVD player. Access music channels or video on demand.

High-Quality Viewing Modes

Enjoy stunning full-screen video. Switch to audio-only mode to save bandwidth or battery life. Adjust the video display size or aspect ratio. (Audio-only mode and adjustable video display size are only supported on select devices.)

Take Advantage of High-Speed Mobile Internet Connectivity

Access your television programming over a high-speed 3G, 4G or Wi-Fi connection. (Check your mobile device and service for supported connectivity options. Some Android phones and tablets support 4G connections. The iPod touch only supports Wi-Fi connections.)

Product Description

The Slingbox SOLO incorporates high-definition component, S-Video and composite video inputs as well as outputs, making it compatible with just about every HD or standard-definition satellite receiver or set-top boxes and DVRs on the market. The Slingbox SOLO is the perfect companion for your DVR, cable box, satellite receiver or DVD player. With the ability to watch and control your favorite TV source, the Slingbox SOLO ensures that you can enjoy your TV entertainment anywhere.What's in the box: Sling Box Slingbox Solo Internet TV Broadcaster, AC Adapter, Ethernet Cable, Quick Start Guide, Composite AV Cable, Remote Control IR Cable and 1-Year Limited Warranty.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

152 of 155 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Total Junk - do not buy - unit fails approximately 1 year after purchase (practically to the day of warranty expiration) November 1, 2010

By C. Mugnatto

Amazon Verified Purchase

One (hopefully last) review of this piece of junk. Indeed - I did open up the Sling SOLO and in the process voiding my "warranty" (if we can call it that with a straight face) and found that the capacitors had failed, as everyone else eventually discovers. Replacing them at my cost of about $12 and two hours worth of my time (and I am not an electronics geek by any means), solved the problem. Here are some image links of the SOLO:

picasaweb . google . com / cesinco / SlingBoxSux#5547257092994979890

picasaweb . google . com / cesinco / SlingBoxSux#5547257105670666994

picasaweb . google . com / cesinco / SlingBoxSux#5547257110680945410



I have come back to edit my original review of the SOLO. I cannot stress enough how poor the product and customer service is. You are better off to take your wife out to a nice dinner than to hand your money over to this bunch. If you do, you might as well have set fire to the money you paid for the SOLO. Anyway, back to the original review...

If you are thinking of buying this product, I highly recommend you first go to this discussion thread on Sling's site

answers . slingbox . com / message / 24401

to see what nearly 500 postings have to say about the SOLO and Sling's customer support in general. If you don't wish to go through all of that, here's the condensed version:

Many people have discovered that the capacitors installed on the SOLO bulge up about 1 year after purchase, rendering them and the SOLO useless. Many of those who have tried, said that replacing the capacitors with new ones corrected the problem. Sling refuses to acknowledge that this is a problem of their making (despite the numerous posts and the thread having started about 6 months ago). Apparently, they don't "wish to leap to conclusions" as to the source of the problem until it is properly diagnosed. In the meantime, until such time as it is "properly diagnosed", Sling charges customers who are out of warranty (that means practically everyone since the problem typically occurs AFTER the warranty expires) just to talk to you. As I understand from other contributors to the thread, if it can be determined that the problem is indeed with hardware, Sling will credit this $30 towards replacement hardware which will cost you $100. So you end up paying $70 if it's a hardware problem to get a working SOLO or paying $30 to remain stuck with a non-working SOLO. Wonderful choice.

Apparently, the customer service reps are rude too.

Anyway, this is not me saying this - it's the condensed version of what is on the discussion thread.

I leave it to you to make up your own mind on whether you want to deal with such a company. Myself, I will go the "replace my own capacitor" route as others have and if it fails, I will be no worse off (except for the cost of a few caps) than I am now. But I will not fall for their tricks agan.

305 of 318 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars slingbox is a great concept but the company is terrible May 10, 2010

By Jin Choung

Amazon Verified Purchase

first - AMAZON IS AMAZING. when slingmedia would not help me, amazon totally stepped up and took care of a problem for me that they did not need to. thanks amazon and i didn't know you could make me a bigger fan than i already was but you have.

second - i have had the same problem with slingbox solo that other one star reviewers have had. i too just had my unit for under a year and was still under warranty but like others, technical support gave me a total run around and would not give me an RMA and my options were to pay for a tech support consult or buy an extended warranty... but wtf, i was STILL UNDER WARRANTY - why would i want to purchase an EXTENDED WARRANTY when i'm still under warranty now when the unit has failed?!

these are bad, disingenuous and sneaky people who want to nickel and dime you for every little thing. they don't care about customer satisfaction or their own commitments and you will notice that their culture is one that is absolutely closed and stonewalled.

in every way that amazon shines for their dedication to their customers, slingbox radiates bad faith.

this technology is not worthy of these guys and it is my fondest wish that they fail so that someone bigger, better and more committed to their customers becomes the standard bearer.

i loved my slingbox and i loved the technology. they had a die hard fan in me. but with one phone call to a tech support person far more concerned with selling an extended warranty for a product that was already under warranty when it failed... man, they have earned my enmity.

as for a recommendation, it's a tough call - if it works and never fails, it's great. but if you need to have ANY kind of backup from slingmedia, you are completely out of luck.

UPDATE - for me, it WAS bad capacitors: [...]

71 of 76 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Fine product until it turns into a brick. November 28, 2010

By Dean Shutt

Amazon Verified Purchase

My unit worked well for eighteen months. When I attempted to reinstall it in a different system the setup software required that I upgrade the firmware. The upgrade failed and the box has been useless ever since.

I am not the only person to have this problem. Slingbox charges $29.95 to talk to you after their warranty period. This will be refunded if they determine you have faulty hardware. Thus it will cost you $29.95 to find out if Slingbox will repair the hardware that their own software rendered useless.

In addition, while the Mac or PC players are free, the mobile players cost $29.95 for EACH type. Want to watch your Slingbox on an iPad? Then pay up even if you have already purchased a player for your iPhone.

These guys richly deserve to go out of business. I suggest you consider a Monsoon Vulkano. These units perform exactly the same function (and more) as a Slingbox, cost much less, and do not have a history of becoming unusable. Further the player software for any platform you desire is FREE and so is their customer service.

Given the problems with these units and the available alternatives there is simply no reason to purchase one.