So, if I have basic cable hooked to a TV and Cox Cable switches to all digital this box will solve the problem?
Have a Sansa device or MP3 player, then check out The latest!
Sling Gets Into the Set Top Box Game
Categories: News, Rumors and Gossip Devices / Other Hardware
When you think Sling, set top digital TV tuners for the upcoming analog to digital switch may not be the first thing that pops into your head. But alas, tucked away on a small table slightly off the beaten path lies just such a device. Sling Media's got STB fever.
Contents of literature nearby gives insight into the Sling branded digital TV tuner. Really, neither emits the unique stamp of Sling design, as the style and look lakes the traditional shape and polish of a Sling device, not to mention the remote looks remarkably similar to those provided with Dish Network satellite boxes (actually, the one being shown at the show actually sports the Dish logo). Given that and the fact they've never shown any interest in that market makes this Sling junkie suspect the Echostar overlords at work.
Is this a bad thing? Heck no, provided the tuner works... which shouldn't be tremendously difficult. To me, the bigger question is why. No matter which way you slice it, money would appear to be the reason for such a device. I’d guess this is simply a grab for government dollars; the feds are subsidizing the purchase of DTV to analog converter boxes through a coupon program. Why not grab a slice of the pie? Also considering these boxes will be sold through retail channels, unleashing this to market under the Sling brand name may make more sense given the Sling Media brand carries more weight at the store level. Dish Network (though
The TR40
Meet the TR40, a simple ATSC to analog converter priced at 39.99 (a coincidence these government coupons will be valued at $40?), making it free to those redeeming a NTIA coupon. Features here are pretty bare bones, but it does manage to pack in a electronic program guide and a few other nifty things. Features and specs for the box:
- ATSC digital TV tuner (does not support unencrypted QAM)
- RF output
- Composite Video out
- Stereo audio out
- IR remote control
- Electronic program guide
- On screen setup
- Program search
- VCR timers
- Parental lock
For those already entrenched in the HDTV market, there will be no reason to purchase such a box. These are only designed to bridge the gap between analog and digital broadcasting when the old transmissions of days yore are cut off February next year. Boxes like this should make their way to retail over the next few months.
Moderator
- member since: 09/28/2005
- rank: 2 of 28499
-
location:
Arizona, United States
- 11 articles authored
- 56 blog entries posted
- 111 forum threads started
- 2403 comments
January 8, 2008 6:11 PM
Editor
- member since: 06/24/2005
- rank: 1 of 28499
-
location:
United States
- 68 articles authored
- 2 blog entries posted
- 91 forum threads started
- 1173 comments
January 10, 2008 10:47 AM
Brandon C. said: So, if I have basic cable hooked to a TV and Cox Cable switches to all digital this box will solve the problem?Negative sir. This box is all about the terrestrial (antenna) broadcast switchover. Cable has no mandatory switch date required by law, so they can continue to deliver analog signals to customers as long as they see fit.
Mind Over Matt'er - Technology musings, opinion, and more straight from TechLore's head geek.
Member
- member since: 06/05/2006
- rank: 39 of 28499
-
location:
United Kingdom
- 14 forum threads started
- 123 comments
January 11, 2008 11:17 AM
Sling should look at releasing a box like this in the UK just now to capitalise on the analogue to digital switchover (sadly no $40/£20 vouchers here though!).
Alan
January 12, 2008 1:32 PM
So if you have digital cable, and can view only channels 1-78 because they are analog and channel 79 -> is digital, will this convert that digital signal to analog so they can be viewed without a cable box??
here is a link to to sign up for the vouchers. www.dtv.gov
Slinging with SlingBox Pro - Motorola DVR (Comcast) and analog tuner (SlingBox)
Moderator
- member since: 09/28/2005
- rank: 2 of 28499
-
location:
Arizona, United States
- 11 articles authored
- 56 blog entries posted
- 111 forum threads started
- 2403 comments
February 12, 2008 8:47 PM
Negative sir. This box is all about the terrestrial (antenna) broadcast switchover. Cable has no mandatory switch date required by law, so they can continue to deliver analog signals to customers as long as they see fit.
Wow, I didn't know this. Thanks for the info. Now I need to think about the whole thing. I have two TV's (for the kids) hooked to basic cable.
Makes me wonder what Cox is going to do. I will have to check into it. Thanks for the heads up!
Have a Sansa device or MP3 player, then check out The latest!
Moderator
- member since: 09/28/2005
- rank: 2 of 28499
-
location:
Arizona, United States
- 11 articles authored
- 56 blog entries posted
- 111 forum threads started
- 2403 comments
February 19, 2008 11:34 PM
No. The government will provide a list of coupon-eligible converter boxes and participating retailers here. You may also ask participating retailers whether TV converter boxes in their stores can be purchased with the $40 government coupon.
It appears the coupons are only for specific suppliers.
From their FAQ:
Can I use my coupons to purchase any TV converter box?No. The government will provide a list of coupon-eligible converter boxes and participating retailers here. You may also ask participating retailers whether TV converter boxes in their stores can be purchased with the $40 government coupon.
I have not seen their list yet though.
Have a Sansa device or MP3 player, then check out The latest!
Moderator
- member since: 09/28/2005
- rank: 2 of 28499
-
location:
Arizona, United States
- 11 articles authored
- 56 blog entries posted
- 111 forum threads started
- 2403 comments
February 19, 2008 11:51 PM
Found the list...
Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes (CECB)
The NTIA will maintain a list of approved CECBs to distribute to consumers and participating retailers.
The following is the list of approved CECBs.
|
|
*The manufacturer has indicated that these models are capable of passing analog signals through to the TV set.
Have a Sansa device or MP3 player, then check out The latest!
March 30, 2008 12:30 PM
When we email tr40@slingmedia.com we get the following automated response
Update: The TR-40 is expected to launch in June while the TR-50 is expected in September. We understand a great number of consumers have already received their coupons from the NTIA and are concerned that they will expire before the TR-40 is on the market. We are currently working with federal agencies to try and augment this process but we do not have any control over it.
The MaxMedia MMDTVB03 being sold at http://www.ConvertMy.TV has also been delayed but they are accepting orders (however they don't inform you that it is a preorder). They are also charging your credit cards and using the coupons.
dagger666 validated this when he checked the status of his coupon at https://www.dtv2009.gov/CheckStatus.aspx and got the following response.
Coupon Status Found
Your Coupon has been used to purchase a converter box and is no longer active.
EchoStar/SlingMedia said "We are currently working with federal agencies to try and augment this process"
Does this mean that MaxMedia/ConvertMyTV did work with federal agencies and was able to allow
their consumers to order before their coupons expire?
If this is true then it should be ok for EchoStar/SlingMedia to do the same.
Can anyone from EchoStar/SlingMedia get back with us and let us know if they will also allow preorders like MaxMedia did.
Matt Whitlock do you know anything more about this?
Thank You.
March 30, 2008 12:57 PM
ConvertMy.tv/MaxMedia-USA has changed the MMDTVB03 will now be renamed the MMDTVB02 and will be in stock and available for shipment in June. This is a delay from our previously stated end of April/early May shipment date
The chipset provider is unable to deliver a chip that meets the standards and expectations that Maxmedia requires in order to offer the highest quality picture available.
Editor
- member since: 06/24/2005
- rank: 1 of 28499
-
location:
United States
- 68 articles authored
- 2 blog entries posted
- 91 forum threads started
- 1173 comments
March 31, 2008 10:19 AM
Hi Malouff,
Sling showed the "Sling branded" TR40 at CES, and anything with a Sling logo is covered here in the community. I haven't heard any other details from Sling about the release or expected availability of the Sling branded TR40.
I tell you what though, I'll do a little digging and see if I can get anything more for you.
Mind Over Matt'er - Technology musings, opinion, and more straight from TechLore's head geek.
March 31, 2008 10:53 AM
Matt,
I appreciate that you are digging to see if you can get us anymore information.
Do you think MaxMedia/ConvertMyTV is violating the NTIA agreement?
Is what MaxMedia/ConvertMyTV doing illegal?
Thank you in advance of taking the time and digging for the information.
April 24, 2008 2:21 PM
Please see Matt's Sling Media/EchoStar TR-40 DTV Converter Update it's been aptly renamed to the Echostar/Sling Media DTVPal
RSS
