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 a large service provider) doesn’t have much of a retail presence.

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.