Take a Sneak Peak at the all new SlingModem

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by Matt Whitlock January 10, 2008 11:21 PM

Categories: News, Rumors and Gossip Sling Media Hardware Routers / Networking Hardware

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It may be available from your local retailer, or it may end up as an upgrade from your local cable company. Either way, this little guy is sure to bring some much needed spice to the bland taste of generic broadband cable modems. Introducing SlingModem, a cable modem/Slingbox hybrid from Sling Media unveiled here at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics show.

Smashing a Slingbox and DOCSIS 2.0 cable modem together is a unique idea, and though it certainly raises placement challenge for those that rely on a cablebox/DVR as their primary box, it's design is sure to simplify the transition from cable subscriber to cable Slinger for those who rely on basic services.

Setting up a regular Slingbox isn't nuclear science by any means, but router settings, networking, and configuring one isn't exactly an "plug and play" experience out of the box. The hardest part for most has always been setting up remote access, which require a port be opened within the router's firewall. For those with compatible UPnP routers it's fairly straight forward to run with the default settings, but often times it's necessary to go manual. Having the modem and Slingbox together solves this problem entirely. The Slingbox is in front of any router and setup to work by default, making this part of the process simple.

For basic cable subscribers, SlingModem is truly a plug and play experience. Cable has to be ran to the modem anyway, and that serves as the line for both remote TV and cable service. A look at the back panel also reveals some SOLO-esque looking ports: S-Video, composite, component video, and IR - Perfect for that DVR or cable box. The tricky part is that separate devices like this are commonly located in the living room... not exactly the defacto standard for the cable modem, but not something that can't be worked around.

Take a sneak peak at some photos straight from the CES show floor:

I'm not used to seeing a Slingbox with 6 LED lights, not to mention reserved space on the left side for a cable provider logo.

With the inclusion of component video SlingModem is more of a modem/SOLO hybrid than a modem/AV hybrid.

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NA9D

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January 11, 2008 6:38 AM

Interesting concept, but it then forces your cable modem/network equipment to be near the TV. Mine is where my cable comes into my house in my utility room and there's no video equipment in there - just computers and stuff...

I wonder if it's more of a play to keep cable companies happy with people streaming large amounts of bandwidth on their network. Since a Slingbox which usually costs a couple hundred dineros is built in, I can imagine that the cable company would charge a premium to provide this box to a subscriber. Therefore, the cable company would make additional revenue from it.

Given that the modem has to sit next to your TV basically and then distribute to your router for your network, I'm surprised that Sling didn't put a wireless router function right into the unit. The whole problem many people has is that they don't have ethernet run to near their TV and wireless is such a big buzzword.

I dunno. I have business cable internet service that requires a special gateway router so I know I can't use this but hopefully others can and hopefully it will be a good seller.

Slinging w/ Catcher, ProHD, Pro, Solo, AV, and a Classic. Two TivoHDs, Roku Photobridge and a Roku Soundbridge, AppleTV, and Vudu.www.na9d.net Follow me on Twitter

arichter5

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January 11, 2008 7:38 AM

I don't see how this has to be near a TV. I do not send the output of my current SlingBox directly to a TV. I watch it from a computer (and one day soon a SlingCatcher... hmmm well the 'soon' part my not be right). My modem is currently in my office. I can imagine using this instead and not having to change any of my viewing habbits. Since this device does not appear to have video inputs, it would be no good for watching my TiVo remotely anyway, which is the only reason it would have to be close to my TV. Would have been nice if it had CableCard capabilities.

NA9D

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January 11, 2008 7:47 AM

Uh, yeah it has video inputs - that's what all the RCA connections are on the back. It is a SLINGBOX plus a cable modem. So in order to use it, the modem has to be near your TV or video equipment.

And it's not a tuner so cable card doesn't make any sense here.

Slinging w/ Catcher, ProHD, Pro, Solo, AV, and a Classic. Two TivoHDs, Roku Photobridge and a Roku Soundbridge, AppleTV, and Vudu.www.na9d.net Follow me on Twitter

arichter5

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January 11, 2008 8:00 AM

Well, if those are indeed inputs rather than outputs, then I stand corrected. Then I would say that this is of limited utility without a built-in tuner.

NA9D

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January 11, 2008 8:42 AM

If you read the article, you'll see it's not a cable modem and built in tuner. It's a cable modem and Slingbox.

Slinging w/ Catcher, ProHD, Pro, Solo, AV, and a Classic. Two TivoHDs, Roku Photobridge and a Roku Soundbridge, AppleTV, and Vudu.www.na9d.net Follow me on Twitter

arichter5

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January 11, 2008 10:15 AM

As an owner of multiple SlingBoxes, you know that some do come with built-in tuners (e.g. the Classic). In my opinion, this thing would make more sense if it had a built-in digital and/or analog tuner. That way it would act as a stand alone unit. That is, I could put it anywhere I happened to need my Cable modem and sling the incoming video. No need to be near the TV then.

NA9D

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January 11, 2008 10:23 AM

Agreed - it would make more sense that way.

It would actually be a pretty nice product that way too! Sadly, cable companies only allow one cable modem per account though.

Slinging w/ Catcher, ProHD, Pro, Solo, AV, and a Classic. Two TivoHDs, Roku Photobridge and a Roku Soundbridge, AppleTV, and Vudu.www.na9d.net Follow me on Twitter

skiswm

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January 11, 2008 11:29 AM

This has to be aimed at the larger cable companies that are in "fights" with DSL providers. This would give them an "up" on the DSL companies because they could offer the full video package. It's also something cable companies could upsell when customer's order cable internet and could also be a feature they sell to current customer's to upgrade their packages. I find it very interesting and can't wait to see how it plays out. I also wonder if the streaming qualities will improve over current Slingboxes and if throttling down of upload speeds might disapear if you get the cable companies Slingbox?????

Slingbox ProHD Slinging DirecTV HR23 and OTA HD via Comcast HSI using AirLink Powerline adapters; Slingbox Pro and Classic Slinging and D* HR21/D12 via Sunddenlink HSI, using Linksys Gaming adapter. 2 Slingcatchers set up to use Slings.

Matt Whitlock

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January 14, 2008 12:05 PM

From the information I received, SlingModem does include a built-in basic cable tuner (apparently I didn't call that out well enough). For those reliant on basic TV services (no cable box), this is a great, simple to set up solution.

Matt Whitlock's Mind Over Matt'er - Technology musings, opinion, and more.

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