Well done Sling media for giving us the direct connection back - now I'll be first in the queue for the Pro HD when it's released in Europe :).

Matt Whitlock said:

Arynd said: Well... this is some good news. But unless I am alone here, I think what many of us have been referring to as "Direct Connect" referred to the ability to connect our Slingplayer to our Slinbox WITHOUT the requirement to log-in on the Sling server first. Does this announcement indicate that is possible with the normal dynamic IP address method most of us use, OR, does this just mean that you can connect directly to a static IP address (which most of us do not use)? Hopefully one of you that understand all of this better than I do can clarify. Thanks in advance?

I think you're a little confused. Sling Accounts is a easier way to use the Finder service, which even in the past established a connection to a server at Sling Media to look up the current IP for your Slingbox. Accounts really isn't any different in that regard... it's still the Finder service that keeps a tab on where your Slingbox is so you don't have to. The account let's you keep your Slingbox directory, program guide info, and favorites lists online so you can (right now): 1. Use any SlingPlayer client (Desktop, SlingCatcher, Web via Sling.com, and mobile eventually) to connect to your Slingbox without having to know or input a 25 character random string of letters and numbers 2. Maintain and use your favorite channel lists across platforms. 3. Store information about your source so your program guide, for example, loads up when you log in. Direct Connect allows for someone who knows the IP address of the Slingbox (or uses a dynamic DNS service with their own domain name) to specify that and connect without using the Finder service at all, bypassing Sling's servers all together. This was a really important ability to have when stuck behind extremely strict firewalls.  When people were referring to Direct Connect, this is what they meant.  Even Finder, pre 2.0, was still logging into a remote server to retrieve your IP info. Direct Connect, as described above, is the only true way to connect to a Slingbox without the requirement of an external server.

 

My apology to all for using the term "direct connect" incorrectly.  I understand your points about the potential upsides to Sling Accounts.  Still there are many of us who do not want to have to sign into a Sling account to use our Slingboxes and Slingplayer.  I think there may be various reasons, but I suspect most of the reason revolve around the following: 1.) we paid for our devices with a particular method of use as a known.  Changing that method of use unilaterally is unwelcome and disturbing to some of us. 2.) The log-in method was (still is?) prone to failure for a variety of apparent bugs in the software.  The failure ties up your PC for a great deal of time and the nature of the failure defies logic.  After a long period of time it tells you that no internet connection is present, when it is present. 3.)  The entire implimentation approach seems underhanded to many of us.  First you get a message that a new version of Slingplayer is available for download... heck, everyone likes upgrades because we expect improvements from them.  Then the system tell you your Slingbox needs a firmware upgrade... again, doesn't "upgrade" sound like something everyone would want?  Then when you are finished you find out the rules of the game have changed (Sling Accounts), the upgrade is so buggy that you frequently cannot successfully log-in.  The process of trying to solve the problem requires typing in all of your identifier codes again (and again), and finally when (if) you get Slingplayer launched successfully, you might have a "split-screen" problem (as I did).  Now compound the above for two different Slingboxes and four PC's with Slingplayers.  Frustrating!  4.) No way of undoing the upgrades were provided for those with problems, or those who just do not want to log into Sling Accounts.

At this point I don't know if Sling has solved any or all of these issues.  But in my opinion the entire issue has wasted a lot of my time, damaged my opinion of Sling, and left me very, very frustrated.

 I don't intend this to be a "I'm right, you're wrong" post.  The above are my "facts" (referring to the title of the original article), and I know that other users' facts are similar.  I just want to be heard, and I want the problems fixed correctly by Sling.  Finally, I want Sling to offer a parallel use approach that allows me to use my Sling as intended when I bought it... that is: without having to sign into Sling Accounts.  That's all.  It seems reasonable and fair to me.

 

Arynd is correct. There is a slight of hand going on here.
I bought some expensive hardware which Slingbox is now requiring me to have an account with them to be able to use. Not acceptable.
They are doing this allow them to market on-line services.
Probably a class action suit woult have no problem getting through.