Sling Media has officially released a beta version of their web based SlingPlayer software for Mac OS X!  This player can be found by logging on to beta.sling.com and choosing the "Live TV" option (or go to: http://beta.sling.com/sling_player). Both Safari 3 and Firefox 3 are currently supported. 

If you're a Mac owner, you'll want to take a little time to get to know this new web based SlingPlayer. Below I'll give a brief overview of the player, as well as give you a few configuration tweaks you might need.

No Support for Legacy Slingboxes

As is the case with the iPhone software, the 'Legacy Slingboxes' (meaning Slingbox models Classic, AV, and Tuner) are not supported on the Mac version of the web based SlingPlayer.  It's important to note that unlike the iPhone SlingPlayer, they will not work at all in the new web SlingPlayer for Mac. 

As I write this, I have not determined a way to modify the plug-in to allow it.  I've been told that the firmware on the legacy boxes is not compatible.  These boxes will show up in your list of Slingboxes with a yellow dot next to them, but you will not be able to connect to them.

Installation

Installation the Web SlingPlayer for Mac plug-in is simple enough if you are running Firefox 3 or Safair 3.2.1.  Follow the instructions and accept/trust the plug-in, etc.  You'll be up and running in no time. 

If you are running the beta version of Safari 4, you'll discover the Web SlingPlayer plug-in won't install. So, you'll have to trick the website into doing what you want.

To do this, go into Preferences in Safari.  Go to Advanced Settings and click the checkbox that says "Show Develop Menu on Menu Bar".  

This will give you a menu in Safari called "Developer."  Using this menu, change the "User Agent" to be Safari 3.2.1,  then load the Web SlingPlayer page and install the plugin. 

What this menu does is fool the web page into thinking you are using Safari 3.2.1 and not Safari 4.  The funny thing is that once you install the plug-in, you no longer need to change your user agent back to the older version of Safari.  It runs just fine with Safari 4.

What You Get Using the Web Based SlingPlayer

The big advantage of the Web Based SlingPlayer (WBSP) for Mac users is that we now have a way of streaming in HD from our PRO HD Slingboxes!  We also can take advantage of the program guide, as well as a 30 minute buffer. These are all things unavailable on the standalone Mac client. The image quality in HD is quite impressive utilizing H.264, and I believe Sling even uses the QuickTime engine for rendering.

At this time, features are pretty similar to those on the PC Web Based SlingPlayer.  You can view your remote, as well as watch the video in either a window on the web page or in full screen.  There is no way, at this point in time, to have a "pop-out" video window that you can resize to whatever size you want.

There's also a link to Facebook so you can let all your friends on Faceboook know what you are watching on Sling.com.

It's Beta, So Give Your Feedback

As of this writing, the Web Based SlingPlayer is a beta release.  What this means is that things might not work correctly; you may experience crashes and other problems. 

Here are a couple of issues with this first beta version that I've determined:

1. Streaming is capped at 600 kbps for PRO and SOLO models.  I have been told this is a temporary cap in place until a different problem gets fixed.  There's no ETA on the fix, but I'd expect it soon.  Just keep in mind that your video and audio quality will not look all that great - especially on the LAN.


2. For certain configurations of the PRO HD, streaming will also be capped at 600 kbps.  This will affect a very small number of users.  Most users will not notice this and will stream in HD.  Unfortunately, I'm one of those who has such a PRO HD configuration and can't show an image of the beautiful picture!


3. You will need to log in with your password each time you access your Slingbox. The plug-in is not yet fully integrated with your Sling.com user account.


4. You may experience crashes.  I've seen a few, as have others.  If you do crash, then just start your browser up and try again.

Since it's a beta, it also means that Sling Media wants your feedback.  There is a feedback tab on the site that will take you to their feedback page, allowing you to post bugs, feature requests, etc.  Doing this is a great way to provide some input into the program. If you post enough good bugs, who knows, maybe you'll be noticed as a good beta tester and be invited into private programs in the future.

Conclusion

If you've ever wondered what it was like to test a truly "beta" version of software, this plug-in will give you a good feel for what Sling Media's beta testers go through before every single Slingbox or SlingPlayer version is released. You get to see the bugs, comment on features, and give input that helps shape the final product.  You'll see it improve before your eyes.  It's really kind of exciting. 

Finally, Mac users with PRO HD Slingboxes can finally stream in high definition. It's not ideal in that we don't have an actual client that can steam in HD, but it's certainly better than nothing.  Perhaps the client will come at some point, but until then, this is a certainly a good start.