It's been a long wait since the "TR-40" Digital to analog converter first appeared at Sling Media's booth at CES. But, the light at the end of the tunnel is that after a physical design overhaul and a complete identity change, our new "DTVPal" (as in friend, not Europe's PAL TV system) should be available in about a week.

As always, those who've gotten their mittens on them early are already posting reviews and pictures around the web. For a thorough look at DTV Pal and tons of pics hit up the full scoop from the boys over at SatelliteGuys.US.

On the video front, our long time friend (and former go-to guy at Sling) Dave Zatz has hands-on videos galore of the DTVPal. Check out the unboxing now...

... then head over to ZatzNotFunny for parts 1 through 4 of this full look at DTVPal.

[Thanks to Malouff for the tip!]

With a mobile screen so large and pretty, it was only a matter of time. Over the weekend our good friends at Sling Media showed off SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone and iPod Touch in the form of a pre-alpha proof-of-concept software demonstration. According to our friends at Engadget, Sling hasn't yet been accepted into Apple's developer program, making what's been seen so far as an under-the-radar app for jailbroken devices. Don't get your hopes up though... it won't get released until Sling can do so legitimately.

Could we see SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone and iPod Touch before the end of 2008?

Based on a report from the SatelliteGuys, who were present during the Team Summit in Nashville, it Sling Media parent Echostar has some new products planned for 2008 that (as expected since the acquisition) builds Sling technologies into a Dish Network product.

Though nothing has been 'officially' unveiled, the report talks of a new new version of the Dish Network ViP722 (dubbed the 722s), that bakes SlingCatcher and Clip+Sling functionality right in. Word of whether it can also stream out (like a Slingbox) wasn't specifically mentioned. Hit up Engadget for their take, and view the original report from the SatelliteGuys.US.

Though not getting as much notice around the web, ZatzNotFunny specifically called out a certain piece of gear that's sure to get some love from Slingbox owners suffering from TV2 withdrawl. With the new UHF-to-IR adapter, users can connect the TV2 tuner on Dish receivers right up to their Slingbox. Very cool! Hit up ZNF for a photo of the card about the device.