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October 7, 2006 03:30 PM

Categories: PRO

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trent

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Joined: 10/07/2006

I'm feeling a little used after dropping $250 on this thing, and finding that the HD cable is not only proprietary, but not included.  I think this thing is cool beyond words, but I have a bad taste in my mouth about getting rolled for another $50 for a freaking $10 CABLE.  Totally cheap.

Discussion:    Add a Comment | Comments 1-20 of 360 | Latest Comment | 1 2 3 4 … 18 Next »

death shrub Avatar
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  • member since: 10/05/2006
  • rank: 11012 of 29957
  • 10 comments
October 7, 2006 3:36 PM

:(

bancado Avatar
Member
October 7, 2006 5:54 PM

I thought the box was pretty clearly marked about the dongle. And the "$10.00" cable is custom made for the Slingbox Pro with 5 input connectors ,5 pass-through output connectors, an IR emitter plus its connector, and the connector that goes into the SlingBox. I doubt if you could buy the parts alone for $10.00.

The older I get, the better I was.

NA9D Avatar
  Moderator
October 7, 2006 6:01 PM

If you don't like it, return it.  It was clear on the packaging that the HD cable isn't included.  It's not even ready yet.  And even if the parts and everything is just worth ten bucks, what company sells anything at the same price that they pay for it?

Slinging with a SlingCatcher, a ProHD, a Pro, a Solo, an AV, and a Slingbox Classic. 3 Replay TV units, a Roku Photobridge and a Roku M2000 Soundbridge, an AppleTV, a Vudu, and digital cable. www.na9d.net

Generic Member Avatar
Member
October 8, 2006 12:13 PM

You (both) missed the point.  There IS NO REASON for a custom cable, what is wrong with HDMI/DVI or good old Component?  Then I'd be watching in HD without buying a cable that should have been included, whether marked on the box or not, BECAUSE it is proprietary.

ryandh Avatar
Moderator
October 8, 2006 1:21 PM

Maybe because HDMI is copy protected, DVI would require an adapter for most people, there wasn't room for 10 more RCA plugs on the box itself...

Slinging Tivo Series 2, Tivo HD, and TW cable from a Pro. Slinging Tivo HD from a Solo, Slinging Humax DRT800, and TW cable from a Classic to Sprint Mogul, AT&T SX66, N62, 8525, and Dell Inspiron 8600 with Sprint EVDO over Windstream DSL.

Generic Member Avatar
Member
October 8, 2006 2:18 PM

An adapter that is availabe at a store near you for less than $50.    And there's plenty of room for three RCA phono plugs (or six, or ten).  And, let's see- I've got a dozen HD componenents, which one has a proprietary HD interface and didn't include the cable?  Other than the Slingbox Pro?  The original XBOX.

Justify to you heart's content- a proprietary cable should be included.

bancado Avatar
Member
October 8, 2006 3:05 PM

I sort of like it this way.  If the Pro were bigger, had 10 more connectors and had a third IR emitter, it would probably cost about $50 more.  This way, people who don't want or need it don't have to pay for it, but they know they can always add another input any time they want for the fifty bucks and don't have to change out their whole Slingbox.

The older I get, the better I was.

Yog-Sothoth Avatar
Member
October 8, 2006 4:27 PM

I can see both sides of this issue. It's a bit like the Xbox 360 "Core" and "Premium" systems. Of course, I can't see why anyone would want the Core system, since the original Xbox's internal hard disk is what set it apart from other gaming consoles.

Slingbox A/V connected to a Philips DSR704

Moderator and author at DVRplayground

Generic Member Avatar
Member
October 8, 2006 9:07 PM

I bought a Slingbox Pro last week for one reason -- I already had the last generation Slingbox, but it didn't work with HD and I had to always tell my TiVo to change resolution to 480i so that my Slingbox could work with it. I bought the Pro specifically so I wouldn't have to do that.

I read that the HD dongle wasn't in the box, but I assumed I could pick one up (or order it from Amazon). What a huge surprise -- can you say, "Bait and Switch?" -- to learn that even now, there's no way to hook up HD to the box. I don't feel I wasted the money, I just don't know why they shipped the box without offering the dongle at the same time.

It really seems hard to believe that the dongle wouldn't be readily available well in advance of shipping the box.

Sorry to rain on Sling Media's parade but this is insupportable and I'm a very unhappy customer right now.

(Note: at least now Amazon has the item listed, so I was able to put myself on their notification list for when it becomes available. When I first ordered the box, there was no mention of the dongle except for a user-contributed review that warned that you needed it.)

   Steve
 

Generic Member Avatar
Member
October 9, 2006 12:56 AM

So, are the new HDTV DVD players shipping without their proprietary HD dongles?

Generic Member Avatar
Member
October 9, 2006 1:13 PM

You just wanted to say "dongle," didn't you?

tbone_razor Avatar
Member
October 10, 2006 1:39 PM

<snicker>

A shortcut has to be a challenge, because if it was easy, then it would just be the way.

Generic Member Avatar
Member
October 10, 2006 1:53 PM

C'mon, folks, isn't someone from Sling going to tell us what's up here? I want to hook this up to my HD system -- right now it's useless and my box is just sitting idle. Do you really want people to just buy the box and then curse your name for the next 10 years for the bait-and-switch routine? I don't care if it's a dongle or a dingle, just respond to my complaint please.

Yog-Sothoth Avatar
Member
October 10, 2006 6:46 PM

It's almost that time of year...it should be called a "jingle."

Slingbox A/V connected to a Philips DSR704

Moderator and author at DVRplayground

Generic Member Avatar
Member
October 11, 2006 4:12 PM

Slingbox says:

  

Dear Customer,



Thank you for contacting the Sling Media. 



We apologize for the inconvenience; unfortunately, we are unable to 

assist with the specific information that you are requesting. 



Please contact our Presales department with your request as we are 

unable to assist you with this issue.

 

 

So there you go.

 trent

Brandon C. Avatar
  Moderator
October 11, 2006 8:01 PM

Steve Goldberg said: C'mon, folks, isn't someone from Sling going to tell us what's up here? I want to hook this up to my HD system -- right now it's useless and my box is just sitting idle. Do you really want people to just buy the box and then curse your name for the next 10 years for the bait-and-switch routine? I don't care if it's a dongle or a dingle, just respond to my complaint please.
I guess I am confused here. The info that is currently available is:
  1. Dongle does not come with Pro box
  2. Dongle not available for a couple more weeks.
  3. Dongle will cost around $50.00
  4. Dongle will allow additional IR emitters.
  5. You cannot hook up an HDMI cable directly to the Slingbox Pro
My guesses to these issues are:
  1. Complaining, won't get them to include it
  2. It is available when available
  3. It won't be free
  4. Cool feature!
  5. Won't change

Sorry for my confusion, but what do you want Sling to do for you at this point?

 

 

Have a Sansa device or MP3 player, then check out The latest!
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Generic Member Avatar
Member
October 11, 2006 9:04 PM

1. I want my money back

2. Has anyone from Sling actually said, "we're working on it, here's the current info; we expect it this date and you can pre-order by going here"?

3. Who said I minded paying extra? But why would anyone buy a "Pro" without needing HD? Seems like it should just be included.

4. Cool feature? It's the whole reason I'm buying the box. Argh.

5. What won't change?

What good are customer forums where customers can give feedback if nobody is actually listening?

   Steve
 

Brandon C. Avatar
  Moderator
October 11, 2006 9:48 PM

  1. Sorry, can't help you there, don't know where you bought it and if they will take it back.
  2. Yes!, See http://store.slingmedia.com/store/sli...
(Thanks Bancado, fixed)
  1. Not arguing with you, but lot's of reasons to buy a pro without using HD. One would be the multiple hookups or superior perfomance. See
    http://www.slingcommunity.com/article... /> for some cool features other than HD.

  2. No, I meant more than 2 emmitters, you can have up to 4 with the dongle.
  3. The HDMI direct hookup.

    "What good are customer forums where customers can give feedback if nobody is actually listening?"


Don't confuse lack of response (in the forums) with lack of listening. I agree, having the Dongle available to purchase when the Pro came out would have definelty been best, don't know why it wasn't. But it will be available soon. You just have to decide if you want to return your Pro or wait for the dongle and buy one.

Have a Sansa device or MP3 player, then check out The latest!
Follow Me on Twitter

bancado Avatar
Member
October 11, 2006 10:24 PM

Brandon's first link doesn't seem to work.  You can pre-order it from Sling Media here: http://us.slingmedia.com/page/slingMediaProducts.html or, as I understand it, at http://www.buy.com.

The older I get, the better I was.

Generic Member Avatar
Member
October 12, 2006 6:11 AM

It looks like the whole point is moot- the dongle doesn't actually 'do' HD...  Is this right?  I read the other Dongle Thread and there someone who claims it downverts to ???  What did I just pay for again?

 

http://www.slingcommunity.com/forum/t...

 

 

trent 

Discussion:    Add a Comment | Back to Top | Comments 1-20 of 360 | Latest Comment | 1 2 3 4 … 18 Next »

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