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February 7, 2008 03:34 AM

Categories: Sling Media Product Feedback

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Valhomes

Member
Joined: 02/07/2008

I just bought a Slingbox AV and found my device wasn't listed.
Slingbox says if yours isn't listed, try them all, who knows you
might get lucky! Or check back for a new software release ..... What a joke!

So that's it? I'm screwed!  .... back to the store it goes?

I mean without a virtual remote the thing is practically useless.

I'm reading comment after comment people stating there device isn't
listed or it's missing some functions.

Who designed this thing?

Suggestion!

Include a device learn feature which would consist of a IR receiver built into the unit
and a virtual remote create program. Creating a new virtual remote would involve using
the software to learn each remote control button code by aiming the remote at the IR
receiver and pushing each button. Once the remote control buttons are learnt the user
would then create a custom virtual remote control and apply the new codes to each button.

Simple, problem solved, everyone's happy!

Discussion:    Add a Comment | Comments 1-8 of 8 | Latest Comment

ryandh Avatar
  Moderator
February 7, 2008 7:16 AM

Or you could have checked to see if your device was supported before buying it..

Instead of just coming on here and complaining you might tell us what device you have and see if someone else has gotten it to work..

Communities like this generally get the complaints and problems, the people that don't have any problems don't come here and say how well theirs works.

The learning ability has been suggested before.  I would think if it were that easy (or cost effective) they would have done it..  Creating your own remote is possible using 3rd party products...

Slinging Tivo HD from a Pro HD, Tivo Series 2 with cable and DirecTV from a Pro, Tivo HD from a Solo, Humax DRT800 from a Classic to Sprint Mogul, Dell Inspiron 8600 with Sprint EVDO, and a SlingCatcher over Windstream DSL.

Generic Member Avatar
Member
February 7, 2008 5:19 PM

Or you could tell us your device and there may be another code that works with it.  i.e   I have a SA 8300HDC, but that code is not there so I use the 8300 code.

Generic Member Avatar
Member
February 7, 2008 6:31 PM

Complaining, YES! .... "Sling Media Product Feedback" .... it's called feedback.

I agree, most people will not post if it works -- and I'm one of them. And a majority of people will not post if it doesn't work either and just quietly return it. It's those people that a company would like to hear from most.

I did email Sling Media about my device, and like many others I have not heard from them.


And I agree, I should have checked first, but I didn't. Although even if I had, and my device wasn't listed, I would have probably bought it anyways hoping a similar device would have worked simply because Sling Media states "You may just find a code that works!"
I have contacted Hava and Sony (LocateFree) and they both told me a similar story too. Hava said
"most likely the same IR codes will work with your model as well." Somehow I doubt that!
And yes, I did check forums for my device, and no it's not listed. It appears that other users with
Canadian devices are having the same problem too.
And why should I have too waste my time playing around with 3rd party software and hunting around for codes. It doesn't say that on the box! The solution is so simple -- an IR receiver costing around 12 cents.
I'm not bashing the product. How can I? I didn't make it past the setup!
If my device is listed in a future software release, or Sling Media incorporates a learn feature, then I will definitely purchase it again.
Ryandh, companies need feedback, good or bad, it helps them move forwards and improve there product line. Unfortunately in this case, the feedback was bad.
ryandh Avatar
  Moderator
February 7, 2008 7:21 PM

So are you going to tell us what device you have?  I'm not an IR expert but I think there's more than a $.12 cost to add IR learning.. 

Sometimes if you want something bad enough you do what it takes to be able to use it.  Some people might get a different cable box, get a Tivo, get satellite.  Others go through the steps to create a remote code.  I had to for my DVD player and used someone else's on my old cable box. 

I'm not arguing that feedback isn't good, I'm just realistic that sometimes it's easier to do something that you know works ahead of time.  It's not realistic for Sling to create a code for every box that exists.  The learning idea is a great idea, I just think they would have done it by now if there weren't issues with it.  Maybe it's just lower on their priority list than I think it should be.

Slinging Tivo HD from a Pro HD, Tivo Series 2 with cable and DirecTV from a Pro, Tivo HD from a Solo, Humax DRT800 from a Classic to Sprint Mogul, Dell Inspiron 8600 with Sprint EVDO, and a SlingCatcher over Windstream DSL.

Generic Member Avatar
Member
February 8, 2008 2:49 AM

My device really isn't the point here, if it was I would have posted it
under "Slingbox AV - Help! Need IR codes." I posted my comment
here in the hopes that someone from Sling Media would read it.
Lets say I got lucky and my device was listed. Great, good investment!
But what if within a year I purchase another AV device (old or new) that
isn't listed and there is no alternative virtual remote. Bad investment!
I just can't see the marketing behind this product when the solution is
so simple. I can only imagine how many calls and emails Sling Media 
receives a day asking if there device is listed or when. No wonder
there feedback is poor.
But Ryandh you have a point because Hava and Sony have similar
products out and they both have a device list too. But I don't think it's
a cost issue. Years ago I built a remote control unit based on IR learn,
cost $2. Maybe it's a licensing issue.
Anyways I only had a few days before the store return policy was up
on my Slingbox so I couldn't afford to spend anymore time poking
around or waiting for a solution. I've since returned it for a full refund.

NA9D Avatar
  Moderator
February 8, 2008 6:47 AM

Do you even really have a Slingbox and a device you can't control? Seems to me you are just trolling and looking for a fight. People with open minds who want to get their devices to work come here and ask questions and ask for help. They don't just blast away when they don't get what they want.

Seeing your attitude, we really don't need people like you so I have no qualm that you returned your box. Your loss and not ours.

FYI, I currently have 2 devices that I use with the Slingbox that have no IR control available at this time! How bout that? I figured out a way to do it though. And I didn't just act like a 3 year old when things didn't go my way.

Slinging w/ Catcher, ProHD, Pro, Solo, AV, and a Classic. 3 Replays, Roku Photobridge and a Roku Soundbridge, AppleTV, Vudu, and TivoHD. www.na9d.net Follow me on Twitter

Generic Member Avatar
Member
February 9, 2008 3:48 AM

I'm not saying I'd rush out and buy a HAVA, but I did ask them if my device was supported. They actually wrote back, unlike Sling Media! They told me it isn't supported and suggested a few codes that may work. But get this, they said I can send them my remote and they will learn the IR codes from it and create a driver file for me. Now that's customer support!

I also asked them about the IR learn feature. HAVA replied,

"IR Learning feature is in the plan and would be supported in our future software releases. IR Learning supported hardware is already in the unit."

So it is possible!

NA9D, I'm not here to start a fight. If I wanted a fight I'd be on MS Vista's community. You and others here got there's working eventually, great I'm happy for you all. I wasn't so lucky. But with zero customer support and only a few trial and error options available to me and my 30 day money back guarantee running out I had no choice but to return it. Hey the product looks great, unfortunately I couldn't make it past the setup.

I'm sure you all will agree, an IR learn feature would be cool!

ostate Avatar
Member
February 9, 2008 8:21 AM

I would just be happy that there is atleast a product out there than can do all of this...if you are just going to complain, don't use the product.

Discussion:    Add a Comment | Back to Top | Comments 1-8 of 8 | Latest Comment

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