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Well, it's about time. I've read about this device for long enough in the forums (and on Engadget, CNet, The Register, Slashdot, etc.), but will we get any accurate information about the Slingcatcher before it's shipped? I've read the description on the Slingmedia.com website, but I'm still questioning whether the Slingcatcher will really be the streaming video and audio solution that no one else in the market provides. I love my Slingbox Pro and even bought the HDMI add-on before I had a high definition television, but I'd like to make sure the smooth user experience of the Slingbox applies to the Slingcatcher before I shell out $300 for it. Is there anyone out there who has used the device firsthand and who can convince me to pre-order one?
My wife and I are currently building a house and I'm currently investigating home media solutions. I really like the Sonos music system's remote. With it, I can see what media I'm selecting right on the remote without having to be connected to a television like every other media streamer on the market. On the other hand, you can't beat the user experience of a Slingbox, if the Slingcatcher is all it's supposed to be. I'd really like a graphical remote that will work with the Slingcatcher so I can read my ID3 tags without having to look at a connected television. Does or will such a device ever exist?
Also, what's the deal with the Slingcatcher being unable to pull audio and video files from a NAS device? USB attached storage is a very limited solution. Yes, I could probably attach my NAS to the Slingcatcher via USB, but that defeats the idea of having the NAS located anywhere I want in the house. We're wiring the house with CAT6A so bandwidth and ports won't be a problem for a while. I applaud the Slingcatcher's eschewing wireless connectivity, but why can't it search my network or be directed to my cache of media files? Even Steve Job's craptastic audio/video solution will find files on your network. Why can't the Slingcatcher? I'm guessing the Slingcatcher is not DLNA certified. It sure seems to me that this certification needs to be there to get the Slingcatcher widespread acceptance in the market and to help Slingmedia become ubiquitous with media streaming.
Okay, there's enough Catcher discussion going on (and not to mention that some people are claiming to get one already) that it's about time we had a Catcher forum.
Most of the Catcher discussions area will be moved here shortly, and the rest over time.
Enjoy!
Mind Over Matt'er - Technology musings, opinion, and more straight from TechLore's head geek.
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View unverified member's comment - posted by slingron200
View unverified member's comment - posted by slingron200
View unverified member's comment - posted by slingron200
3 more days to go till the release date according to newegg.com and a few others.
They claim Oct 9.
I'm not holding breath.
Has anyone here actually received one yet? If so, any feedback about it?
View unverified member's comment - posted by slingron200
kingweb said:
3 more days to go till the release date according to newegg.com and a few others.
They claim Oct 9.
I'm not holding breath.
Has anyone here actually received one yet? If so, any feedback about it?
Mine actually arrived today which I was very surprised at. Works as advertised when connecting to a Slingbox. Currently though haven't tried the Sling Projector, the software didn't come with it, or the USB connection.
View unverified member's comment - posted by slingron200
tpmccarthy said:Where did you buy it from???????kingweb said: 3 more days to go till the release date according to newegg.com and a few others. They claim Oct 9. I'm not holding breath. Has anyone here actually received one yet? If so, any feedback about it?Mine actually arrived today which I was very surprised at. Works as advertised when connecting to a Slingbox. Currently though haven't tried the Sling Projector, the software didn't come with it, or the USB connection.
kingweb said:tpmccarthy said:Where did you buy it from???????kingweb said: 3 more days to go till the release date according to newegg.com and a few others. They claim Oct 9. I'm not holding breath. Has anyone here actually received one yet? If so, any feedback about it?Mine actually arrived today which I was very surprised at. Works as advertised when connecting to a Slingbox. Currently though haven't tried the Sling Projector, the software didn't come with it, or the USB connection.
It has the USB port, I just haven't tried an external drive yet. I ordered it online, www.canadacomputers.com
There are two USB ports on the back. FYI SlingCatcher reads FAT32
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slingron200 said:Also, what's the deal with the Slingcatcher being unable to pull audio and video files from a NAS device? USB attached storage is a very limited solution. Yes, I could probably attach my NAS to the Slingcatcher via USB, but that defeats the idea of having the NAS located anywhere I want in the house.This looks like it has already been done with other hardware. Linksys Network Storage Link NSLU2 - Hi-Speed USB http://www.google.com/products/catalog?hl=en&q=LINKSYS+USB+NAS+STORAGE+DEVICE&cid=2095851613123579156#ps-sellers Maybe, Slingmedia will be adding this in the future??????
I probably should have made my Slingcatcher questions a separate thread, and I appreciate the replies. The Linksys USB-Ethernet storage link only works for drives up to 250 gb, which isn't much use for large video and audio storage, not to mention the reviews on the device are terrible and the product line has reached end-of-life as far as Linksys is concerned.
Speaking of reviews, I've turned up a current review on CNet on the Slingcatcher that elucidates my issues a bit: http://reviews.cnet.com/video-players-and-recorders/sling-media-slingcatcher/... It seems to suggest that any drive connected through the USB port will allow the Slingcatcher to see the device and pull those files for streaming to a television or through Slingplayer to a computer. However, I still wonder whether the device has the capability of seeing files stored on network attached storage that's connected to that network through Ethernet.
The Slingmedia FAQ, (which I'd seen before, but it's mostly marketing, not specifications) seems to indicate the Slingcatcher will pull data from your computer. Logically, that computer would be connected to the network by Ethernet port, NOT a USB port. If the Slingcatcher will connect to a PC on the network, it should be able to see and pull files from a NAS, but if this references a PC that's connected through the USB port, then that functionality for the Slingcatcher just moved down a couple of notches in my opinion. I won't be running a USB cable from my PC to the device and I don't want a NAS sitting next to the router, the Slingcatcher, and the television. Specifically, I'd like to get a Qnap NAS device (that's DLNA certified and runs Twonkyvision natively) in my office and connect it over wired Ethernet in one room to the Slingcatcher in the living room where the TV is located. I'd then like to use the Slingcatcher to pipe video files to the television and audio files to my stereo amp. This doesn't seem to be an overly complicated setup, but I've found very little information about the Slingcatcher that would suggest it would work with my proposed setup. Can anyone from Slingmedia or anyone that's gotten their device already verify it would work in this way?
I just bought the Sling Box Pro HD, and the SlingCatcher (yes, I had money to burn). But now it's time to set up both... let's see how much of a headache this will be!
I got my slingcatcher!!! It is real! It exists! No myth!
No more mouse and keyboard next to my remote control to watch sling!
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