SlingCatcher box reveals codec support: why hello, XviD
By Nilay Patel 
posted Oct 23rd 2007 5:19PM
posted Oct 23rd 2007 5:19PM
posted Oct 23rd 2007 5:19PM
Now that we've thrown 'em off the trail, use the form below to get in touch with the people at Engadget. Please fill in all of the required fields because they're required.
Hey, what is this? Was considering a slingbox at some point, but what is this thing?
- Roger
It's basically the opposite of a traditional Slingbox. You hook it up to your TV in the bedroom. It will "catch" content from other Slingboxes or PC's in your house. It's similar to the AppleTV or a MediaCenter extender.
'ohh and by the way, it only outputs up to 1080i'.
Sigh, just when I think we're finally getting a "it-has-it-all" media streamer that has so much potential, I end up disappointed yet again.
What a joke.
Honestly, Jyncus? Can you really notice the difference from 1080i to 1080p? Or are you just one of those "it has it all" people who just can't possibly buy enough equipment to have the best system on the block?
Please, let me know if you're streaming 1080p. I'd really like to know.
To be honest, I really can't tell if Jyncus posted that as a joke or not. But streaming something like 1080p24 should be easier than streaming 1080i60, there's less bandwidth needed.
The difference between 1080i and 1080p is quite noticeable - granted you have a large enough TV that accentuates the difference. It's not about having the best; it's about being future-proof. I have to ask the question, "Am I ever going to want to stream 1080p material to my TV?". Whether or not I'm streaming it today is irrelevant - the point is that the purchase I make should be an investment.
That's my opinion anyway.
Basically, it is slinging without a computer. Similar to a sony location free device they came out with last year.
There will be a new Sling Catcher well before Cable or Sat deliver 1080p. This thing will be 5 years out of warranty before you have "Live" 1080p content to stream with it.
Ugh.. come on already. Nearly every chipset (both compression and decompression codecs) supports 1080p (even multi-stream for the newest chips).. And so do the chips that they use to drive the display.. Even if the SlingCatcher upconverted everything, I'd still be greatful for 1080p..
I guess I'm going to still wait for all the cheap Asian *non copy protect-ANAL* 1080p place shifting stuff to come at the end of 2008...
The "HDMI to 1Gbit Ethernet" converter will be my favorite I think... less than 1 second compression-> send -> remote display time :) :) :)