At this year's CES we saw what
might be the end of set-top boxes, -- at least for cable boxes -- but there will always be some extra feature that isn't built into your HDTV that you want. The most exciting new set-top box at this year's CES is the Slingbox PRO HD, which means we can finally watch any HD content in our house wherever we want -- including via our high-speed internet connection. The new Moto boxes promise an MPEG-4 future for cable and the new Dish DVR should help bring their HD DVR prices down. Last up, was the VUDU LX, and while we weren't sure who'd pay $400 for such a device, we just can't imagine someone would pay $1000, but hey, at least it has an IR port now.
Hands-on with the EchoStar TR-40 and TR-50 converter boxesSling Media's Slingbox PRO HD, SlingPlayer for BlackBerry announcedSling announces SlingCatcher (again), SlingPlayer 2.0 with Clip+Sling, and Sling Cable modemDish's new ViP612 - like the ViP622, but now with lessDirecTV intros dual ATSC tuner AM21 to piggyback HR21Hands-on with Motorola DCX series MPEG-4 cable STBHands-on with the pricey VUDU XL
posted Jan 12th 2008 2:09AM
It would be nice if companies like Sling took a break from their goofy non-stackable boxes and offered a comprehensive product that does stack. It's bad enough that game consoles are like that.
They create a lot of these products in a non-stackable design because they are not supposed be stacked. If it creates a lot of heat, you don't want to stack these things, because they need good ventilation. But for products that don't create a lot of heat, I agree, there really is no excuse.
If the Slingbox generates that much heat, then I'd suggest that there's something wrong with the design.
I don't think that explanation makes that much sense as if that's true, then receivers wouldn't be the same box type either, they'd be in some goofy shape too. I think the shape is more for marketing than anything else.
Well, I don't know much about Slingbox, but you brought up game consoles. Xbox 360 for example is a console that generates a lot of heat, and it needs good ventilation or it can potentially overheat and destroy components. And a lot of these set-top boxes have harddrives in them for dvr and overheating those can destroy the harddrives. So yes, the design may have a little to a do with marketing too, but I'm sure that at least a small part of the design is to discourage stacking to protect the components in these devices and ensure stability.
Agree w/ JeffDM. Stackable would be nice and Aesthetically designed to go with other components in black. silver, etc. Now that there's an HD version I can strike that one off my wishlist. Other things I'm holding out for:
1. Ability to record broadcasts. (eliminates the need for a DVR)
2. Linux Desktop player. (don't care if it's open source or not, make sure it installs and uninstalls cleanly.)
3. Make it multi-user.
4. make it on par feature-wise with Tv's support for CC, XDS, etc.
Are you listening Sling? Complete this wish list and I'll buy 2 of them on principle.