EchoStar Monday announced that they’ve signed a tru2way Host Device License Agreement with CableLabs, which allows them to implement devices using CableCARD and OCAP/tru2way. This may seem odd at first, since EchoStar is often conflated with DISH Network, but remember that EchoStar and DISH split into separate companies, and EchoStar is pursuing non-satellite markets such as OTA with the DTVPal (ironically being marketed by DISH Network) and cable with devices like the SlingModem, from EchoStar subsidiary Sling Media.

This license does open up new possibilities. A CableCARD-enabled Slingbox, perhaps. EchoStar could take their DVR platform, as used by DISH Network, and re-purpose it as a CableCARD DVR for cable MSOs and/or consumers. Something like the recently announced 722s DVR with built-in Slingbox & SlingCatcher features, only for cable, could be quite an interesting product. (Perhaps waiting for the final act in the DVR patent lawsuit with TiVo to remove any uncertainty for customers.) They could produce a whole new cable STB unrelated to any of their current platforms. It will certainly be interesting to see what they do with the license, I’m sure they didn’t sign it just for laughs.

Their press release is below:
Read the rest of this entry »

The folks who let us watch our TVs wherever we happen to be are offering Windows users a sneak peek at the next version of the software that makes it all work. Sling Media this morning announced a public beta of SlingPlayer for Windows version 2.0, which will be available on the Sling Media Downloads page for anyone who wants to take it out for a spin. Key features of the update include an integrated program guide, a video buffer right in the SlingPlayer client software, and centrally managed Sling Accounts.

Sling’s integrated Guide feature puts a schedule right on the user’s laptop or desktop computer, making it easy for those who want to watch live programming from their Slingbox-connected home TV to see what’s on and choose a program without the delays of accessing a distant set-top box’s program guide and squinting at text that’s traveling halfway around the world.

A live video buffer right in SlingPlayer will let users pause, rewind, or fast-forward through up to an hour of video, whether or not there’s a TiVo or other DVR hooked to the Slingbox on the other end. Those who do have a DVR can still use its capabilities, but will have the option of pausing, etc., locally, without the delays involved in remote-control signals being transmitted over the net.

Sling Accounts will allow users to store their personalized program guide settings and channel line-ups, favourite channels, and Slingbox IDs and passwords on Sling Media’s central servers. This should eliminate the need to reconfigure SlingPlayer’s settings each time it’s installed on a new laptop, office desktop, or even cybercafe kiosk.

The company says the long-awaited Clip+Sling feature, announced over a year and a half ago at CES 2007, didn’t make it into the public beta. The release of Clip+Sling, which lets Slingbox owners create and share short segments of video from what they’re watching with anyone, is still pending while the company negotiates with content owners and distributors. The 2.0 software, though, will provide the underlying flexibility the company needs to release Clip+Sling and other new features.

Sling Media is also working on a new version of SlingPlayer for Macintosh, which will bring these features to Apple’s platform, but no time frame is available for a Mac update.

This is a bit meta, but as you may know if you’re a regular reader of this blog, since April 7th, 2008 I’ve been working for Sling Media as a Beta Program Manager. We’re expanding my department, and currently have a position open for a Beta Program Manager & Quality Assurance Liaison at our main office in Foster City, CA. I think Sling is a great place to work, and I’m visiting the main office for the first time this week and I’m really looking forward to moving out here in the next couple of months to work in the office full time. (I’m currently primarily working from my current home in MA.)

I figured there might be some interested candidates out there reading this blog and thought I’d share the opportunity.

This week, July 7th through July 13th, Buy.com has the Slingbox SOLO for only $129.95 with free shipping. That’s $50.04 off the $179.99 MSRP, a really good deal - best price I can recall on the SOLO.

Disclaimer: I work for Sling Media.

Get it while you can - the Slingbox AV is currently up at Woot! for $74.99 - $69.99 + $5 shipping. Act now, operators are standing by.

Disclaimer: I work for Sling Media, if you didn’t know.

Now through July 15th, Sling Media is running a promotional bundle. Buy the Slingbox PRO ($229.99 MSRP) and get the HD Connect dongle ($49.99 MSRP) for component video input and a SlingPlayer Mobile license ($29.99 MSRP), all for $229.95. So basically you get the HD Connect and SPM license free with the purchase of the Slingbox PRO. While I’ve seen the Slingbox PRO & HD Connect bundled for less, including the SPM license this looks like a pretty decent bundle deal. Amazon sells the Slingbox PRO for $182.99 and the HD Connect for $39.99, that’s $222.98 - without SPM, which would bring it to $252.97.

SlingPlayer Mobile is currently available for Palm OS, Windows Mobile Smartphone, Windows Mobile Professional/PPC, and Symbian S60. Symbian UIQ is in beta now and will be out soon, and Blackberry support is in development, expected later this year. The license works for any of the SlingPlayer mobile platforms.

Disclaimer: I work for Sling Media.

The Warner Bros. Television Group has signed distribution deals with TiVo, Sling, Veoh, Joost, and Dailymotion to bring their programming to these platforms in a free, ad-supported format. The new distribution availability will launch in mid-September, bringing the studio’s content to these platforms. The agreement includes content from The WB Network, KidsWB, and the Warner Bros. collection. As well as original content being created for TheWB.com. In addition to themed channels for TheWB.com and KidsWB.com the partners will be launching two new themed channels, Classics WBTV and a Sci Fi channel. The former will feature full-length episodes of landmark series from Warner Bros. and the latter will feature full-length episodes of the studios science fiction series.

I’m really excited and happy to see this. It is good to see a traditional media company really diving into new distribution systems, and, even better, not re-inventing the wheel with yet another website or box - but embracing existing distribution channels. Personally the two that excite me the most, unsurprisingly, are TiVo and Sling. I’d love to be able to download WB TV content right to my TiVo, or watching it via SlingPlayer - or on a SlingCatcher. I’m a fan of animation, and The WB has produced some of the best modern TV animation (Batman, Superman, Justice League, Animaniacs, etc) and I hope all of that great content is available through this system. I’m really looking forward to this being available.

Press release below:
Read the rest of this entry »