CES: Slingbox gets Full HD streaming powers

We’ve only just reviewed the Slingbox Pro, which downscales hi-def before beaming it over the web, but it’s already old hat. Meet Sling Media’s PRO-HD, a box that will hook up to any hi-def source and fling the picture anywhere in the world over Wi-Fi.

Provided you’re on a speedy connection of at least 1.5GBps – a big ask if you’re in a hotel somewhere – you can then view HD content in all its uncompressed glory, whether on an HDTV over your home network (you’ll also need the new SlingCatcher), or from the other side of the world on t’internet itself.

At the same time, version 2.0 of the company’s SlingStream software claims to give better audio and video quality in low-bitrate environments, as well as allowing that HDTV streaming.

Meanwhile, email addicts who can’t bear to be parted from their BlackBerries get to join in the fun too. The new SlingPlayer Mobile For BlackBerry allows users to watch telly on their tiny screens, as long as they’re running a Windows Mobile, Palm or Symbian operating system.

Expect a US launch in the summer, with a UK version hot on its heels.

Essentials

Slingbox PRO-HD

Price: &dollar400

On sale: Summer 2008

Contact: http://www.slingmedia.com/

Dan Grabham Editor-in-Chief

About

Dan is Editor-in-chief of Stuff, working across the magazine and the Stuff.tv website.  Our Editor-in-Chief is a regular at tech shows such as CES in Las Vegas, IFA in Berlin and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona as well as at other launches and events. He has been a CES Innovation Awards judge. Dan is completely platform agnostic and very at home using and writing about Windows, macOS, Android and iOS/iPadOS plus lots and lots of gadgets including audio and smart home gear, laptops and smartphones. He's also been interviewed and quoted in a wide variety of places including The Sun, BBC World Service, BBC News Online, BBC Radio 5Live, BBC Radio 4, Sky News Radio and BBC Local Radio.

Areas of expertise

Computing, mobile, audio, smart home