Sling Media, the makers of SlingBox TV place shifters, has just released a firmware and software client update for its products that makes enjoying TV anywhere even easier for Apple fans. Most notably, the update bring AirPlay support. Now users can beam live TV from their Slingbox-connected TV to any other HDTV in their household or even a remote location as long as it’s equipped with an Apple TV. That is much less than the cost of adding an additional cable box to your secondary TV. AirPlay is only available for the Slingbox 500, Slingbox 350, Slingbox PRO-HD and Slingbox SOLO.
Owners of the top-of-the-line Slingbox 500 will be gaining even more usability from this update:
Slingbox 500 customers will also see enhanced My Media features including the ability to access personal photos and videos stored on a USB drive attached to the Slingbox 500 through the SlingPlayer client software… Therefore, customers who have videos and photos stored on a hard drive at home can access the files remotely wherever they happen to be.
SlingPlayer for the web has also been updated with full support for Apple’s latest operating system, OS X Mavericks.
The new My Media features will be first available for the PC/Mac and coming soon to the SlingPlayer app for iOS/Android. Blockbuster On Demand is now available for Slingbox 500 owners – bringing Slingbox a step closer to becoming an all-in-one entertainment center.
…search, browse, view trailers and rent premium movies for viewing on their big screen TV in beautiful HD quality with a Blockbuster On Demand account.
The Slingbox 350/500 are the current generation boxes and retail for $179.99/$299.99 respectively. If you’re just looking to break into the place shifting scene, keep an eye on 9to5Toys as we typically feature Slingbox SOLO units for as low as $55. If you have yet to buy an Apple TV the best place to pick it up is from Apple’s official refurbished store for just $75.
Full press release follows.
MEDIA ALERT: Blockbuster On Demand and Enhanced My Media Now Available on Slingbox® 500
Sling Media also Announces SlingPlayer Mobile AirPlay Support
What: Sling Media is pleased to announce Blockbuster On Demand, a premium Over the Top (OTT) video service for the Slingbox 500. This is part of a just-released firmware and software client update. Slingbox 500 customers can now search, browse, view trailers and rent premium movies for viewing on their big screen TV in beautiful HD quality with a Blockbuster On Demand account.
Slingbox 500 customers will also see enhanced My Media features including the ability to access personal photos and videos stored on a USB drive attached to the Slingbox 500 through the SlingPlayer client software—first on PC/Mac and coming soon on SlingPlayer for iOS and Android tablets and smartphones. Therefore, customers who have videos and photos stored on a hard drive at home can access the files remotely wherever they happen to be.
SlingPlayer for Web has also been updated with the following features:
- Support for Microsoft Windows 8.1 and IE 11
- Support for Apple OS X Mavericks and Safari 7
And finally, Sling Media is pleased to formally announce AirPlay support for SlingPlayer Mobile for iPhone and iPad. This feature gives Apple TV customers the ability to watch their home TV on a second TV inside the home (without needing an additional set top box) or on a remote TV. Slingbox 500, Slingbox 350, Slingbox PRO-HD and Slingbox SOLO customers can take advantage of this fully updated and supported feature.
Who: Pioneers of “TV Anywhere” technology, Sling Media provides video delivery products for retail customers and television service providers. Its retail products – the Slingbox 500 and Slingbox 350 – deliver live and on-demand access to all of your favorite TV shows, sporting events, recorded programming and premium content on your mobile device of choice in up to Full HD 1080p resolution, with no additional subscription fees required.
Why: The Slingbox is perfect for sports fans, technophiles, frequent travelers or anyone who wants to view their entire channel lineup via their PC/Mac, tablet, smartphone and now Apple TV. In addition, Slingbox 500 customers can enjoy premium movies from Blockbuster On Demand on their living room TV and access their personal photos and videos stored at home, anywhere using SlingPlayer software on their favorite devices.
How: To take advantage of these new features customers must do the following:
- From the TV-screen user interface OR a PC/Mac, confirm that the firmware on the Slingbox 500 is version 1.6.228.
- TV-screen user interface: Click on About → Firmware Version
- PC/Mac: Connect to your Slingbox 500, then click Settings → Slingbox Info → Firmware Version
These updates were automatically rolled out to customers starting the morning of Wednesday, October 23, 2013. If your firmware has not updated, you can manually update firmware on the TV screen user interface: About → Firmware Version → Check Updates.
Availability: The suggested retail price for the Slingbox 500 and Slingbox 350 are $299.99 and $179.99. Both can be purchased in the U.S. and Canada (Blockbuster On Demand not available in Canada) at slingbox.com as well as leading retailers including Best Buy, Amazon.com and otherindependent retailers.
About: Sling Media, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation, is the leading provider of video placeshifting products and services for consumers and television service providers. For more information, visit www.slingbox.com or follow us on Twitter or Facebook for the latest news and updates.
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Sling has been the worst company for supporting their products. First of all the web software really sucks. Why not just roll out a native application for Mac and the PC. Their browser application really sucks. Browser plugins are flakey and more work than they are worth.
Then they abandon their legacy products for no reason other than the up sell. There is no reason you cannot watch older sling boxes on the iPad app other than their desire to get you to upgrade.
Last of all updates are so slow to come out you wonder if the company is even in business.
Example of a good company with bad management.
They had (have still?) native apps for OS X and PC, they discontinued them in favor of the shitty browser plugin. Yeah, they are horrid at support.