Slingbox 500 Media Player - Extend 1080 HD anywhere, Ethernet & Built-in WiFi, Mobile Device Compatible, HDMI / component / composite interface w/ Remote

Pros: The unit physically looks nice IMO. Many might criticize the design, but I think that people are expected your standard ugly set-top box type of thing. It's also smaller, lighter, and runs cooler than the previous versions.

Setting the unit up is also easier than all other models, thanks to the on-screen display.

Video quality is excellent. While HDMI won't work for most people (due to HDCP reasons, as Sling has documented everywhere), component is just as good, especially for cable or satellite TV. The higher quality your TV provider is, the better your Slingbox streaming will be. It also supports 1080p60 video, which nothing else seems to do.

Cons: The only con that I can think of is, of course, the HDCP issue. This isn't really Sling's fault, so I'm not taking an egg away because of that, but it's still slightly disappointing.

Other Thoughts: Many of the issues that people are leaving aren't due to their Slingbox, but their particular setup.

Pros: 1080P video
Wi-fi built-in
Set up is very easy, easier than with prior moedels

Cons: Not compatible with slingcatcher or with standalone application on Mac OSX

Other Thoughts: I give 4 stars because it is not much of an upgrade from the prior top-end model, the PRO-HD (Slingbox 300). I frankly I am not sure that I see much difference in the video quality. If you have the PRO-HD and it is working, I don't see much reason to upgrade. If you do not already have a PRO-HD, then this is a good model, and I would buy it over the PRO-HD for the 1080P, built-in wi-fi and ease of set up.

Pros: If You have a Mac picture is great for the plug in using Firefox

Cons: Sling programers change the plug in on Windows 7 using Firefox or internet exploter. Full HD picture really baddddd like really bad. I would not recomended to any body

Other Thoughts: I call technical support and they want to charge for support when the ne plug in is bad. I explain to reach their programmers to fix. I have Apple and Windows. Apple OK Bad for windows after new plug in. Old plug in was working very good

Pros: Looks nice

Cons: Bought this to replace the SB 300 I've had for years and was extremely disappointed to learn that you still have to connect the component cables to your cable box. They mis-lead you by stating HDMI. You can only use the HDMI on non copyright material, which means to watch your cable football game you need the five large old school analog cables connected. HDMI will not work!

Other Thoughts: This new version is very deceiving in it's marketing, in my option and I am going to request a return. If you already have the five year old sling box pro HD as I do, then it's almost the same product and definitely not worth upgrading.

Pros: Marketing claims are great. HDMI, HD over internet.

Cons: HDMI does not work due to provider streaming restrictions, no S-Video, WD LIVE not supported (yet), Sling Catcher not supported (forever), Sling Player not supported (forever).

Requires 2x the bandwidth for Standard Def than predecessors. Video is very choppy.

Stream over web to Firefox dropped four times in the first hour of use

I have 23.5MB upload in my "Place", 18.5MB download in my "Shift", according to speedtest right now.

Other Thoughts: Sling is a company who lost their way. They have focused on the "place" rather than the "shift". So much for Sling place-shifting.

Must I really dedicate a full computer to watch TV on a TV in my home away from home?

I'll admit, I don't have an iPad or iPhone - my business only supports VPN and Blackberry. I could buy an iPad to stream through to my TV, but now I'm talking $1,200 of equipment to get the stream to me, before the cost of the TV. The value prop is gone.