CES 2008: Sling Media Unveils the HD-Enabled Slingbox PRO-HD

The possibility of streaming TV programs from a signal source (satellite receiver, set-top cable receiver, DVR, etc.) to a computer is what made the Sling Media products famous, as they allow users to turn their computers (or just about any computer, for that matter) into an extension of their television set. However, it seems that the age of high-definition has "engulfed" Sling Media as well, since the company has just announced at CES 2008 the first device capable of streaming HD content, namely the Slingbox PRO-HD.

As you probably know, Sling Media's products have been around for quite some time, but the new PRO-HD model is the first and, at least up until now, the only Slingbox product that is capable of streaming HD content. Thus, while the Slingbox PRO and Slingbox SOLO down-convert HDTV sources to EDTV resolutions, the Slingbox PRO-HD preserves the original resolution of the feed and delivers it to a HD-compatible laptop or desktop computer or secondary TV when paired with a SlingCatcher.

As expected from such a high-end streaming device, the product includes standard (4:3) and widescreen (16:9) video support and features multiple integrated sets of audio-video inputs and outputs (ATSC/QAM HDTV Tuner, S-video, composite video, component video and either analog or multi-channel, 5.1 surround, digital audio), as well as integrated looping outputs for each input.

Furthermore, the company has also announced the SlingStream 2.0, a serious improvement to the company's proprietary SlingStream technology. The SlingStream 2.0 allows the Slingbox PRO-HD to adaptively stream television content across virtually any network connection. With SlingStream 2.0, audio/video quality is noticeably improved for remote clients operating in a low bitrate environment as well as high definition players on a home network.

Unfortunately, the eager early adopters will have to wait some more for this product to hit the shelves, since the new PRO-HD model will be available in Q3, 2008, at a MSRP of around 400 US dollars.

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