XCO What can I say, the Slingbox Pro - HD is a great piece of hardware. And the SlingPlayer software is terrific. That is, the Windows version. The Mac version is awful by comparison. The Mac version functions and interface are very limited. First, it can't handle HD streaming. So, with the Mac, the SlingBox Pro - HD is mostly a waste of money. Yet, the HD streaming with the Windows SlingPlayer is terrific (gorgeous). Second, the Mac version requires one to manually enter and configure 'favorite' channels. That is, I must look-up each cable TV channel number (eg, 2.1.; 4.1, etc) and manually enter these. Just finding out the right channel numbers is a pain. The Windows version is more like Elgato's eyeTV. It connects with an EPG database, which includes an automatic channel listing and program schedule -- setting up favorites is a breeze. Third, the Mac version does not cache programs as they are being watched, ala TiVO and eyeTV. But the Windows version does. Fourth, the Mac software does not allow for keyboard actions to, for example, change channels. The Windows SlingPlayer is terrific, whether via a wireless LAN and over the Internet. The Mac version does not live up to the platform's potential, or users' needs. And, the Mac version Safari plug-in seems to be in perpetual 'beta,' a sign of poor corporate commitment to the platform. Finally, the Slingbox Pro - HD packaging says the product supports both Windows AND Macintosh platforms. For a $299 product, I'd expect it to do so as stated on the product packaging. As of today, this is a misnomer. Hopefully the folks behind SlingPlayer will give the Mac platform (and Mac users) the respect it's due - and soon. (Version 1.0.10) |