SlingBox app -- My Pros and Cons

[elgrecomac]

With Apple and ATT now allowing SlingBox to run over the 3G network and not just WiFi I was excited to see how well it worked.

Pros -- it does work well over 3G. But that's not a surprise given that other video technology works well over 3G. Heck ATT sells this capability on their other phones.


Cons -- MASSIVE battery drain. Intense heat buildup on my 3G phone. Without an external battery pack, I'm not sure its usable.

 

[Ronnoco]

With Apple and ATT now allowing SlingBox to run over the 3G network and not just WiFi I was excited to see how well it worked.

Pros -- it does work well over 3G. But that's not a surprise given that other video technology works well over 3G. Heck ATT sells this capability on their other phones.


Cons -- MASSIVE battery drain. Intense heat buildup on my 3G phone. Without an external battery pack, I'm not sure its usable.

I watched the entire Womens Half pipe today while working out...it was WELL over an hour of continuous viewing (closer to 90 minutes) and I went from 90% to 55% on my 3GS...pretty decent IMO...I have a Mophie Juicepac Air if I need it for extended viewing but overall, I couldn't be happier with the SlingPlayer Mobile app...

 

[bossxii]

No doubt it will eat up some battery life and warm up the back of the iPhone. I have watched about 2.5 to 3 hours non stop before using up my batter on a 3GS. As stated above I also have a battery case I use which doubles the time as well.

I just hope Slingplayer works on the iPad and I can get at least 5 hours of playtime, that would be awesome.

 

[elgrecomac]

Well..

I have a 3G and it is a battery hog and the device gets HOT, not warm. They are different devices which explains the difference in performance.

 

[marcopolo007uk]

SlingPlayer on iPhone has about half the frame rate of my old WinMobile version, yes it's watchable but it's no where near as smooth as a WinMo version.

I only use it to hit the record button if Im out!

 

[Metsfan7450]

I have a 3G and it is a battery hog and the device gets HOT, not warm. They are different devices which explains the difference in performance.

I'm using the updated Slingplayer app on my 3G, as well, and am not experiencing what you're describing. My 3G doesn't get hot and drain the battery to the extent you're referring. My experience sounds more like the other posters 2.5-3 hours and it drops about 50%. It doesn't get really hot, either. I've been very pleased with the update. The only thing I'd like to see updated is the remote. I don't like the pauses when scrolling.

 

[navguy]

Pro: was able to pick up one of my kids at practice while continuing to "watch" Survivor last night. didn't miss a minute of the show. placed in my TomTom car kit which added power and speaker ... and before anyone comes unglued, NO i did not visually watch, i listened while driving

dual purpose for GPS car kit ... sweet

[edit] the reason i didn't want to DVR and watch later was because i had 3 other people at home watching, and once i returned, they'd continue watching last 15min of show and i didn't want to avoid the family room ... this is filling a small gap in our digital entertainment lives

 

[mgamber]

SlingPlayer on iPhone has about half the frame rate of my old WinMobile version, yes it's watchable but it's no where near as smooth as a WinMo version.

I only use it to hit the record button if Im out!

It does look much nicer on my Fuze than the iPhone but it also sucks down a lot more data on the Fuze and falls under the draconian AT&T rule of "NO STREAMING APPS!" whereas the iPhone version does not. Not that I ever really cared that much about AT&T's little rulebook given the size of the bill I have to pay every month, but it is there.

 

[Poat84]

it looks tight

 

[noah82]

it looks tight

Probably the most informative post on this thread.