Slingbox 500 Media Player

900 reviews

Apr, 2024

Positive
usability (266)
price (44)
design (18)
size (18)

Negative
reliability (45)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 900 reviews of Slingbox 500 Media Player. The average rating for this product is 4.4/5, compared to an average rating of 4.0/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. Reviewers are impressed by the design and size. The price and usability also get good views, whereas there are some negative views about the reliability.

usability, price, size, design

reliability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the Slingbox 500 Media Player is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 85/100 = Very good quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 900 reviews)

Expert Reviews

User Reviews

Review Ratings

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Showing 1 - 294 of 899 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (1)

Consumer review (amazon.co.uk)

Amazon.co.uk review summary for Slingbox 500 Media Player

alaTest has collected and analyzed 1 user review of Slingbox 500 Media Player from Amazon.co.uk. The average user rating for this product is 5.0/5, compared to an average user rating of 4.1/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.co.uk.

100% of the reviews on Amazon.co.uk give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Consumer review (amazon.com)

Amazon.com review summary for Slingbox 500 Media Player

alaTest has collected and analyzed 283 user reviews of Slingbox 500 Media Player from Amazon.com. The average user rating for this product is 3.8/5, compared to an average user rating of 3.8/5 for other products in the same category on Amazon.com. Opinions about the design and price are on the whole positive, whereas views are divided on the size. Some have doubts about the reliability.

usability, price, design

reliability

76% of the reviews on Amazon.com give this product a positive rating.

Apr, 2024

Expert review by : Ben Drawbaugh (engadget.com)

Slingbox 350 and 500 review: Sling Media finally upgrades its line of media streamers

It's hard to believe that the Slingbox has been around for seven years, but that only makes it harder to accept these are the first retail models that

1080p streaming ; Built-in WiFi ; Planned software updates will add functionality

HDCP makes HDMI inputs less than useful ; No integrated ATSC or QAM tuner ; Only integrates via IR

The 500 costs as much as the older Slingbox Pro-HD, but doesn't do much more, save for streaming over WiFi. Most users would be fine with the cheaper Slingbox 350 instead.

Oct, 2012

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Expert review by : David Carnoy (cnet.com)

Slingbox 500 review

Before there were "TV everywhere" apps, there was the Slingbox, a groundbreaking product that allowed you to stream your home TV signals to any PC or connected device on the planet, so long as you had the available bandwidth. After something of a...

The Slingbox 500 streams video from your TV or DVR (or any analog source) to your PC, tablet, smartphone, and some streaming boxes at resolutions up to full 1080p HD. IR blasters are built into the box’s body, eliminating the need for annoying extra...

At close to $300, it's fairly expensive. Smartphone- and tablet-viewing apps cost extra. It duplicates some of the features found on TV anywhere apps you may already be using. As always, streaming capabilities are only as good as your home bandwidth.

While you'll pay a premium for its extra features, the Slingbox 500 is an excellent way to watch your TV or DVR video content anywhere.

Dec, 2012

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Expert review by : Jamie Lendino (pcmag.com)

Sling Media Slingbox 500

The nicely updated Slingbox 500 remains the best way to watch cable TV channels and recorded content on the go from PCs and mobile devices, but the Slingbox concept is beginning to show its age.

Beautiful 1080p video streaming. Finally works over Wi-Fi. Includes plenty of cables in the box, including both HDMI and component video. Simplified setup.

SlingPlayer mobile apps all cost extra. Ties up the television to which the Slingbox is attached to. HDMI port is mostly useless thanks to encryption issues. Sluggish channel changes.

Slingboxes have always excelled at optimizing the quality of video against available network bandwidth. Even over Wi-Fi, the Slingbox 500 is no exception. I watched NCIS in HD and saw a clear, crisp picture, both over 720p and 1080p, on my ThinkPad's...

Oct, 2012

Partner Source

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Consumer review (cnet.com)

"Both product and customer service are poor"

I thought a sling box might be handy as I travel overseas a lot and like to watch a bit of soccer and football. I ordered the 500 because I need the wifi capability for my location. It arrived and I went to set it up, but the remote control didn't work...

none, yet. It's been weeks phone calls, 2 sling boxes (neither of which work) and a major hassle with customer service.

Everything. after $300, 1 month, and many hours on the telephone with their customer service, I still don't have a functioning unit.

Dec, 2013

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Consumer review (cnet.com)

Both product and customer service are poor

none, yet. It's been weeks phone calls, 2 sling boxes (neither of which work) and a major hassle with customer service.

Everything. after $300, 1 month, and many hours on the telephone with their customer service, I still don't have a functioning unit.

Dec, 2013

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Consumer review (cnet.com)

"Buyer Beware! Sling Media's Software updates are a scam"

If you are considering buying a Slingbox PLEASE do your research before you buy!! A good place to start is slingbox's own answer forums (%s ). Search for "firmware update" or "software update" and you'll find dozens of instances of updates causing...

The product does allow you to place shift as advertised

Once you purchase a Slingbox, you're at the mercy of Sling Media's software updates. Once your unit is out of warranty, you'll get a software update that causes your product to stop working, and you'll be expected to pay $29.95 for tech support.

May, 2013

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Consumer review (cnet.com)

Great Product using with iPhone, iPad, and Mac & PC's

I've been a Slingbox owner since day 1. I had the first Slingbox with Comcast and a FTA satellite receiver (coolsat 5000 and 8000). Loved it immensely. Then came the Slingbox HD used both with Comcast and for DirectTV. Slingbox HD worked great with the...

Very clear and super fast and easy to connect Installation was easy Built in wifi is great

Setup was simple, but there is no way to customize network settings

Apr, 2013

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Consumer review (cnet.com)

"Great Product using with iPhone, iPad, and Mac & PC's"

Very clear and super fast and easy to connect

Setup was simple, but there is no way to customize network settings

Apr, 2013

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Consumer review (tigerdirect.com)

Excellent Product!

I am very pleased with this version of Slingbox. Absolutely outstanding!

Feb, 2013

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Consumer review (tigerdirect.com)

Best idea I ever had!

This product is the best! I am able to watch all my local sports anywhere in the world, so far I have had no problem seeing the woeful Eagles on 2012 as well as all my HD channels in Singapore, Tokyo, Delhi, Mumbai, Sao Paolo and Shanghai during my...

Feb, 2013

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