Sling Media Diversifies Product Lineup
Sling Media diversified its product portfolio on Thursday, introducing three new devices designed to cater to the different needs of its users. Dubbed the Slingbox PRO, AV and TUNER, the units will start at $179.99 USD.
The entry-level device, the Slingbox TUNER, will retail for $179.99 USD and is designed for those who wish to use the device only to view their television channels while on the go. No set-top box, DVR or AV device is needed with the unit, and the coaxial cable connects directly into the box.
With this option, viewing cable channels would not impact family members watching television anywhere in the home, Sling Media said.
The next model up, the Slingbox AV, adds the capability to connect set-top boxes, DVRs and AV devices to the unit. With Slingbox, users would be able to control these devices remotely through any Internet connected PC or Mac. The device will also retail for $179.99 USD.
The new top-of-the-line model is the Slingbox PRO. The device is designed for those with high-definition equipment and/or multiple AV devices. The box has four available inputs, and users with the Slingbox software would be able to switch between these devices remotely. The PRO has a suggested retail price of $249.99 USD.
"Just over a year ago, Sling Media delivered to consumers a ground breaking product that has now been incorporated into their daily lives," said Blake Krikorian, co-founder and CEO of Sling Media. "With our new products, we are setting an even higher standard by incorporating industry-leading video quality and streamlined setup all at price points we feel will make the Slingbox an ideal holiday gift."
In addition to the product announcements, Sling Media also announced new functionality that would allow for live chats with technical support representatives during device setup. The support personnel would also be able to assist by remotely controlling a user's PC to fix setup issues.
Finally, Sling Media said that it would be making its Slingbox Mobile software available to Canadian customers, and would be announcing future international availability in the first quarter of next year.