Sling TV Accidentally Reveals Its Set-Top Box For Cord Cutters (engadget.com)

The Sling TV team has inadvertently spilled the beans on its previously leaked media hub for cord cutters. Zatz Not Funny discovered a briefly available landing website for the AirTV Player, and it's clearer than ever that Sling (read: Dish) is catering to those determined to leave cable and satellite behind. From a report on Engadget: The set-top box will revolve around a home screen that merges over-the-air TV tuning with not only Sling TV, but Netflix -- you won't have to jump between apps or devices to watch both your local news and the latest season of Black Mirror. And since this is an Android device (notice the "G" button on the remote), there's a good chance that other online services will be available as well. It's not certain how much the AirTV Player will cost or when you can get it in your hands. However, a launch at CES in January seems likely given that Dish tends to have a major presence at the trade show. It could be a big deal if there aren't any rude surprises in the pricing or execution, though. Until now, you've typically needed a separate over-the-air TV tuner device (like Nuvyyo's Tablo DVR) if you wanted local live programming wrapped in a slick interface.

Comments

OTA programming + a la carte "premium" content

[Ritz_Just_Ritz]

Other than an easier way to snag OTA content, I'm not sure what this box offers. Most new TV's, home theater receivers, and blu-ray devices already offer a plethora of streaming options built right in (or you can just pick up a Roku or similar device). It would have to be an extremely compelling "experience" at an even more compelling price point to get any traction.

Re:OTA programming + a la carte "premium" content

[drinkypoo]

It would have to be an extremely compelling "experience" at an even more compelling price point to get any traction.

I'll tell you what would get me to spend my money on yet another streaming device: if it would a) work properly and b) integrate my queues into the launcher so I don't have to launch the app manually (and wade through the bullshit) to watch a show.

Re:OTA programming + a la carte "premium" content

[Lumpy]

and they all offer it in really shitty interfaces on underpowered hardware. The Apple TV4 and the Nvidia Shield utterly destroy any smartTV made in the quality of the apps and the UI. Plus I get updates, unlike the craptastic netflix app in my panasonic smart TV that has not been updated in 2 years and they are using a processor from 1989 to run it.

Re:OTA programming + a la carte "premium" content

[cayenne8]

Actually TiVo has been doing the OTA combined with search and access across streaming like Netflix and Amazon Prime, Hulu, etc...for quite some time now.

With Tivo it can search, and play across a number of OTA saved and streaming content all from one box.

You can add Tivo minis in other rooms around the house that connect with the main unit (I have the Tivo Roamio OTA) for your other rooms in the house.

Re:Over-the-air TV

[xxxJonBoyxxx]

>> Over-the-air TV

If you've cut the cord, then yes. Over-the-air switched to an all-digital, hi-def signal many years ago. It's how I watch PBS, NFL football and the occasional college game. (My wife also watches some of the crappy network morning shows.) Along with Netflix and a little pirating, it helps keep our family's monthly TV costs under $10.

TIVO Bolt / Roamio OTA already do this

[OSULugan]

You can use the TIVO Bolt (not Bolt+) or the Roamio OTA with an OTA antenna. It also connects to Hulu, Netflix, Amazon, Vudu, etc. and allows you to search for content across all of these platforms. In fact, you can setup a OnePass that will list available streaming options for a show across the variety of content providers, as well as record any broadcast of that show and present it all for you in one place.

Re:Does it record?

[nitehawk214]

Sling silently dropped all support for their previous products (Slingbox) in the hopes of getting people to move to Sling TV. I wouldn't trust them even if it could record. (It can't, by the way.)

Re:Congratulations! You invented...the smart TV!

[ComputerGeek01]

Well for one thing, the Sling application is absolute garbage on every single platform it has ever been ported to. So maybe having dedicated hardware would actually make it usable?

A set-top box that is *also* a Netflix client?

[Cajun Hell]

OMFG, that's so innovative and new!