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Great googly moogly, we wrote about this very application like fifty weeks ago. Fifty, people! Of course, with the drawn-out SlingCatcher drama, lengthy Sling product cycles aren't a terribly big surprise, so we should just all thank our lucky stars we're going to be getting our hands on SlingPlayer Mobile for BlackBerry before the year's out. The app officially enters its public beta cycle come December 30 for the Bold, the Curve 8320 / 8900, the Pearl 8120 / 8220, and the venerable 8820, piping your home teevee right to your handset and usurping any semblance of productivity your BlackBerry otherwise stands for. A 3G or WiFi connection is "strongly recommended" -- which we take to mean "go ahead, give EDGE a whirl" -- but BlackBerry OS 4.5 is a hard and fast requirement, so make sure you come equipped with the goods if you want to waste some quality time in front of the small screen when this goes live.

Sling Media's Slingbox Pro HD arrived with lofty expectations, and while the box handled its core tasks reasonably well, we found it to have some issues on the software side. The good news there is that software is modifiable, which means Sling could definitely improve matters in the near future. To that end, we're interested to see how you'd change the high-def-capable placeshifter. Any bugs you want knocked out? Any particular hardware traits you aren't fond of? Is it simply too difficult for your mother-in-law to get working? Sound off below! You never know -- someone important may be listening.

Internet TV portals are a dime a dozen, and most of them can't hold a candle to the current king of the hill: Hulu. Thankfully, some real competition has just waltzed in, as the Sling.com online viewing network is now open and available to the general populace. The service will deliver content from over 90 providers (including a bunch you've actually heard of), original editorial content and social networking features to keep you coming back. Now that it's open, why not hop over and give it a spin -- let us know how you like / dislike things in comments below.

The Sling.com portal is still sporting the beta tag, but now anyone can hit it up for a dose of streaming movies and TV shows, with Slingbox owners able to add live TV from home to the mix. Sans-Slingbox, the lineup as is mimics Hulu without the lovely HD gallery, and the truly groundbreaking Clip+Sling support is still in development. Still, give it a look or check out DownloadSquad's hands-on to see if Sling Media has a hit on its hands.

So, you've been desperately searching and hoping for a way to connect your SlingCatcher into your wireless network router, right? Well back at CES in January, the company showed off a little accessory called the SlingLink Wireless -- a device that would do just that. Unfortunately, details were scarce. Things may be changing, however, as the adapter just appeared on Sling's UK site looking all fancy and official. There doesn't seem to be any indication of a price (last we heard it was $49.99), release date, or regional availability, and when we contacted Sling, they didn't seem to know much more than what the page conveys... and then pulled the info from the site. Oh well -- thank goodness for Google's cache.

It's hard to believe that a product line as new as the Slingbox is so mature. This is part of the reason why when we first got our hands-on the new Slingbox Pro HD, there wasn't much to say except that we still like it and even more so now that it can stream HD. But once we had another month or so to toy around and get a little more acquainted with it, we discovered a few more HD related items that weren't there in previous renditions. And so here we are with the Slingbox Pro HD addendum, which among other things includes more extensive testing of the HD streaming feature over the internet, and more importantly the newly added internal HD tuner. Sure, HD component capture is way more useful, but there are still plenty of applications for an internal ATSC and QAM HD tuner.

It's been over a year and half since Sling first announced the SlingCatcher, but the mythical streamer is finally, finally here -- it's now officially for sale on Sling's site and at other major retailers. You already know most of the details about the $299 box -- Slingbox playback, SlingProjector computer streaming, extensive codec support including XviD, eventual Sling.com content delivery -- so we'll just let you hit the order page, but rest assured we'll be tearing this thing apart when our test unit arrives.

After seemingly endless delays, it looks like the SlingCatcher is finally making its way into the world, as evidenced by this grainy unboxing at the SlingCommunity forums. Sure, it looks exactly the same as the prepro boxes we've toyed with, but we won't lie -- we've been waiting for this box with breathless anticipation ever since it was announced at CES 2007, and combined with the recent launch of the Sling 2.0 software, the Slingbox PRO-HD, and the seemingly-imminent launch of the Sling.com video portal, Sling's ending the year strong. Click on for a few more pics, and don't worry -- we'll be blowing this thing out as soon as we get our hands on one.

Sling Media has a history of not disappointing, and while we were admittedly bummed to see Clip+Sling omitted from SlingPlayer 2.0, it looks like that one gripe is about to be remedied. If you'll recall, said feature was originally announced way back at the front end of 2007, and now select users are receiving e-mails announcing the launch of a private beta program. The Sling.com portal promises to "give users access to a premier library of content from top TV networks, movie studios, sports leagues and websites," and reportedly, it'll let folks "grab snippets of television content, upload them to the Sling site and create playlists and feeds that can be viewed and subscribed to by others." Is that YouTube / Hulu / Joost / et al. quaking in their boots, or are we just happy it's Friday? Update: Sling pinged us to say that the actual Clip+Sling functionality was still in progress and wouldn't be a part of the initial Sling.com portal. It's still in the works, though -- shame it won't happen sooner, though.

You already witnessed our unboxing and hands-on with Sling Media's Slingbox PRO-HD, and if you're anxious to know when you can grab one of your own, how's about right now? Sling has revealed that its $299.99 high-def box can be purchased this very instant from its website and other B&M retailers, and for Canadians feeling a touch left out, take heart -- you all will be able to purchase the unit "in the coming weeks" for $329.99.

We were told that Sling Media was getting ready to ship the Slingbox PRO-HD, and looky here -- one just showed up, looking just slightly less imposing than in the press photos. The $300 box isn't a huge departure from previous Sling gear apart from the inclusion of component and coax digital audio inputs and outputs, but combined with the just-released Windows SlingPlayer 2.0 software, it's the first Slingbox that can stream HD video. Setup with our TiVo HD was painless, and after some quick configuration we were watching pretty nice-looking 1080i video on our desktop, complete with the new ability to pause and rewind up to 60 minutes back. We did notice that the audio and video had some sync problems -- and when we tried connecting the older Mac SlingPlayer client the video looked great for SD but the audio sync issues made it almost unwatchable. Given how rock-solid our other Slingboxes have been, we're certain Sling will sort this out eventually, but it's something to keep in mind before you drop three bills right off the bat. Apart from that, there's only so much left to say about the Sling experience that's particularly new: the integrated program guide is extremely nice and much appreciated but not earth-shattering, and the new Sling Accounts single-sign-on system is handy but probably should have been implemented from the start. We're not harshing the product, mind you, it's just that the Sling system is so solid at this point (or will be, if the audio issues are resolved soon) that there's simply not much to say -- if you're in the market and have the cash, this is the box to buy. We'll save the detailed blowout for the SlingCatcher -- we'll be honest, we're dying to get our hands on that thing.

Not that any of you would be shy from running beta software, but at least now your milquetoastian friends can experience Sling's latest, Windows-based SlingPlayer 2.0 without fear of the beta baddies. Still no Clip+Sling sharing, but the new 60-minute buffer, EPG, and on-screen SlingRemote certainly makes this a worthwhile update. We've also got good new for those of you waiting for the SlingBox PRO-HD to ship -- Sling says "any day now" in accordance to their late September pre-order promise. Righteous.

In case you haven't noticed, today's a pretty big day for Sling Media. Not monumentally large or anything, but decently sized, we reckon. Of course, if you're a placeshifter and a UIQ user, you may disagree vehemently. Announced today, said company has unveiled a SlingPlayer Mobile version compatible with the UIQ interface on Symbian OS phones from Motorola and Sony Ericsson. For those out of the loop, said app will give Slingbox users the ability to "watch and control their home TV from a network-connected mobile phone." In related news, the freshest SlingPlayer for Windows 2.0 has launched as a public beta, and with it comes a live video buffer, "The Guide," SlingRemote and a bevy of different viewing modes. Take advantage of that broadband connection while you still can -- get to downloadin'!

Check it, placeshifters -- two new must-have boxes have just popped up for pre-order on Sling's website and Amazon's online marketplace. Sling Media's awfully exciting SlingCatcher and the sleek Slingbox PRO-HD are now ready to be loved for $299.99 apiece, though neither site gives any indication of ship dates. Still, with the holiday season just around the bend, we'd expect to see 'em both out before too long.

SlingPlayer 2.0 was announced way back at CES 2007 (and, uh, re-announced this year) and it looks you'll finally be able to get a taste, public beta style -- but only a taste, since it's missing its most hyped feature, Clip+Sling. If you'll recall, C+S was supposed to let you nab up to 5 minutes of content and share it online with your friends, but it looks like only the local DVR features have made the cut, so while we're still excited about the new 60-minute buffer and EPG, it's not all we've been promised. On the bright side, the holdup isn't technical, it's legal, so once all the appropriate networked partnerships and contracts have been signed, you'll be clipping and slinging like there's no tomorrow. Other minor changes include a tweaked UI (skin support has been dropped) and (finally!) the death of Slingbox Finder IDs in favor of user accounts. Windows-only for now, with a video demo after the break -- let us know how you're doing in comments!

Believe it or not, it's been almost two years since Sling Media released SlingPlayer for PC 1.4 - their last 'significant' upgrade to the software that Slingers rely on to watch their home television on a computer screen anywhere in the world. Interestingly enough, the last major upgrade happened even before a Mac compatible SlingPlayer was available. Sure, we've seen a few updates to SlingPlayer here and there since then, but these were mainly maintenance updates, remote control upgrades, and firmware fixes. Don't get me wrong, these are always welcome. However, as an avid Slinger, I've been waiting to sink my teeth into the meaty new features of SlingPlayer 2.0 ever since I got a sneak peak at it back at CES. Suffice it to say, it's been a long, grueling wait. The wait is finally over... SlingPlayer 2.0 is here... at least in Public Beta form. Will it exceed your wildest expectations? Does it live up to the months and months of hype? Will it blend? The Core of SlingPlayer SlingPlayer for Windows 2.0 Public Beta is, on the surface, not entirely different than the SlingPlayer of yore. Yet, when you first start using it, it will feel strangely foreign. Nearly everything in SlingPlayer has been given the royal treatment. Sling Media's "slickness" department (I made that up, by the way) has gone a little crazy; this software is tight... like OS X tight. It sports fading effects, sliding windows, videos and demos... the whole she-bang. Absent in SlingPlayer 2.0, however, is the ability to change skins. If you're feeling retro, there's no longer a way to bring back the plain white design. The new style is similar to the "Red Line" design that was launched back when 1.4 was released, only minus the red. You better like gray, because that's all you get. It's disappointing to see the personalization of the player's look get axed, but since creating custom skins was nearly impossible, it doesn't look like anyone will miss it. Particluarly interesting to the techno-geeks out there is the "Sling SDK" that is installed along with the player. Little is known about it, but an SDK could be a good stepping stone to third-party development. Of course, it could just as likely mean nothing. Stay tuned on this front. The Cutting Room Floor The ability to change skins isn't the only thing that got whacked for this release. Noticeably absent in SlingPlayer 2.0 is Clip+Sling, Sling's YouTube-like feature for cutting out clips of whatever you're watching and uploading it to a portal site to share with others. Sling Media showed a working demo of Clip+Sling back at CES in January, and expected to release it and the portal site with the SlingPlayer 2.0 launch. Sling Media hasn't said exactly why Clip+Sling was pulled from the 2.0 launch, other than the reasons they've stated in the past - more development time is necessary to fully bake it, and business relationships with content providers are in progress. Either way, it looks like we'll have to suppress our clipping desires for just a bit longer. New Features Even with Clip+Sling's absence, there are enough major improvements and new features to make SlingPlayer 2.0 well worth the wait. The majority of these improvements all serve to enhance the user experience, eliminating many of the annoyances that made setting up and using Slingbox less enjoyable. From Merlin to Secretary Setting up the Slingbox and configuring remote viewing is typically the hardest step on the newbie's path to Slinging bliss; something that hasn't changed since the Slingbox debuted years ago. SlingPlayer 1.x offered a Setup Wizard to aid in the setup process. Apparently, the Wizard wasn't magical enough, so 2.0 has moved to a newly revamped "Setup Assistant" to take over the configuration duties. For the most part, the new Setup Assistant should be easier to follow for the non-technical computer user. The advanced Slingbox user may be a touch annoyed by the Assistant, as many of the manual configuration options are difficult to locate or buried behind several ‘auto-magic' solutions. Typically I wouldn't complain about Sling trying to guide newbs down the easiest path first, but the Assistant seems to take much longer between mouse clicks to show you the next screen. Sling Accounts With the release of SlingPlayer 2.0, setting up a Sling Account actually becomes useful... not to mention required to add a Slingbox to the directory, which is a major change from the last version. Creating a Sling Account requires an e-mail address and a password. While it may (at first) seem strange, this does actually provide two great benefits: First, you no longer need your Finder ID to connect to your Slingbox from a remote computer, or any computer for that matter. The Slingbox directory is no longer built in the player, but instead to your Sling Account. When you sit down at any computer, just log in and your Slingbox directory will show up. Second, Sling Accounts also houses your favorites, making them handy regardless of where you watch. Program Guide Out of all the improvements to SlingPlayer 2.0, the program guide ranks in my top two. When you set up your television source (cable, satellite, etc.) you'll be prompted for you zip code, then shown a list of television providers in your area. If program information from your provider is available, pressing the TV button in the right hand corner will slide out a channel guide that allows you to browse listings and show information for your channels. Clicking on a program will tune your device to the appropriate channel. I know what you're thinking, "I already have a program guide in my TiVo/satellite box/cable box, etc. This doesn't really get me anything I don't already have." True...and false. I agree the largest benefit comes to those who don't already have a guide with their video source, but the program guide built into SlingPlayer 2.0 is a much better alternative to navigating the guide in your device. For starters, it doesn't interrupt your viewing like most device guides do, so you can look for something else to watch without while still viewing your current program. It's also significantly faster to browse, allowing you to scroll up and down using your mouse than by pressing the buttons on your virtual remote and waiting for each press to be reflected on-screen. My only gripe here is the inability to schedule SlingPlayer to tune to future shows. For now, you're given a "this program hasn't started yet" message if you double click on a future program. Favorites work a little different in 2.0 since they're now built into the program guide. They're much easier to set up than before, and you can have multiple favorites lists instead of just one per source. Very cool. 60 Minute Live Buffer Also new to SlingPlayer 2.0 is a 60 minute live buffer that gives you the DVR-like ability to pause and rewind live television, regardless of your source. DVR owners can already do this, but like the program guide, using the live buffer built into SlingPlayer 2.0 doesn't require button presses on your virtual remote, which can be difficult to time when you're fast forwarding and rewinding through live TV. Using the live buffer is easy. In the bottom left hand corner of the player, you'll see the pause button. Give a click and the video will pause; click it again and the video resumes. You can navigate to any point in the buffer by moving the video position slider back and forth. If it only had seven second instant replay and thirty second skip keys... As a nice touch, you can disable the live buffer in the SlingPlayer Options menu. Handy if you're on a computer low on disk space. Before you try it Below is an overview of the known issues with the SlingPlayer for Windows 2.0 PUBLIC BETA. Please read carefully before you decide on upgrading. * SlingPlayer for Windows 2.0 PUBLIC BETA may not work with some proxy servers If you need to enter proxy server settings manually, SlingPlayer may not be able to connect to a Slingbox outside of your local network. * Back up your Favorites before installing SlingPlayer for Windows 2.0 PUBLIC BETA has a completely new Favorites feature within the SlingPlayer Guide. If you need to go back to SlingPlayer for Windows 1.5 for any reason, your upgraded favorites list will be lost. We strongly recommend backing up your Favorites by exporting a copy prior to upgrading to SlingPlayer for Windows 2.0 PUBLIC BETA. Here's how. * Slingbox directory no longer syncs with SlingPlayer Mobile via ActiveSync If you installed SlingPlayer Mobile on a Windows Mobile Pocket PC or Windows Mobile Smartphone using the desktop installer, your Slingbox directory contents will no longer sync to your phone once you have install SlingPlayer for Windows 2.0 PUBLIC BETA. Wrap Up While that wraps up the major changes in SlingPlayer 2.0, there are tons of minor tweaks and enhancements around every corner. When you add it all up, there's a lot to love, and it's hard to complain when the product you bought years ago gets better for free. Honestly, I can't say I'm that disappointed to see Clip+Sling absent. I'm excited about it and want to use it, but at the end of the day Clip+Sling doesn't fix anything that was fundamentally wrong with the Slingbox experience. The Live Buffer, Program Guide, Sling Accounts, etc. all make what was already a great experience even better. You may not be able to share clips from your favorite shows just yet, but you can sure watch and control your home TV with less hassle and more flexibility. Sorry Mac fans, all the beta love is exclusive to Windows at the moment, but according to Sling they are "working on software for the Mac which will bring these features to the platform in a future update."

For those of you out there who have managed to hang on to your government-issued DTV voucher(s), this is probably the box you've been waiting for. CNET just wrapped up a review of the DTVPal (formerly known as the Sling TR-40), and overall, it couldn't find a whole lot to hate. The EPG was deemed "excellent," the analog pass-throughs were smiled upon and the "solid" reception seemed to delight. They did knock the "overcomplicated" remote and the lack of front-panel buttons, but in the end, those niggles didn't keep critics from calling it "a top choice" for folks on the hunt for a digital TV converter. Tracking one down before your coupon expires is apt to be the real challenge.

DISH Network's DTVPal converter box goes retail at Sears Although DISH Network's $59.99 DTVPal converter box went on sale late last month, you've had to order it via the DTVPal website or by phone... until now. The NTIA-approved (meaning you can use your $40 voucher on it) box will soon start surfacing in 511 Sears retail locations along with 194 Sears Dealer stores, meaning that you can actually get in your vehicle and pick one up should you choose to do so. For us introverts, we'd still much rather have a brown box dropped off at our doorstep, but oftentimes there's nothing like instant gratification.

Cable -Dish Network's DTVPal Converter Box Now Sold by Sears With the advent of digital television in America, which goes into effect Feb. 17, 2009, Sears, as the approved retailer with NTIA Certification, will be selling the DTVPal digital-to-analog converter box by DISH Network. The DTVPal will be sold in 511 of its full-line stores through the nation and also at 194 Sears Dealer stores. Structured to meet the stipulated requirements of the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, the DTVPal converter boxes will be sold at the retail price of $59.99. Suitable for all consumers, the DTVPal has analog pass-through. As one of the few boxes suited for this purpose, the DTVPal conforms to technicalities as many of the stations have low-power and do not need to convert to digital broadcasts till 2009. With a range of amenities, the DTVPal has signal strength screen pop-ups that can troubleshoot lost signals with an easy-to-follow setup wizard and a best in class electronic program guide with up to seven days of program listings. It also has program search, parental controls, closed caption support and auto tune timers for program recording on a connected VCR. The DTVPal has a remote control that gives consumers access to control the TV's volume using a single remote. “The DTVPal by DISH Network is one of the highest-rated digital-to-analog converter boxes on the market, and we are thrilled to be able to offer it at Sears – a trusted and quality-driven national retailer,” said Tom Stingley, executive vice president of sales and distribution for DISH Network. A leading consumer electronic review Website has given the DTVPal the accolade of being the “top choice,” with its benefits of service, network and customer care through the nation, with installation experts, technicians who are skilled in digital transition and multilingual agents with sound technical knowledge. “Now the DTVPal is even more accessible to consumers across the country – and at $19.99 with a government coupon, the value of our feature-rich box beats other converter boxes hands down,” says Tom Stingley. DISH Network Corporation has given customer satisfaction to more than 13.8 million satellite TV customers for the past seven years. Customers who used DISH have had access to innumerable video and audio channels, a premier line of award-winning Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), popular International channels in the U.S., the latest Interactive TV applications, and the best sports and movies in HD and Latino programming. Offering a variety of package and price options, DISH also has the lowest all-digital price in America, the DishDVR Advantage Package, high-speed Internet service and a free upgrade to the industry’s best HD DVR. Approved by the U.S. Department of Commerce's National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Sears has been chosen to take part in the TV Converter Box Coupon Program with America’s plan to upgrade to digital television on Feb. 17. Since April 2008, Sears has been selling converter boxes in all of its stores. As one of the topmost retailers in merchandise and related services, Sears, Roebuck and Co., is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sears Holdings Corporation. Retailing a spectrum of home merchandise, apparel and automotive products and services through more than 2,400 Sears-branded and affiliated stores in the United States and Canada, the company has 926 full-line and 1,100 specialty stores in the U.S. A converter box would be required by analog televisions which at present depend on over-the-air broadcasts, to receive a digital signal after Feb. 17. Televisions which are now connected to cable, satellite or other subscription TV services do not need a converter box. In order to confirm functionality, customers are required to get the professional advice of service providers. Nielsen Media Research, in a recent report, says almost 25 million homes have at least one television set that will stop over-the-air broadcasts after Feb. 17. Ten million of those homes, or 9.4 percent of U.S. households have been regarded as "completely unready" and ill-equipped for the change to digital television. The facility of applying for two government coupons has been extended to households who want to continue using analog TV sets after Feb. 17. To access more information about the TV Converter Box Coupon Program, the digital TV conversion or to download an application, please visit http://www.dtv2009.gov.

Industry Favorite DTVPal™ Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes From DISH Network Now Available ENGLEWOOD, Colo., June 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH), the digital transition leader, today announced that its DTVPal™ digital-to-analog converter box is available for purchase nationwide at http://www.dtvpal.com or by calling 1-888-638-9912. The DTVPal qualifies for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's TV Converter Box Coupon Program; coupons may be ordered by visiting http://www.dtv2009.gov. Consumers can purchase the converter box for $19.99 after the $40 government coupon is applied; MSRP for the DTVPal is $59.99. The DTVPal by DISH Network was deemed a "top choice" by CNET, and is the only converter box that comes with a nationwide customer care and service network to facilitate installation, including knowledgeable, multilingual agents and technicians trained in the digital transition. "The DTVPal is supported by a trusted and respected national brand -- DISH Network -- and is without question one of the best and most affordable converter boxes on the market today," said Tom Stingley, executive vice president of Sales and Distribution for DISH Network. "As a leader in all-digital television for more than 12 years, we understand the benefits of digital TV, and we are committed to providing solutions for consumers affected by the upcoming transition so they may continue to enjoy their favorite TV programming." The feature-rich DTVPal is one way for consumers to experience DISH Network's industry-leading and award-winning technology at an attractive price. The DTVPal is only one of a few converter boxes that includes a unique analog pass-through feature, which means it can take both analog and digital signals -- ideal for all consumers, as many stations are low-power and are not required to switch to digital broadcasts by 2009. Additional components include an easy-to-follow setup wizard, a best in class* electronic program guide with up to seven days of program listings, parental controls, program search, auto tune timers for program recording on a connected VCR, closed caption support, a remote control, and signal strength screen pop-ups that can troubleshoot lost signals. Consumers can also prepare for the digital transition by subscribing to pay television. DISH Network offers the best value in entertainment with the lowest all-digital price every day, along with unmatched technology and award-winning customer service that has surpassed major cable TV providers for the past eight years. For as little as $19.99 per month (additional $5 for local channels), DISH Network customers can subscribe to the DishFAMILY package and receive over 40 popular channels, plus free installation and activation. For more information about DISH Network, visit http://www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474). To learn more about the DTVPal or to order a converter box, visit http://www.dtvpal.com or call 1-888-638-9912. * CNET Review, June 19, 2008 About DISH Network Corporation DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH), the nation's third largest pay-TV provider and the leader in digital television, provides more than 13.815 million satellite TV customers with industry-leading customer satisfaction which has surpassed major cable TV providers for eight consecutive years. DISH Network also provides customers with award-winning HD and DVR technology including the ViP722™ HD DVR, which received the Editors' Choice awards from both CNET and PC Magazine. In addition, subscribers enjoy access to hundreds of video and audio channels, the most International channels in the U.S., industry-leading Interactive TV applications, Latino programming, and the best sports and movies in HD. DISH Network offers a variety of package and price options including the lowest all-digital price in America, the DishDVR Advantage Package, high-speed Internet service, and a free upgrade to the best HD DVR in the industry. DISH Network is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 300 company. Visit http://www.dishnetwork.com/aboutus or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) for more information.

Heads-up, DTV holdouts. Your digital-to-analog converter box has arrived, and it's shipping right now. DISH Network's DTVPal (known as the Sling TR-40 in a previous life) can be snapped up as we speak from the DTVPal website or by phone. Best of all, the $59.99 box qualifies for the NTIA's coupon program, meaning that you can procure one for just $19.99 -- if your voucher hasn't expired yet, that is. For those still on the fence, you can check out a review of the box here.

Product summary The good: Excellent electronic program guide, with several days worth of data; can search for programs by title; solid video quality and reception; good aspect ratio controls for handling wide-screen programs on standard TVs; analog pass-through; can work with TV Guide On Screen devices. The bad: Overcomplicated remote can't control TV volume and power; no front panel buttons means you're out of luck if the remote goes missing; composite audiovisual cable not included. The bottom line: The Dish Network DTVPal is a great DTV converter box with a best-in-class electronic program guide and should be your top choice, unless you value the simplicity and superior remote of the RCA DTA800. CNET editors' review * Reviewed by: Matthew Moskovciak * Edited by: John P. Falcone * Reviewed on: 06/12/2008 * Released on: 06/19/2008 The FCC has pushed back the DTV transition several times already, but it looks as if over-the-air analog TV signals will actually end on February 17, 2009. That means owners of analog TV will need to pony up for a DTV converter box if they want to continue getting their free over-the-air TV (read our Quick Guide to the DTV transition to find out if you'll be affected). Luckily, it shouldn't cost you too much, as anyone affected can apply for a $40 DTV converter box coupon from the U.S. government. The Dish Network DTVPal is one of the boxes that shoppers can buy with the coupon, and we've been heavily anticipating its release since it was announced at CES 2008. Since then, however, there's been a lot of confusion. The converter box was first announced as the EchoStar TR-40 with a $40 price tag, then it was renamed to the Dish Network DTVPal, and now the latest news is that the Dish Network DTVPal and the EchoStar TR-40 are actually different products--yikes. The final story is that the Dish Network DTVPal is slated to be available at DTVPal.com on June 19, with an MSRP between $40 and $60. The TR-40 will come out at a later date at a price to be determined. If we had to guess, based on Dish Network CEO Charlie Ergen's "Charlie Chat," the DTVPal will cost about $60 and the TR-40 will cost $40. Getting to the actual device, there's a lot to like about the DTVPal. To us, the main draw is that the DTVPal's EPG is much better than any other box's we've reviewed. It gives several days of data in a familiar grid layout, with responsive controls and even the capability to search for a program. The rest of the features of the DTVPal are basically average; its reception and video quality are solid, but not standout. Our biggest concern is that the somewhat overcomplicated (and underfeatured) remote control just can't compete with the RCA DTA800's excellent clicker, and if you're picking a box for a senior citizen or certified nontechie, we'd lean heavily toward the DTA800. However, for everyone else, the DTVPal's excellent EPG make it our go-to pick for DTV converter boxes. Design DTV converter boxes are fairly drab by nature, but the DTVPal is one of the better looking boxes we've seen. Its main attraction is its small footprint, coming in 1.3 inches high, 5.9 inches wide, and 4.2 inches deep. It has a rectangular shape with rounded corners, and the case sinks a bit in the middle, giving it a subtle wavelike appearance. There are no buttons on the front, which means you can only control the box using a remote. On the center of the unit is a single green light indicating that it's on, and the light turns off when the unit is off. The light is actually pretty bright, and unfortunately you can't disable it in the setup menu. The included remote is one of the weak points of the DTVPal. Right off the bat, we were disappointed that it lacks the capability to control a TV, which is an important feature since these boxes will often be used in scenarios where an expensive universal remote doesn't make economic sense. We also weren't fans of the remote layout. There's no dedicated button-rocker for changing channels; channel changing is instead handled by the centrally located directional pad. There is a dedicated volume control, but it has an unorthodox horizontal alignment. Beyond that, the buttons aren't well differentiated (especially the buttons that surround the directional pad), and the fact that the page up/down buttons do double-duty controlling aspect ratio and closed-captioning can be confusing. Tech enthusiasts will certainly enjoy being able to access many functions directly from the remote, but overall we much preferred the simple remote design of the RCA DTA800. User interface The real gem of the DTVPal is its full electronic programming guide. Its layout and the amount of data it can display are superior to the other boxes we've reviewed. You can see four channels at a time, and it displays an hour and a half at a time, which we found reasonable given the limitations of a standard-definition display. How much guide data you actually get, and how good that guide data actually is, depends on the program data provided by the stations. Some stations provide only about a day's worth of data, while other go out several days. There's also a big disparity with the descriptions of the programs, with many programs showing only "No information available" and others giving a brief summary. We're expecting broadcasters to continually improve guide data as the digital transition gets closer, but don't expect complete information like what's available on a TiVo or cable DVR. DTVPal's EPG can't spice up lackluster daytime TV, but it sure does make it easy to browse what's on TV. The other great thing about the guide is how responsive it is. Flipping through hours of data is a breeze and we never felt like the box had to load a new screen. Sure, it's nothing like the silky smooth response of the PS3, but it's a big step over the other boxes we've reviewed. The only addition that would have been nice is a picture-in-picture view of what's playing on the channel it's currently tuned to, but we can understand why Dish decided to conserve screen space. The DTVPal also includes a program search function, which Dish Network calls Event Search. It's accessible via the main menu, and it lets you search for programs using an onscreen keyboard. For example, if you're interested in knowing when all of the permutations of the CSI franchise are airing, you can simply search for "CSI" and it will tell you all the channel, date, and time information for programs with CSI in the title. You can choose to search title data, description data, or both. It's not flawless, as we noticed that the DTVPal tended not to update program guide data unless we actually accessed that channel, but it's still a useful feature once you know its limitations. Features Aspect ratio is handled well on the DTVPal. This is an important feature because the DTVPal will most commonly be used with older, analog TVs with a standard 4:3 aspect ratio, but an increasing amount of digital TV is presented in wide screen (16:9). The DTT900 has three options, which you can cycle through with the "Picture Format" button on the remote. • Full: Fills the screen on wide-screen programs, but distorts the aspect ratio on analog 4:3 TVs. However, this mode keeps wide-screen programs in the correct aspect ratio and fills the screen on wide-screen TVs. • Normal: Keeps wide-screen programs in their original aspect ratio, but adds black bars on both the top and bottom of the picture. • Zoom: Maintains the proper aspect ratio on 4:3 analog TVs, but crops out of the extreme right and left sides of the picture. Connectivity is standard on the DTVPal. There are two RF-style F connectors, which are the connecters that have the screw threads on the outside and the small hole inside. One connector is an antenna input and is connected to the antenna using a coaxial cable. The other F connector says "TV Set out" and is a video output. This means you can send analog video and audio from the DTVPal to your TV by connecting a coaxial cable. In addition to the F connectors, the DTVPal has a composite video output along with stereo RCA analog outputs--the standard yellow, red, and white outputs. If your TV has the proper inputs, you should use this output as it offers superior audio and video quality compared with the RF connection. Analog pass-through is another feature of the DTVPal, which means that you can set the box to pass the analog signal from the antenna through its RF output, to be tuned by a separate NTSC tuner. For most people, the usefulness of this feature is fairly limited, as after February 19, 2009, almost all analog transmitters will be turned off. Sure, there will be still be a few low-power location stations, or if you live close to the border with Mexico, you might be able to get some analog Mexican stations, but for the vast majority of people this feature just isn't that important. Still, it's a nice convenience for people who'd like to continue using analog stations until February 2009. The DTVPal can also work in conjunction with a TV or DVD recorder that has TV Guide On Screen, or Guide Plus (also known as Gemstar). The instructions are in the manual, but basically you need to connect a G-Link cable from your TV Guide On Screen-capable device, set up the IR blaster in front of the DTV Pal, and set the DTVPal to TV Guide On Screen mode. We didn't have any TV Guide On Screen-capable devices on hand to test this, but it's a nice extra for those who use the service. Dish Network should have included a set of composite AV cables, especially now that the DTVPal doesn't cost $40. Besides the remote and the actual unit, there's not much else included in the box. There's the manual, a single RF cable, and a couple of AA batteries for the remote--that's it. That's pretty stingy, as we expect at least composite-video cable with stereo audio cables (the standard yellow, red, and white cables) to be included with these boxes. Overall, it's not a huge issue--you can pick up a cheap composite-video cable or better quality RF cable for a few bucks--but it really should be included in the box. While the DTVPal has a pretty solid feature set, tech enthusiasts will notice a few features missing. There's no S-Video output, which can provide slightly better quality than composite. There's also no port to connect a Smart Antenna--which is an antenna that is able to automatically adjust itself to improve reception. Considering the high price of Smart Antennas we've seen so far, this isn't a big omission. Performance Reception was overall comparable to other boxes we've tested. From our Manhattan office, we were able to tune into all the major networks and rarely saw any breakups associated with a poor signal. We were also able to receive a whole host of additional channels, such as PBS (from multiple cities), The CW, My 9, plus some religious and Spanish channels. Remember, you'll only be able to tune into the free stations broadcast over the air--that means no Comedy Central, CNN, and so on. When we compared it directly with the Zenith DTT900, it came up a bit short on total channel count, but only by a few. Also remember that our testing environment is urban, and performance will vary greatly depending on local terrain. Video quality was fairly good overall, but a notch below the best converter boxes we've tested. We compared it head-to-head with the Zenith DTT900 using the composite video input, and we found the DTVPal to be a tad softer, with more jaggies and other image imperfections. It was nearly as bad as the GE 22730, and more comparable to the image quality of the RCA DTA800. We noticed these differences on an HDTV--where the quality differences are more pronounced--so users of standard analog TVs will notice fewer differences.

We had a feeling it was coming any day now, but now we have confirmation that Sling won't be leaving iPhone and iPod touch users in the lurch when it comes to streaming TV to their devices. The bad news is the software they showed us was pre-alpha proof-of-concept, and their whole situation is hamstrung by the fact that Apple hasn't officially accepted them into the developer program yet. So what we've seen is basically an app developed out of bounds for jailbroken devices -- thus it goes without saying that Sling won't be releasing it until they can do so legitimately. But assuming all goes well, they do intend to get it out the door by sometime this fall or winter. No word yet on the Android release. Video of the app in action after the break.

Echostar can't seem to decide what brand to put on its upcoming DTV converter box. The device that many DTV converter box shoppers seem to believe will be the one to get, won't be available until June and although we originally heard it would be sold as the Sling Media TR-40, recently the little box has gotten 50 percent smaller and will be called the DISH Network DTVPal. A few sites are already accepting pre-orders that are expected to ship on June 16th, which won't help you very much if you signed up for your voucher on the first day like we did.

Although DISH Network's previous quarter wasn't anything to write home about, it sounds like the satcaster (EchoStar, technically) isn't going to allow its set-top line to grow stale in the process. During the recent Team Summit in Nashville, Tennessee, DISH's CEO Charlie Ergen reiterated that it would be beaming out "more than 100 national HD channels" by the end of 2008, and he also made mention that the EchoStar 11 satellite would lift off in July. Most interesting, however, was all the talk about the new STBs. The forthcoming ViP 722 will be the first HD DVR from the outfit with loads of Sling technology built in -- not too shocking considering the recent acquisition. Additionally, the box is said to feature an all new interface and the ability to browse to (select) websites, double as a SlingCatcher and even handle Clip & Sling duties. There's plenty more where this came from, so be sure and hit the read link when you've got some spare time for reading.