CES 2015 - Sling TV

[HoopsTournament]

If you would like to discuss with non-Cyclone fans (other than twocoach and surly), here is a new forum for Sling TV:

http://www.satelliteguys.us/xen/forums/sling-tv-discussion.323/

 

[DeereClone]

Any updates from Slingers?

Probably looking to add it this fall or winter as I don't watch much TV over the summer and was looking for some insight from other posters who have tried it.

 

[GTO]

Any updates from Slingers?

Probably looking to add it this fall or winter as I don't watch much TV over the summer and was looking for some insight from other posters who have tried it.

I have Sling TV and love it. However, what device are you using to view it? I had a Roku2 and it kept freezing up. Roku3 works much better. It also runs flawlessly on my Android tablet and computer.

 

[JSmoove]

Any updates from Slingers?

Probably looking to add it this fall or winter as I don't watch much TV over the summer and was looking for some insight from other posters who have tried it.

I like Sling. We upgraded our internet with Comcast so we could do a little more things while streaming it so Im sure that has helped its reliability. It still buffers from time to time but I think thats more on our internet provider throttling our speed back each month and screwing us over. The channels we get are enough for me and provide the right entertainment for what we pay. Now I'm not forced to watch reruns of Mike and Molly or Dancing with the Stars all the time.

 

[wxman1]

We love it but don't watch it a ton. If you call and agree to a 3 month subscription ($60) they will send you a free Roku Stick or Amazon Stick which I believe are $50 a piece.

 

[DeereClone]

I have Sling TV and love it. However, what device are you using to view it? I had a Roku2 and it kept freezing up. Roku3 works much better. It also runs flawlessly on my Android tablet and computer.

Can I run it through a DVD player that has wifi? Will also watch it on the iPad quite a bit.

I like Sling. We upgraded our internet with Comcast so we could do a little more things while streaming it so Im sure that has helped its reliability. It still buffers from time to time but I think thats more on our internet provider throttling our speed back each month and screwing us over. The channels we get are enough for me and provide the right entertainment for what we pay. Now I'm not forced to watch reruns of Mike and Molly or Dancing with the Stars all the time.

Thanks. What speed of internet are you supposed to be getting? I think I get 5 Mbps, will that be enough?

 

[huntt26]

My Sling subscription just ended, I'll pick it up again for football season.

I had really good luck watching March Madness and Cyclone basketball. Was totally worth the $20 cost to catch the games.

As others have said, it really depends on the device you use. The PC application is horrible - it freezes constantly. The Xbox One app runs okay but doesn't seem to be full HD. The Fire TV app works flawlessly. I've had others in my home that can't believe it's streaming because it looks great and doesn't buffer. iPad app works great, but seems to ask me to sign in almost every time I open it - which is a little annoying.

Sounds like they're developing Chromecast support (should be out soon).

Overall, I think if they can patch up the apps on some of the devices and continue to keep the cost low, it's totally worth it in my house just to watch the Cyclones. Added bonus is during the summer I can cancel it right on the website. No phone calls, no contract, no bills during the months ISU doesn't play.

 

[huntt26]

Can I run it through a DVD player that has wifi? Will also watch it on the iPad quite a bit.



Thanks. What speed of internet are you supposed to be getting? I think I get 5 Mbps, will that be enough?

5 MBps would probably be rough, especially if you have something else on your connection at the same time. If you go to espn3.com or twitch.com to watch a live feed, does that work? Because it would be similar to that.

There are options to lower the quality for slow connections though.

 

[GTO]

My Sling subscription just ended, I'll pick it up again for football season.

I had really good luck watching March Madness and Cyclone basketball. Was totally worth the $20 cost to catch the games.

As others have said, it really depends on the device you use. The PC application is horrible - it freezes constantly. The Xbox One app runs okay but doesn't seem to be full HD. The Fire TV app works flawlessly. I've had others in my home that can't believe it's streaming because it looks great and doesn't buffer. iPad app works great, but seems to ask me to sign in almost every time I open it - which is a little annoying.

Sounds like they're developing Chromecast support (should be out soon).

Overall, I think if they can patch up the apps on some of the devices and continue to keep the cost low, it's totally worth it in my house just to watch the Cyclones. Added bonus is during the summer I can cancel it right on the website. No phone calls, no contract, no bills during the months ISU doesn't play.

I'd like to add the convenience of adding or dropping additional channels on the spot. During March Madness I needed TruTV. I added it online and within minutes I was watching it.

 

[Triggermv]

It would be nice if Apple TV supported it, but my guess is that Apple is coming up with their own application similar to it eventually, so that may be the reason why they haven't picked it up. I could be wrong on that though. WatchESPN through AppleTV is stellar.

 

[DeereClone]

5 MBps would probably be rough, especially if you have something else on your connection at the same time. If you go to espn3.com or twitch.com to watch a live feed, does that work? Because it would be similar to that.

There are options to lower the quality for slow connections though.

I can handle the watchespn app through my feed and it does just fine.

I think I will try it out this fall. Worst thing that happens is it doesn't work for me and I cancel. It looks like they have a free week trial anyway.

Thanks!

 

[WhatchaGonnaDo]

I use it on my desktop, and my monitor is my TV. I just connect up through HDMI. Quality is good on whatever the slowest speed Comcast provides for an internet-only package. $20 a month internet + $20 a month Sling blows every package deal out of the water, and I get the opportunity to easily cancel/restart anytime I see fit. Probably going to cut it over the summer because I really don't watch TV much except for sports and I don't like watching baseball on TV.

 

[JBone84]

Bumpity bump bump.

Called up the cable company last night and shut off cable, ordered Sling with the free Roku stick, downloaded Sling to my iPhone and three iPads, and away we go.

Three TVs in our house, one on each level. Biggest TV has XBOX360, and will add an antenna for OTA plus some streaming device. Middle TV has Amazon FireStick and will add an antenna for OTA. Smallest TV will use the free Roku stick. Three iPads in the house can stream Sling, plus my wife and my phones if needed.

Although we have options, I am hoping that the limit to stream only on one device at a time doesn't become a big issue. May have to get the HBO package so we can stream three devices at a time.

Our other services include Amazon Prime and Netflix. Family of seven with five small kids so I can still tell them to go read a book or play outside if I need to hog the stream.
:twitcy:

Feels great to cut that cord!

 

[huntt26]

Bumpity bump bump.

Called up the cable company last night and shut off cable, ordered Sling with the free Roku stick, downloaded Sling to my iPhone and three iPads, and away we go.

Three TVs in our house, one on each level. Biggest TV has XBOX360, and will add an antenna for OTA plus some streaming device. Middle TV has Amazon FireStick and will add an antenna for OTA. Smallest TV will use the free Roku stick. Three iPads in the house can stream Sling, plus my wife and my phones if needed.

Although we have options, I am hoping that the limit to stream only on one device at a time doesn't become a big issue. May have to get the HBO package so we can stream three devices at a time.

Our other services include Amazon Prime and Netflix. Family of seven with five small kids so I can still tell them to go read a book or play outside if I need to hog the stream.
:twitcy:

Feels great to cut that cord!

Congrats and good luck! Hope it works out for you. I have a very similar arrangement and I've had really good luck with it. Granted, I don't have any kids, so that helps with streaming limits.

Right now, I don't have much comment on how Sling is working, because I was able to turn it off after March Madness, and I have ZERO cable bill until I re-sub Sling for football in September. Such a great feeling.

 

[JBone84]

I love that Sling is month to month, no contract. Same as Netflix, etc.

 

[wxman1]

Sling is hit and miss. Sometimes it works great. Sometimes it doesn't work at all.

 

[CapnCy]

I dropped cable after bball season as I found, other than sports, we just used cable for "background noise" and we can get the same shows via Netflix.

I am planning on getting Sling for sports, too. I keep hearing it'll soon be available for Chromecast, that's what I really want. For those using, can you use your computer and cast that tab with success? I'd be ok with that...I just don't want to have to hook my pc up via HDMI everytime I want to watch.

 

[1100011CS]

The only thing keeping me from cutting the cord is lack of DVR. Are there any options or anything in the works?

 

[ianoconnor]

Sling is hit and miss. Sometimes it works great. Sometimes it doesn't work at all.

I've personally had no problems with it not working. Maybe your internet connection is spotty?

 

[jbhtexas]

I've personally had no problems with it not working. Maybe your internet connection is spotty?

I have continual problems with Sling TV and my Internet connection is stellar for everything else (Amazon Prime, Netflix, TV network website streaming, etc.) There has been a bit of a discussion on this over in the "cable cutting is bad for sports" thread. It seems that the Sling TV PC apps (which I use) have some issues as opposed to using Roku or Fire TV. Take it for what it's worth.