Slingbox (refurb) $50 F/S

[Speedy]

Anyone use it with encrypted cable set top boxes? How has it worked out for you?

I have this same model and it will often shut down. I wait a few minutes and then can reconnect for awhile. Happens when I would be watching on my Mac right next to the Slingbox (as well as across the continent.) I always blamed it on bad capacitors (which Eustace pointed out are of Taiwanese origin.)

[onthedownlow]

It will work if those cable boxes have component out (or composite out) on the back. Many of the newer models of these are starting to be HDMI-only, but if you have component or composite you are fine (which most do, or you can even get an older model just to use with these).

DirecTV and Dish still have component and composite options on their new receivers (you can still use HDMI to the TV and connect the Slingbox via component - the receiver will output to both simultaneously).

Yes, this model did have some issues: one was capacitors and the other was just the power supply. From my understanding, all of the refurbs have either issue addressed (Note: I have a couple of these refurbs from past purchases and they are on 24/7 and have performed with zero issues).

[silvarios]

onthedownlow,
My box was only $100 with lifetime. There were a lot of similar deals for the gen 1 prior to the gen 2 launching. The Simple.TV technically works with cable if you are lucky enough to still have clear QAM. All of which wasn't really my point, just wanted to point out the Slingbox should be able to support multiple clients if the hardware was up to the task. Since the consensus here is single client, my assumption is hardware limitation, not policy.

[Speedy]

onthedownlow, thanks!

[Speedy]

Now $70.

[silvarios]

onthedownlow wrote: and they've been around for 10 years.

Not sure what this should indicate.

[sekker]

silvarios wrote:
I didn't think AMEX covered refurbs?

Reading the written warranty, it says it will double the warranty (in this case, could be going from 30 days to 60 days).

Some posts on the web indicate AmEx tries not to cover refurb products.

I figure for $50 each, I'll plug them in right away and use AmEx to cover DOA in case TIger Direct gives me the runaround.

[silvarios]

I thought it listed new somewhere in there. Maybe the warranty used to mention new? I'm not going senile, am I?

[onthedownlow]

Just a follow-up:

I received my two already, today. Basically brand new except for the brown/non-retail outside box.

I ordered five more yesterday (for a side-project - excited!).

[onthedownlow]

silvarios wrote:
[quote=onthedownlow]and they've been around for 10 years.

Not sure what this should indicate.
Indicates they have had the experience with several models, revisions, history, and are the standard the other products try to emulate.