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Review : SlingPlayer for Windows Mobile Pocket PC edition
July 02, 2006 [Pocket PC] | By Edward J. R.

Since we never miss an opportunity to point out superiority of Windows Mobile phones with regard to other smartphone platforms, here we present detailed review of SlingPlayer for Windows Mobile Pocket PC edition (it's available also in MS Smartphone version), a player that is not available for other mobile platforms like Symbian or Palm OS.

In combination with SlingBox device, Windows Mobile phones are becoming mobile TV receivers, that can allow you to watch TV on your Windows Mobile phone not only over Internet over cellular networks from another part of the planet, but also from your garden over Wi-Fi! Read on!

First of all let us take a look at 3 main modes of the SlingPlayer: one with custom buttons and the one with SlingRemote (for easy channel switching):

... and the full screen mode:

* * * * *

Now let's go through the whole process: from installation to the TV watching!

Firstly you need to download SlingPlayer for Windows Mobile from mobile download page of SlingMedia (remember: there is SlingPlayer for PC and Mac too). Please note the SlingPlayer mobile is not free but 30-day free trial version is available. Anyway: user can select a CAB file that can be copied to the Pocket PC and installed internally, or EXE setup program that requires PC with ActiveSync to install the SlingPlayer for Windows Mobile!

After launch of the installation user needs to select destination of the program - memory card (SD card) or internal memory (device):

Installation process progresses:

... and finally SlingPlayer mobile is installed properly if you see this message:

Now you can tap on "SlingPlayer Mobile" icon to launch the program:

Obviously there is 30 day trial version available, so if you haven't purchased the player yet, you will get this message:

... that you can avoid temporarily by tapping on "Register Later" button.

Initially the screen of SlingPlayer Mobile is quite empty:

Now it is time to define your SlingBox (a device that transmits TV over Internet to PC or mobile devices) so that you would be able to connect to it. Just select from the menu: Player / Slingbox Directory / Add New Slingbox and then you will see this dialog box:

... that upon selection of the radio button changes to this one:

Now, once you entered data about your SlingBox you should select in menu: Player / Slingbox Directory / [name of your slingbox] ... and the SlingPlayer is connecting (over Internet or just over local Wi-Fi) to the SlingBox:

Below you can see screen shots of the dialog boxes with settings (player options):

Please note above that not only high and low quality stereo sound is possible but also mono sound is possible!

* * * * *

Interestingly the help documentation for the SlingPlayer Mobile is available online here (especially designed to be viewed from Windows Mobile devices) and the player itself is calling this page assuming that user is connected to the Internet - there is no local version of the help!

Conclusion: SlingPlayer Mobile for Windows Mobile is an excellent way to watch mobile TV. Instead of watching just pre-recorded video recordings from your SD memory card, with SlingPlayer you are able to watch TV remotely and you are even able to switch channels! As video source you can use your Sky Box (or other receiver) or you can just use FreeView (British system of Free To Air digital television in DVB-T standard). Since many people are asking such questions as "how can I watch live coverage from British Big Brother if I am now in USA?" ...