Third Party DVR that works with SlingTV?

August 3, 2016 12:41 PM

I am interested in SlingTV as a replacement for my Dish Network service, but I primarily consume TV via DVR. Is this a not-starter?

I have done some research and I like the channels and price point for SlingTV, and that it will work with my AppleTV, BUT from what I have read there is no DVR option, third party or otherwise. I have read that Channel Master DVR+ works with SlingTV, but not for recording SlingTV programming.

Does anyone know of a real (not "in theory") option for me?

I am not sure I am up for building my own PVR.

posted by terrapin to Computers & Internet (8 answers total)

Best answer: I looked into it (I have Dish and want to get rid of it, am also a huge DVR person) and it didn't solve a problem for me and I couldn't find a DVR option. I feel like a PVR build is juuuuust outside my reach so it might be a fun winter project or something. Sorry this is just a negative response, but I am definitely in the same boat.
posted by jessamyn at 1:15 PM on August 3, 2016

Best answer: TiVo doesn't work with it, but even if it did support it, it wouldn't support recording from it. As I understand it, Sling negotiates separately with each channel provider concerning what, if any, delayed playback is permitted, and its rights seem to be quite limited. Right or wrong, channel providers would certainly object to the programs being recordable by an independent DVR.
posted by praemunire at 1:33 PM on August 3, 2016

Best answer: A lot of Sling TV's programming is available on-demand or within a same-day window as it was broadcast but they very explicitly don't have DVR-like rights to some channels (ESPN currently, probably others). But the way their service is structured it's not possible for an external third-party DVR-like device to work with Sling.
posted by GuyZero at 2:17 PM on August 3, 2016

Best answer: Sling TV has no DVR function. Sony's Playstation Vue (doesn't require a Playstation) and Southern Fiber Net TV do.
posted by fireoyster at 2:58 PM on August 3, 2016

Response by poster: jessamyn: I don't find that comment negative at all. It is helpful to know that I haven't missed something simple. And i know we'll share information as it arrives.

guy zero: yeah, I assume Dish doesn't want to canibalize their satellite service by offering a similar service at a lower price. But I also assume they would want to compete with other providers who do offer DVR options.

fireoyster: I have read some side-by-side reviews and most say Vue is comparable but using the game controller is annoying. I have a PS3 remote, so I may give their free trial a go and see. Although I am concerned that "some content" is not able to be recorded.

Southern Fiber Net TV doesn't offer the one channel I must have -- NBC SN. I only have satellite because I am an English football junky, but thanks for the lead.

Thanks all. I welcome other options. Some additional information:

My must-haves are: BBC America, NBC SN, FOX Sports 1 (2 a bonus)
My other preferred: AMC, Comedy Central, USA, NatGeo, Travel
posted by terrapin at 7:48 AM on August 4, 2016

Some of those channels, but not all, have VoD content on Sling and allow you to FF/Rew live content. I don't recall specifically which ones do or don't, though. I believe you can get all the channels you want, plus some, for $25/mo though.

If you can live without DVRability for NBCSN, it is also available through..questionable..IPTV streams if you wanted to go with SFN for the others. (There are also a lot of EU-based sports channels available that carry football) The downside, of course, is that they may go away at any time.
posted by wierdo at 1:09 PM on August 4, 2016

Turns out Vue's mid-tier package does in fact have NBCSN and a DVR function. I'm considering doing the trial, but I'm annoyed that they don't have a damn Android TV app. You'd think they would since their own TVs use Android TV these days. I'm still considering it since it has Google Cast support, but I much prefer navigating on the TV itself.
posted by wierdo at 12:08 PM on August 6, 2016

Actually, I lied. NBCSN is currently in the cheapest Vue package, which is $39.99/mo(!) in cities where they have locals and $34.99/mo elsewhere.

Sling is definitely a better price, but their channel lineup is weak. I guess I shouldn't complain about a $40 monthly, since linear cable is at least $20 more expensive for anything beyond locals-only. I'd rather pay $15-$20 for the locals and the five cable channels I actually care to have, but Sling fails on the "channels I'd like to have" part. Can't get them all at any price. Plus Sling doesn't give access to the channels' own apps, while Vue does, so that's got to be worth something.
posted by wierdo at 12:26 PM on August 6, 2016