If you’re looking for a new media device to expand the functionality of your TV then Slingbox and Apple TV are two of the biggest names. But which one should you pick between Slingbox vs. Apple TV? The truth is that they don’t do exactly the same thing, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for in a digital media device.
Online Media Streaming: Apple TV
Apple TV is designed for streaming online media to your TV screen. It does this either through iTunes (where you have to pay to rent each TV show or movie), or through Netflix (where you need to be a paying subscriber). You can also access YouTube and listen to a range of online radio stations.
In addition to these online streaming services, Apple’s AirPlay feature lets you stream media directly from your iPad or iPhone, reducing the need to buy content again.
Sharing Media Between Devices: Slingbox
Instead of streaming internet content to your TV screen, Slingbox streams your TV content to other devices over an internet connection. This means you can watch your home TV on a laptop, smartphone or tablet even when you’re away from home (as long as you’re connected to the internet). The only added cost here is for tablet/ smartphone apps, should you want to use them.
In this respect, the Slingbox vs. Apple TV battle isn’t a direct one: they both serve a different role in your home theater setup.
Which One Should You Buy?
In short, you should buy the Slingbox for any of these reasons:
* You want to watch the content from your home TV when you’re away from home,
* You want to watch content from the TV in another room of the house,
* You want the ability to watch TV from locations like the garden.
You’d want to buy Apple TV, instead, if:
* You want to access online streaming services, such as Netflix, directly on your TV screen,
* You want access to iTunes content on your TV,
* You want to make it easy to stream content from your iPhone or iPad directly to your TV screen.
As you can see, there’s no winner in the battle between Slingbox vs. Apple TV: they are different devices that will enhance your TV in very different ways. If you want the best of both worlds, then buy a multimedia device compatible with the latest version of the Slingbox. That way you can stream online content and share it to your other devices when you need to!