Slingbox Ethernet port dead

[Milkman]

For some reason, it appears that my Ethernet port on my Slingbox is dead. I have tried all of the standard PD crap, and it really appears to be my sling.

Has anyone ever heard of someone sending their Slingbox in for repair? Are they reasonable??? Or am I just screwed??

[Michael D'Angelo]

I had this same problem with my Slingbox Pro a while back. I called Slingmedia and they sent me a new free of charge. They even paid for shipping and my factory warranty had already ended.

They did have to put a hold on credit card until they received the old unit back. They even paid for return shipping.

BTW I am moving this to the "IPTV and Internet Video Delivery" forum.

[WERA689]

I had the same experience as Michael did, but I can't move this anywhere!http://www.coolrom.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gifhttp://yelims4.free.fr/MDR/MDR40.gif

[TBlazer07]

Coincidently I had a totally opposite experience with them yesterday on the phone. I started with "support" from India then worked my way up (down?) to 2 different supervisors who all refused to help me unless I paid them $29.95. My Slingbox AV works perfectly but the "auto-update" suggested I download the new 2.x software (I was on 1.5). 2.x seems to have a problem where all the dropdown configuration boxes are solid "blue" so you can't see the selections. They told me they were aware of the issue and had a fix but wouldn't give it to me unless I paid $29.95. I then asked for a link to go back to the old software (yea, I knew I could find it online) and they told me they couldn't even give me that unless I paid $29.95. What was funny was all 3 people I spoke with said to use "a search engine to find the old software" but said they can't tell me what to type in on the search unless I paid the $29.95. It took me 3 seconds to find 1.5 on Google but it was their attitude that really pissed me off.I had the same experience as Michael did, but I can't move this anywhere!http://www.coolrom.com/forums/images/smilies/confused.gifhttp://yelims4.free.fr/MDR/MDR40.gif

[WERA689]

Well, I need to update my experience with slingmedia, as I am now VERY dissatisfied!

Yesterday, for the second time in less than 1 year, the ethernet port of my Slingbox Pro failed. Same issue as the first time, but this time on the replacement box.
I called customer support and even agreed to pay the $29.95 for the one incident support.
After they confirmed that the port was again dead, the told me that I would have to spend ANOTHER $70 to have the box replaced for the SECOND TIME, with the same problem.
I see now that I can expect to pay $100 per year to keep my slingbox working, and I am simply NOT WILLING TO DO THAT!!! They clearly have hardware reliability issues with these devices, and they are not willing to stand behind them without additional cost to the customer. At this point, I could have bought 2 new slingboxes for what they want to charge me to replace this one, along with the original purchase price!
This is unacceptable, and will likely result in my disposing of my Slingbox and simply doing without it...too bad, it's a neat product, but this is NOT my idea of support.

[dave29]

Well, I need to update my experience with slingmedia, as I am now VERY dissatisfied!

Yesterday, for the second time in less than 1 year, the ethernet port of my Slingbox Pro failed. Same issue as the first time, but this time on the replacement box.
I called customer support and even agreed to pay the $29.95 for the one incident support.
After they confirmed that the port was again dead, the told me that I would have to spend ANOTHER $70 to have the box replaced for the SECOND TIME, with the same problem.
I see now that I can expect to pay $100 per year to keep my slingbox working, and I am simply NOT WILLING TO DO THAT!!! They clearly have hardware reliability issues with these devices, and they are not willing to stand behind them without additional cost to the customer. At this point, I could have bought 2 new slingboxes for what they want to charge me to replace this one, along with the original purchase price!
This is unacceptable, and will likely result in my disposing of my Slingbox and simply doing without it...too bad, it's a neat product, but this is NOT my idea of support.


The ethernet port on my Slingbox pro died a couple weeks ago. I hadn't used it for a long time and I moved it to a new location and racked my brain for a couple hours trying to figure out why it wasn't working. Oh well.
I bought a Hava a couple months ago and I like it better anyway.

[ravman]

I had the same issue with my SlingBox Pro recently also. The network port just died. The unit had been sitting in my cabinet for the best part of 2 years, with fans blowing cool air in, so it wasn't a case of it over heating.

I called Sling Media and they told me to run some tests (no request for the $29.95 paper charge). They told me my box was dead and because it was out of warranty, they would charge me $99 for a recon. I told them I would think about it, as I wanted to check out the Hava. The tech immediately went into sales mode and tried to persuade me to buy their product and not Hava.

Couple of weeks go by and I decide to just pay the $99 for the recon Pro. I call up and the tech tells me that as a one time gesture, they will replace my Pro free of charge as they are aware that the dead network port is a known issue. They place a $99 hold on my CC, sent me another unit and I shipped the faulty one back.

[sum_random_dork]

I had a Pro that the ethernet port died too, Sling was very nice and did replace mine as well. I think if you up front, honest, and nice to them they'll work with you. I know they have started to charge for support. Years back they'd replace items that were 2+ yrs old w/out question but those days are gone. Afterall, they do have to make money since they don't charge a monthly charge.

[Tele-TV]

I'm truly sorry to hear about your problems guys. :( Is the Pro HD 300 model? That's the one I plan on getting. TIA.

[Yoda-DBSguy]

[RANT ON]

All the replacement's they use to do and the "being nice" is over at this point. Not to long ago they had a recent policy change that took efffedct across the board as many of you have already mentioned. Even though the hardware has a 1 year warranty; they blaime pretty much anyhting on "software issues" which they only warranty for the first 30 days at this point.

They won't even talk to you about the sistuation without the 29.99 fee upfront at this point; which they classify as a diagnostic fee. If they determine it is a hardware issue replacement can happen at that point if it's still within the 1 year time frame from date of purchase; but it's a "no go" as to a refund of the so called up front "diagnostic fee".

Since they have been taken over by echostar; it has become very appearent that their customer service has gomne to hell in a handbasket so to speak.

Recent discontinuation of on going support for their older models (some of which were sold up until 6 months ago or so) such as the tuner, classic, and a/v models has the slinging community in an uproar to say the least. that coupled with the day old slingplayer app for the iPhone being only 3G (which is actually by AT&T demand still has people outraged to say the least).

[/RANT OFF] :rant:

[carl.066]

I was depressed after reading the above post. But I called them anyway. I got a nice gentleman in Costa Rica, and explained my dead Ethernet port issue with him. He asked the usual things for me to try, and I told him I had done them already. He then agreed my Ethernet port was indeed dead, and then proceeded to not only waive the $29.99 diagnostic fee but to exchange my 3-year-old Slingbox PRO with a refurbished one at no charge. I'm a happy camper.