This device simultaneously exceeded my expectations and failed to meet them. Let me start with the bottom line of whether or not you should buy this device.Buy IF:
You want good quality streaming video
You want to watch this from a Windows PC.
You want to watch this from a Windows mobile device or one of the other supported mobile phones.
You have a wired LAN.
You run your TV signal through a box of some sort (even a vcr works).
You don't mind doing some cable re-wiring on your home theater.
Buy WITH CAUTION IF:
You want wireless at home, but you have a lot of wireless interference on your current network.
DON'T Buy IF:
You want to watch this from a Mac
You want to watch this from an unsupported phone (such as a Blackberry or iPhone).
You are expecting to be able to run a COAX signal to the HAVA.
You want HDMI input and output.
You are expecting it to be more or less cable free.
You want to run a WIFI connection other than 802.11g.
Tips:
If you want to use a mobile phone, check the HAVA website for support for your phone before buying.
Don't install the software using the disk included. Go straight to the HAVA web site and get the latest software. If you don't you'll end up doing it anyway.
Now for some background information.
I really didn't know what to expect in terms of the actual device and the setup. I was left both pleasantly surprised and frustrated.
To start with, the packaging is surprisingly simple. All the cables (except HDMI) are included and are clearly labeled in individual packages. The device itself is quite small and lightweight. The getting started guide is simple and straightforward. You can tell that they took time thinking about the initial experience out of the box.
I have a wired LAN, but I don't have an HD receiver other than the one built into my TV. Since I didn't want my TV to be on every time the hava is accessed, I ended up routing the signal through a DVD recorder. Luckily, the included cables made it easy.
I installed the software on my Vista Home Premium computer. The install didn't have any crashes and was fairly simple, except that it doesn't ask you to check for updates until it is completely done. You immediately then are redirected to a site where you download the whole setup and re-run the install, which includes a reboot and several messages from Windows about Media Center being stopped and started. Wasn't a problem, just something to note.
The setup wizard was simple. I was surprised at how easy it was to configure the device and to be remotely changing channels, powering off, etc. It also upgraded the device firmware without issue. Having it on the wired LAN saved a lot of time. I had it fully setup in about 10 minutes (not including the time it took to install the software). The wireless option works fine (with the included usb attached WI-FI adapter), but if you use an encrypted network, expect to have to take a few extra steps to get it all working (visit their support website for details).
The player that is installed on Vista is very nice looking. The interface is simple and attractive. The video quality exceeds my expectations. I am very impressed with the video quality over my 100/1000 Mbit LAN.
The next thing I wanted to do is view it on my blackberry curve... this is where I wanted to cry. This was the main reason I wanted the device and I find out that, as of the time I write this, that only Windows mobile devices and a couple of Nokias are supported. No Blackberry, no iPhone, etc. This was very disappointing. Be smarter than me and check what mobile devices are supported before you buy.
I was able to view it remotely over the internet without much hassle. I had to register my device with the service (which actually happens when you run the setup wizard) and then install a player on the system that I wanted to watch. All I had to do was use the name and password I gave it during the setup wizard... really couldn't be much easier.
So, why 3 stars and not more? I have a Macbook. I have a Blackberry. I can't watch TV via the HAVA using either device. If you only want to watch using Windows or Windows Mobile devices, then I would give this 4+ stars (assuming the cell phone player works well) and can certainly recommend it for the price.
What I don't like about the Slingbox Pro is that they nickel and dime you to death for add ons. Want wireless? You'll have to pay for that. Want to actually use the high definition capabilities of the "HD Pro" Slingbox? That'll cost you another $50 for a proprietary dongle. Want to watch your Slingbox on a cell phone? That also extra.
The HAVA includes all those options in the package AND it's cheaper to boot. In addition, the HAVA offers capabilities not available on the Slingbox, namely the ability to stream to up to three devices simultaneously (Slingbox only streams to one device at a time) and the ability to record to an attached hard drive (option), to act as a low budget DVR (I didn't test this). So far, so great. But the question is: How well does it work.
The answer is, mostly, very well. Setup is not quite as slick as for the Slingbox (which is incredibly easy), but I found it straightforward and not particularly time consuming. Once setup (using their setup program), and having connected my Tivo Series 3 high definition box, I was ready to see how it worked in the field. The first test was using a PC elsewhere in my home. The connection there is very strong, and not unexpectedly, given the good bitrate, the picture was excellent. (Note that although this is marketed as "high definition" it's actualy the low definition version of high definition, 720 x 480--a limitation of wireless among other things). The picture was strong and constant--no stuttering or other snags. Of course, this was an easy test, since the wireless signal is excellent.
The better test was to see how the remote software player dealt with poor or mediocre bit streams. To test this, I took both my laptop and my Windows Mobile phone to a local coffee shop where the wireless connection is only fair. Trying out the laptop first, I found the video to be pretty good. On occasion the video would stall, but it was mostly smooth and DEFINITELY very watchable. As is the case with Slingbox, the viewing software appeared capable of reducing the resolution as the bitrate fell (the picture got softer when the bitrate fell). I had the same experience watching on my Windows Mobile phone.
For comparison, I also viewed my Slingbox remotely from the same location. The picture quality was generally comparable, although if pushed to the wall I would say that the Slingbox picture was perhaps a little better. But it was certainly not a substantial difference.
On the whole, I found the HAVA + player software to be nearly as good as the Slingbox. Now, if they were comparably priced, I'd suggest going with the Slingbox. However, given that the HAVA player gives you several options for free that Slingbox charges for, and offers two functionalities not available at all on the Slingbox (stream to more than one device at a time, connection to a USB hard drive) I am inclined to recommend the HAVA.
Buy HAVA Titanium HD TV Device with Wi-Fi Now
The Hava Titanium HD Wi-Fi is the obvious competitor for the better known Slingbox Pro, which lets you watch your TV on your laptop or other mobile device while you're on the go. But which one is better? You decide.Both the Hava and Slingbox are easy to connect to your TV, DVR (like TiVo), cable or satellite box, but the Slingbox Pro offers three inputs. You can connect your Slingbox to your cable box or satellite box, your DVD player and your DVR at the same time. Both work with HD. The newer version of the Slingbox Pro (not tested) has a digital off-air tuner to work with a digital signal received through an antennae. Hava comes with a Wi-Fi dongle. The Slingbox Pro doesn't, but the company offers products like the SlingLink Media Ethernet Connection Bridge or the Slinglink Turbo Enet Connection Bridge for an additional price. Still, when it comes to input options, the Slingbox Pro is easily the winner.
Both the Hava and the Slingbox are easily set up on your computer with a little help from customer service. Both offer excellent customer service, and--at the time of this review--both let you talk with native English speakers, not a small thing in this day and age when most companies seem to hire customer service employees with impossible to understand accents. Slingbox customer service can take over your computer if needed to make installation easy and pain-free. Hava's device is so easy to connect, their customer service can simply walk you through it. Both let you download the latest software easily. Both are constantly updating their software and offering new features. For example, at the time of this writing, Slingbox says it will soon allow you to watch many popular TV shows directly from their website. Round two is clearly a tie.
But what about the picture? Here's where I started to notice a slight difference between the Slingbox Pro and the Hava. The picture quality is good for both, but the Slingbox Pro's tended to drop on occasion and cause a delay in streaming. That wasn't a problem for the Hava. Comparing both systems to live TV, the Hava had a two second delay, but the Slingbox's delay became longer with each drop in the picture, with delays up to 12 seconds on a computer in the same house. Round three goes to the Hava.
Both give you buffering, which lets you rewind and so on. However--and this is a big plus--the Hava lets you record what you're watching to your computer, something the Slingbox does not do. This is a clear win for the Hava.
And finally there's the most important question: do both systems let you watch your home entertainment programs while you're out of the house like they're supposed to? I have repeatedly encountered problems with the Slingbox. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn't. But I have never encountered this problem with the Hava. Another round for the Hava. I have yet to test either device with a smart phone.
All in all, I like the Hava better than the Slingbox Pro because it works when I need it out in the field, and not just on my home network. Still, I like the Slingbox Pro's multiple inputs. Which one is best for you? You decide.
Read Best Reviews of HAVA Titanium HD TV Device with Wi-Fi Here
This is the only that you can record from a HD DirectTV unit and be able to play back video anywhere in the house. The video is standard MPEG2 unlike Slingbox so any media extender can read the video. The quality of video is flawless, the interface is slick, setup is straight forward. It works well over the home wifi (802.11g).The rough spots:
Integration with Microsoft Media Center Edition (MCE) is rough: a) you need a MCE remote IR blaster before MCE will control the DIrecTV unit though the Hava. You must cleanly exit MCE before shutting down or going into standby, if you don't MCE loses the ability to change channels. The only other media software that seems to work with unreasonably with the Hava is SageTV and it requires a different blaster (it can't use the Hava remote SW yet) than MCE and someway of sending the blaster signal to the DirecTV unit.
It's better than anything else out there but still early in the development cycle. The video quality is there but the firmware/software is still rough around the edges.
Want HAVA Titanium HD TV Device with Wi-Fi Discount?
The unit is manufactured by Monsoon Multimedia. It is a lesser known brand than its major competitor, Sling Media, makers of Slingbox. Generally speaking, the Hava line offers more features at a lower price point. Hava has a very impressive comparison chart on its website. It is definitely worth reviewing as you make your decision. In fact, I would strongly suggest that you review the detailed specifications for each of the competing units on their respective websites. It's an education in what may be a new technology for many and well worth the time it takes.Installation took a few hassle-free minutes, including a firmware update.
What is the result of so little effort? You can view your television channels on any computer connected to your local network and from any computer connected to the internet.
With the advent of very lightweight, inexpensive but reasonably powerful netbooks, Hava can open a new dimension in portable entertainment. With WiFi, you can watch your television from anywhere accessible by your network. In my environment, on a 802.11g wireless connection, the picture is gorgeous and lags just a few seconds behind the cable-fed box. There's an onscreen remote to use with TiVo, in my case, any many others for those controlling their cable box or other device.
The number of users on a local network is limited only by bandwidth.
You can also log in via the internet, which is a hoot and also very convenient. Staying at a motel that doesn't carry your favorite channel? Watch it using your Hava and for a potent combination, your DVR, such as a TiVo.
Hava also provides remote clients for a number of cell phones and PDAs. For some reason, I had poor results with my two Windows Mobile 6.x VGA devices in landscape, but reception was nothing less than astounding in portrait mode. On one I was using WiFi, on the other, Sprint's EV-DO Rev. A network.
This is a product that delivers what it promises. A hassle free installation and problem-free performance. I am very, very pleased with it.
A word about Hava's customer support: it is exemplary. I had a problem understanding something: not a difficulty with the product just something about its use that I could't figure out. I called Hava tech support and was amazed at how much time and energy the Hava tech spent with me. A rarity in this age.
Overall, I find the Hava to be an excellent product and would recommend it over the Slingbox, based on specifications and my personal experience.
Jerry
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