Sony LF-V30 LocationFree Base Station

I would like to have done this a long time ago, but the technology seems to be just now becoming viable. Based on the research and reviews, the prior versions of the Sony product did not make it worth the purchase. Slingbox was the way to go. However, with this latest release (lf-v30) Sony has caught up and passed Slingbox in the place shifting arena (IMHO). I was able to pick up the Locationfree via price matching by BB for $199. Thus making the Sony cheaper than the Slingbox for similar capability

The first and biggest advantage of the Sony is that its WIRELESS!. This alone was the biggest decision factor for me. I did not want to run 100' of Ethernet cable from my router to the base unit nor did I want to plop down an extra 80 bucks for Slinglink. I was also a little skeptical about the socket networking as my experience with other socket networking products has been sketchy at best. I plugged in the Unit and it found my wireless LAN right away.

Performance has been terrific. Video streaming is smooth and fast. Color and picture are crisp clear and vivid. Nice picture. And I only have the RCA video cable hooked up. The only issue I have run across is that the video stream will freeze or terminate when I am receiving a large email or file across the network. Otherwise it works flawlessly. My Vonage IP phone does not even seem to impact the video stream while I am on conference calls (nor does the phone degrade while streaming).

I like the option of multiple video inputs. Will try plugging in my DVD player at some point and watch movies remote. If that works I may upgrade my DVD player to a "jukebox" player and have my movie library available anywhere I go. (that or convert all my movies to digital files). I plan on upgrading my DVR to HD some time soon and I like having the option of being able to stream that as well via the component inputs.

Installation was relatively easy. Just follow the wizard and it walks you through it with no problem. I did run into one hiccup when trying to stream the video across the Internet. I could not get the NETAv test to pass and had to end up calling support. That was one of the most pleasant support calls I have ever had. Reached a service rep immediately with no wait. He was able to take control of my laptop remotely and had the problem fixed within 5 minutes. Turns out I have an older DSL router paired with a Linksys wireless router. The install recognized this as a multiple router setup which can cause complications. The service Rep accessed my routers via my laptop remote session, opened up a port on my DSL router and got the issue fixed.

All in All I am extremely satisfied and would highly recommend this solution to anyone interested in place shifting their TV viewing.

The unit seems to be working as described. It's the only LocationFree station I know of that takes Component cables, and although I could have rigged something up on a previous model, it's nice to just do it right.

The setup wasn't as easy as I had hoped for, but they really do encourage you to call Sony's support for assistance, which I like. So don't worry, call em up and they will get you through it.

I use the device with my PSP and it's quite impressive. The video quality is downright excellent. I was shocked out how well it worked. The "remote control" on the PSP and the PC clients mimicks the actual remote that you have not just in functionality, but in look as well. So you can jump right in and feel comfortable instantly controlling the TV remotely, was very impressed.

The ONLY difficult part with setup was getting my router to let the signal through, although even that wasn't very difficult (Sony help could EASILY walk anyone through this)... after that, the settings and options with the unit are easy to access and for the most part, everything is automatic and simplified. You can easily connect directly to the box via WiFi with the PSP or a computer and manage settings (not much to manage) but if I'm in another room, sometimes I'll just connect dirctly with my PSP and watch the TV.

Again, the picture/sound quality is excellent and providing you have a decent connection, I don't see there being any real issues.

I purchased a video/audio out cable for my PSP and plug it into hotel/friends TV's when I'm out of town and can literally watch my TV from home, on another TV easily anywhere I go.

I highly recommend this unit, it works as it's supposed to do, and because it has PSP functionality, it's much more valuable than a slingbox.

Also, if you are buying this and don't own a PSP ignore the "gaming" aspects of the PSP, for $169.00 that the PSP sells for, it's worth it's weight in gold as just a simple movie/LocationFree viewing device.

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great device, works great with PSP and PC. i read reviews that installation was a little more than expected. i found the installation to be a breeze, very easy. lol, i failed to use the ir (infrared) blaster. therefore, my remote was not working, DUU. basically, the ir blaster is a little device that plugs into the base station and sends the single out to cable or sat box like your remote would. place the end with the ir tip near your cable or sat box.

i am very pleased. hope you enjoy yours as much.

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Like one of the other reviewers, I too had to get help from the Sony folks, but they were great. It is quiet complicated to get it up and running, especially since I was using a Mac, not a PC. You have to buy the Mac software from as a download.

PSP The picture is great. There is a slight delay when you use the remote but that is expected since you are controlling it over the internet. I love being able to get Laker games in any of the cities I travel to. Since I have it hooked up to a DVR, I can watch "my programs" instead of CNN for hours in an overseas hotel.

Mac As long as you don't stretch the image to full screen size, the picture is quite good. I had read that the interface for the Mac wasn't ideal, but I don't see any problems.

Possible Cons I have yet to get the PSP Component A/V output cables to work on a TV. I am only getting sound, but I have an e-mail into Sony to see if there is a simple fix.

I have read where people complain that there isn't a HDMI input. It is a copyright protection issue with HDMI, component does have the same issues.

OverallI highly recommend this to anyone who travels a lot and spends too much time in hotels stuck with one or two channels that speak English.

Update: I have now had this for several months. I still love it. I had to go back to Sony Customer Service to help me when I replaced my wifi router. It is extremely complicated to swap passwords, change WEP to alternate encryption methods.

The only problem I have encountered is if you are at a hotel and they have weak wifi, your picture will suffer.

The sounds always remains strong though.

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I was looking at the Slingbox products, but didn't want to pay that much. This device is great because it has wireless capability built in! No extra adapters needed, unlike Slingbox products. It even has a switch on the back to set to client mode so you can use with your current wireless router.

The wireless works better than expected.

The initial setup was a little challenging, only because of the many features of the product. Luckily though, I didn't have to call support...whew. The software viewer supplied was easy to install and setup. This product even has a feature where it will get your remote control settings using your existing remote control of your DTV or Cable box remote. The viewer software displays a virtual remote control, which looks exactly like the one at home.

Pros:

Great price!

Wireless built in!

Great video quality with no lags, even using wirelessly.

Remote control feature makes no down time while using how to work the controls!

Only cons that I can point out:

Set asise a few bucks for a set of component cables, only composite are included

No HDMI, but luckily my DTV receiver will output HDMI and component at the same time, so I didn't have to use the pass through feature