Vulkano Flow - Slingin' TV

The Vulkano Flow ($99) is Monsoon Multimedia's latest product for placeshifting. Placeshifting, if you're not familiar, is making your television available anywhere - shifting the place you view. Placeshifting allows you, for example, to watch live television on your smartphone, laptop, or tablet when you're not at home.

Until recently about the only placeshift game in town was Slingbox. I had a Slingbox for awhile and mentioned it elsewhere on this site at the time. I gave the Slingbox away after I replaced my cable set-top-box (STB) with a Tivo because the STB had to feed either a TV or the Slingbox, not both without some kind of physical in-line switch. This shortcoming is overcome by the Vulkano Flow because the Flow provides output so that it can be used in-line between the STB or DVR. The cabling is component (or composite for standard definition applications) so copy protection (DRM) is not an issue but, obviously, that also means the convenience of HDMI is lost.

The Flow comes with component, composite and audio cables and the IR cable for controlling a STB or DVR. It also has built-in Wi-Fi for connection to a router if the unit is not within cabling distance. The remote viewer can control the STB/DVR remotely and pause playback within the app. Other Vulkano products include a hard drive or hard drive interface but the Flow can only record like a DVR when accessed through a computer with a hard drive on the same network. Portable devices do allow buffering/pausing up to 30 minutes, though.

I like placeshifting for two main purposes: Sometimes I like to keep up with a ballgame on my iPhone around the house, and when on the road I've been known to watch the local news. The second scenario was hit-and-miss with the Slingbox because there was no recording ability in the Slingbox or the STB to which it was attached. I had to be ready to view at news-time. With the Flow attached to my Tivo I have the ability to set programs to record and to play them back on demand.

Noteworthy limitations include picture resolution (720p max) and one remote viewer at-a-time. Also, viewing on less-than-optimum 3G cell coverage when away from your local network may require a lot of tweaking with picture quality.

Sling does offer products with comparable features (except for built-in wireless) but the price difference is substantial.

Local History

As I've stated a time or two, I am a fan of local history. So, I enjoyed this Reporter-Telegram's correspondent story of the capture and trial of some 1890s thieves. The story also mentions Jimmy Patterson's soon-to-be-published book, "Midland: A History of Character.” I sure hope someone reminds me when the book is released so I can go buy it.

And speaking of history... The spring meeting of the Permian Historical Society will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 16th at the Petroleum Museum. The public is invited to hear these presentations:

* Ginger Pope Schantz—1986 Immigration
* Craig & Jeff Fischer—History & story of 100 year old Kermit, TX
* Tommy Garrison—story of reviving the Boy Scout Hut in Iraan with help
from the late Rose Mary Rogers
* Tom Chick—Making of the movie “Giant” from a kids point of view plus
some music written by Tom.
* Victoria Scism—Stories from & about the Chihuahua Trail

If you are interested in local history, please visit the PHS website for more information and/or pass the link on to anyone you know is a history fan.