What is the AirTV Player + Adapter?

The AirTV Player is a streaming media player designed to stream Sling TV channels to your TV. But the AirTV Player is not just another streaming media player. The AirTV Player is a unique streaming player that stands apart from other streaming players (Roku or Amazon Fire TV). The AirTV Player is a great device for helping Cord Cutters watch TV – without cable or satellite. Let’s take a closer look at what is the AirTV Player + Adapter.

What is the AirTV Player + Adapter?

Sling TV is an internet streaming subscription service for watching traditional cable programming from channels like HGTV, CNN, A&E, AMC, etc.

The AirTV Player + Adapter is an internet streaming player that provides an integrated interface for watching Sling TV, Netflix, and local OTA (over-the-air) broadcast channels. The Adapter connects a local OTA antenna to the AirTV Player. 

Read more about Sling TV.

What’s in the Box?

Inside the box there is an AirTV Player streaming media “box”, remote control, remote control batteries, HDMI cable, power cord, a OTA Adapter, a USB extender for the Adapter, and installation instructions. When you first open the packaging, the AirTV Player looks like it could be any other streaming player. However, when you use the AirTV Player with the OTA antenna Adapter, you quickly realize that the AirTV Player + Adapter is a unique streaming player.

AirTV Player + Adapter is Unique

The AirTV Player + Adapter is described as:

With the simple integrated guide, you can access shows and movies on Sling TV, local channels, Netflix and more — all in one place. The AirTV Adapter lets you connect your antenna and watch local channels right from within the Sling TV app! The AirTV Player is the only major streaming device that gives you access to local channel programming in such a simple way.

But what does that mean?

It means that the AirTV Player + Adapter is uniquely different from most other streaming players.

How is the AirTV Player + Adapter Unique?

Here is how the AirTV Player + Adapter is unique:

1. The AirTV Player runs a special version of the Sling TV app that is not available on other streaming devices.
2. The AirTV Player integrates the Sling TV app, Netflix, and local OTA TV broadcast channels into the Sling TV app – user interface.
3. Netflix recommendations like “Continue Watching” and “Trending Now” – are accessible from the Sling TV interface.
4. Local OTA TV broadcasts with current and upcoming programs – are accessible from the Sling TV interface.

Plus, when the AirTV Player is powered on, it automatically starts the special version of the Sling TV app.

While you are using the AirTV Player, there is no need to change your TV inputs on the AirTV Player to your local OTA antenna channels. And there is no need to switch apps within the AirTV Player from Sling TV to Netflix.

The AirTV Player integrates Sling TV, Netflix, and local OTA broadcasts – in an intuitive and modern interface. Very cool.

AirTV Player Hardware

The AirTV Player has the following hardware features:

• Ethernet or wireless internet capable
• HDMI port
• 4K HD Picture
• 2 USB ports
• Digital Audio

AirTV Player Remote Control

The AirTV Player hits a home-run on the remote control.

The size of the remote control is similar to other streaming player remotes, but just a little wider. That extra space is put to good use with buttons for on/off, volume up/down/mute, and google voice search buttons. There is even a dedicated button for Netflix and Sling TV.

The remote control uses wireless Bluetooth, which means it does not need to be pointed at the AirTV Player. The remote control can also be programmed to control your TV, audio receiver or sound-bar with infrared. (Infrared requires the remote be pointed at the TV.)

The buttons have a nice responsive feeling when pressed and create an audible, but soft “click” sound that verifies the button action.

The remote control has a very nice high-quality soft-to-the-touch feel.

There is even a “Remote Control FIND” button on the AirTV Player. When the “FIND” button is pressed, the remote control beeps “S.O.S.” (Morse-Code) until any button is pressed on the remote.

And finally, the remote control has integrated Voice Search using Google Search!

All of these features add up to high-quality highly-functional remote control that you want to hold and is enjoyable to use.

TV Antenna Adapter (Optional)

The AirTV Player integration of the local OTA TV antenna Adapter is certainly a stand-out feature for this streaming device. While you can get the AirTV Player without the antenna Adapter, the Adapter is what makes the AirTV Player special and unique.

The antenna Adapter plugs into a USB port on the AirTV Player and allows the AirTV Player to receive free local OTA TV broadcasts using your TV antenna (where local channels are available).

Available local OTA TV channels and guide information is displayed in the Sling TV guide below the Blue and Orange sections of the Sling TV Guide. And just like the Sling TV Guide, current and upcoming local OTA programs are displayed.

The seamless and intuitive integration of local OTA TV broadcasts into the interface of the Sling TV app is the feature that makes the AirTV Player stand out above other streaming players.

TV Antenna

The AirTV Player Adapter needs a OTA antenna to pull local TV broadcasts into the AirTV Player. 

You may be able to receive Live local TV through broadcast stations like ABC, NBC, CBS, CW, FOX, PBS, and more with an antenna. The available local TV channels and their signal strength can vary based on your location.

Click to enter your zip code and see what free TV channels you can get with an antenna.

There are several types of TV antennas you can use to get your local OTA channels.

• Mohu: Home of the #1 rated Indoor HDTV Antenna
• AmazonBasics Ultra Thin Indoor Antenna (25/35/50 Mile Range)
• AmazonBasics Amplified Indoor/Outdoor Antenna (60 Mile Range)
• Outdoor antennas

Sling TV Cloud DVR

The Sling TV Cloud DVR is an option for your Sling TV subscription. Most Sling TV channels and shows can be recorded to the Cloud DVR. No other hardware is needed for the Cloud DVR. The Cloud DVR costs $5/month.

There is no difference in how the Cloud DVR works with the AirTV Player.

Air TV Local Channels DVR (Beta – Live Customer Testing)

The Local Channels DVR (Beta) is a new feature of the AirTV Player. The Local Channels DVR records local OTA TV broadcasts to a hard drive or flash drive. To playback Local Channels DVR recordings, simply go to the DVR section in the Sling TV app.

Local Channels DVR Requirements:

• 50 GB – 1 TB USB Hard Drive or Flash Drive – for storing DVR recordings
• The USB Hard Drive or Flash Drive can only be used with the AirTV Player

What Do You Need For The AirTV Player?

The AirTV Player comes as a complete package for watching Sling TV.

All you need is a Sling TV subscription, Internet, and a TV with a HDMI port.

The AirTV Player’s OTA Adapter is an optional item, but it is a great addition to the AirTV Player. Watching local OTA TV broadcasts within the Sling TV app is a great feature of the AirTV Player and really improves the TV viewing experience.

The following is needed to watch local OTA TV through the AirTV Player:

• Antenna (Indoor/Outdoor) – for receiving local HD TV broadcasts of ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, etc.
• AirTV Player – OTA Antenna Adapter – for converting antenna signals into the AirTV Player

Other optional items:

• Sling TV DVR subscription ($5/mo)
• USB Hard Drive or Flash Drive – for DVR recordings of local OTA TV broadcasts of ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, etc.
• Netflix subscription

A Complete Cord Cutting Package

The more time I spent with the AirTV Player + Adapter, the more I appreciated its unique features. The AirTV Player + Adapter is more than a simple Sling TV streaming player. The AirTV Player + Adapter is a solid streaming player that integrates Sling TV, Netflix, and Local OTA TV broadcasts into one device.

With the AirTV Player + Adapter, you can quickly and easily switch from Sling TV channels (HGTV, AMC, CNN, etc.) to local OTA broadcast channels like ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX, and then to Netflix. You don’t need to switch the inputs on your TV. You don’t need to switch remote controls.

The AirTV Player + Adapter provides a very simple and intuitive way to Cut The Cord from cable or satellite TV. Cord Cutters who love Sling TV, will appreciate the simplicity and integration of Sling TV, Netflix, and local OTA TV broadcasts. The integration between Sling TV, Netflix, and local OTA TV broadcasts is really where this Cord Cutting device shines.

Current cable or satellite TV subscribers who want to Cut The Cord will find the transition from cable TV very easy with the AirTV Player + Adapter.

If you want to Cut The Cord, the AirTV Player + Adapter with a Sling TV subscription is a great option.

 

 

Note: SlingTV provided us with an AirTV Player + Adapter evaluation product. However, we did not receive compensation for this article and the article was not reviewed or edited by SlingTV before publishing. The content in this article is solely the thoughts and opinions of TheCordCutterLife.com.