So both the Vulkano and Solo are $99.  Apologies if this is rambling a little, but I'm still working through my options.  I have an HTPC, W7 and HD Homerun Prime.  Eventually I will be using the HTPC to watch Live/Recorded TV on my TV, but I would like the ability to watch cable from outside the house at times by having the HTPC output a signal to the placeshifting device using one of the three tuners. I have access to the PC through remote desktop viewers so I don't believe I will have an issue changing channels or require the need for a built in tuner.  Also, I have a 1Gbps connection available for the HTPC/placeshifting device.  My HTPC is a Shuttle barebones with an HDMI and DVI outputs.  HDCP issues aside, any suggestions one way or the other?  I am trying to avoid having the main TV forced to watch the channel the remote viewer is watching.  I was also wondering if I could install a video card to output to the placeshifting device and use something besides MCE to access a separate tuner and output to a "second display" which is really the placeshifting device?  I know there might be issues with protected content if not using MCE but that might be okay.  I would also want to be able to access MCE and any recorded shows I might have as well.

Thanx – did occur to me but I want to remotely set and get to my recordings on the HTPC. 

Thanx – but since it's an HTPC, I can get to it and crank up any video on it to a real or virtual display from an iPad or PC using Teamviewer or Splashtop.  In fact, Splashtop is almost usable in and of itself to view remotely over a good connection, its just not very good over 3G.  I thought a Vulkano or a Slingbox will handle worse connections better by allowing quality adjustments, etc. So ultimately my netted out question is:

Is there a preference between the Vulkano and Slingbox if a built in tuner is not necessary?  I think the hookup/usability nod goes to Slingbox but performance over less than perfect connections most folks like the Vulkano better and the app is cheaper for the Vulkano as well.  Anything else I might need to worry about?

I forgot to add that I do have a remote receiver for the HTPC and I believe I see mention of MCE integration for Slingbox so I guess that adds to usability from a spouse factor.  The less I need to explain or have her perform function wise the better.

Appreciate the info.  Money aside, if I could get a refurb Slingbox HD for $150 would that change any opinions?  I read somewhere that the difference between the two also came down to compression methods as well as transmission methods (TDP vs UDP?).  I thought you could dial down the quality/resolution on these in case transmission bandwidth was an issue.  I guess what I'm asking is there a best of both worlds with one of these where you can get decent quality pic with a decent connection and still get functionality on 3G?

I just noticed a few threads along the lines of comparing devices in this forum (not sure how I missed when googling before) so I'll read up on them as well.

Yeah – just got to wait for the deal to come around again, thanx.  Shouldn't be too long…