Step 2: Connect Slingbox to your network

Once you have connected your Slingbox to your home theater, you'll need to install it into your home network. You'll need to connect the Slingbox to your network router, which can be accomplished in a variety of ways.

Routers: In order to use your Slingbox from a remote location, you need to have a broadband connection and a router for your home network. Sling Media, the company that developed and manufactures the Slingbox, includes a selection of recommended routers on its website.

Connecting Slingbox to your router

Ethernet cables: The easiest way to connect the Slingbox to your router is via the Ethernet cable that comes packaged with the unit. If the cable isn't long enough to reach between the Slingbox and the router, you can either buy a longer cable or resort to a different connection method.

Wall-plug bridge: A wall-plug bridge will use your home's electrical outlets to hook up your Slingbox. Simply plug one bridge into your Slingbox, the other into your router, and you're in business. There are several different brands of wall-plug bridges, including Powerline and HomePlug, and Slingbox makes its own, the SlingLink. A SlingLink is not included with the Slingbox unit and must be purchased separately. [need to find links for the three wall-plug bridges]

Wireless: Although the Slingbox does not come with wireless capabilities, if you have a Wi-Fi router, you can connect your unit with a variety of third-party adapters. In this case, you'll need an Ethernet-to-wireless adapter, or a wireless adapter used for gaming. Plug the Ethernet cable into the port in the back of the Slingbox, power up the adapter, and your router's wireless signal should connect to the unit.


Installation steps:

1. Connect Slingbox to your home theater
2. Connect Slingbox to your network
3. Install SlingPlayer