Slingbox Central - Recently Updated Pages

How Do You Sling?

Anonymous — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 13:26:02 CDT

Has Slingbox revolultionized your life? How? Can't say it has revolutionized my life. I purchased my box so my brothers son could sling in from Iraq. He has used it on 5 deployments ( He is a Battlestar Galaxtica buff). When he is not overseas, he gives others the code so they can pop in watch thier favorites.

Slingbox frustration

Anonymous — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 20:38:52 CDT

Anonymous
Mar 15 2009, 3:04 PM EDT
I've checked all my connections and nothing appears out of place. The Slingbox has worked in the past but I got a new digital cable box. Could that be the problem? Any suggestions?

Anonymous
Jun 2 2009, 6:51 AM EDT
Having the same problem. Just rebooted the cable box and how have no audio.

Troubleshooting Guide

Anonymous — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:57:06 CDT

ok. I just got a slingbox.We set it up,and ran the set-up wizard. We configured our port forwarding on our wireless router. But, the slingbox remote control is controlling the tv as well. My last slingbox I could watch what i wanted on the raod and my family could watch what they wanted. Now I turn their channel while they are watching

piccc

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 07:17:22 CDT

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News and Articles

Anonymous — Fri, 25 May 2007 16:44:29 CDT

Slingbox News

Click EasyEdit to add more Slingbox stories.

[June 5, 2006] Slingbox for Mac Delayed 3 Months
Slingbox vice president of product management Jeremy Toeman disclosed over the weekend that the Mac OS X version of the company's software, which enables Slingbox users to watch their home television from anywhere with an Internet connection, has been pushed into the third quarter. (BetaNews.com)

[May 30, 2006] Slingbox lands in Europe
The Slingbox is available in Britain this week, ahead of a broader European launch later this year. Just in time for World Cup action!!! (Reuters | CNET)

Articles

[June 5, 2006] New Device 'Place-Shifts' TV; Changes Media Assumptions
... Yes, that thing that looks more like a candy-bar than a consumer-electronics gadget has the potential to be as disruptive to media and marketing models as a DVR. In concert with a DVR, it's a veritable game-changer. ... (AdAge.com)

Slingbox Competitors

Anonymous — Fri, 25 May 2007 16:43:52 CDT

The Slingbox is not the only product to offer highly customized and flexible options for viewing your programming on the go. Other contenders for the place-shifting throne are listed below.

Familiar with these products or use them? Think they are better than or deficient to Slingbox? Click EasyEdit to compare notes, tips, and recommendations.

LocationFree TV

What it does:
This Sony product, early to market in this space (consumer debut in 2004), is basically a wireless tablet with an LCD touchscreen that you can use to watch TV, surf the web, check email, etc. It comes bundled with a wireless base station that you connect to your cable box or TiVo so you can stream your TV programming to you anywhere in the world over the internet. You can even stream your DVD collection via your home DVD changer.

LCD comes in 12" and 7" sizes.

What it costs/where to get it: 12" model dings you ~$1,500 (limited-time $200 rebate will knock that down to $1,300) on SonyStyle.com

Can find Location-Free TV products much cheaper on Froogle (~$1,200 for the 12"; $850 for the 7"; try Amazon or eBay for used/refurbished for much cheaper)

PROs:

Web-surfing functionality enabled
Photo album functionality onboard
LCD flat panel screen has good resolution
Good sound
Can access home DVD collection via DVD changer
Onscreen remote
Software to extend viewing capability to other devices
PlayerPak package available for Notebook or desktop PC

CONs:

Clunky UI/poor web browser
Blocked from/incompatible with some secure websites
Expensive
Heavy to lug around
Limited wireless range
Poor battery life
Can miss critical moments due to dropouts
Performance lags using TiVo
NetAV access is hard to set up and buggy

Bottom line: Too expensive and not otherwise utilitarian enough to compensate.

Anyone try the Linux version?

SageTV

What it does: Turns your PC into a networked home media center by using SageTV and the SageTV Placeshifter together to stream Live TV and access all your media from any network connection at home or away from home across the Internet. See the SageTV Features list for all the available functionality for version 5.

What it costs: $99.95

Pros:

Record multiple shows at the same time. In HD..
Record in High Quality MPEG-2, MPEG-4 or DivX
still use PC while recording or TV while gaming, playing music, surfing the Internet or more.
Watch shows on your TV, PC or both.
Access live or recorded TV, music and photos from anywhere with SageTV Placeshifter and a high speed internet connection .
Stream High Quality MPEG-2 Live and recorded TV across your network with SageTV on any PC.
Access your Music collection quickly by Album, Artist or Playlists.

Cons:

requires high-speed internet connection
Complicated software
requires high level of computer knowledge to set up

Bottom line: works well, but you have to be willing to put in the time to learn how to use it.

TV2ME

What it does: delivers your home TV channels to your internet connected PC, laptop, or PDA anywhere in the world.

What it costs: US $4,750
Pros

watch TV on any device
exceptional image
remote control
TiVo / DVD compatible
Easy to Install

Cons:

$4,750

Bottom line: It costs $4,750

Anyone used this? Is it really worth this price?

Slingbox Central

wetpaint — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 18:51:06 CDT

Get Your TV to Go

Slingbox is a set-top contraption that will, for all intents and purposes, turn a PC or Smartphone into not just a TV, but specifically your TV, using “place-shifting” technology. Pretty cool, hey?

Is Slingbox for You?

No doubt the technology is nifty, but do you need another gadget in your life? Do you even have the right setup for it? Make a qualified decision here.

How Slingbox Works

This section provides an overview of the basic software and hardware components. Learn about how Slingbox works.

Setting Up Slingbox

Read and expand this overview of Slingbox setup steps and user options. Having a problem? Look for answers or ask a question in the Troubleshooting Guide.

Slingbox Competitors

Do you use a different place-shifting product or service? Think it's better, or are you ready to be won over to the Slingbox way of life? Compare notes and make recommendations here.

How Do You Sling?

Has Slingbox revolultionized your life? How? Write about it here.

Pros and Cons of Slingbox

Slingboxer — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 11:26:40 CDT

If you like the idea of having access to your recorded shows at any time, or travel extensively for work, it's hard to argue that Slingbox technology would fit well into your life. Following are pros and cons of this technology.

Click EasyEdit to expand this list of the best and worst features of Slingbox.

PROs:

Access to recorded programming and live TV away from home
Easy to set up
Reasonable quality over wireless
Good client support/flexibility
Intuitive player
No recurring charges

CONs:

Software remote not customizable
Expensive at $200 - $250
Can't save programming to computer for offline viewing
Frequent software updates

Compare and evaluate competitive products

Using Slingbox

Slingboxer — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 10:48:06 CDT

The Slingbox enables you to watch your own recorded or live TV programming by taking your television's signal and streaming it to wherever you may be. At home, the device turns your laptop into a portable TV, and if you're a road warrior and you've got to see your own personal Must-See TV programming, or you've TiVo'd the latest episode of 24 or Lost and you can't do without, you simply fire up your laptop, rent some screen time at an internet café, or turn on that Smartphone, and wherever you are, from Dubuque to Dublin, the Slingbox will hook you up. Finding a couch and chips is up to you.

Once your Slingbox is fully connected and the SlingPlayer has been successfully installed on your computer, there are several ways you can actually use the unit to watch TV.

At Home

If you use your Slingbox at home to watch your TV programming, the Slingbox will use your home network to stream from your TV to your computer. If you use the SlingPlayer on your laptop, then you essentially have a portable TV. Just start up the Player, and if you only use one Slingbox, it will automatically begin playing whatever's on your tube. If you have more than one unit, fire up the SlingDirectory and double-click on the Slingbox of your choice.

Away From Home

When you're watching your programming from a remote location, the Slingbox will use the internet rather than your home network to deliver the goods. This can result in a stream that isn't as clear as you're used to seeing at home, due to the vagaries of data transfer, your connection rate, and the rate of web traffic. The less bandwidth your machine is using on other applications, the more in can use on the Slingbox.

Once you've opened the SlingPlayer, click on the SlingDirectory and select the Slingbox you want to connect to.

On Mobile Phone, Smartphone, or PDA

Your SlingBox is available on mobile devices that use the Windows Mobile operating system, via the SlingPlayer Mobile application. Using WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, or high-speed cellular systems, the interface of SlingPlayer Mobile is slightly different than the one that appears on your PC, but accomplishes the same result. The software sells for $29.99 from Sling Media, though if you purchased and registered your Slingbox before April 26, 2006, the company will give you one free copy.

Sling Media is currently running a promotion to try SlingPlayer Mobile free for 30 days -- check it out.

What Slingbox Does and Doesn't Do

Slingboxer — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 10:34:12 CDT

For the television aficionado, the Slingbox can be quite a useful product. But it isn't for everyone—it has its limitations and isn't designed to work in every country or with every operating system. This page was created to help you discover whether or not this is the piece of technology for you.

Macintosh

Slingbox does not presently work with OS X, though Sling Media plans to support Macs sometime in 2006. However, with Apple's Boot Camp software, Windows XP can now be installed on Macintosh computers that contain an Intel chip, which suggests that the SlingPlayer could be installed on a Macintosh.

Linux

Slingbox is not designed to work on Linux machines.

Video Formats

Initially, the Slingbox was only designed for use with NTSC signals, which are primarily used in North America. A PAL-format Slingbox is slated for release in 2006, and third-party NTSC/PAL converters have been reported to work with varying degrees of success.

Multiple Users

The Slingbox can only be accessed by one user at a time, to stay in compliance with copyright laws and to ensure that you aren't broadcasting your TV programming to anyone who has the SlingPlayer on their computer.

Recording Content

The Slingbox is not designed to record TV programming—its only purpose is to stream any content, be it a live broadcast or a recording, from your TV source to a computer.

Community

Not surprisingly, an engaged community has built up around the Slingbox, made up of users both old and new, who are a constant resource to community members seeking information on the Slingbox. Located at slingcommunity.com, this group works with Sling Media to disseminate updates about the product.

How Slingbox Works

Slingboxer — Tue, 13 Jun 2006 01:25:09 CDT

Perhaps you've heard of time-shifting, which is the practice of recording your television programming to be watched at a time of your choosing, rather than at the actual time of broadcast. Time-shifting can be accomplished with a digital video recorder, a VCR, or a DVD recorder. Slingbox takes the vernacular a step further, utilizing what it calls "place-shifting," i.e. allowing a Slingbox user to watch programming from a different location, rather than from directly in front of the TV. Slingbox sends your television's signal to where you tell it to go, streaming via your home network if you're watching at a computer hooked up at home, or via the internet if you're elsewhere. A user controls the Slingbox with the SlingRemote, part of the SlingPlayer software suite used to access and watch the programming.

How SlingPlayer works

The Slingbox is the hardware that actually sends your programming to your PC. The SlingPlayer is the proprietary software suite that allows you to view your programming and to control the Slingbox from afar. The SlingPlayer is comprised of several features, including:

SlingRemote: Considered a virtual remote control, the SlingRemote allows you to control your Slingbox -- as well as everything plugged into your Slingbox, such as your cable or your DVR -- from your PC. Sling Media provides many different skins for the SlingRemote, so you can use a remote that has exactly the same look and functionality as the one that controls your TiVo or cable. Except this one doesn't get lost in the couch. The SlingRemote controls these third party pieces of hardware via an IR (infrared) emitter that is attached to the unit and connected to your Slingbox.
SlingStream: This is the company's proprietary software geared towards improving the quality of video playback.
Slingbox Directory: The directory shows you all of the Slingboxes that are available for your viewing, allowing you to connect to the box of your choice. Each Slingbox is identified by its Finder ID, and a user can add or remove various Slingboxes from their Directory.
Favorites Bar: Like bookmarks, for channels. Pick your favorites, and you'll have a one-click option to tune straightaway to your channels of choice.
Viewing Modes: The SlingPlayer allows a user to watch TV programming in three different modes: as a resizable window, full-screen mode, or SlingBar, which allows a user to dock the SlingPlayer on the right or the left of the desktop, making it possible for multitaskers to watch Desperate Housewives while they pay bills, surf the web, or do something else with their computer.

Installing SlingPlayer

Slingboxer — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 13:45:18 CDT

Step 3: Install SlingPlayer

The cables are connected, you've hooked your router up to your unit via Ethernet cables or an adapter, now you need to install the Slingbox software, SlingPlayer, on your computer, and make sure that it is able to communicate with your Slingbox.

Installation

Put the installation disc into your computer drive. It should either autorun, or you can double-click the install.exe file to manually initiate installation. The Installation Wizard will guide you through the process of installing the software.

Once the software has been installed on your machine, launch the SlingPlayer and it will engage a four-part check to make sure everything is connected and running properly.

Audio/Video connections: First the SlingPlayer will check to see that all of the A/V cables are correctly connected. If they are, you'll actually see your TV source playing on your monitor during the installation process.
IR control: Next, the SlingPlayer will examine your IR emitter, to ensure that it's appropriately connected to your TV source.
Name and password: The first time you launch the SlingPlayer, it will prompt you to create a name for your Slingbox, which is how you will identify the unit via the SlingDirectory. You can also create a password to use the Slingbox, and/or an administrative password for changing the unit's settings.
Remote viewing: The SlingPlayer will work with your router to make sure that it is configured to allow you to use the box from a different location. In order to do this, you will need to open one of your router's ports. Depending upon your router, you will have the option of allowing the Slingbox to take control of the router and open the port itself, or open it manually.
Sling Finder ID: When you install SlingPlayer, your Slingbox will be assigned a Finder ID. This ID facilitates communication and location when you're logging in remotely. By entering the ID into the directory manually, you won't need to know your computer's IP address when you're on the road and jonesing for an episode of The Simpsons or those latest ESPN highlights.

Firewalls

If you run a firewall on your computer, you may need to go into its settings and allow the SlingPlayer access to the outside world.

Upgrading your software/firmware

When a new version of the SlingPlayer is available, you will be prompted to download and install it when you open the application. This upgrade will also include the latest firmware upgrades for the Slingbox.

Installation steps:

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

Connecting Slingbox to Your Home Theater

Slingboxer — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 13:43:40 CDT

Step 1: Connect Slingbox to your home theater

The first step is to plug your TV source directly into the port in the back of the Slingbox. Your TV source can be the TV itself, a cable or satellite box, VCR, DVD player, DVR, or even your stereo receiver or camcorder -- whatever device is currently providing the source of your TV programming.

Cables: Slingbox works with standard composite Audio/Video cables, coaxial cables, S-video cables, and Ethernet cables. In the box you'll find two composite A/V cables and one each of the other aforementioned cables, as well as an IR (Infrared) Control cable.

S-video: If your TV is equipped with S-video, you'll get better picture quality by using the composite A/V cable in conjunction with the S-video cable. Simply use the audio plugs (the red and white ones) of the composite A/V cable, and let the video component (the yellow one) dangle, while attaching the S-video cable into the ports in the back of your Slingbox and your TV source.

Coaxial cable: If your TV source is an antenna or analog cable, you can plug the coaxial cable directly into the port on the back of the Slingbox, bypassing the TV itself. If you select this option, however, you'll need to run a composite A/V cable from the TV-out ports of your Slingbox into your TV. If the coaxial cable connects directly to your TV and your TV doesn't have A/V out ports, or if the coaxial cable runs your modem, use a cable splitter before attaching the cable to your Slingbox.

IR emitter: The Slingbox doesn't have a remote control other than the virtual one on your desktop, but by connecting the included IR emitter, you can control your cable or satellite box, DVR, or DVD player, depending upon what unit you've attached the emitter to.

Insert the IR cable into the rear of the Slingbox until you hear it click in securely, and then attach the emitter to the front of the device you want to control, on the top and bottom of the IR sensor. This will allow your Slingbox to communicate with your device via the SlingRemote.

Upgrading the Slingbox firmware: When new firmware for the Slingbox becomes available, the SlingPlayer will be prompted to download and install it for you, when you open up the application. You can upgrade the firmware manually via the SlingPlayer, as well.

Installation steps:

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

Connecting Slingbox to Your Network

Slingboxer — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 13:42:24 CDT

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

Setting Up Slingbox

Slingboxer — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 13:13:50 CDT

Slingbox Out of the Box

The Slingbox comes packaged with all you'll need to set up the unit, including:

AC adaptor

1 Ethernet Cable

2 RCA Composite A/V Cables

1 S-video Cable

1 RF/Coax Cable

1 Dual IR Emitter Cable

1 Quick Start Guide

1 SlingPlayer Software Installation CD

Setting up your Slingbox should be a fairly straightforward process. Follow these three steps to set up your unit:

Slingbox Minimum Requirements

Slingboxer — Mon, 05 Jun 2006 12:39:43 CDT

System Requirements

Windows XP Home/Pro/MCE Operating System
Pentium IV 1GHz or equivalent processor
256MB RAM
100MB free hard disk space
24-bit color graphics card
16-bit sound card
CD-ROM drive
Network connectivity via Ethernet, Wifi, or Powerline

Network Requirements

Router

Remote Viewing Requirements

Broadband internet connection
Router with DHCP enabled

SlingMobile Device Requirements

Operating System
Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition for Pocket PC or
Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition for Pocket PC Phone or
Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PC and Pocket PC Phone

4 MB of hard disc space
10 MB of available program memory
Windows Media Player 9 or 10
Network download speed of at least 112Kbps
Audio support