Slingbox: who's got one?

guncollector · Mar 20, 2006

So, who's got one?

Here's a screenshot from my home PC:

PROS:
- inexpensive $250 (relatively speaking compared to other solutions, i.e. Sony's Location-free TV which runs $1500+)
- easy-to-install
- works as advertised, can view your home video source from anywhere with a PC and the SlingPlayer software

CONS:
- only 1 viewer at a time per Slingbox
- Slingbox unit itself must be LAN-cable connected to router
- definitely not HD quality, but "good enough"

If you've been on the fence, do it!

CLHC · Mar 20, 2006

SlingBox eh? That's interesting. Never heard of it. Although I've been out of the loop regarding "electronic entertainment" and all its wonder.

gadget_lover · Mar 20, 2006

I've kind of figured that I'd have a TV sigal if I had broadband available. I already have web access to my tivos, so I can change their recording options remotely when I need to. I've never needed to in the last 3 yaers.

I don't see any particular value to the slingbox for myself.

Daniel

Spudman · Mar 20, 2006

I got one last week. We don't have cable at work and I thought it would be nice to watch the NCAA from my desktop. So far it has been a no-go. I have a problem somewhere with my router and can't watch the signal from a remote location. It works fine at home, but that doesn't help much. (Kentucky is out of the tournament now too)

I might try to troubleshoot it today and see if I can get it working.

Silviron · Mar 20, 2006

I thought about buying one....

But instead, I use the free Windows Media Encoder to do sort of the same thing.

I can watch live TV on my Pocket PC over my local wireless network, or even tune in over the internet from anywhere that has a broadband connection. Can also stream recorded videos and music from the hard drive.

Of course you need a TV tuner card or adapter for your computer... I use a fourty dollar USB device I got from NewEgg.

Here are instructions on setting it up:
Streaming TV over network

guncollector · Mar 20, 2006

FYI, Slingmedia, maker of the Slingbox, is coming out with SlingPlayer Mobile (for Pocket PC's)...its in beta right now.

Streaming video over the internet (i.e. "location-free tv" or "place-shifting") in realtime is great for travelling folks like me. Especially while overseas, because now, I can get Foxnews, local sports programming, or ESPN, or Discovery Channel, etc.

Spudman · Mar 21, 2006

I called tech support and they fixed my problem in about five minutes! It turns out my dsl modem was also acting as a router and I had to take that into account. I changed the settings and now I'm watching my home tv from the office. So far it's all working fine. I can change the channel and program favorite channels. The audio and video is only mediocre, but it is actually better than I was expecting for streaming video.

Now for some real multi-tasking.

Manzerick · Mar 22, 2006

Howard Stern advertises for it...I'm sold! LOL

guncollector said:
So, who's got one?

Here's a screenshot from my home PC:

PROS:
- inexpensive $250 (relatively speaking compared to other solutions, i.e. Sony's Location-free TV which runs $1500+)
- easy-to-install
- works as advertised, can view your home video source from anywhere with a PC and the SlingPlayer software

CONS:
- only 1 viewer at a time per Slingbox
- Slingbox unit itself must be LAN-cable connected to router
- definitely not HD quality, but "good enough"

If you've been on the fence, do it!

Slingbox: who's got one?

guncollector

Enlightened

CLHC

Flashaholic

gadget_lover

Flashaholic

Spudman

Enlightened

Silviron

Flashlight Enthusiast

guncollector

Enlightened

Spudman

Enlightened

Manzerick

Flashlight Enthusiast

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