Slingbox
By: Sandy Berger Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-05-17 21:22:00-04:00
Want to catch that big game while you work? Wish you could watch your favorite program in the basement, garage, patio, or any other area where there isn't a television? Want to watch that local sporting event from your out-of-town hotel room? Slingbox is the answer, an impressive technology that allows you to watch your local television programming from anywhere in the world using an Internet-connected computer.
The Slingbox is small, approximately 4" by 10" by 1 ½". It beams your television signal to the Internet where you can watch it on any Internet-connected Windows PC. It can handle live television, satellite receiver, and cable connection or cable box, as well as video from a digital video recorder.
The three-step set up is straightforward, but not necessarily simple. First you connect the Slingbox to your video source. You can also connect it directly to your television input without a television. Then you connect the Slingbox to the router from your home network. All the necessary cables are included. The third step is the easy installation of the SlingPlayer software on the computer you want to use to view television programming.
If you have a universal plug-and-play (UPnP) router, everything will be set up automatically. Older routers, and those without UPnP will require extra steps. The instructions for this type of setup are detailed and thorough. If your router and television source are in close proximity, the set up is easy. If you want to use a wireless network or your router and television source are in different rooms, the hookup gets a bit more complicated. Luckily the Sling Media technical support staff is both knowledgeable and helpful.
Once the Slingbox is setup, all you do is start the password-protected SlingPlayer program on your computer. An on-screen remote control allows you to change channels so you can watch any program that you get on your home television. If you have a TIVO or other digital video recorder you can also watch recorded programs. You can even program your recorder remotely from the Slingbox program. The Slingbox is also compatible with Windows mobile devices, so if you have the right PDA or cell phone and Internet service plan, you can also watch the Slingbox TV on a portable device.
Both the hardware (SlingBox) and the software (SlingPlayer) work great. Picture quality is dependent on the computer used, as well as the amount of bandwidth for your Internet connection. If you have a broadband connection, the picture will be at least adequate and in some cases quite good. The size of the video on your computer screen can be decreased to give greater clarity over a slower connection or increased for easier viewing when you have a better connection.
Only one computer can watch the Slingbox connection at any given time. However if the Slingbox is connected to a television, you and a Slingbox viewer can watch the same thing. Both the remote user and the in-home viewer will be able to change channels, so you may have to watch out for an unusual war of the remote control.
This is amazing technology that works quite well. You can watch your home television with minimal quality loss almost anywhere in the world. You don't even have to have a computer or the television running at home. It is a technology that won't be useful to everyone, but many will find it both exciting and useful.
Specifications
Product: Slingbox
Manufacturer: Sling Media
Price: $249.99
Platform: Currently works with only Windows XP/2000 computers and Windows Mobile devices.
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