Does anyone have a 'slingbox' ????

[douga]

Just found out about a relatively new gadget called a slingbox. It allows you to view your tv programs/stations that you have at home anywhere in the world on a laptop. Thought it would be great to be able to use my laptop while in the villages to view my satellite TV programs that I have 'up north'. I am still researching the concept and see lots of great things about it but also some concerns. I was wondering if anyone on this forum has a slingbox and if so how is it working. Love to talk to someone about it.

doug

[nova12]

We have a sling box and love it. It's not like watching your tv at home but it passable. To use it in TV you will have to have an internet connection there as well as a pretty high speed connection at home, where your box is.

[douga]

Nova..Do you have high speed in the Villages as well as at home? Do you access satellite Tv(if you have it at home) while in the Villages?
thanks

[ijusluvit]

I've had Slingbox for 2 years. I'ts just as described - you watch your home TV on your laptop from anywhere. There have been two or three free upgrades in that time, each improving the reception. It certainly isn't HD quality yet, but I still love it. High speed internet is required. and I think your home tv has to have a cable box or satellite receiver hooked to it. The slingbox is about 6"x6"x1.5" in height. It has two cords which you align with the remote control sensor on your cable/satellite box. When you turn on slingbox there is a remote control device pictured on your computer screen and you use the cursor just like pressing your remote buttons on your TV.
I paid about $150 and bought it on line from slingbox.com. Worth it!!

[Boomer]

OK. Let me see if I am getting this right.

This sounds like it means that if I get one of these Slingbox things, I will be able to take my laptop into a room in my house where I do not want to put a television to take up permanent space, and this thing will let me watch television in said televisionless room.

If so, this may be the best invention since I got my Betamax.

Well, I don't know what it is, but I want it.

Boomer

[douga]

I know that it sounds too good to be true Boomer. When I saw the news about it on a tech program on TV, I thought it sounded like it was something that I just had to have. Been doing some research and it looks like it is the real deal. I have high speed internet at home but when I am renting in the Villages I was concerned that I would not be able to get high speed there but I have posted a question in another thread.

At the moment, one of my concerns is that my home computer is still a fair distance from my tv so it looks like either running a long cable or getting something that is about $150 to create a link without running the cable.

Another concern I have is that some people seem to have a problem getting the sling box to match with their Bell expressview satellite tv's (Canada).

I am pretty good with the computer but not a techie so am concerned about the setup how to get it matched with my laptop. Oh well, more searching on the internet later today.

Have I created a monster??? :laugh:

Doug

[Boomer]

.
Have I created a monster??? :laugh:
Doug

Well, Doug, I don't think you have created a monster at all. In fact, I think you have done a good deed.

This may solve the problem of how to watch television once in awhile in a room where I do not want a television taking up permanent residence.

Actually, Doug, this is about a decorating issue that I have. And you, Kind Sir, may have just figured it out for me. When we come back to rent in TV our laptop will come along. But I don't think I would need the laptop to be the television there. But here at the Ohio house, this Slingbox thing sounds like exactly what I need. (and I love its name for some reason)

I will tell Mr. Boomer about this. He understands this stuff. We have some kind of little network in our house. And now we have 4 computers. I have mine in the kitchen and I also have a laptop. Mr. Boomer has two in his office here. One is dedicated to just ham radio stuff. (Speaking of decorating issues, you should hear our antenna discussions, but that's another topic altogether. I digress.)

Back to this little network. -- Then there is something called a router. (But wait. He also has something called a router that he does things to wood with.) Oh, I don't even know what I am talking about. I am just trying to say that I think we have lots of signals traveling throughout our abode.

So Mr. Boomer will look into this Slingbox thing I know. And I will let you know what he finds out.

Thank you.

Boomer

[douga]

Well I have been doing some more research as well. There are a lot of good sites with information. All you have to do is google 'slingbox' and tons of good sites come up. I think the main question is do you have high speed at home and it looks like you have several computers so you must have a network but that is not necessary but you must have a router if you have high speed. It looks like you just have to connect the tv and the router to the slingbox and then do a thousand configurations(just kidding) and you should be ready to go. You do have to get the software from sling to install on you laptop or whatever computer you are using(think it costs $29) and then they say you should be ready to go.

My main problem is using bandwidth. My ISP allows me 60 gb a month and then charge extra for any additional bandwidth used up to a maximum of $30. Since this is streaming from you tv to your computer if does use up some bandwidth. I know that with my 60 gb a month I could download about 88 movies so it does seem to be a lot. Sounds like Mr. Boomer will be doing some reading on the internet etc. Please let me know what is happening. I am still up in the air about it because here in Canada I use bell expressview and some sites say that slingbox does or does not work well so I guess more research is in order. Lots of good forums out there so guess that is where I am headed.
Doug

[mom2five]

Hi Doug

I am also a Canadian and would love to be able to get some Canadian programming here in TV. I hope you will keep us updated on how this works for you. In Canada we have a rogers high speed connection and in TV we have Comcast.

[JohnN]

Boomer and all,
interesting topic, I plan to follow it, though I'm technically challenged

I do have high speed wireless in TV

[rshoffer]

No but.... Momma's got a squeezebox, daddy never sleeps at night!

[ouma1938]

I just watched a 4 minute promo on my TV that was placed there by Dish Network (my service). It looks fantastic and says that you can also access your programs on your Blackberry phone or your laptop. I am going to do a little more research as it looks like something I can really use. This has been a timely and perfect thread for me. Once again TOTV makes life grand!

[douga]

Oh boy..I am glad I started this thread..Looks like some of us maybe getting ourselves a Christmas present or two. After doing research for the most part of the day I have found a couple of sites you might look at. I will post them at the end. I was almost ready to jump in the car and drive to Ottawa(an hour away) and get one but alas the more I read and research the more confused or worried I become(not too hard to confuse me these days).

A couple more thoughts for you to consider.

1. Looks like you should have high speed internet at both ends
2. If your router is not in the same room as your tv then you will have have to buy a slingbox turbo which allows you to connect the two of them(tv and router) wirelessly but up here it costs more than the :cus:slingbox. They say you can get a wireless gaming adapter instead but I am not familiar with this.
3. Probably an extra cost for your blackberry but not sure.
4. check out your ISP and see how much bandwidth you are allowed a month
5. I am still confused about the setup but guess it would be explained in the manual.
6. some people complain about the new beta software you have to download and that it freezes or is slow or disappear as it is hard to match up in some cases but mostly seems to be people from Britain.
7.Remember there is a one time cost of $29 for the software you download.

All in all I am still excited but the cost is getting a little high and I am running out of time before heading to the Villages.

Here are a couple of sites for you to check out. Hope these links work.

This one is good.

http://www.slingmedia.com/go/faq

This one is a good demo

http://client.spex.channelintelligence.com/StoreFront.aspx?Offid=188

A future shop explanation..This was where I was going to buy it

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10095759&catid=10864#MoreInfo

Now this is where I stopped and was confused. Read all three pages..

http://www.slingcommunity.com/article/10011/Installing-Your-Slingbox/?textpage=1

What confused me was the following..I have my tv hooked up to satellite tv(bell expressview) but similiar to direct tv etc. My cable comes into the receiver from bell and then from the receiver to my tv. (Is this receiver called a DVR. if not then what is a DVR.

Getting to page two they are talking about an IR emitter and setting it up etc. and then I got worried. I have not spent much time at that site and only read it quickly but it certainly put a halt in my plans.

If anyone can clear this up for me I would appreciate it and will also spend more time on it as well.

I probably should have started this thread on the computer site but I find that more people seem to read the general discussion so posted it here but suspect there may be some experts on that computer site. If you know of anyone there please direct them here. I may post a quick notice on the computer site but didn't want to have duplicate posts.

Hope this has not discouraged anyone but check out those links as they are very good.

Let's 'sling' together
Doug

[ouma1938]

Douga, a DVR is a satellite receiver that will record programs automatically to your TV for later viewing. Its great. I have one that allows me to watch a program while recording another one. Its not a VHS recorder, it doesn't use tapes or anything, just records from the TV. They hold anywhere from 60 hours to 100 hoursf material.

[douga]

Thanks..just found out that it is the same as a PVR that I have on one of my receivers. That is great..now I know that one the one that I intend to use for my slingbox(if I get around to it) will be the tv with only the receiver and not a pvr or dvr. Don't know if that solves the IR emitter confusion but will find out. I just hate paying $200 for a turbo just so that I don't have to run wires but dear wife does not want 30 feet of wire running through the house.:coolsmiley:

[Boomer]

This is great information.

Thank you.

Had it been under the computer forum, I probably would not have seen it.

I am so glad to know about this thing. I will let you know what happens. It might be awhile. Today Mr. Boomer is working on crown molding so he is not researching the Slingbox yet. He might be using that other kind of router right now. I can hear some kind of power tool buzzing away.

Anyway, Doug, thanks again. I will be checking back in. Good luck on your decision.

Boomer

[Boomer]

A couple of days ago, I saw a Slingbox in Best Buy. There was some new version on the display with it. I think that one was called a Slingcatcher. I was in a hurry and did not have time to investigate. But we will get back to it at some point.

Boomer

[douga]

Sorry I have not been back with any updates but I have had to put any thoughts of the slingbox away as we just found out that my 4 month old granddaughter has some very serious health issues and that has taken all my thoughts away from any personal pleasure. It is a very tough time for me right now and we are leaving for the villages right after Christmas with very heavy hearts.
Doug

[mom2five]

Doug

I am so sorry. Life can be very tough sometimes. All the best to you and your family.

[Boomer]

Doug,

Please take care. I know how a heavy heart feels. I wish all the best for you and yours.

Boomer