Slingbox question

Mikenk · #1 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 09:59 AM

I understand people really like this; can someone explain to a non-tekkie what it does?

I have a TP2 and Mac laptop. I spend lots of time tethered in airports and in European cities with little access to American TV. Is that what slingbox does? is it just for the phone or also the laptop? I hate to miss NFL games when in Europe or traveling; will it help here?

I know I can research this myself, but it would be great for someone to summarize for me.

Thanks for any guidance.

**deadwrong03** · #2 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 10:03 AM

its for a phone, laptop ...or basically anything that can connect to the internet.

what it does is u buy the slingbox and it connects to the fact of your cable box,and then connects to your router and whenever u log into slingbox on the computer, or phone u can change channels and view your cable channels anywhere u have internet access to

ACHlLLES · #3 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 10:06 AM

as long as u have internet u watch what is on ur tv at home.

it basically broadcasts whats playing on ur cable box to u via internet, so one at home has to watch the same channel as u do on the road. u need internet at home too.

Mikenk · #4 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 10:27 AM

I live in country - no cable available. Will it work with Satellite (Dish network)?

**deadwrong03** · #5 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 10:31 AM

Yes i have dish network and can confirm its working on my touch pro 2

Mikenk · #6 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 10:35 AM

Great, I'm in. What does it cost and how do i get it for mac laptop and TP2?

**lipidfats** · #7 (**permalink**) 06-12-2010, 10:49 AM

slingbox.com for more info. it's expensive, but it's worth it imo. The phone software also carries a one time fee of $30.

bastian74 · #8 (**permalink**) 06-14-2010, 03:13 AM

It even natively supports directv with PVR so it has PVR functions built into the virtual remote. Quite handy. Quality is pretty good and dynamic. In the US the standard def version is $200 and the HD version is $300. the HD version requires 5mb upload speed to be HD though. Of course your phone will be no where near that anways.

You can do something very similar for free with a video capture card / IR Wand and orb.com.

a_c_s · #9 (**permalink**) 06-14-2010, 09:40 AM

To dumb this down since it hasn't been explained in detail here it is... you buy the slingbox for a one time fee (ie no recurring monthly cost), and it sits on top of your cable or satellite box... you set up an internet connection between sling on your computer, and at the location of your tv/cable setup... after that has been established, you can use the slingbox to watch any channel remotely that you can get at home, as well as recorded shows (ie your DVR list). The desktop client is free with the hardware, the mobile client for your phone would be another $30. But after that, there are NO recurring monthly fees, which is nice. I bought mine years ago... you can probably find them anywhere between $150-$250 used/new... also to note, there are new satellite boxes from DISH coming out now (DISH bought Sling a year or so back) which actually incorporate the Sling functionality right into the cable/satellite box (ie no other hardware required)... hope that helps explain it a little more clearly...

**Dr.8820** · #10 (**permalink**) 06-14-2010, 10:37 AM

Wirelessly posted (PPCGEEKS Fire Dept.: Opera/9.70 (Windows NT 5.1; U; en) TMO-US_LEO)

also keep in mind your cable or sat tv situation. if the cable box is on a tv that only you use, get a solo slingbox. if it is watched by other people, get the hd model...you can still watch what you want and it won't interfere with what someone else is watching.