Sling Media Slingbox (SB100-100) TV Input
- Platform: PC
- Video Output: S-Video Composite Video
- Video Input: S-Video Composite Video TV Antenna
- Adapter Type: TV Input Scan Convertor
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Place-Shifting TV for the Masses that Works
Pros
Place-shifting" simply works. No subscription fees. Watch on unlimited number of computers.
Cons
Set-up can get complicated. Virtual remote doesn? cover every setup. VHS picture quality.
Recommended it?
Yes
The Bottom Line:
If watching Live TV on the go matters and you only have $250 to spend, get it. Great for road/air warriors always on the go.
Watch this intro (need Flash installed) first to get a general idea about the unit:
http://tinyurl.com/csx3e
(if that link doesn't work, go to http://www.slingmedia.com/slingbox/)
I got my Slingbox in September 2005 about 2 weeks after it came out. I've used it in the house, outside in the living room, in a Starbucks cafe with Tmobile hotspot, while in my second home in L.A., and overseas in Asia in 2 countries. It has lived up to my expectations in just about every way because even today its still the most affordable way to live stream live content over the net to anywhere in the world that has a decent Internet connection.
::SET-UP:
It took me literally 7 minutes to set the unit up from opening the slingbox and connecting everything and installing the client to watching TV live from my laptop. If you're not a computer geek like me, then your experience may vary. However the documentation and installation software is decent and if you need help setting up slingmedia support is helpful.
My set-up right now and some hardware requirements:
1. Slingbox
2. Linksys WRT-54G router, custom modified with new features
3. Replay 5000 unit modified to record 400+ hours
4. Computer / Laptop running WinXP/Win2000
5. high-speed broadband access – I have Comcast with 384k uplink
I think set-up will vary from user to user and I was not using wireless to connect at the time.
Slingbox: I like how all the cables that you need come with the unit. Most users should not need any additional hardware if you have a similar set-up as mine. It looks like a candybar, built of reasonable high quality plastic casing, with 2 lights that can provide valuable feedback when troubleshooting your unit.
Router: They support UpnP – basically plug n' play if your router supports it and if its on. You might want to check your router for more info as it will make your life a lot easier if you want to stream this outside of the network
Streaming Source: This can be just about any device that you can think of because the slingbox just needs it to have a video output. Of course if you want to control the unit (that is the point isn't it?), you'll have to make sure that its remote code is supported by the slingbox. I think this unit really shines when you use it with a PVR such as a tivo or replay.
Computer: Its best to stick with a Windows XP machine with Windows Media Player 10 installed. With that said you can run it on a Windows 2000 machine with SP4, DirectX9.0c, and Windows media codec version 9 or later. They're supposed to be adding support to PocketPCs, Linux and Macintosh in the future.
Network / Internet:
Your network speed will dictate about how good of a quality picture / sound stream that you will get. The faster the better, however if you don't mind streaming a small window for viewing shows like sitcoms you can get by with surprisingly little.
::CONNECTIONS:
On the back of the unit you get S-video, Composite video, Coaxial video, and composite audio for A/V. 10/100 Ethernet, power, and infrared extender connector for Slingbox to remote control your video source.
::QUALITY:
The quality of the picture was reasonable. I'd put it as high as SVCD at best (local network), and bad Internet streaming at worst. I find myself watching TV off my laptop quite often when I'm window shopping on the web so it works for me.
As with most things if you have a bad signal going in (yes it supports Antennae off the air) then you're going to have a bad signal out. I'm happily using digital cable and it works reasonably well.
While I was off in Asia, the quality was OK and watchable. I was watching on a wireless connection and the bitrate never got higher than 250 kbps which is reasonable since my Comcast uplink is limited to 384k potential. If you only have 128k uplink, you should forget about watching sports while traveling.
About 300 miles away in L.A. I got quality that was surprisingly good. Remote controlling the unit was just a 2 second delay.
::TECHNOLOGY:
What really makes this work is the streaming engine automatically adjusts its quality and bitrate to the best calculable level based on your throughput. The encoding engine does about as well as any that I've seen out there given the circumstances.
They are adding new features and new support for the Slingbox via firmware upgrade and software updates. So check back with slingbox.com to download the latest.
I also like the fact that they actually changed the layout and picture of the remote controls I was using to more accurately reflect the positions of the keys where one might find the function so that users would be more at home with the location of the virtual onscreen remote keys.
Hardware:
Standard Philips Tuner. The main video processor is a Texas Instruments TMS320-series and Ethernet is provided by an ICS 1893BF.
Live remote control:
The Slingbox cues your commands so you can just press the keys you need to press and wait a few seconds for the response to happen. It's not as fast as sitting in front of your TV but it works and you shouldn't have trouble changing channels, powering up and down etc.
There is an option on the Slingbox which set it in remote control mode. This basically gives the remote control codes priority over the streaming signal. I think this helps most in selecting shows to watch on the EPG or scheduling shows to record or entering show names etc. I've never had to use this, but then again I also use Internet scheduling to program the shows I want to watch.
::PROBLEMS:
As with all bleeding edge technologies that have been recently introduced for the first time to consumers you can expect a few problems to occur along the way.
I had problems accessing the slingbox wirelessly within my own network at first. Downloading the updated firmware and software had ultimately fixed the problem but I couldn't find any help on-line or from anywhere else – Sling technical support included. Also Slingmedia seems to have trouble updating their website properly so sometimes the links don't work.
Remote control:
A very important key is missing in the replayTV remote code which requires pressing an extra 2 buttons to get to it – namely the saved show list.
Router Configuration:
You may need to get your hands dirty to set-up port forwarding if you want to watch TV outside of your network and through your firewall if your router does not support UPnP.
Best resource right now is still at:
http://www.slingmedia.com/support/
They have forum links there where Slingbox staff members can help answer your questions.
::ALTERNATIVES:
Only alternative in the price range is the Sony Location Free system. It was introduced last year and it provides more features and superior picture and sound quality but at more than 3x the price – with portable LCD monitor included which also surfs the web.
However, they have introduced the base-station only at a reasonable price of $299.99 and should work like the Slingbox but I have not got my hands on one yet. Its interesting to note that the Sony PSP will be able to stream from it as well as the regular PCs, laptops, and Sony's current line of up to 10" portable viewing LCD stations.
If I had money to spare, I'd probably buy the Sony Location Free system with the portable LCD Tvs for the best quality viewing experience.
::FAQ:
Q: Can you share shows using the Slingbox?
A: Yes, you just need to provide the Slingbox's network address (Finder ID) and password to someone else and have them download the Slingbox software to watch.
Q: Can friends download shows off my Slingbox?
A: No, they can stream live over the Internet. The Slingbox does not record or save shows for you so there is nothing for them to download.
Q: Can two people actively use the Slingbox at the same time?
A: Nope. You cannot connect to your Slingbox if someone else is using the Slingbox.
Q: Can you connect to multiple slingboxes?
A: You can connect to one slingbox at a time, but keep an address book of all the slingboxes in your application window and disconnect and connect to new ones.
Q: What happens if someone is watching TV while I'm streaming from the same source
A: You basically watch what they're watching. If you change the channel, the channel would change for them too and vice versa. I'd recommend letting your family know that you're controlling the slingbox and watching while away or they might think a ghost has possessed your TV.
Q: Is my unit/equipment supported? Where can I get technical support?
A: Slingbox updates their support on a pretty regular basis, so its best to check this link for more details: http://www.slingmedia.com/support/ or you can call them: 877.GO.SLING (877.467.5464)
Q: Can any random person watch what I'm watching on my Slingbox?
A: Your Slingbox is password protected, so pick a good password and remember it.
::WHO SHOULD BUY THIS:
1. Frequent travelers who can't miss their TV shows
2. People who can't get certain TV shows from their local cable company but have a family member or friend who can! Yay! I like watching shows from the U.K.
3. People with creative show sharing ideas that don't have a ReplayTV 50xx unit.
4. People who like sitting in their cubicles during lunch to catch up on the football game, late breaking news, or _____ show (get an OK from management first).
5. People who don't have TVs in bedrooms but want to watch TV in bed anyway without all the hookups.
6. People who want to watch anything they have at home away from home just because they can.
I hope you've found my review informative and helpful. I try to give as detailed a description as is necessary for most people to make an educated decision – something most salespeople in retail chains simply cannot do. It may not look like it, but I spend a lot of time and effort writing my reviews, so if you found this information helpful please sign-in and vote for the helpfulness of this article. Thanks! Your vote may encourage me to write more reviews in the future.
-Mike
http://tinyurl.com/csx3e
(if that link doesn't work, go to http://www.slingmedia.com/slingbox/)
I got my Slingbox in September 2005 about 2 weeks after it came out. I've used it in the house, outside in the living room, in a Starbucks cafe with Tmobile hotspot, while in my second home in L.A., and overseas in Asia in 2 countries. It has lived up to my expectations in just about every way because even today its still the most affordable way to live stream live content over the net to anywhere in the world that has a decent Internet connection.
::SET-UP:
It took me literally 7 minutes to set the unit up from opening the slingbox and connecting everything and installing the client to watching TV live from my laptop. If you're not a computer geek like me, then your experience may vary. However the documentation and installation software is decent and if you need help setting up slingmedia support is helpful.
My set-up right now and some hardware requirements:
1. Slingbox
2. Linksys WRT-54G router, custom modified with new features
3. Replay 5000 unit modified to record 400+ hours
4. Computer / Laptop running WinXP/Win2000
5. high-speed broadband access – I have Comcast with 384k uplink
I think set-up will vary from user to user and I was not using wireless to connect at the time.
Slingbox: I like how all the cables that you need come with the unit. Most users should not need any additional hardware if you have a similar set-up as mine. It looks like a candybar, built of reasonable high quality plastic casing, with 2 lights that can provide valuable feedback when troubleshooting your unit.
Router: They support UpnP – basically plug n' play if your router supports it and if its on. You might want to check your router for more info as it will make your life a lot easier if you want to stream this outside of the network
Streaming Source: This can be just about any device that you can think of because the slingbox just needs it to have a video output. Of course if you want to control the unit (that is the point isn't it?), you'll have to make sure that its remote code is supported by the slingbox. I think this unit really shines when you use it with a PVR such as a tivo or replay.
Computer: Its best to stick with a Windows XP machine with Windows Media Player 10 installed. With that said you can run it on a Windows 2000 machine with SP4, DirectX9.0c, and Windows media codec version 9 or later. They're supposed to be adding support to PocketPCs, Linux and Macintosh in the future.
Network / Internet:
Your network speed will dictate about how good of a quality picture / sound stream that you will get. The faster the better, however if you don't mind streaming a small window for viewing shows like sitcoms you can get by with surprisingly little.
::CONNECTIONS:
On the back of the unit you get S-video, Composite video, Coaxial video, and composite audio for A/V. 10/100 Ethernet, power, and infrared extender connector for Slingbox to remote control your video source.
::QUALITY:
The quality of the picture was reasonable. I'd put it as high as SVCD at best (local network), and bad Internet streaming at worst. I find myself watching TV off my laptop quite often when I'm window shopping on the web so it works for me.
As with most things if you have a bad signal going in (yes it supports Antennae off the air) then you're going to have a bad signal out. I'm happily using digital cable and it works reasonably well.
While I was off in Asia, the quality was OK and watchable. I was watching on a wireless connection and the bitrate never got higher than 250 kbps which is reasonable since my Comcast uplink is limited to 384k potential. If you only have 128k uplink, you should forget about watching sports while traveling.
About 300 miles away in L.A. I got quality that was surprisingly good. Remote controlling the unit was just a 2 second delay.
::TECHNOLOGY:
What really makes this work is the streaming engine automatically adjusts its quality and bitrate to the best calculable level based on your throughput. The encoding engine does about as well as any that I've seen out there given the circumstances.
They are adding new features and new support for the Slingbox via firmware upgrade and software updates. So check back with slingbox.com to download the latest.
I also like the fact that they actually changed the layout and picture of the remote controls I was using to more accurately reflect the positions of the keys where one might find the function so that users would be more at home with the location of the virtual onscreen remote keys.
Hardware:
Standard Philips Tuner. The main video processor is a Texas Instruments TMS320-series and Ethernet is provided by an ICS 1893BF.
Live remote control:
The Slingbox cues your commands so you can just press the keys you need to press and wait a few seconds for the response to happen. It's not as fast as sitting in front of your TV but it works and you shouldn't have trouble changing channels, powering up and down etc.
There is an option on the Slingbox which set it in remote control mode. This basically gives the remote control codes priority over the streaming signal. I think this helps most in selecting shows to watch on the EPG or scheduling shows to record or entering show names etc. I've never had to use this, but then again I also use Internet scheduling to program the shows I want to watch.
::PROBLEMS:
As with all bleeding edge technologies that have been recently introduced for the first time to consumers you can expect a few problems to occur along the way.
I had problems accessing the slingbox wirelessly within my own network at first. Downloading the updated firmware and software had ultimately fixed the problem but I couldn't find any help on-line or from anywhere else – Sling technical support included. Also Slingmedia seems to have trouble updating their website properly so sometimes the links don't work.
Remote control:
A very important key is missing in the replayTV remote code which requires pressing an extra 2 buttons to get to it – namely the saved show list.
Router Configuration:
You may need to get your hands dirty to set-up port forwarding if you want to watch TV outside of your network and through your firewall if your router does not support UPnP.
Best resource right now is still at:
http://www.slingmedia.com/support/
They have forum links there where Slingbox staff members can help answer your questions.
::ALTERNATIVES:
Only alternative in the price range is the Sony Location Free system. It was introduced last year and it provides more features and superior picture and sound quality but at more than 3x the price – with portable LCD monitor included which also surfs the web.
However, they have introduced the base-station only at a reasonable price of $299.99 and should work like the Slingbox but I have not got my hands on one yet. Its interesting to note that the Sony PSP will be able to stream from it as well as the regular PCs, laptops, and Sony's current line of up to 10" portable viewing LCD stations.
If I had money to spare, I'd probably buy the Sony Location Free system with the portable LCD Tvs for the best quality viewing experience.
::FAQ:
Q: Can you share shows using the Slingbox?
A: Yes, you just need to provide the Slingbox's network address (Finder ID) and password to someone else and have them download the Slingbox software to watch.
Q: Can friends download shows off my Slingbox?
A: No, they can stream live over the Internet. The Slingbox does not record or save shows for you so there is nothing for them to download.
Q: Can two people actively use the Slingbox at the same time?
A: Nope. You cannot connect to your Slingbox if someone else is using the Slingbox.
Q: Can you connect to multiple slingboxes?
A: You can connect to one slingbox at a time, but keep an address book of all the slingboxes in your application window and disconnect and connect to new ones.
Q: What happens if someone is watching TV while I'm streaming from the same source
A: You basically watch what they're watching. If you change the channel, the channel would change for them too and vice versa. I'd recommend letting your family know that you're controlling the slingbox and watching while away or they might think a ghost has possessed your TV.
Q: Is my unit/equipment supported? Where can I get technical support?
A: Slingbox updates their support on a pretty regular basis, so its best to check this link for more details: http://www.slingmedia.com/support/ or you can call them: 877.GO.SLING (877.467.5464)
Q: Can any random person watch what I'm watching on my Slingbox?
A: Your Slingbox is password protected, so pick a good password and remember it.
::WHO SHOULD BUY THIS:
1. Frequent travelers who can't miss their TV shows
2. People who can't get certain TV shows from their local cable company but have a family member or friend who can! Yay! I like watching shows from the U.K.
3. People with creative show sharing ideas that don't have a ReplayTV 50xx unit.
4. People who like sitting in their cubicles during lunch to catch up on the football game, late breaking news, or _____ show (get an OK from management first).
5. People who don't have TVs in bedrooms but want to watch TV in bed anyway without all the hookups.
6. People who want to watch anything they have at home away from home just because they can.
I hope you've found my review informative and helpful. I try to give as detailed a description as is necessary for most people to make an educated decision – something most salespeople in retail chains simply cannot do. It may not look like it, but I spend a lot of time and effort writing my reviews, so if you found this information helpful please sign-in and vote for the helpfulness of this article. Thanks! Your vote may encourage me to write more reviews in the future.
-Mike
