http://us.slingmedia.com/page/slingboxpro.html

price: about $200 or so dollars (one time purchase price and that's it. no monthly fees.)

set-up: basically, the back of your slingbox looks like the back of your tv with various types of inputs. it's has a cable in, composite video in, s-video in, as well as audio in's. the pro also has a HD attachment available with component in's.

you hook up an OUT from your cable box (pick any one) and put it into the IN on your slingbox (almost like a VCR). you hook up both the video and audio.

from the slingbox, an IR blaster comes out and hangs in front of your cable box (so you can operated the remote control).

the slingbox then hooks up to your router.

that's it, that's the basic set-up of the box. (btw, the slingbox also has OUTS if you want to use it as a pass through - like a VCR. so you can hook your cable box into your slingbox and then your slingbox to your TV)

configurations: each slingbox has a unique ID. that's why only one person at a time can connect to it (and that's why it's legal). after installing the software and (putting in the slingbox ID), you are ready to go.

here's some video if the slingbox in action: http://us.slingmedia.com/page/slingboxinaction.html

now, the most important factors while "slinging" is your upload speed from your internet provider and your download speeds wherever you are. if you have an upload speed of 4-500 kbps, when viewing the slingbox in a remote location with broadband connection, regular movies and tv shows look great. high-action, quick moving sports telecasts look very good. from time to time, there may be some pixelation or a "smudge" look for sports, but still VERY viewable. on a PC screen, it looks flawless. if you hook up your laptop to a TV, you can see more imperfections but still very viewable.

the softward allows you to use your remote control as if you were sitting at home. in fact, a remote pops up on the screen that looks identical to your remote at home with all functionalities. it has all functions for regular cable and the DVR (or TIVO). it's really like sitting at home with the remote in your hand, but just you are physically just "place shifted" someplace else.

now, here's the awesome thing about the slingbox, it also works on mobile phones...it's called slingplayer mobile: http://us.slingmedia.com/page/slingplayermobile.html

the requirements are basically a phone that either has PALM or windows. so it's more like a PDA or smartphone. a regular cell phone won't work.

once you install the software, it works just like the PC version. of course your phone must be able to use broadband connection (EVDO network or WIFI). and you should have an unlimited data plan. (sprint's unlimited data plan is $15/mo. verizon's is $39.99) and of course, it's based on your location and how strong your signal is.

i have a palm treo 700p. i installed the palm software, put in my slingbox ID # and connected to my slingbox at home. i now have my cable box on my cell phone. the quality is pretty darn good, even for sports (of course based completely on your cell signal).

i was at a friend's bday party friday night. they wanted to know the score of the liberty wnba game and the mets game. i turned on my cell phone, connected to my slingbox, turned on the cable box, turned to channel 27 (MSG) and they were watching the liberty game. they then changed the channel and put on the mets game.

the technology is FANTASTIC and this may be one of the coolest things ever created. again, it's a one time price of $200 or so for the slingbox itself and that's it. no monthly charges or anything. it's legal b/c it's called "place shifting" of the image to only ONE location at a time. so you can't broadcast it to multiple people or anything like that.

i'm in the car, waiting for someone...i turn on my cell phone and watch tv.

i'm out at dinner with some friends and we wanted to catch the end of the yankee game, no problem.

i'm at the knicks game...it's halftime, i'm bored...i turn on my cell phone, turn the channel to league pass and watch the raptors.

you're in a hotel room in spain, greece, texas, tokyo, anywhere in the world. you have a broadband connection. you turn on your laptop, connect to the slingbox and watch the knicks game on MSG 1/2 a world away. or, you can watch something saved on your DVR/TIVO.

again, if you have broadband internet at home. and you travel alot with your laptop, this is worth buying.

if you have an unlimited data plan on a PDA/smartphone with windows or PALM, then buy this gadget. you can watch tv anywhere you are.

word of caution: i heard those that used this on their cellphone with VERIZON may violate their terms of service. even tho verizon says it's unlimited data, after a certain amount, they basically lie and say you violated it. (but this is really for heavy users, like 3-5+ hours a day on their cell phone). so be aware. but if you don't plan to use that much on your cell, then verizon should be fine. absolutely no problems with sprint.

i hope this helps. their online HELP is fantastic as well.

if you have any questions, ask away and i'll try my best to answer them or point you in the right direction.

btw, i've had this gadget for about 8 months now, and it's still worth every penny.

you can go anywhere and not worry about missing something on tv. and everyone i show it to basically can't believe how cool it is.

Thanks a lot. Sounds really cool.

If you are watching via the slingbox, can someone watching real tv at home watch a different channel?

one more thing - the slingbox can also hook up to DVR's, TIVO's, as well as DVD players. of course, since you're not physically home, you would have to pre-load the DVD player with the DVD already before you leave the house.

here's slingbox on a cell phone:



make sure your cell phone is compatable (there's a listing on their website)

also, in the video above, you have access to your remote at home as well. it's not just big buttons for channels (like HBO, ESPN, etc - those are favorite buttons).

you can still do all the stuff like channel up, DVR functions, guide, etc.

[Edited by - djsunyc on 06-11-2007 10:48 AM]

Posted by Andrew:

Sling Catcher also sounds very cool too. You could use it so you wouldn't have to rent 2 cable boxes. Sling directly to your TV.

http://us.slingmedia.com/object/io_1168286861787.html

yeah. you don't even need a laptop where you are.

whatever remote location your in, you just need to be able to hook up the catcher to a broadband connection (not sure if it works with a wireless one) and then hook it up to your tv. it removes the PC/laptop completely from the equation.

But thank you by the way for bringing my plight to the masses. Perhaps there is someone out there more Samaritan-minded then the self-centered unmentionables who run this site that can help me.

I've been hearing about this. Sounds like a crucial piece of technology for the sports fan who has to travel a lot. Man, soon everythings gonna be local.

Posted by Andrew:

Does the sling box need a wired connection to the router?

YES, you connect the slingbox to the router with an ethernet cable.

Posted by djsunyc:

Posted by VDesai:

I've been hearing about this. Sounds like a crucial piece of technology for the sports fan who has to travel a lot. Man, soon everythings gonna be local.

this was created by MAN for MAN.

gotta go to your girl's friends picnic in the park during the yankees/mets next saturday? no longer a problem. this device will save relationships.

i am a witness. this device has allowed dj to cheat on the knicks with the raptors.

Posted by Andrew:

Posted by Cookdcokehop:

TIVO

What about it?

Sorry bout that I misread on the slingbox. Thought it was a TIVO knock off. Way better. Where are these usually sold?