Has anyone tried the Slingbox?

Smiley · 08-04-2006, 12:12 PM

Slingmedia.com shows the Slingbox, it is available from CompUSA for $149 now. It broadcasts TV from hour home connection over the Internet so that you can watch your home cable or DirecTV connections on your laptop. It has a virtual controller for changing your cable or DTV box channels etc. It even has a client for Windows Mobile phones.

I'm just curious if anyone has tried or seen one in action.

Crash · 08-04-2006, 01:01 PM

A friend of mine has one. He thinks it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. I think it's alright, but anyplace that has a good net connection, usually has a tv connection too.

ChemicalWarrior · 08-04-2006, 01:03 PM

I've always heard good things about them. I think it'd be great for someone who travels a lot. Watch something at the airport while waiting, etc.

Soul · 08-04-2006, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash

A friend of mine has one. He thinks it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. I think it's alright, but anyplace that has a good net connection, usually has a tv connection too.

Is sliced bread really all that? :P

dudio · 08-04-2006, 03:32 PM

hmm .. I don't have cable tv.
Who wants to host some stuff for me ?!

I'm surprised that this is legal.
Essentially you are a rebroadcaster
of copyright material ..

ChemicalWarrior · 08-04-2006, 03:52 PM

Its legal because you're paying to see the content stil. Its not like you're getting for free. You still have to pay for the cable or DirecTV service.

There's many other programs that can do the host thing using your own computer. TVeristy I believe the same is allows you to stream music, photos, and soon video from your computer ot a number of devices such as your Xbox 360, PS3 (in the future), and PSP. DS support will possibly be possible once the Opera browser comes out (its looking awesome!).

Crash · 08-04-2006, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Soul

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crash

A friend of mine has one. He thinks it's the greatest thing since sliced bread. I think it's alright, but anyplace that has a good net connection, usually has a tv connection too.

Is sliced bread really all that? :P

Oh yeah, you should give it a try sometime

Smiley · 08-05-2006, 08:39 AM

Thanks for the reply folks, I might just get one to try since it is fairly inexpensive.

Crash, the idea is when traveling you still get the channels that you would have at home - local news etc. Many hotels (and hospitals) have poor channel choices and I will be doing more traveling and having more operations within the next year.

Dudio, unfortunately the Slingbox is limited to one viewer at a time, maybe that is how they get around the legal issues of rebroadcasting.

{OF}Malicious Assault · 08-05-2006, 09:53 AM

How does it work for the folks at home using the cable and you on the road using it? I travel all the time and agree with Smiley on the poor channel selection.

{OF}MadD! · 08-05-2006, 07:50 PM

MA, you can simply access the programming you pay for at home on any broadband internet connection.
Check it out...... http://www.slingmedia.com/us/

Everyone seems to love them, and not to expensive at $149.00 now. I've been thinking about it as well.

Just a thought, many people use Slingmedia software to connect to several slingboxes and they watch programming from all around the US. The Slingplayer ID which is like a big serial number. Once you have that you program it in the software and your good to go.

My buddies Sling software has 5 slingboxes which it is set to connect to so he can watch TV from around the country.

I was thinking how cool it would be to drop in a Slingbox or two behind the TV and share one out with family & friends, and anyone else wanting to use the other. Is there a Slingbox share group around?