Sling Media, SlingPlayer, Slingbox, Oh My!

Reviewed by Tim Verpoorten – reprinted with permission from http://www.surfbits.com

Introduction


For about the past two years I’ve been hearing more and more about this new product that will revolutionize how you watch TV, it’s called Slingbox. Since I didn’t have a PC, only Macs, it went on the back burner of my “things to check out” list. But when Sling Media released a Mac version of their software in April of this year, I decided I better pay attention. Last month I received some review hardware from Sling Media and I started reading and researching to understand what this hardware did and exactly how it did it. It took me several weeks, but I have everything working and all I can say is, “Wow”!

Getting Started

Let’s start from the beginning. What is a Slingbox and what does it do? Imagine the ability to watch your television from any online computer in the world. (Plus the ability to watch your TV from many portable devices.) Imagine the idea of not only watching your TV, but watching your recorded events from your Tivo, or DVR. Now imagine the possibility of tuning your TV or setting your DVR to record an event from any online computer in the world. This and even more is what you can accomplish with the Slingbox and their software and accessories. It does this with the help of what they call SlingStream Technology.

According to Sling Media, “SlingStream is the groundbreaking technology within your Slingbox that dynamically adjusts your video quality to provide the best possible viewing experience. It functions by taking into account a variety of factors, including network bandwidth, SlingPlayer device characteristics, video content, and the type of video input. Using patent pending algorithms, SlingStream automatically adjusts compression level, video bit rate, frame rate, and other settings to create a continuous quality video experience. And SlingStream works regardless of the connection type, whether its LAN, Internet, or even wireless from your mobile phone.”

The Slingbox communicates with the SlingPlayer to determine the device you’re using (be it a PC, Mac, or mobile device), and provides the information to SlingStream, which enables it to configure the appropriate video quality and bandwidth parameters for the particular device. But I am getting ahead of myself. What’s a Slingbox and the Slingplayer?

The Slingbox is the key to this whole process. Sling Media has three versions. The entry level is called the Slingbox Tuner. The Slingbox Tuner connects directly to the cable outlet in your wall, making it so that you don’t even need a home television to watch TV on your computer or phone. Plus, you don’t have to worry about any complex set-up, expensive rewiring, or monthly fees. The minimum tech requirements and the difference in the three Slingbox’s are listed on their website, http://us.slingmedia.com/page/yourcomputer.html.

The next Slingbox type, and the one I have is the Slingbox AV. “The Slingbox AV not only allows you to watch your home television virtually anywhere, but it also allows you to watch any cable subscriptions, special programming, or sports packages you may have – with no monthly fees. If it’s on your home TV, it’s on your computer and phone. With the Slingbox AV you have just as much control over your special programming and component devices (such as TiVo and On Demand) as you do at home. You have the ability to fast-forward, rewind, pause, and everything else under the sun.”

The final Slingbox design, and the top of the line is their Slingbox PRO. With the Slingbox PRO you have just as much control over your special programming and component devices (such as TiVo and On Demand) as you do at home. “You have the ability to fast-forward, rewind, pause, and everything else under the sun. Connect and control up to four A/V sources. This means you can access your entire home theater, including digital cable, DVD players, TiVo, or any other new-fangled contraption you may have. The Slingbox PRO is HD Component video compatible (up to 1080i) when used with the optional Slingbox HD Connect Cable. The Slingbox and SlingStream technology adapts the compressed video stream to match the available network and Internet bandwidth. This provides the best possible video quality between the Slingbox and the SlingPlayer application, whether running on a computer or mobile phone.”

The next component is the SlingPlayer. “The SlingPlayer is the software that works hand-in-hand with the hardware inside the Slingbox to bring your entire living room TV viewing experience to your laptop, desktop or mobile device. It features an array of innovative features and controls, including a favorites bar, customizable remote controls, multiple viewing modes, and streaming video. SlingBar™ - docks SlingPlayer on either the right or left of the desktop, allowing you to watch your television and work with other applications simultaneously. Resizable Window - move it around the desktop just like any other application adjusting the size to fit your needs including going to full screen mode. Full Screen - for a real break watch your shows as big as your screen can get. Extensive customizable settings including a Favorites Bar and Manual Audio and Video controls allow you to fine-tune your viewing experience and view streaming statistics.”

Sling Media thinks of everything. To get your signal from the Slingbox to the SlingPlayer software on your network computer you may need a SlingLink if you do not have your network near your TV. The SlingLink TURBO is a plug and play device. Just plug one SlingLink TURBO into the wall near your router, plug in the other SlingLink TURBO wherever you have your Slingbox installed or to any other device that needs to be connected to the Internet and you’re done.

I have the Slingbox AV with the Slinglink, so it took me a bit to figure out how to install the hardware so I not only could receive my TV signal across the net, but also watch and control my Tivo remotely from any online Mac or PC. The back of my TV and Tivo already looked like a rats nest, therefore, the added wiring for the Slingbox and SlingLink did not make it any less cluttered. But after the installation, I installed my software and allowed a remote connection from my router to my networked Slingbox and I was in business. It’s absolutely amazing to see, not only my TV screen, but the recorded shows from my Tivo and to see the virtual remote control from my Tivo sitting there on my computer screen allowing me to change channels, schedule recordings, and change any my Tivo settings.

Conclusion

The technology that Sling Media brings to the table is top shelf and the cost is very reasonable in my opinion. MSRP from Sling Media’s store is $129.99 on the Slingbox Tuner, $149.99 on the Slingbox AV, and $249.99 on the Pro model. I could go on for paragraphs about the products they produce and how to use them, but I found Sling Media’s website to be an excellent source of information and support when I had questions about hooking up and getting my system online. Check it out for yourself, you’ll fall in love with Sling Media and their products.

Sling Media Slingbox AV ( SB240-100 )


Sling Media SlingLink Turbo Powerline Kit ( SL200-100 )


Sling Media Slingbox Tuner ( SB220-100 )