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We don’t watch a lot of TV, but before we left for Buenos Aires, we decided it would be nice to watch some U.S. TV stations and shows while we were here. Watching our DVR would be great too, and I also wanted to be able to watch Michigan football games this fall. Luckily, The Slingbox comes to the rescue.
The Slingbox lets you watch your TV over the Internet on any connected PC, Mac or mobile phone. The small box plugs into your TV on one end and high-speed Internet connection on the other. An infrared controller attaches to your cable box and controls the functions of it (including your DVR). You then simply install the SlingPlayer software on your laptop or mobile phone and connect. You’re now watching and controlling your home TV from wherever you are. (You can check out their flash video for a better explanation.)
All right, so this tech trick requires some setup before you leave (or a friend willing to set it up for you), a working high-speed Internet connection and cable TV, but if you have some place to set it up, it works pretty well. We have the SlingPlayer software running on my wireless laptop and connected to our TV with an S-video cable. A wireless mouse lets us control the on-screen remote from the couch. Now, we won’t have to miss any episodes of The Daily Show even though we’re thousands of miles away and we can still skip the commercials!
8 responses so far ↓
1 Ed // Aug 19, 2008 at 11:41 am
Have you used the slingbox yet? Does it work well and quality? We are planning the move next year and this would be great to get us direct tv programming down there and have it as if we were home. Just wondering if you had issues with the picture quality or if it works as advertised and you have a remote extension of your tv at home. Thanks, how are you enjoying it so far?
2 DaVe // Aug 20, 2008 at 7:01 am
Ed - It works fairly well. It is not even close to HDTV, but it is definitely watchable and works as advertised. We have been having Internet issues at our apartment and we’re still able to stream TV even though our Vonage phone isn’t working right. (We’re switching from Arnet to Fibertel which should help.)
We’re loving it so far. Lots to get used to though…
3 Ed // Aug 20, 2008 at 12:45 pm
Thanks, I hear fibertel is the best. I had issues with Vonage as well (we have a place in Mexico) but it ended up being the vonage box, I got a new one and had the numbers transferred to the new modem and it helped a ton so if your provider change does not work, you may try that. We are heading down in May or June for a couple of years so the slingbox would be a great help.
Thanks
4 DaVe // Aug 20, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Vonage has been great. It worked initially, but this Internet connection is horrible. No one here is rushed to get things done, that’s for sure. You call Arnet and they tell you they know about the problem and then hang up. Takes some getting used to.
5 Natalie // Aug 30, 2008 at 2:23 pm
I just moved to BA from the states, and I really want this slingbox contraption. Can someone at home connect the slingbox and then send me the installation cd? Is that how it works? Thanks!
6 DaVe // Aug 31, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Natalie - It’s even easier than that. Someone at home can install it and then you can download the viewing software from their web site. All you need is a good Internet connection at both ends. The setup is pretty straight forward, but helps if whomever is setting it up is a bit technical.
7 DaVe // Aug 31, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Unfortunately, while I was able to catch yesterday’s Michigan v. Utah game via the Slingbox, Michigan lost 25-23. Oh well, they say it’s a rebuilding year…
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