Slingbox

Frequently asked Questions

Installing and Setting up your Slingbox

• How many computers can the SlingPlayer software be installed on?

  Presently, the SlingPlayer software can be installed on an unlimited number of computing devices. However, a Slingbox can only stream content to one device at any given time. The software for a PC or a Mac is free. However, Sling Media charges a one-time fee of $TBA for each device license of the SlingPlayer Mobile software.

• If I just want to use my Slingbox to watch TV on my compatible mobile phone, do I still need to set everything up using a PC or Mac?

  Yes. In order to correctly configure the Slingbox, you must install the software on a PC or Mac and follow the installation wizard. Once configuration is complete, you will then be able to use SlingPlayer Mobile software on your Windows Mobile or Symbian phone to watch and control your home TV. While the software for your PC or Mac is free, SlingPlayer Mobile costs $TBA and is available from Sling Media.

• My TV is in a different room than my broadband modem and router. How am I supposed to connect the Slingbox to it?

  If stringing a cable across your living room floor doesn't sound so good, check out the SlingLink. It turns any electrical outlet into an Ethernet networking jack. SlingLinks come in pairs. Plug one into a power outlet and your router in one room. Plug the other SlingLink into another power outlet and your Slingbox. The SlingLinks create a network connection using the electrical wiring in your home.

  You can also use a wireless gaming adapter to connect the Slingbox to your router, much in the same way a gaming console is connected to the Internet.

• Do I need a static IP address for my Slingbox?

  No, the Slingbox can find your IP address if it is dynamically generated. Don't worry if you don't know your IP address and whether it’s static or dynamic. The Slingbox features a Finder service that seamlessly and easily allows you to connect to your Slingbox at the touch of a button.

Using your Slingbox

• What do I need to get started?
  1. Broadband cable or DSL high-speed Internet connection (Minimum Upstream Network Speed of 256 kbps)
  2. Home Network Router
  3. If your TV cable connection is located in a different place than your Internet connection, you will also need a SlingLink or other Ethernet bridge
  4. Windows PC or Mac computer
  5. If you want to watch your TV on your phone, you need a Windows Mobile or Symbian PDA or phone with a 3G data or WiFi connection
• How do I set up the Slingbox?
  1. Connect your TV/video source to the Slingbox
  2. Connect the Slingbox to your network/router
  3. Connect the Slingbox to a power outlet
  4. Install the SlingPlayer software on your PC or Mac or compatible Mobile phone
  5. You are now ready to watch your TV anywhere
• What are the minimum system requirements to operate my Slingbox?
  Minimum PC Requirements:

  • 1.3 GHz processor
  • Microsoft Windows Vista or Windows XP SP2
  • 1.3 GHz processor
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 150 MB available disk space for installation
  • 24-bit graphics
  • 16-bit sound
  • Network connectivity
• Can I change channels and access my PVR programming?

  Yes. Connect your PVR to your Slingbox and by the using the on-screen remote in the SlingPlayer software, anything you can do at home using your remote control, you can do from a compatible computer or mobile phone equipped with an Internet connection.

• Can I use the Slingbox with a wireless router?

  Yes. The Slingbox has an Ethernet port that you can connect to an existing wireless network by using a wireless Ethernet bridge or wireless gaming adapter, similar to the method used by gaming consoles for network connectivity. If your laptop is connected to the same wireless router, your Slingbox experience is now very mobile in and around your house -- take your laptop into a room that doesn't have a TV and enjoy!

• Can the Slingbox record shows to my computer’s hard drive?

  No. The Slingbox streams live video from whatever source you connect to it. You cannot use the Slingbox or SlingPlayer software to record the stream. However, you can use the SlingPlayer software to "remote" control your PVR to record shows and, of course, watch already recorded shows from it.

• Do I have to carry the Slingbox with me?

  No, simply hook the Slingbox up inside your home and leave it there. Use the SlingPlayer software on your computer or compatible mobile phone to access your Slingbox to watch and control your home TV and its programming -- from anywhere where you have an Internet connection.

• What happens if I am using the Slingbox and someone at home is watching TV at the same time?

  In most situations, both of you will be watching and controlling the same device. However, the Slingbox PRO includes an internal tuner, so for standard cable (coaxial) inputs, you can set up your Slingbox to watch either your TV, PVR, etc. while the remote user watches standard cable (or vice versa). Also, many customers connect the Slingbox to a secondary TV source in another room to avoid remote conflicts.

• Are there subscription fees?

  No. You can watch your TV and its programming on your compatible cell phone, PDA, laptop or desktop with no monthly subscription fees. The SlingPlayer software for your PC or MAC is free, and SlingPlayer Mobile software for your supported phone is $29.00 (one-time fee). However, in order to watch TV on your cell phone/PDA using a 3G mobile connection, you do need a data service plan from your carrier, which may be an additional fee.

Supported Devices

• What audio/video devices are compatible with the Slingbox?
  • PVRs (TiVo, ReplayTV, DISH, DIRECTV etc.)
  • Satellite Receivers (DIRECTV, DISH, etc.)
  • Cable Set-Top Boxes (Comcast, Cox, Time Warner, Cablevision, etc.)
  • DVD Players (Pioneer, Samsung, Sony, etc.)
  • VCRs (Aiwa, Hitachi, JVC, etc.)
• Will the Slingbox work with my cable box, satellite box, or digital video recorder (PVR)?

  Most likely, yes. We support more than 5,000 different devices that use infrared (IR) remote controls. If your device is not supported, please let us know and we will work to make sure it is supported in the next version of SlingPlayer software. NOTE: the Slingbox only works with IR devices. RF (radio frequency) controlled devices are not currently supported.

• Does the Slingbox work with High Definition (HD) signals?

  Yes. The Slingbox PRO with HD Connect Cable and the Slingbox SOLO allow you to watch and control your HD content via component inputs. These Slingboxes physically link to HD devices and take a 720p or 1080i signal and down-convert it to standard-definition resolution before streaming it over the network. The Slingbox and SlingStream technology adapt the compressed video stream to match the available network and Internet bandwidth to provide the best possible video quality, whether running on a supported computer or compatible mobile phone. While these Slingboxes do not stream HD video at 720p or 1080i, they do allow you to access both your SD and HD channels seamlessly, and the HD component video content results in a stream that looks great.

• Does the Slingbox stream High Definition (HD) video?

  No. The current Slingboxes, including the Slingbox PRO with HD Connect and Slingbox SOLO, accept HD component signals at 720p or 1080i and down-convert them to standard-definition (SD) resolution before streaming it over the network. However, when appropriate, a Slingbox accessing component video input will maintain anamorphic resolution with progressive scan and stream video at a higher bitrate than SD content for improved picture quality. The Slingbox and SlingStream technology adapts the compressed video stream to match the available network and Internet bandwidth to provide the best possible video quality, whether running on a supported computer or compatible mobile phone.

• Can I install SlingPlayer on a Mac OS-based computer?

  Yes, all Slingboxes are compatible with Mac OS-based computers…and work with your Apple TV, too.

• Can I install the SlingPlayer on my cell phone or PDA?

  Our SlingPlayer Mobile software is compatible with Windows Mobile and Symbian devices. SlingPlayer Mobile supports any type of Internet connection on your mobile device, including 3G cellular services such as EV-DO or UMTS, Wi-Fi, USB, or Bluetooth-based connections. SlingPlayer Mobile software costs $TBA (one-time fee) and you will need a data plan or WiFi connection on your mobile device. We currently do not support Blackberry or iPhone mobile devices.

• Can I use the Slingbox with a PSP?

  Not at the present time.

• Can I use the Slingbox with an Apple TV, an iPod, Front Row, or the iPhone?

  • Apple TV
    You can watch or listen to your Apple TV in SlingPlayer. With the Apple TV, you'll need the Slingbox PRO and HD Connect cable to access your favorite TV shows, movies and music on a PC, Mac, or Windows Mobile or Symbian smartphone.

  • iPod in an Apple Universal Dock or in an Apple iPod Hi-Fi
    When your iPod is in an Apple Universal Dock or in an Apple iPod Hi-Fi, you can control it using SlingPlayer.* You can play your favorite music using the SlingPlayer and iTunes software. If you have a video iPod, you can watch movies, as well. Either the Slingbox PRO or the Slingbox AV can be used with an iPod.

  • Macintosh with Front Row and an Apple Remote
    You don't need the Apple Remote to use SlingPlayer, but your Mac must have a built-in infrared port and Front Row software installed on it. If your Mac came with an Apple Remote, it probably has a built-in infrared port. Either the Slingbox PRO or the Slingbox AV can be used with a Macintosh with Front Row.

  • iPhone
    Currently, the iPhone is not supported.