chicknyell's Full Review: Sling Media Slingbox (SB100-100) TV Input
Note: The bulk of this Epinion focuses on who might use a Slingbox, why they may use it, and why you should consider this model (SB-100) over the newer models. For technical support, please rely on the Slingbox tech support page, which is quite comprehensive. For a more in depth view of what a Slingbox is, use the Slingbox walk-thru on their website (www.slingmedia.com).
Also note: Sling Media no longer manufactures this Slingbox model, but you can/should still find it online.
The Slingbox is, put simply, a way to watch your home television (including your digital cable, TiVo or DVR) on a computer either via a local network or online from any computer with the Slingbox software. After attaching the Slingbox and installing the software, you can watch your television on your computer, including a notebook. Note that once you buy the slingbox and hook it up, there are no additional costs (e.g., Slingmedia subscriptions). Because it relies on television cable, the Slingbox is limited to the channels you have on your t.v. In other words, the Slinbox is just another modality to watch your home television. The Slingplayer software even displays a virtual remote that mimics your own remote. The Slingbox is not a way to watch television on your computer if you don't have cable, and whatever is playing on your Slingbox is also playing on the attached television. So don't expect to watch the big game on the Slingbox SB-100 while someone else watches Spongebob Squarepants on the same television. For a more thorough explanation of the Slingbox and its functions, watch the Slingbox video presented by Sling Media: http://us.slingmedia.com/page/slingboxinaction.html.
I am amazed by the technology in the Slingbox. The newer models even allow for high definition video on the web. More importantly, I was amazed by the ease of setting up the hardware. A "poster" with step-by-step hardware instructions is included with the Slingbox SB-100. Basically, setting up the hardware requires connecting the Slingbox itself to the television or DVR (I used an S-video cable, but there are other options including analog cable), plug in the Slingbox, and connect it to your router. Note that a router is required to use the Slingbox, even on your home computer. The instructions are fairly self-explanatory, but it is important to pay attention to the "AC" adapter step because the power is turned on at a certain time in the process.
Software setup for local viewing was very easy, but fairly time-consuming because the SB-100 arrives with out of date software. The software upgrade download took me several minutes, but afterwards I was able to watch my television (a few feet away) on my computer. Hooray...I guess... What I really wanted, however, was to watch the Slingbox on my notebook computer from anywhere with an Internet connection. This process takes a bit longer. First, I had to go through the software upgrading process on my notebook. Easy enough. Then I had to register my Slingbox online. Again, this step is fairly easy (you get a code to use with the Slingbox and this is the access code to add your Slingbox connection to any computer with the downloadable software). Now comes the harder part, though Sling Media made the process run smoothly. To watch the Slingbox (well, to watch television on the SlingPlayer software), you must open ports on your router. If this sounds like gibberish to you, don't worry. During setup, the Slingbox software runs you through several steps including one asking you to identify your router. Then they send you to a site with instructions relevant to your router. Important note here: if you can't find your exact router model but can find the brand, then just try that first because most of the time the process is the same. The only time I had trouble was trying to watch television through a wireless connection at another house. Which brings me to the most important piece of tech advice I could've used: upgrade your router firmware. Once I did that at the other house, bam, television wirelessly. Again, my review is not meant to be used as tech support, but I think the process is important to understand. I would not suggest the Slingbox to my parents, but I also wouldn't suggest a digital clock to them either, but the level of technical expertise necessary to attach the Slingbox isn't all that high. Sling's website and tech support gets better by the day (I only used it during setup, but I know they've done recent additions).
A Slingbox is for you if
In this world of technological distractions, overstimulation, and lack of exercise, why would anyone want to combine two of the biggest time-wasters (computers and television)? As if surfing the Internet all day at work then going home to watch television aren't enough, we can now combine these behaviors and have endless Internet and television watching anywhere there is Internet access (which is almost everywhere). I've thought of a few types of people who may want a Slingbox, listed in no particular order.
The Television Zombie and the Work-a-holicwho needs noise
I know of people who watch almost non-stop television unless they are at work or on the go. Thanks to the Slingbox these people can watch television any time they'd like (assuming the boss isn't around or something). While the Slingplayer allows for full-screen viewing, I appreciate the "attach" setting. I have a widescreen on my notebook, so when I run the Slingplayer I can "attach" it to the right side of my screen. The actual video portion is in the upper-right hand corner of my television, while the digital remote is in the under the video. Again, non-stop television as long as the computer is hooked to the Internet.
Other people just like noise when they work, rather it is a television or music. Heck, when I'm at home working on projects, I sometimes have the television on even if I'm not watching. With a Slingbox and the Slingplayer software, I can take the noise with me. The video stays on the right side of the screen, and the remainder of my screen is dedicated to work projects. If you have digital cable with music channels at home, you can just change the channel to that (from your computer) and listen to music while you work. The Slingplayer also includes an "audio only" option if you just want to listen to the television but not see it.
The Sports Buff
I include within the realm of the sports buff the "need to stay on top of the news" buff, as well. During baseball season, for instance, many games are during the day. Sure, it's easy to follow the action online with "virtual base-running dots" and "play by play," but let's face it...that's not really exciting. Why read "Bonds strikes out, no men left on base," when you can watch it in real-time just as if you were at home. Anyone who follows sports at work online will appreciate the audio and/or video provided by the Slingplayer. Same goes for someone following the stock market news or world news; CNBC (audio or visual) or CNN can remain on all day if you wish, without the need of a cubicle television.
The Dorm Dweller and The Annoying Student
Really nice parents may provide the dorm dweller with a Slingbox attached to home television while the kid's away at college. Not all dorms offer in room cable (or room for a nice television), and shared rooms often mean shared televisions. However, almost every dorm room will have Internet. So the far-away college student can watch the "parents' television" miles and miles away. The only catch, of course, is that if the college kid changes the channel through the Slingbox, the channel changes at home, too. This takes fighting over the remote virtual! There are easy compromises, though, such as planning hours for the Slingbox television watching. If the attached television has TiVo or DVR, the college student can just record shows that he or she would ordinarily watch during times when others want to watch the television, then the student can watch the feed later.
As someone who teaches college students, I will attest to the following: We know you are surfing online. I love saying something like, "Does anyone have questions about this?" and during the pause and blank stares there is someone typing furiously and laughing. Anyway, the student who wants to waste money and sit around watching television during class now has that option. I don't suggest it, but if that's what you're into. The other students just wish the Internet surfing students would sit in the back of the class while surfing, the "I'm a slacker and get nothing out of school" website (maybe that's ParisHilton.com).
The Business Traveler
I love roadtrips. Most of the time I end up camping somewhere and want to be as far away from a television as possible! On the drive there, though, I usually stop at a hotel (or two, depending on where I'm traveling) and just want to relax after a long day of driving. Many hotels have free wireless Internet but only 10 channels or something. By the time I learn the channels, it's time to leave again. Plus, I sit down to watch the news and learn about a local burglary in some town I'll never again visit. Meanwhile, I'm missing all of the home-town gossip. With the Slingbox SB-100, I can watch my home television (including recorded shows on my DVR) and my local news. Same thing when I visit my parents at home (a thousand miles away).
Although I don't travel as much as I'd like, but I certainly don't travel more than I'd like. I realize that some people spend hundreds of days a year on the road. My one or two vacations a year facing the "learning new t.v. channels" problem probably is dramatically higher for many business travelers. With the Slingbox, someone from Toledo can watch their home television when they are on business in Tokyo. Someone from Chicago can watch their home television when they are visiting Podunk, Mississippi. As great as Saved by the Bell reruns translated into Swahili might be, international travelers always can stay on top of hometown television and news. Then there are the airports. Many airports (some for extreme fees) offer wireless or wired Internet access, and there are many cellular "modems" on the market with affordable rates. What a great way to pass the time during a layover!
Me
Although the travel thing works for me, I purchased the Slingbox for a "weird" reason. I have cable and a DVR; my girlfriend only has Internet access. We enjoy ourselves a good 48 Hours Mystery or Chris Hansen asking someone to take a seat, but we spend time at both homes. Instead of spending $50 a month on cable at her place, we spent $107 once and can watch television at either place (I hook the computer to my Samsung 19" LCD HDTV that I keep at her place). You, too, may see a reason to use the Slingbox for a similar reason (e.g., not having to pay for cable at a second home, etc.).
Clearly many people may find the Slingbox SB-100 enjoyable. You'll know if one is right for you!
The Slingbox SB-100 (over newer models) is for you if...
As far as I know, Sling Media no longer produces the Slingbox SB-100. Their other main models include the Slingbox Tuner (~$129), the Slingbox AV (~$180), and the Slingbox PRO (~$250). The Slingbox Tuner does less than the SB-100 because it only attaches to basic analog cable (i.e., no DVR or TiVo for you). Perhaps the only benefit I see with the Slingbox Tuner is that you can attach it to your analog cable and use your computer as another television. The SB-100 does not seem to have this function, though I'm not actually positive. Anyway, I don't see a major advantage in this ability. The Slingbox AV is just like the Slingbox SB-100 but newer. The image might be somewhat better, but I have no problems with my image. Perhaps there are slight boosts to functionality. Again, I don't have a problem with my functionality. My thought is that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. For my purposes, the Slingbox Tuner would be pointless, and the Slingbox AV provides no new functionality that justifies the higher price. So if your goal is Internet television watching with DVR capability, then stick with the SB-100 while you can still buy them.
Then there is the Slingbox PRO. The latter model provides more inputs (up to 4 AV components) and lets you connect to HD components. If you want a virtual theatre experience, then you may want to consider this version of the Slingbox. It also serves as a tuner and can control your home AV equipment. If you want these bells and whistles, then the SB-100 is not for you (no HD, for instance). However, if the previous descriptions from the "who would want this" sound sufficient then don't spend the extra money on the Slingbox PRO and stick with the SB-100.
Where should I purchase the SB-100?
My assumption is that you can only buy the SB-100 online or in some speciality stores. BestBuy and Circuit City did not carry it in the store when I last checked as they were pushing the newer models. There are plenty on eBay, but sometimes you have to dig deep into the description to make sure it is the SB-100 and not the Slingbox Tuner. I purchased mine through an Epinions store for cheaper than I found it on eBay. Shop around online either through the Epinions links, eBay, or through a web search. But as far as I know, online is not just your best bet but also your only bet.
Disclosures
I don't know if Sling Media will stop supporting the SB-100 any time soon, but I guess it is possible. There is always some risk with a discontinued model, though, so consider this. I bought my SB-100 about two months ago and am very happy with both the support and the functionality. Watching it on the television screen seems like I'm watching the plain television--no one would know the difference.
Setup
The minimum requirements for the SB-100 include: Windows XP or Home (I've also been informed that Sling supports Mac); 1.0 ghz processor or greater, 256 MB RAM, 100 MB free space, 24-bit video card/16-bit sound card, network capability, 256Kbps upload speed or better for remote viewing.
My set-up includes the following (I'll update this later):
Dell (I forget what kind) desktop with XP, 512 MB RAM and a 1.8 ghz processor (about 6 years old).
Belkin Router (newer model; wireless)
Toshiba Satellite notebook (1 GB RAM, some other stuff)
Samsung 19" LCD HDTV for remote viewing
Cable Internet
As always, please leave comments if you have questions! Thanks.
The Slingbox is a compact and elegantly designed, state-of-the-art electronic device that connects to the back of your TV. It redirects, or placeshift...More at eBay
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