Tis the season to be Slingin!

My daughter moved to Florida this year. Well the other night I got a frantic call from her. You see, she is an avid sports fan. However, now that she moved out of the New York area she cannot watch her Buffalo football and hockey teams on a Tampa television station.

After some investigation, I call her up and told her not to worry, she would be watching the Buffalo hockey game that night. I explained that I was going to purchase a Slingbox and after I got home and configured it she would be watching TV just like she was back home.

Slingbox AV

The Slingbox AV ($130) is a device that connects up to your satellite or cable box (or DVR or DVD) and to your broadband internet. You can then view and control your box from anywhere that has a broadband internet connection available. The technical term for this remote viewing pleasure is called “Place Shifting.” The Slingbox has composite and S-video video inputs, and right/left analog audio inputs. In addition, it also has Ethernet, power and IR Blaster jacks. There are three status LED’s on the front of the box for power, network and remote use.

There are no associated subscription fees to use a Slingbox. SlingPlayer is software that you install in order to view you show. You can also purchase a mobile version ($30) that will allow you to view your shows on a Palm, PocketPC or Windows Smartphone. There is a cable that connects to the IR jack that has two IR blasters so you can actually view and control two video sources. For audio however, you will either connect up the left channel to one source and right to another or you would need active audio switch. If you connect your DVR to the Slingbox you can setup the DVR to record that show you forgot about when you’re on the other side of the world traveling. Or you can cue up and play a recorded show off the DVR hard drive. Hey, that is pretty cool, actually it is VERY cool. This device really adds value to your satellite and cable service. Oh by the way, EchoStar (Dish Network) has just purchased Slingbox…

Slingbox Player

I only wish Slingbox had incorporated wireless into the unit; however, that would increase the cost. Also only one user can get access at a time. A minimum upload speed of 256Kps is recommended, however more is better when connecting remotely over the internet. The picture is quite good. It is no where near DVD quality, but it is fine to view. I do my share of international travel for extended periods of time so I see our new Slingbox will be getting a real workout. Whether I’m in a hotel in Singapore, or sitting in the Frankfurt Airport waiting 5 hours for my connecting flight, my cable service is just a click away.

Slingon…..

-Bear