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stars
"Best New Device in Years!" on by Lonestar10
Pros: Easy to set up with newer routers; Watch recorded shows or live TV away from home; Great for travelers
Cons: Requires a boradband connection at BOTH ends, at home and away.
Summary: This is a terrific invention. No hard drives, no subscription fees. Simply connect SlingBox between your TiVo or ReplayTV and your broadband router (also works with cable or satellite box).
Install the SlingBox software on your laptop, connect to the internet from anywhere in the world (broadband connection REQUIRED) and you can watch your favorite live or recorded programs.
I give the SlingBox a "10." HOWEVER, if your internet connection is slow, SlingBox will be a terrible disappointment.
I've used it on the road even in China to watch my favorite shows recorded on ReplayTV back in Texas. I used it to watch live coverage of Hurricane Katrina and watch live Texas Longhorn football.
I highly recommend the SlingBox.. but just know that you HAVE TO HAVE a FAST connection to make it work as advertised.Updated
SlingBox works with not only TiVo and ReplayTV, but with VCRs, DVD players, cable and satellite receivers. SlingBox does NOT have its own tuner, but it can control (via IR Blaster) almost any audio/video device.Updated
I bought my SlingBox and added it to my home network. Now when I travel, I open my laptop, log in and watch local TV as if I were at home on the couch.
My SlingBox at home is connected to my ReplayTV (like a TiVo - only better), but you can hook it up to just about any Audio/Video device that can be controlled by a remote: VCR, TiVo, DVD, Satellite or cable box, even a TV set that has A/V outputs.
On a recent trip to China, for example, I connected my laptop to a high speed internet connection in my hotel room, logged on to my SlingBox back in Texas and watched the Longhorns beat Oklahoma.
I never missed an episode of 60 Minutes, Dateline or Lost. I also kept up with local news back home.
The SlingBox software on my laptop is simple and easy to use. When the program starts up, there's a remote control that looks just like the remote that came with my ReplayTV (it will look different depending on which device you have). I hit the remote's power button and instantly my ReplayTV back home comes to life. I can then select to watch live TV or choose to see a recorded program.
I can even program my ReplayTV by using the SlingBox, just by using the virtual remote control on my laptop.
When I'm finished, I click the power button on the virtual remote and the ReplayTV turns off.
The only performance issue I can report is that the signal will become choppy if you do not have a HIGH SPEED internet connection on BOTH ends (at home and away).
It's a great device. I highly recommend it for travellers wanting to enjoy their favorite shows while on the road. And best of all, there are no fees involved.
- 5 replies to this review
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Hey there I am interested in the slingbox and your review of it was really helpful. I do have one question though, when you change the channel remoltely on your slingbox, does that effect the channel at home? Also, can you hook up the slingbox to a basic cable box (you know the cheap box you get to watch basic cable) or does it have to be at least a digital cable box? Again thanks for your review, it was really helpful.
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Does it work with Dish Network?
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I do believe you are in error when you state that the Slingbox does not have an internal tuner. The Slingbox may be connected directly to a cable an/or antenna and frequencies selected throughout the channel spectrum (as is available on the cable and/or antenna) via the Slingbox itself.<br><br>Please see page 26 of the User Guide where reference is made to choosing the "internal tuner" when hooking directly to cable or antenna.
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No.1 device for this generation
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Do you have to have a Tivo or Replay TV to use the slingbox? Also Do you have to pay a fee to usethe slingbox?
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