[Blondie]

I'm seriously considering getting Slingbox. I'll be on location for another 10 weeks and the hotel doesn't have MSNBC, Bravo or Comedy Central. Spending the weekend catching up on Olbermann, Stewart and Colbert is stupid, so Slingbox looks like a great solution. Apparently I'd be able to watch anything on my cable box/DVR from anywhere with an internet connection whenever I like.

Has anyone tried it?

[Evelyn]

Yes...and I LOVE IT!! I travel a lot and use it on both my phone and my computer.

[Blondie]

Oh. My. God. You're right, Evelyn, this thing is unbelievable.

I got the Slingbox Solo since I only needed one input for my Time Warner combo HD box/DVR. I set it up with a Time Capsule as the router, and had it working in no time. Tonight I'm watching Olby from my hotel room

[rancho_gordo]

Can someone explain to a moron (me!) what it does. I'm not getting it.

[Blondie]

Can someone explain to a moron (me!) what it does. I'm not getting it.

The Slingbox basically allows you to watch and control your home cable box/DVR/DVD from anywhere with broadband. You connect the Slingbox to your cablebox or other device, connect it to your router (wireless or wired), and then install the software on your laptop or phone. That's it. Once you're set up it's like you're watching your tv at home. It even gives you a virtual remote that looks just like the one you have at home, so there's no learning curve

[Evelyn]

Slingbox is basically a set top box that you connect to your tv (satellite, cable whatever). The Slingbox is also connected to your computer/pda/smartphone and "slings" the signal from your tv to those devices. You can pick up the live signals from your tv, or recorded programs from you DVR/Tivo on these devices anywhere you can get a signal on your chosen device. No monthly fees, buy the set top box and you're done. Unless you want to add it to your phone too. Then it is another $29.95. Positively wonderful for anyone who travels or has a lot of down time away from home.


Blondie, I am so impressed that you got it up and running on your own. I have a home network and wireless and didn't even try. Paid $75 for some tech help. In my case, worth every penny-as I am technically challenged. Glad you love it though!

[rancho_gordo]

I think i may have to join the 90s. I still have a straight cable into the tv for basic cable, which I wouldn't wish on myself, home or abroad.
I did love having my laptop on my last trip and watching a flicker via DVD.

[Blondie]

Blondie, I am so impressed that you got it up and running on your own. I have a home network and wireless and didn't even try. Paid $75 for some tech help. In my case, worth every penny-as I am technically challenged. Glad you love it though!

Thanks, but I was motivated by the fact that I had waited too late to actually schedule someone to do it for me. For $75 would have been well worth it I didn't buy the thing until late Sunday afternoon, and knew that if it wasn't up and running before I left Monday morning that I'd have to wait until the following Saturday to get someone in to help. In all fairness, after reading up on the process online it wasn't that difficult. The Time Capsule was more time-consuming.

Thank you for your enthusiastic thumbs up, it tipped the scales and I'm happy I got it.

[Evelyn]

I highly recommend Directv and Slingbox. You could watch it at the warehouse or when you travel on your laptop.