I purchased this device for my significant other who is a bit of a technology bug as well as the DVR queen. We both travel for work and when we finally do get home at the same time and try to catch up on all of the shows on the DVR, it's almost too much. So, the solution? Find a means where she could view her programs while on the road from a hotel or any locaton she can establish a broadband connection with her laptop. The means to the solution....the SLINGBOX. Sling Media Slingbox PRO (SB200-100)
First a basic rundown of what this sling is. it is a very non descript box that sits highly unnoticed in your entertainment center or similar, and connects up to your DVR, cable box, DVD carousel, XBOX (no you cant play, just watch), etc. and view, and control content from these items from anywhere in the world you can gain high speed network access. Using the DVR as an example, you can change channels, watch your entire cable line up, program recordings, access menus and guides, view recorded content, pause, play and turn it on or off. Anything you can do with your DVR remote, you can do remotely. All you need is a broadband home network connection with a router.
I purchased the pro version but from my research, I believe any of their devices will work as well givin your requirements. The pro supports multiple devices and HD. The packaging of this device is the nicest and most thought out of almost any product I have ever purchased. Easy access, labled and complete with everything you need (except the high definition adapter. It's available separately and really is not necessary for my application). The unit was easy to set up. The only head scratcher is your distance to a viable network connection. The Slingbox sends the data out via a network jack on the back which needs to be connected to your home's router in some way. Some living rooms just aren't close enough to the computer gear to make that easy as in my case. Sling media sells a network extension set that allows you to use your home's electrical wiring as a means to extend your network to any plug in the home. Netgear also sells such a product which is what I purchased. You can read my review on that product as well.
Once all hooked up, there is a short setup for software, I noticed that even while in the set up process, The software had found the Slingbox and was already streaming video from my cable box. Pretty cool. One of the things it asks during set up is what make and model of cable box or DVR you have. Given that info, the software pulls up an exact image of your remote next to the viewing screen. This is what you use to control the cable box from anywhere in the world. It's the same look and feel so, no learning curve. Anything you can do to your cable box via remote while sitting in front of it, you can do via remote viewing with the Slingbox. It actually has a small IR sender that you attach to the front of the cable box to send remote control commands directly to the cable box.
Anyway, the short of it is.. It works. My lady friend was walking around the house with her laptop in her hands watching her DVR programming full screen. With that small success, I called up my brother in SC and gave him remote access to test out remote viewing. It also worked very well. He even dowloaded the trial viewer for Windows Mobile 6 on his cell phone and success again! He and I have a critical eye and neither could complain about the image delivered from the Slingbox. I am very surprised that this device has not become more popular than it has.
A note on support. Before I purchased this thing, I checked out the website and did my homework. Their site was very innovative yet simple and very easy to navigate. They have a live chat feature with their support group which I connected with twice and drilled them with all my questions. It was an excellent and refreshing experience. All questions answered and yes, with correct information.
I could go on and on. All I can tell ya is that it works and works well.
The only thing that I may change in my current set up, is this: What ever box you have the Slingbox connected to will be monopolized by a person viewing via the Slingbox. Yes, you can watch what they watch, or even play remote wars to fight over what to watch.. My solution may be to just get another DVR (6.99 a month plus tax from my cable company) and dedicate it to the Slingbox. This will solve any potential for contention issues.
Now I'm going to go trade the Blackberry in for a Windows phone so I can have something to do at airports and slow meetings :o).
Happy Remote Viewing
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Too many bug, Too much Vaporware.
I really cannot recommend this product. When it works it is wonderful. Unfortunately, that is about 70% of the time. The rest of the time I cannot connect for some unknown issue. I suppose it is come combination of my router (configured as Sling Media directed), my ISP, my home network, and the Internet in general. The bottom line is that the product is not reliable for a computer professional such as myself. The average person does not have a chance.Checkout the online forums at slingcommunity.com before you buy. It is filled with people tearing out there hair.Further, Sling Media has been promising version 2.0 of the player software and a BlackBerry version of the software since January. 5 months later and they are still vaporware.
