How the Slingbox Works

When we go on vacation, it's almost accepted that the TV shows we enjoy in our living room will be out of reach. Similarly, when we're away from home, accessing the premium channels we're subscribed to becomes impossible. But could it be that we're not thinking outside the box enough?

While the concept isn't new, Sling Media has taken it to the next level by simplifying the technology and giving it a catchy name: 'Placeshifting.' This innovative technology captures your TV signal and transmits it anywhere across the globe. In this guide, we’ll explore how the Slingbox allows you to take your TV with you, no matter where you are.

The Slingbox is a set-top box that connects to your TV (or another video output device) and transmits the signal in real-time to another device—no recording required. This device could be your home computer, where the signal travels over your home network, or a web-enabled laptop or smartphone located anywhere in the world, with the signal streaming via the internet. You’ll have full control of what you’re watching, just as though you were at home. Slingbox comes in various models, from the original Classic Slingbox to the Slingbox PRO-HD, each offering unique features, but all serving the same primary function: bringing live TV from your home to any connected device.

Slingbox Software

Slingbox pairs with the SlingPlayer software installed on your computer, allowing you to stream NTSC or PAL video data to a remote location. It’s compatible with standard TV, satellite TV, cable TV, DVD players, DVRs, or camcorders. Additionally, it works with Apple TV and iPods docked in an Apple Universal Dock or Apple iPod Hi-Fi. Whether the signal is NTSC (the video format used in the U.S.) or PAL/SECAM (common standards in other regions), Slingbox can transmit it. For more details on video formats, check out How Video Formatting Works to understand NTSC, PAL, and SECAM formats.

The best feature of the Slingbox setup is the ability to control your video source entirely from your computer. SlingPlayer comes with thousands of pre-programmed remote-control codes, and you can choose a virtual remote that replicates the one on your coffee table.

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Whether you're working in your office or relaxing at a WiFi-enabled café halfway across the globe, you can switch channels on your TV, skip through content on your DVR, or tweak your TV’s picture settings. There are no ongoing subscription costs—just a one-time fee for the hardware (ranging from $179 to $299, depending on the model) and the software (free for PC or Mac; for mobile devices, a one-time fee of $29.99 per device). You can install the SlingPlayer software on as many devices as you wish, but only one device can access the Slingbox at a time.

To start streaming your TV content, you'll need the following additional equipment besides the Slingbox:

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Slingbox Technology

You can set up multiple Slingboxes for different video components around your home, but only one Slingbox can be accessed at any given time. Depending on the model, each Slingbox can support up to four components. For example, if you connect both your digital cable box and DVD player to a single Slingbox, you can easily switch between them using the virtual remote control with a single click. Be sure to check for the latest firmware updates before you start using your Slingbox.

The Slingbox is actually a relatively simple device. The core components involved in transmitting your video signal are:

The basic process works as follows:

To access your Slingbox's stream over the Internet (rather than through your home network), you instruct the Sling Media server to locate it. Each Slingbox has a Finder ID saved on your computer. When you attempt to connect remotely, your computer sends the Finder ID to Sling Media’s server, which matches the ID to the box’s IP address. When you change the channel using the virtual remote, the command is sent to your Slingbox as an Internet request for a specific IP address. Since the video stream is downstream data and remote commands are upstream, the video typically reaches you faster than the commands, which may result in a slight delay when pressing buttons on the virtual remote.

Slingbox Setup

Let’s assume we want to Sling our digital cable signal to our computer. In this case, the digital cable box is the video source. Here's what the configuration will look like:

Step 1: A/V Connections

Setting up the Slingbox hardware is simple. Using the Classic Slingbox as an example, the first step is to connect your cable box to the Slingbox via an available video output on the cable box. You’ll use a Slingbox-supplied cable to link the S-video, coaxial, or composite video output (S-video offers the best quality) from the cable box to the corresponding input on the Slingbox. We’ll also make a composite audio connection, which simplifies the setup.

If no outputs are available on our cable box, we can use the Slingbox as a pass-through. Connect the cable jack to the Slingbox input and link the Slingbox output back to the cable box.

Step 2: Infrared (IR) Connections

The next step is to place the Slingbox IR emitter in front of the cable box's IR receiver. This allows you to control the cable box remotely. When you press "channel up" on the virtual remote, the SlingPlayer software sends a command to the Slingbox, prompting it to emit the "channel up" IR code for the cable box.

Sling Media has integrated infrared codes for thousands of devices into the SlingPlayer software. While you can't easily input your own IR codes, even if your specific device isn't listed, you can select a similar model. (See Sling Community: How to Add New Remote Control Codes to Your Slingbox for instructions on how to teach your Slingbox new codes, if you're feeling adventurous.)

Step 3: Ethernet Connection

If we have an Ethernet jack or router conveniently located in our living room, we’re in luck. Simply connect the Slingbox’s Ethernet port to the Ethernet jack on the wall or router using the included cable. If not, we can use powerline-to-Ethernet wall adapters (like Sling Media’s SlingLinks) to establish the connection. These adapters turn any regular power outlet into an Ethernet port by using the home’s power lines to transmit data between Ethernet devices (see HomePlug 1.0 Technology White Paper for more details on powerline networking). We just plug one adapter near the Slingbox and another near the router.

If you have a wireless router, you can use a pair of SlingLinks or a WiFi-to-Ethernet bridge to establish the network connection, as Slingbox doesn't have built-in WiFi capabilities.

Step 4: Power Up

The last step in setting up your hardware is to plug the Slingbox into an electrical outlet.

Once the hardware is all set, we can move on to the software setup. Depending on the type of router you have and the video source you've selected, you may encounter a few challenges.

Step 5: Configure the Software

The SlingPlayer software includes a setup wizard that takes you through the entire process on your computer. By telling SlingPlayer what device your Slingbox is connected to – for example, a digital cable box – the software generates a list of compatible devices. If your digital cable box appears on the list, the software will automatically configure the Slingbox for it. If not, it will help you select a comparable device with similar settings and remote codes.

A common issue people face is configuring the router. If your router supports Universal Plug 'n Play (UPnP), you’ll only need a few clicks to set it up. If not, configuring it for the Slingbox may take more effort. Don't worry, though – the software will guide you through the necessary steps and tell you which settings to adjust. Manual router configuration can seem intimidating, but it's completely manageable.

Once everything is configured correctly, your digital cable programming should appear on your computer screen. It might take a couple of tries to access the stream, but once you do, streaming TV remotely should be simple. Be aware that the video quality might be lower when using a WiFi hotspot, as network speeds fluctuate. The faster your internet connection, the better the video quality will be.

For detailed setup instructions, refer to Sling Community: Installing Your Slingbox.

Slingbox isn’t the only way to watch TV remotely. In the next section, we’ll explore other technologies and see what Sling Media has planned for the future of its flagship product.

The Future of Remote TV

Sling Media gained massive popularity by simplifying a process that was already available, but typically only in tech-savvy circles. Free tools like VideoLAN exist, allowing you to stream video signals (along with photos and music) from your home PC over the internet. However, these tools often require a host PC and more technical expertise than most people are comfortable with. The Slingbox revolutionized remote viewing by providing placeshifting functionality in a device as easy to set up as a cable box, with no need for a host computer. It's become a hit because it makes remote TV access available to the general public.

Sony's LocationFree TV offers similar capabilities, priced at $200. It works much like the Slingbox but can also stream video to a PSP. TiVo Desktop allows you to watch your recorded TiVo shows on your PC, internet-connected laptop, or a variety of handheld media players. If you own a TiVo Series 2 box or TiVo HD DVR and don't mind watching recorded shows (not live), this is a good option since it doesn’t involve extra hardware or service fees.

There are also free software options like Orb and VideoLAN that allow you to stream your TV content on a computer. VideoLAN is a media player/server that supports Linux, Mac OS, and Windows, while Orb can stream content to web-enabled smartphones and PDAs, in addition to computers.

To stay competitive, Sling Media is continually updating its offerings. They have an HD version of the Slingbox, but the Solo and PRO models only accept HD content and then convert it to standard definition before streaming. Only the Slingbox PRO-HD is capable of streaming true HD content to other devices.

A major concern in the world of "placeshifting" TV revolves around copyright and digital rights issues. Much like the music and film industries, TV networks fear that their content could be accessed for free. In the case of Slingbox, the worry isn't just about one person sharing their HBO account with others to watch "Rome" for free. The real issue lies in the spatial nature of TV licensing. TV stations acquire rights to broadcast shows in specific regions, so shifting a TV signal outside of that area can violate regional access rules. Sling Media maintains that the Slingbox complies with copyright laws, as it is a one-to-one transmission device. Only one person can access a Slingbox at a time, ensuring that only the subscriber who pays for the content can watch it. The future will reveal whether the TV industry will embrace placeshifting technology as they eventually did with "timeshifting" features of TiVo and other DVRs.