Q:
Do you happen to know anything about Slingbox? I’ve seen it mentioned in a few articles I’ve read online and it sounds pretty neat, but I don’t fully understand what it is. Please inform us!
A:
Ah, I’m so glad you asked this question! Slingbox is one of the newest and coolest features to hit the Internet in a long time. I mean, of course, the Internet is always changing and there are always new things you can do with it, but Slingbox brings a little different mix to the table. As you can see, I am already in love with Slingbox and I’m just so excited to tell all of you about it too. So, what do you say we stop wasting time and get right down to it? Here we go!
First of all, Slingbox is a new product that allows you to remotely watch and control your television via the Internet. It sounds too good to be true already, doesn’t it?! So, how does it work? Well, basically, it routes signals from your satellite, cable box or personal video recorder and puts them through to your computer. It can do this for any computer you have in your home, as long as it has an Internet connection. Even more, it can transmit the signals to any computer in the entire world that happens to have a broadband Internet connection. Or if you’re away from your computer or you don’t want to bring your laptop along, Slingbox also works for any Windows based cell phone or PDA. Wow!
So, yes, in case you’re still not sure what I’m saying, with Slingbox, you can watch television on your computer at any time and from anywhere you may go. As long as you have an Internet connection, it will always work like a charm. And no, this doesn’t just include the basic television channels. It includes any subscriptions you may have (PayPerView, for example), any special programming, sports packages, etc. It doesn’t even charge you extra for any of that. Slingbox brings all the television perks you’re used to right to your computer, with absolutely no hassle!
Slingbox is made by Sling Media and they even offer up different packages to help you stay connected to all your television favorites. You can choose from SlingboxTUNER, SlingboxAV or SlingboxPRO. These are all planned out according to different television needs, programming packages and the different types of television equipment you may have. So, all in all, SlingboxTUNER is designed to transmit regular television signals to your computer, SlingboxAV was created to transmit digital programming from satellites, DVRs and digital cable and the SlingboxPRO is used when several different multimedia configurations are needed.
Now, I know you’re probably wondering a little more about how Slingbox actually works. Well, let me tell you! If you decide to use this service, you will get a Slingbox device that plugs into your television source, whether that be cable, satellite, a set-top box or DVR, etc. The device uses either a coaxial, component, composite or S-video cable, depending on what you need. The network connector then hooks up to your Internet router with either a standard ethernet cable or a special adapter if you want to go wireless. A Slingbox infrared cable is then pointed toward your television set and that is what gives you the ability to control your TV right from your computer. There is also some SlingPlayer software that comes along with the whole setup that you’ll have to install on your computer, but other than that, it’s pretty simple to get it up and running.
If you are interested in checking out Slingbox some more or even getting it for yourself, you can do so from this Web site. It gives you all the information you need to understand it better and to place your order for it. Just use the links along the top of the page to navigate through the site. Once you go through everything, I think you will love Slingbox as much as I do. I’m definitely looking into getting it very soon. It’s just too cool to pass up. Check it out today and enjoy!
~ Erin