So, just what does a "Slingbox" do, anyhow?

[theo]

Apparently because I have purchased Roku units in the past, Roku has recently sent us a promotional link / ad for a (Sling 350) "Slingbox", to buy via Amazon.

I already know with the certainty of the sunrise that I do not need or want a "Slingbox", whether free or otherwise, but a quick look (just out of curiousity) at the provided Amazon link tells me absolutely nothing useful or descriptive about whatever it is that a "slingbox" even does in the first place.

Can anyone provide a brief, layman's description of whatever it is that a "slingbox" does?

 

[Conan]

I was just looking at the 1sale offer on Slingbox, which includes an explanation. http://1sale.com/electronics/cameras-video/182165/
(If clicking this link doesn't work, try copying and pasting if you're interested, for however long the $50 offer might be good.)

It's not for me, because I can already access HBO, Netflix and Hulu programming directly on my laptop. So I don't need the Slingbox device to broadcast content to me from my home. Nor do I need it to send DVR content to the second TV in my house, because the Comcast/Xfinity service includes a feature that does that.

 

[SMHarman]

It takes the TV or other video source content within your home and streams it out to other destination either within the home or away from the home.

Conan mentions it is not for him (or her) because they can access HBO, Netflix and Hulu, now when they are out of the US they can use a VPN to get a US IP address and continue that service but usually Video distribution (and the three above are) is restricted by country and that is done by IP address. While Conan may be able to get these services on their iPhone or Android, Mac or PC, sling will also distribute out to BlackBerry, Windows Phone, Palm OS, and Symbian mobile devices.

With Sling, as the content provider is streaming to your US address and you are redistributing this is not as big a problem.

It is also a big sell for sports fans. Much sports content is regional. If you want to watch the LA Dodgers but work has taken you to NY then you will find the Yankees on broadcast TV. Your slingbox at home can redistribute the Dodgers game over to your PC or whatever in NY so you can still watch the game live. I know sport mad expats who have friends or family install this in their house so they can watch games live around the world.

Their marketing blurb is below...

Why would I want a Slingbox?
Watch your TV anywhere.

At home, around town, around the world. With a Slingbox, you can watch and control your TV and all of its programming, live, over the Internet on your PC, Mac®, tablet, smartphone or connected TV. These days there are a lot of confusing ways to watch TV. Only Slingbox gives you full access and control of your living room TV experience in sparkling 1080p Full HD. Why pay twice for your favorite programming? Get more out of your TV with Slingbox.

It's easy to connect.

We make it a snap to connect to practically any audio-video (AV) source. You can hook up your Slingbox to thousands of compatible standard-definition (SD) or high-definition (HD) sources, including digital video recorders (DVRs), digital cable set-top boxes and satellite receivers.

You're in control.

Watch television exactly as you would at home. With the on-screen remote control and program guide, you can change channels, schedule recordings on your DVR, fast-forward, rewind, pause and play. You'll never be separated from your favorite TV shows, sports broadcasts, breaking news stories, digital video recordings or video on demand — wherever you are.

Who needs a Slingbox?
We'd like to think anyone in the world needs a Slingbox, but here are some examples of who our customers are and what they're doing with their lives.

Sports fans and information junkies. Slingbox grants instant access to live sporting events without blackouts, and time-sensitive breaking national or local news.

Frequent travelers or expats. Take your home TV with you anywhere with an Internet connection. No streaming service or app can do that.

College students or snowbirds. No need to pay for another cable or satellite subscription where you are. Simply connect to your Slingbox at home from your laptop or mobile device, or use a Roku streamer connected to a TV.

Military personnel. Wherever they are deployed, they can stay connected to what's going on at home.

Moms and Dads on the go. Wouldn't you rather be watching the game while waiting for piano lessons to be done?

Anyone who wants to save a buck. No need for additional set-top boxes. Get TV in more places in and around the home, using gadgets you already own.

http://www.slingbox.com/go/slingbox

 

[theo]

Thanks!

Thanks for the prompt and very informative replies. Although I still know that I certainly don't need or want a "slingbox", at least I now understand what it actually does.

It's a tough job being a techno-idiot in a techno world. Help from savvy TUGgers is sincerely appreciated in helping to keep my readily admitted techno ignorance at a "not quite infinite" level...

 

[buzglyd]

One year I was in Greece over NYE.

I wanted to watch USC in the Rose Bowl and American Football is no where to be found in that part of the world.

I called my buddy who had one. He gave me his log in and I fired up my laptop and watched the game which started about 1 am Greek time.

The problem now is so many hotels really curtail their bandwidth so streaming service isn't reliable.

 

[x3 skier]

One thing that is not usually mentioned is that whoever is at home has to watch what you watch on the Slingbox connected TV. No problem if you have two Rokus other other hookup on two different TV's but just something to consider. If I got one to use while traveling or otherwise, I would connect it to my home office TV so the family can watch what they want when the Singbox is streaming.

Cheers

 

[UWSurfer]

I setup production facilities on the road when my organization reports on the Democratic and Republican national conventions each election cycle.

Our locations are always in make shift spaces using folding tables & chairs with temporary power, phone, network & cable TV feeds. These locations charge $400-$500 per TV drop for the 3-4 days we're on site using them. A simple broadband ethernet drop last cycle cost $1400 for the time period and it lets us save on the CATV costs by streaming the local CATV feed from our home facility to our location. Our slingbox is a bit old now having gone through three cycles but it's handy that way and lets us also see local content when on the road.

I'll note we were also able to save ordering several $600 analog phone lines per venue with VOIP phone service. It was cheapest for us to buy 4 magic jacks+'s and simply have a cordless phone to each one. Worked really well too considering.

 

[LUVourMarriotts]

We have some friends who originate from northern Ireland. They setup an extra satellite box in their closet and connected a Slingbox to it. Their family back home in Ireland watches TV through the internet on the Slingbox. I guess they don't get a ton of stations in northern Ireland. I wondered how they get good internet if they don't get good TV, but whatever.

 

[SueDonJ]

Like mentioned above, Slingbox works for us to pick RedSox and Bruins games when we're away from home. We also use it to access our cable box and set the DVR to record something when we've forgotten to set it before leaving.

 

[Sea Six]

I have a slingbox on my DISH receiver. It allows me to watch either live TV or recordings on my DVR when I am away on vacation. I can stream in my vacation destination using my laptop hooked up to the TV using a HDMI cable, or using my iPhone with a composite audio/video cable. I use it quite a bit late at night when the resorts don't have much to pick from, or if I record something I want to watch at my leisure. I only paid $50 for mine thru DISH. By the way, all their new receivers (Hopper, Joey) have this function built in, so the external slingbox is not necessary. I also use it to watch games at work, when we're slow. It's worth it to me, DISH doesn't charge extra for the service, I just had to buy the box and the cables.

 

[SMHarman]

I have a slingbox on my DISH receiver. It allows me to watch either live TV or recordings on my DVR when I am away on vacation. I can stream in my vacation destination using my laptop hooked up to the TV using a HDMI cable, or using my iPhone with a composite audio/video cable. I use it quite a bit late at night when the resorts don't have much to pick from, or if I record something I want to watch at my leisure. I only paid $50 for mine thru DISH. By the way, all their new receivers (Hopper, Joey) have this function built in, so the external slingbox is not necessary. I also use it to watch games at work, when we're slow. It's worth it to me, DISH doesn't charge extra for the service, I just had to buy the box and the cables.

The new TiVo Roamio Plus and Pro models also do this and for anyone with a Gen4 Tivo (the Premiere ones) or the base Roamio you can add the Stream to get this functionality.