Slingbox sb100 setup

Sling offers its own set of power-line adapters, the SlingLink Turbo, available in single and multiport versions the latter for connecting other networked entertainment devices, such as a game console, Apple TV, or TiVo. We used a pair of older, significantly less expensive Netgear XE adapters with no problem.

Once you have the Slingbox base station wired up and ready to go, you'll need to install the viewing software on a PC Windows or Mac ; the initial setup must be done within your home's local network. The software follows a bulletproof, wizard-style install path; if you have a plug-and-play UPnP router, the whole process should take just a few minutes. The latest iteration of the SlingPlayer software setup includes a great video-optimization wizard, which automatically optimizes the software settings to your PC's CPU and graphics-card capabilities.

Once it's up and running, the software gives you a video window not unlike that of QuickTime or Windows Media Player, but which includes channel-changing controls. Streaming performance Right off the bat, the Slingbox's basic functions worked as advertised.

We were watching our basic cable channels on the bedroom PC, able to flip channels at will using the generic onscreen remote control.

The recent improvements in the SlingPlayer software were notable, as well: there are now several "skins" from which to choose, and you can easily create favorite channels using the familiar channel logos for one-touch access. Just like a good TV, the Slingbox Tuner will scan for available channels, and you can add and delete them at will, and even fine-tune channels that appear a bit fuzzy.

The SlingPlayer software automatically optimizes viewing quality to available bandwidth via an algorithm called SlingStream. The Slingbox Tuner and its second-gen siblings all utilize the same chip, a new Texas Instruments DSP that offers the potential for better video quality than that of the original Slingbox model.

Moreover, the quality of the final image on your computer or mobile device is largely dependent on the available network bandwidth; you'll want at least Kbps on both upstream and downstream connections, with Kbps to Kbps and beyond offering a noticeably better picture.

As a result, the image quality just wasn't as good as that of the other models, even with the improved bandwidth that a home network offered versus the external Internet.

Watching sitcoms on TBS even exhibited some interference, waviness, and cross-color artifacts that are common on any RF connection.

That said, it was still quite watchable--not too much of a step-down from a TV, in fact. When broadcasting to the outside world, the Slingbox Tuner is limited by the upstream bandwidth of your home's broadband connection, which is often significantly less than your downstream speed. For instance, our cable modem seemed to max out at a decent Kbps--not bad at all, but far below the 3, to 6,Kbps we were getting on the home network.

The result is some "down-rezzing" to accommodate the lower bandwidth, which naturally results in a softer picture with more artifacts. The SlingPlayer has a helpful meter in the window that shows throughput and frames per second. You can still expand the SlingPlayer window to fill the screen, but you'll get significantly less sharpness and detail than you would via LAN streaming. Still, as long as you're getting a decent stream, you can get a very watchable video window that delivers 24fps to 30fps.

When watching on a cell phone or a handheld device, the same bandwidth concerns apply. But because those devices have such small screens compared to a computer's monitor , the resulting image looked even better. The mobile version is a faithful re-creation of the same solid performance we've gotten on a PC. What's better, of course, is that you can use handheld or cell phone service much more often and in many more locations than you can a desktop or laptop PC. Just be sure you have an unlimited-usage data plan on that smart phone, or you'll have a nasty surprise at the end of the month when the bill arrives.

Competition and caveats The Slingbox is far from the only game in town when it comes to streaming your home TV to a remote location. Sony offers two LocationFree TV products that deliver similar functionality. We love feedback! We're here to help! Related articles. What you need before you start: TV Set-top box Internet connection wired or wireless What's in the box. Complete your Slingbox set-up from your TV screen by following these steps: Turn your TV on and switch to the input that you are using with your Slingbox Select Start.

Select how your Slingbox connects to the Internet. If you select Connect via wireless , the Slingbox will scan for available networks, choose your network and type in your wireless password. Proceed to next step if you chose Connect via Ethernet. Select Continue. Your Slingbox will check for updates, select Continue to update. Select Next after your Slingbox has been updated.

Select your location and type in your ZIP code. Select Next. Choose the TV provider that you are using and select Next. Select Next after checking your channel line up. Select Next after choosing what kind of video source your Slingbox is connected to. Select Works Fine after testing your remote control. Select Done.

An Ethernet cable can come in many colors and lengths. The end is larger than a phone cable; and has eight small contacts on the bottom, with a clip on the top to make sure it stays locked into the port. An Ethernet port will be on the side or back of your device, and sometimes has lights on the left and right, used to show traffic and link conditions. It is larger than a phone jack. What you need before you start: TV Set-top box What's in the box. Complete your Slingbox set-up from your TV screen by following these steps: What you need before you start: Computer that is connected to the same network as your Slingbox Wireless connections may not be able to handle the large amount of information in a high-quality video stream.

If the power light is not on: Disconnect the power cable from both the Slingbox and the electrical outlet and reconnect them - making sure that they are secure. If the network light is not on: Disconnect the Ethernet cable from the back of the Slingbox and re-insert it.

What will sling Media Do? Sling Media will repair or replace it with the same product, or another product with similar features. Page 18 Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. Page 19 Sling Media returns Center or to the corporate offices without an rMa number will be rejected.

Upon receipt at the designated Sling Media returns Center, Sling Media will refund the purchase price of your product including tax. Page Slingbox Important safety Instructions Please read all of these instructions and retain for future reference. Follow all warnings and instructions. Page Replacement Parts Lightning For added protection of this product during a lightning storm, or when it is left unattended and unused for long periods, unplug it from the wall outlet.

The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the presence of important operating and maintenance servicing instructions in the literature Page 23 Slingbox reaches its end of life, contact your local authorities to learn about recycling options. Sling Media cares about the environment. Some of our packaging materials are made from recycled paper and all of our packaging is designed to be recycled.

Page 24 This equipment has been certified to comply with the limits for a class b computing device, pursuant to FCC rules. Operation with non-approved equipment or cables is likely to result in interference to radio and TV reception.