Sling Media ’s Slingbox is a gimmick that ’s gruelling to set : It ’s a rectangular plastic corner that you attach to both your dwelling computer web and to your video source — an analog cable line , cable box , digital video recording machine , or satellite receiver . Once that ’s done , you may use your Mac ( and a host of other digital machine ) to determine your home television signals from anywhere with debauched Internet access — be it in your backyard or halfway across the humanity . power by crafty - looking software , the Slingbox is an excellent putz for anyone who wants the convenience of watch TV in far - flung localisation .
Player powered
Although the Slingbox mathematical product line has been around for the better part of two years , the Mac version of the ship’s company ’s SlingPlayer software package was only made usable in its last form latterly . Original pre - release versions of the package looked like a lineal copy of Sling Media ’s Windows version , but the final SlingPlayer 1.0 for Mac is an attractive , easy - to - use broadcast with an user interface that will be familiar and well-to-do for Mac users .
When you first pose up your Slingbox ironware , the SlingPlayer computer software asks you a serial publication of question to determine what you ’ve connected to it . Once I told SlingPlayer that my Slingbox was connected to two DirecTV digital video recorders , it automatically configured itself to use those machine , including their remote - control codification .
In rules of order to watch goggle box from outside your home electronic internet — that is , over the cyberspace — you’ve got to be able to unite direct to the Slingbox . But such link are blocked by nonremittal by home router and firewalls . When you first configure your Slingbox hardware , SlingPlayer offers to automatically adjust the options on your home router to allow incoming SlingPlayer connectedness to get to your Slingbox . However , this only work with routers that sustain the Universal Plug and bid ( UPnP ) data format — and Apple ’s wireless router do not . As a result , I had to manually set up embrasure forwarding on my AirPort Extreme Base Station ( ) and manually ascribe an IP address to my Slingbox . For an experient networking mitt like me , it was n’t a problem , but those less conversant with place networking issuing might chance it confusing .
After your Slingbox and SlingPlayer are configure , it ’s easy to tie in them via a simple dialog boxful . As presently as you ’re connected , SlingPlayer begin playing back audio frequency and television , although you ’ll notice that for the first few seconds your video will seem a little slower than common ; that ’s because the software system is store enough video data as a polisher to prevent skipping and driblet - out after .
Unlike net video cyclosis , in which servers provide video to legion recipient role , the Slingbox and SlingPlayer link is a honest two - direction conversation . The computer hardware and software automatically sense the useable speed of the connexion , and the Slingbox computer hardware adjusts the level of video compressing accordingly . If you ’re on a tiresome connexion , Slingbox will continue lowering video and audio quality until it can send you a smooth , consistent picture . And if you ’re on an extremist - fast connexion Slingbox will take full reward of that speed to send you a high - quality image .
The Slingbox I examine was sit on my home DSL internet , and I plug in to it from legion hotels and dwelling with DSL or cable - modem Internet connection . In all pillowcase , the picture the SlingPlayer provided to me was watchable , but it emphatically was n’t gamy character . If pristine images weigh to you , Slingbox wo n’t fulfill you . But if you need to keep an eye on your favourite baseball team ’s game while in a hotel room in a foreign city , or play back the time of year finale ofBattlestar Galacticawhile sit in an airport lounge , you ’ll find the convenience worth the decrease in quality .
Because all the SlingPlayer software does is recreate back video , its interface is fairly spartan : a video window with a book luger and a play / stop button . However , the truthful power of the programme ’s port can be plant in the floating Remote palette , which let you emulate your home remote ascendency .
The Remote palette displays a facsimile of your remote ( in my guinea pig , it was a picture - gross copy of the TiVo remote mastery ) , and when you tap a clit , that mastery is relay to the Slingbox computer hardware , which comes with a solidifying of petite infrared blasters that you arrange next to the remote - control receiver on the front of your DVR or cable box at home . When I press pause on SlingPlayer ’s practical TiVo remote , it pause the TiVo at the other last . Using this port , it ’s easy to change channels and plunk a show from a DVR ’s inclination of available recordings . Keep in mind , however , that if someone back home is watch out the TiVo at that moment , the TiVo will be paused for them , too . As a solvent , Slingbox is well used when there ’s nobody else at plate trying to watch video when you are .
At the bottom - right box of the SlingPlayer interface there ’s an region where you’re able to make a strip show of single - click button to switch to your favored channels . After squeeze the small Plus icon , I was quickly able to choose an ESPN icon and enter in ESPN ’s channel number on my DirecTV orbiter organisation . After that , all I needed to do was tap the ESPN push button to command my TiVo to give me my mutation fix by changing the canal .
Hardware delivered
Although the Slingbox hardware is actually a advanced mini - electronic computer capable of dynamically compressing bouncy video and well out it across the Internet , that power is moderate in a relatively nondescript box . The Slingbox is a plastic slab without a single push , and it is unremarkable except for its back surface , which is bristling with picture input . Sling Media sells three different variations of Slingbox : the $ 130 Slingbox Tuner is intend for canonic - transmission line connection , and is unable to tie to a digital set - top boxful ; the $ 150 Slingbox AV can connect to two dissimilar inputs and mastery cable system , satellite , and DVR devices ; and the $ 250 Slingbox Pro ( which I tested ) can link to four different gadget and support high - definition video signals via the $ 50 Slingbox HD Connect adapter cablegram .
Unfortunately , all of the Slingboxes include only an Ethernet larboard for networking . If you do n’t already have Ethernet or a wireless bridge near your TV , you ’ll also take to buy a wireless or power - line bridge in guild to use Slingbox . And while the Slingbox Pro provides compatibility with HD signal , it ’s crucial to note that the Slingbox ca n’t in reality transmit eminent - definition video resolutions : Slingbox scale down all video to standard TV resolution on your house connection , and even humbled resolution when you ’re not at home .
Video in your pocket?
Although I tested Slingbox using Macs and even a microcomputer , the company also offers add - on package that allow you watch Slingbox video on nomadic devices , include cell sound . The $ 30 SlingPlayer Mobile software is currently useable for phone running Windows Mobile , and a Palm type O variant is currently in beta examination . ( Here ’s hope that Sling Media is one of the first third - party developer to fetch their software to the iPhone ! )
Macworld’s buying advice
The Slingbox ’s lack of build - in Wi - Fi supporting is unfortunate , and users of non - UPnP routers will need to manually configure their rest home internet in social club to connect from outside the home . And for all but the most hard - burden Ab fan , the four - input signal Slingbox Pro model is simply overkill . But for frequent travelers , peculiarly those who are sports lover or who have DVRs full to bursting with recorded shows , Slingbox successfully brings the comforts of abode to wherever you roam . I know that , thanks to my Slingbox , I ’ll never miss another secret plan , and that make it worth every centime .
[ Jason Snell is the editorial director ofMacworld . ]
