# Any experiences with the Slingbox?

Category: accessible Devices

## Post 1 by CallMeAl (Veteran Zoner) on Saturday, 05-Apr-2008 20:43:43

Just wondering if anyone has used the Slingbox and if so, how does it rate in terms of accessibility? For those who aren't familiar with it, the Slingbox is a device that lets you stream TV signals to your computer. In other words, you could hook it up to the cable in your house, and then watch TV , change channels, record and play back shows, all remotely from any computer. From what I've read, there is an onscreen remote, but there is apparently keyboard access to the remote as well?
At any rate, any comments on first hand experience with the device would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
--Al

## Post 2 by CallMeAl (Veteran Zoner) on Thursday, 29-May-2008 20:22:03

Well, I guess I'll answer my own question. I took the plunge and bought one of these things and guess what? It's friggin great! The setup wizard is totally accessible. When you're watching TV, you can access all functions of the remote control via the keyboard. For example, if I want channel 99, I just type 99. Volume up and volume down are greater than and less than, respectively. Channel up and channel down are plus and minus. I've hooked two AV sources to the slingbox, an analog cable connection, which I can fully control via the Slinbox UI and an FM radio, which I can't control, but which is tuned to a particular channel that gets all the sporting events I want to hear. I can easily switch between AV sources via the player's menus. I've only had this thing for a couple of days, but so far, I would give it a 9 out of 10 in terms of accessibility. getting to the menu bar is a little weird. . You can't just hit alt, you have to hit the first letter of the menu you want. Other than that, it truly rocks!
If you're always on the road, away at college, or whatever, and you would like a way to take your favorite local TV stations with you where ever you go, then you'll wanna give this a serious look.
Al

## Post 3 by Polka dots and Moonbeams (I've now got the bronze prolific poster award! now going for the silver award!) on Friday, 30-May-2008 8:13:12

Hey Al, any idea how it works on the road? Like if I live in Seattle and have the slingbox hooked up to my cable, then I can access ball games via my laptop while traveling? *smile*

## Post 4 by CallMeAl (Veteran Zoner) on Friday, 30-May-2008 17:22:31

Yup, That's exactly what it's made for. I actually have mine set up remotely at my mother's house. There are some local Detroit area sports related shows and personalities that I don't get heere, even though I still live in the same state. I'm accessing it remotely, and it's working beautifully.

## Post 5 by DHS Darcy (Zone BBS Addict) on Friday, 06-Jun-2008 2:17:37

I definitely have to agree about the slingbox. I've had one of these for about a year and a half now, and it's great. I mainly use the Mac version of the client, but I have used the windows version as well, and they both work extremely well.

## Post 6 by CallMeAl (Veteran Zoner) on Friday, 06-Jun-2008 7:54:17

I had a friend try the Mac client for me. He said it worked pretty well. He was able to change channels without any problems, but he couldn't figure out how to adjust volume from the keyboard. Are the hotkeys for the Mac client somewhat different?
Thanks,
Al

## Post 7 by soaring eagle (flying high again!) on Friday, 06-Jun-2008 11:13:47

Wow, I am gonna have to get this and have someone put it in NY so I can get my yankee games. is it only for TV? Can you have more than one computer hooked to it? Like say if a friend had one can you tap into it? Thanks this sounds cool!

## Post 8 by DHS Darcy (Zone BBS Addict) on Friday, 06-Jun-2008 19:17:35

First to Al, you adjust the volume on the mac with command up arrow and command down arrow. The command keys are on either side of the space bar, where the alt is on a pc keyboard. As for the difference in keyboard layouts between the mac and windows, I really couldn't say as I've only used the windows client a couple of times.
To brian, anyone can connect to any slingbox, provided you have its password. Only one person can be connected to a slingbox at any given time however.

## Post 9 by faithful angel (I'll have the last word, thank you!) on Tuesday, 10-Jun-2008 21:16:21

This thing sounds really interesting. Thanks for the info.