Gluten Free Carla

About a year and a half ago my husband gave me the Slingbox Solo for my birthday.  If you have not heard about Slingbox you may appreciate my review.  I love to watch cooking shows and other shows from my laptop, right on my kitchen counter.  I can even minimize the screen to 4 automatic sizes, as well as customized widths.  This allows me to run other programs in a larger screen, in the size of my choosing.  This actually nothing compared to what else you can do with a Slingbox Solo.  There are several Slingbox products such as the Slingbox Pro HD and the SlingCathcer which I explain in this article along with my review on the Slingbox Solo.

Slingbox

You are able to completely control your TV through the internet anywhere, your backyard and even while traveling abroard.  The Slingbox allows you to watch and control live or recorded television programs from any PC, Mac desktop or laptop computer.  Slingbox is even has a download for your compatible mobile phone.

You just hook up the Slingbox to your Standard Definition (SD) or High Definition (HD) television device such as a DVR, digital cable box, satellite receiver (DishNetwork or Direct TV reciever), DVD player or Media Center.  You will also need a router for the Slingbox to work. There are a couple of different models to choose from.

The software that you download onto your computer can be downloaded on more than one computer with your one logon.  This way if you are not using it someone else may.  My husband played a trick on me while he was out of town once.  He took over the TV that I had been watching and rewound the recorded show that was playing.  Little did he know, I was out of the room and didn’t even notice.  He called me up to get a good laugh, but I had no idea what he was talking about because I still had not returned to that room.  The laugh was on him!  To avoid this conflict you may purchase the Slingbox Pro HD which allows you to have someone at home watching and someone away watching what they wish.

Slingbox Solo

The Slingbox Solo allows you to control you television and or device from your desktop or laptop.  This includes a DVR.  I have Dish Network satellite service, therefore, when my Slingbox Player is open on my laptop I have a virtual Dish Network remote control, just like the one we have for our television.  It allows me to program (DVR) any program through the onscreen guide; change and view, pause and rewind live television just like with a real DVR; play, pause, rewind or fast forward shows recorded programs; mute and change volume; and change my settings for Dish Network.  Note: If your volume on your laptop is not great, the Slingbox increases the volume nicely.

Sells for $179.99

Slingbox Pro-HD

Key features (in addition to the features on the Slingbox Solo):

• It has a built-in tuner which avoids conflict with viewers at home
• You are able to connect and control multiple audio / video sources

Sells for $299.99

While your Slingbox must stay on constantly, it only draws about 9 watts of power which is lower than any other television device.

Slingbox for your Mobile Phone

Slingbox works on smartphone cell phone by purchasing the Slingbox download.

• iPhone and iPod touch (Wi-Fi only)
• BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, Palm OS, or Symbian smartphones

Sells for $29.99

SlingCatcher

The SlingCatcher is the perfect companion to the Slingbox. The SlingCatcher extends your Slingbox experience beyond a computer or mobile phone screen. Now you can watch and control your main TV and DVR on ANY other TV in your house or around the world. The SlingCatcher is great for a room that isn’t wired for cable or satellite. Or, take it on the road to your vacation home.

The Slingbox is available online, Fry’s, Comp USA or Best Buy stores.  To watch a live demo of the Slingbox see the Best Buy schedule at www.slingbox.com.

I really enjoy my Slingbox.  Definitely something to check out.