Slingbox advice

north · Post by **north** » Wed, 16 Jan 2008 1:55 am

Hi - I'm preparing for my move to Singapore from the US. My question: Can anyone advise me whether I should get the Slingbox Pro or Slingbox A/V? I know the advantage of the Pro is that it transmits HD programming, but I am concerned that the higher quality video will result in exceeding the bandwith limits. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

durain · Post by **durain** » Wed, 16 Jan 2008 2:47 am

if you are on unlimited download/upload in the US, then go for the pro. in singapore, you can sign up with an ISP for unlimited download/upload as well.

also find out from your US ISP what is the maximum upload speed as slingbox quality depends on the upload speed.

north · Post by **north** » Wed, 16 Jan 2008 4:23 am

Hi - thanks! My download/upload speed is 15 mbps / 2 mbps. Is this fast enough for HD? Or should I stick w/ the A/V model?

durain · Post by **durain** » Wed, 16 Jan 2008 4:49 am

oh... your upload speed is good enuf. go for the PRO. check if you need the HD Connect Cable to connect to the PRO for the HD stuff.

malcontent · Post by **malcontent** » Fri, 18 Jan 2008 1:55 pm

I would advise against HD unless the device has the ability to do non-HD as well. Reason being, although broadband in Singapore is advertised to have good bandwidth, this only applies to sites you access that are in Singapore. Once you try to access the US you experience a major bottleneck in speed. I know several people here who have a non-HD slingbox and even that doesn't always stream perfectly, typically they can only get a steady stream at around 350k speeds.

When asking for this type of advice, make sure you ask for specific experience of those who are using a slingbox, otherwise your actual experience could vary significantly in practice versus theory.

north · Post by **north** » Fri, 18 Jan 2008 3:15 pm

Thanks - I actually spoke to slingbox csr's, and was told that even the hd channels transmit at the same bandwith as standard def channels. Thus, the only difference is the HD channels will appear as widescreen, but speed would not be affected. So, I think I'll go with the Slingbox Solo. Thanks for all of the advice!

durain · Post by **durain** » Fri, 18 Jan 2008 3:32 pm

malcontent wrote: When asking for this type of advice, make sure you ask for specific experience of those who are using a slingbox, otherwise your actual experience could vary significantly in practice versus theory.

but i am a slingbox user and using it nearly 7000 miles away!

carteki · Post by **carteki** » Tue, 19 Jan 2010 5:44 pm

Hello,
Starting up this thread again

Could you please advise of the costs of the slingbox service. I know that you need to have TV connection, slingbox and internet in the "home country" and internet here. Are there any ongoing costs paid to slingbox for the service or do you just buy the box and that is it?
Thanks

durain · Post by **durain** » Tue, 19 Jan 2010 8:13 pm

buy the box and that's it. slingbox has it's own tv tuner or you can use it to "control" your cable/satellite box too. the "control" bit is via the remote infar red remote control. you get a wire coming out from the slingbox and into the front of the infar red receiver on your cable box.

road.not.taken · Post by **road.not.taken** » Wed, 20 Jan 2010 10:32 am

Why not use apple TV instead? Isn't it just less complicated? Our sling box in the US has never worked right. Works great within the US, but has never worked here. Maybe it's just too old? Must have gotten it 3 or more years ago...

carteki · Post by **carteki** » Wed, 20 Jan 2010 6:48 pm

road.not.taken wrote:Why not use apple TV instead? Isn't it just less complicated? Our sling box in the US has never worked right. Works great within the US, but has never worked here. Maybe it's just too old? Must have gotten it 3 or more years ago...

What is apple tv and will I be able to use it to get DSTV (ie not US channels)?

road.not.taken · Post by **road.not.taken** » Wed, 20 Jan 2010 7:16 pm

AppleTV is from Apple and it's basically a large hard drive to store movies and TV shows you purchase off iTunes.

http://www.apple.com/appletv/

carteki · Post by **carteki** » Wed, 20 Jan 2010 7:22 pm

road.not.taken wrote:AppleTV is from Apple and it's basically a large hard drive to store movies and TV shows you purchase off iTunes.

http://www.apple.com/appletv/

Thanks, but I'm looking for the sports options.

durain · Post by **durain** » Wed, 20 Jan 2010 7:32 pm

slingbox will work better if the broadband upload speed is higher in the hosting country. mine is about 2 years old now and still works a treat.

carteki · Post by **carteki** » Wed, 20 Jan 2010 7:33 pm

durain wrote:slingbox will work better if the broadband upload speed is higher in the hosting country. mine is about 2 years old now and still works a treat.

Thanks that was very useful!

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