Slingbox alternatives
Apr 22, 2015, 9:20 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: PHL / NYC / PSA-BLQ
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Slingbox alternatives
Sling is in the middle of screwing up the SlingBox world. I just got updated to the latest Chrome and Firefox plug-ins and they are buggy and crash. But that's not the real issue. They have decided to stream ads along with the video. So now, if it works, "full screen" is a box on the screen and there are ads being served.
I've owned in two homes over the last 10 years AV's, Solo's and now 350's. Unless Sling quickly changes their mind on serving ads, I will be replacing both 350's with something else.
Anybody using something else they like?
I've owned in two homes over the last 10 years AV's, Solo's and now 350's. Unless Sling quickly changes their mind on serving ads, I will be replacing both 350's with something else.
Anybody using something else they like?
Apr 23, 2015, 7:41 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 220
I realize this isn't a direct replacement if true Live TV is your goal, but I have been using Plex for several months now and I love it. Granted, it takes some configuration, and it isn't for ad-hoc live streaming or sports, but I have found that most of the content I want to watch I try to download in advance and then copy it to my Plex server. It is then accessible from virtually any device I own, and from anywhere I happen to be with a good connection.
I will keep my Sling for those times when I absolutely must watch the big game and I do not happen to be home at the time, but those moments are becoming exceedingly rare these days.
For someone who just has to have access to live TV, I feel your pain.
I will keep my Sling for those times when I absolutely must watch the big game and I do not happen to be home at the time, but those moments are becoming exceedingly rare these days.
For someone who just has to have access to live TV, I feel your pain.
Apr 23, 2015, 10:15 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,784
I realize this isn't a direct replacement if true Live TV is your goal, but I have been using Plex for several months now and I love it. Granted, it takes some configuration, and it isn't for ad-hoc live streaming or sports, but I have found that most of the content I want to watch I try to download in advance and then copy it to my Plex server. It is then accessible from virtually any device I own, and from anywhere I happen to be with a good connection.
I will keep my Sling for those times when I absolutely must watch the big game and I do not happen to be home at the time, but those moments are becoming exceedingly rare these days.
For someone who just has to have access to live TV, I feel your pain.
I will keep my Sling for those times when I absolutely must watch the big game and I do not happen to be home at the time, but those moments are becoming exceedingly rare these days.
For someone who just has to have access to live TV, I feel your pain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ig7QmyTgKGM
Apr 24, 2015, 7:02 am
#4
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: DSM
Programs: "I COME FROM Des Moines. Somebody had to." -- Bill Bryson
Posts: 1,135
I am very happy with my Tablo TV OTA DVR. WWW.tablotv.com
I can record four channels at once or play them back on my home network, or stream recorded or live TV while on the road.
I can record four channels at once or play them back on my home network, or stream recorded or live TV while on the road.
Apr 24, 2015, 7:50 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 3,784
I am very happy with my Tablo TV OTA DVR. WWW.tablotv.com
I can record four channels at once or play them back on my home network, or stream recorded or live TV while on the road.
I can record four channels at once or play them back on my home network, or stream recorded or live TV while on the road.
My house is too far from the towers and I get no signal at all even with the biggest outdoor antenna. My parents' house is right under the towers and could get full signal with a 3 inch indoor antenna. I just have to set this up at their house and I could watch TV at mine.
How's the HD program quality?
Apr 24, 2015, 8:25 am
#6
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: DSM
Programs: "I COME FROM Des Moines. Somebody had to." -- Bill Bryson
Posts: 1,135
The HD quality is very good. I was a long time ReplayTV DVR user so went from SD to HD and am loving it.
I've heard with a digital antenna lots of people that couldn't OTR stations can with the Tablo.
I've heard with a digital antenna lots of people that couldn't OTR stations can with the Tablo.
Apr 25, 2015, 12:25 pm
#7
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Thanks for the feedback. I am looking for a live tv option as I use SB as a second tv in my NYC home. Trying to see if an Android emulator would allow me to run Android SB app on my MS SP2.
Apr 26, 2015, 8:44 am
#8
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
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You CAN setup ad blocking for the specific domains of the ad networks that sling is using. it took me a few minutes of cookie tracking to figure them all out at first, but by now someone has posted a list over on the placeshifting forum. If you like ads though on other pages that come from those sites, then you won't get them on other websites, so it's a trade off. AND you'll still see some black boxes where the ads should be.
May 2, 2015, 10:22 pm
#9
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I am very happy with my Tablo TV OTA DVR. WWW.tablotv.com
I can record four channels at once or play them back on my home network, or stream recorded or live TV while on the road.
I can record four channels at once or play them back on my home network, or stream recorded or live TV while on the road.
We got the Firestick just to watch my Uverse channels in Seattle from the house in Florida...25mbs cable modem in Tacoma and 18mbs Uverse Internet in Florida and HD is unusable through the Firestick into the TV, not to mention 10seconds to move the channel selector between selections on the channel guide.
Not sure if the bottleneck is the Internet, the Firestick app or what - but a workable alternative would be nice.
May 3, 2015, 9:53 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: bay area, ca
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Posts: 4,833
I am very happy with my Tablo TV OTA DVR. WWW.tablotv.com
I can record four channels at once or play them back on my home network, or stream recorded or live TV while on the road.
I can record four channels at once or play them back on my home network, or stream recorded or live TV while on the road.
Is the deal that programs get recorded on the hard drive and then you have to transfer the to your tablet/phone? so no real time?
May 3, 2015, 10:02 pm
#11
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It's a shame they won't take input from a cable box - this would be a good alternative to Slingbox.
We got the Firestick just to watch my Uverse channels in Seattle from the house in Florida...25mbs cable modem in Tacoma and 18mbs Uverse Internet in Florida and HD is unusable through the Firestick into the TV, not to mention 10seconds to move the channel selector between selections on the channel guide.
Not sure if the bottleneck is the Internet, the Firestick app or what - but a workable alternative would be nice.
We got the Firestick just to watch my Uverse channels in Seattle from the house in Florida...25mbs cable modem in Tacoma and 18mbs Uverse Internet in Florida and HD is unusable through the Firestick into the TV, not to mention 10seconds to move the channel selector between selections on the channel guide.
Not sure if the bottleneck is the Internet, the Firestick app or what - but a workable alternative would be nice.
If the speed and reliability improve dramatically, I should be able to take the Firestick with me to Taiwan, plug it into the TV and watch my shows in real-time in HD or least high quality.
May 5, 2015, 11:00 pm
#12
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You might want to see if you can pick up a Vulkano but the only thing is it doesn't stream in high resolution.
However, the streams look fine on the iPad app, though it may need higher or more consistent throughput in order have a good quality stream.
No charge for the mobile apps.
However, the streams look fine on the iPad app, though it may need higher or more consistent throughput in order have a good quality stream.
No charge for the mobile apps.
Nov 10, 2020, 3:12 pm
#13
Join Date: Nov 1999
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Posts: 3,489
FYI... https://www.slingbox.com/discontinued
Any current thoughts on a replacement. We use the Slingbox to view OTA channels on our computers in various parts of the house or when traveling.
Effective November 9, 2020, Sling Media’s Slingbox products will be discontinued.
To find a list of the Slingbox models subject to this decision and for additional details, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below.
Sling Media will continue to support existing users who remain under warranty.
To find a list of the Slingbox models subject to this decision and for additional details, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) below.
Sling Media will continue to support existing users who remain under warranty.
Nov 11, 2020, 4:51 am
#14
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 2,912
FYI... https://www.slingbox.com/discontinued
Any current thoughts on a replacement. We use the Slingbox to view OTA channels on our computers in various parts of the house or when traveling.
Any current thoughts on a replacement. We use the Slingbox to view OTA channels on our computers in various parts of the house or when traveling.
Nov 11, 2020, 8:07 am
#15
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: OKC
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Posts: 2,274
TV Tuner + Plex is a good option if you don't mind some investment and setting up a Plex box.
Dish Anywhere (built on Sling technology) works great via Firestick, but you have to have access to a Dish Account
The only other option I can think of is a streaming service of your choice, plus a VPN back to that location so that it thinks you are in house and doesn't geo restrict you. I run a Ubiquiti Amplifi setup for this - their teleport VPN works great.
Dish Anywhere (built on Sling technology) works great via Firestick, but you have to have access to a Dish Account
The only other option I can think of is a streaming service of your choice, plus a VPN back to that location so that it thinks you are in house and doesn't geo restrict you. I run a Ubiquiti Amplifi setup for this - their teleport VPN works great.