Setting Up the Slingbox

The first step in setting it up is picking what video source you want to connect watch. I had three obvious choices: basic cable, Replay TV, or a Motorola Dual Tuner HD-DVR. Basic cable would have been the easiest choice since there are no IR emitters to setup and configure, but I opted to go for the Dual Tuner Motorola. I know from experience the component and composite outputs are always active, even for HD programs (though not all DVRs have this convenience). Considering it has access to every channel I subscribe to, as well as a DVR function for recorded programs, it was the most logical choice.



Connecting the Slingbox to the DVR was pretty simple. The Motorola DVR had cables plugged into the component and optical digital audio outputs, so the S-Video and analog audio jacks were unused. Using S-Video will yield the best image quality for your digital video stream. If you don't have S-video available, use composite. If you're device doesn't have any open outputs, it's okay... Sling has you covered. The Slingbox has a pass-thru built in for the composite and S-Video inputs. Just put the Slingbox between the source and the TV and you'll be fine.



Sling opted to use a 1/8" mini-jack for A/V input and output on the back of the Slingbox. While this makes it easier to connect, it limits your ability to use longer or better quality hook-up cables to connect your gear to the Slingbox. I would have preferred standard RCA jacks.



Since I was connecting the Slingbox to an external box, I needed to attach the included IR emitter cable over the IR sensor on the front of the cable box. If you're unsure where the IR sensor is on your device, it's pretty easy to find with a flashlight.



As one of the many folks that do not have a wired network jack near their home theater, I had no choice but to connect through my Wi-Fi router. Luckily, I already had a D-Link 802.11b Wi-Fi to Ethernet bridge that I once used to use to connect my Media PC to my home network. Since the bridge was already configured to my network, all I had to do was plug it in.



With power connected to the Slingbox and the Ethernet bridge, I was ready to go. The moment of TV revolution was upon me.

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