Product Reviews

Until you've seen a Slingbox in action, it's hard to believe what it can do. The new Slingbox Pro, just like the original Slingbox Classic allows you to watch your home television or set-top box wherever you are in the world. All you need is a broadband internet connection and a Windows-based computer.

The Slingbox Pro is similar to the Classic, but it has a more understated case. Realising that most Slingbox Classics were being used to stream video around users' houses rather than across the internet, Slingmedia has uprated the Pro so it can stream at 8Mbit/s. This leads to perceptibly better quality than the Classic's 2.5Mbit/s streaming, although we found that the full 8Mbit/s was used only when we were streaming HD video from Blu-ray or HD-DVD players.

Most broadband connections have a limited upload speed, though, and that hinders the quality of the video that the Slingbox can stream over the internet. Fortunately, you can get away with around 256Kbit/s.

On the rear are three video inputs: S-video, composite, and what appears to be an HDMI interface. Sadly, the latter is actually a proprietary component video interface. The included cable has two sets of connectors: one for input from an HD source (up to 1080i) and one for output. There are also corresponding outputs for the S-video and composite inputs, for connection to your TV. The fourth input is for a standard TV aerial for the built-in Freeview tuner.

Setting up the Slingbox Pro is simple. Connect whichever video devices you want to be able to watch remotely, such as a Sky+ box, a PVR or even a home security camera. Bear in mind that, as there

ADVERTISEMENT

are only two infrared emitters, you'll be able to control only two out of a possible three connected set-top boxes remotely. Most devices are supported, but you can add new remote control codes if necessary.

Then you need to connect a network cable to your router. We had hoped that the new Slingbox would have built-in wireless networking, but it has the same 10/100 Ethernet port as the Classic. We assume this is because Sling Media already sells separate SlingLink Turbo kits, which use the HomePlug 1.0 standard to use your mains wiring to carry network data. Unfortunately, a pair of these costs £70.

The SlingPlayer software guides you through connecting to the Slingbox on your local network and can change your router's settings to allow remote viewing, if it supports UPnP. If not, you'll have to get your hands dirty and open the necessary port. The software has screenshots for scores of popular routers, so you can see how it's done.

You're then given the chance to name your Slingbox and are presented with a Finder ID. You'll need this 34-digit code so the software can locate your Slingbox when you're connecting from the internet. If you know the IP address your ISP has assigned to you, you can use this instead to connect directly. You're unlikely to be able to access a Slingbox through a corporate firewall, so you won't be able to sit in the office and watch Lost from your Sky box at home.

Using the SlingPlayer is also simple. An image of the actual remote control is shown for most popular set-top boxes, so it couldn't be easier to navigate through menus to find a recorded programme or even schedule a recording. It's a slight shame that you can't pause TV from the Freeview tuner. Remember, too, that you're sharing any set-top boxes with users at home, and they won't appreciate it if you change the channel while they're watching something.

If you travel regularly or want to be able to watch your satellite or cable channels in a different room in the home, a Slingbox is a must. However, the Pro isn't cheap at £180, so it's worth hunting down a Slingbox Classic if you don't need the component input or 8Mbit/s transfer. You can find one for £100, which is a bargain.