Sling Media SBPB2647 CABLE MODEM User Manual
Sling Media. Inc, CABLE MODEM
USERS MANUAL
Slingbox Pro User Guide
Your guide to setting up and using Slingbox Pro
© 2005 Sling Media, Inc. All rights reserved. Patents pending.
Slingbox, SlingPlayer, SlingPlayer Mobile, SlingStream, and SlingBar are the property of Sling Media,
Inc. All other products and services, screen images, logos, trademarks, and movie quotes are the
property of their respective owners.
SlingPlayer uses the SoundTouch Sound Processing Library, which is licensed under the terms of the
GNU Lesser General Public License.
(http://sky.prohosting.com/oparviai/soundtouch/#license)
SoundTouch Library Copyright © Olli Parviainen 2001-2005.
<SB 1.0 SPM SP 1.0 GM UG 1.4 (en-US)>
Table of Contents
Slingbox Pro User Guide iii
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ......................................................................................................................................iii
Introduction............................................................................................................................ 1
Welcome .......................................................................................................................................................1
Setup is easy...ignoring your TV is difficult ...................................................................................................................... 1
It’s not magic, but it’s close ................................................................................................................................................. 1
Stream of Consciousness ..................................................................................................................................................... 1
Where will you watch your TV? ......................................................................................................................................... 1
Using this Guide .........................................................................................................................................3
Conventions ........................................................................................................................................................................... 3
Package Contents ........................................................................................................................................4
System Requirements ........................................................................................................................................................... 4
Network Requirements ........................................................................................................................................................ 4
Important Safety Instructions ..................................................................................................................5
Connecting your Slingbox.................................................................................................... 9
About Connections ....................................................................................................................................9
Included Cables ...................................................................................................................................................................10
Rear Panel Connectors .......................................................................................................................................................11
Connecting your Audio/Video Sources to Slingbox ..........................................................................13
Connecting a Cable Box, Satellite Receiver, or a DVR .................................................................................................13
Connecting an Antenna or Analog Cable .......................................................................................................................14
Adding a Splitter .................................................................................................................................................................14
Connecting Other Audio/Video Devices .......................................................................................................................14
Sharing an Audio/Video Source ......................................................................................................................................15
Connecting Multiple Audio/Video Sources to Slingbox ..............................................................................................16
Connecting the IR Control Cable ..........................................................................................................18
Finding the IR Sensor ........................................................................................................................................................18
Connecting Slingbox to your Home Network .....................................................................................19
Powering-up your Slingbox .....................................................................................................................20
Updating Slingbox Pro ....................................................................................................... 21
Updating Slingbox Pro ...........................................................................................................................21
Updating Slingbox Firmware Automatically ..................................................................................................................21
Updating Slingbox Firmware Manually ...........................................................................................................................22
Setup and Installation Assistance.................................................................................... 23
Network Connections ........................................................................................................................................................23
SlingPlayer Software Installation ......................................................................................................................................23
Troubleshooting Remote Viewing Setup ..............................................................................................24
Resolving Remote Viewing Failure ..................................................................................................................................25
Optional Networking Connections .......................................................................................................33
Using Wall Plug Bridges ....................................................................................................................................................33
Connecting Slingbox to a Wireless Network ..................................................................................................................34
Restoring Slingbox Pro to Factory Settings ..........................................................................................35
FCC and Specifications....................................................................................................... 37
iv Slingbox Pro User Guide
FCC Statement ..........................................................................................................................................37
Product Specifications ............................................................................................................................38
Slingbox Pro Specifications ...............................................................................................................................................38
Power Adapter Specifications ...........................................................................................................................................38
Index...................................................................................................................................... 41
Welcome
Slingbox Pro User Guide 1
1: Introduction
Welcome
You’re being followed…by your television!
Your new Slingbox makes your television accessible from anywhere. It sends your living room
television to wherever you choose to watch. We call it “place-shifting.” You can call it your
TV...anywhere.
And, if you choose to set up remote viewing, following your favorite baseball team from your office
cubicle has never been easier—not that we’d encourage that. However, we’re working on a “boss”
button.
Setup is easy...ignoring your TV is difficult
Slingbox Pro doesn’t replace your entertainment system…it embraces it. Simply connect your
television source (antenna, cable, satellite, digital video recorder) or other video source to the
Slingbox, and then connect Slingbox Pro to your home network (router/available Ethernet jack).
Install the SlingPlayer software on your computer, Smartphone, or Pocket PC and watch your
programs from anywhere. Think of it as the TV remote with ultimate reach.
It’s not magic, but it’s close
Slingbox Pro sends your video over your home network to your router, which then gives you access
from wherever you are: in the kitchen or anywhere in the world with a high-speed Internet
connection. And, if you have a digital video recorder (DVR), you can watch your recorded programs
and use the familiar features, such as pause, instant replay, and fast forward…even schedule
recordings. If your DVR can do it, your Slingbox can view it.
All you need to do to watch your Slingbox from afar is to use a computer loaded with SlingPlayer
application. Start it up and connect to your Slingbox at home. You’ll be watching your TV in no time.
Stream of Consciousness
It all comes together once you start up SlingPlayer application. Slingbox Pro compresses your
television source (or other audio/video content) making it available digitally through your in-home
router. Watch it in another room or even in the backyard.
It gets more impressive when you venture outside of your home-network range. The quality of over-
the-Internet streaming is dependant on what’s between your home television source and your
computer a few miles, or a few thousand miles, away.
However, that’s not a big challenge for SlingStream™, the on-board streaming technology.
SlingStream continually monitors the end-to-end Internet bandwidth, making on the spot
adjustments to provide a constant video stream. It automatically adjusts the video stream to work
within the bandwidth that is available at any given time.
Where will you watch your TV?
Think of all the places you can now watch your TV:
Introduction
2Slingbox Pro User Guide
• In an aircraft (with broadband) after they’ve announced you can switch on your laptop.
• In the kitchen while preparing a meal or cleaning up the mess.
• In the living room while the kids are watching
Finding Nemo
…for the 37th time. You’re “baby
sitting” with the game playing on your laptop.
• Barbecuing in the backyard. Wipe the teriyaki sauce off your fingers before using the on-screen
remote.
• Surfing the Web or maybe even writing an e-mail.
• In an opera while the prima donna takes a break.
• On a business trip and you’re not interested in the local news.
• Travelling in a train and the Giants game is more interesting than the scenery outside.
• Or, just relaxing in your favorite chair...or throne.
Where you watch your TV is up to you!
Using this Guide
Slingbox Pro User Guide 3
Using this Guide
The guide includes step-by-step instructions for using your Slingbox so you get the most out of your
new television experience. If you haven’t already, refer to the Quick Setup Guide for an overview of the
connection process.
Additional guides, instructions, troubleshooting help, tips and tricks, and the most up-to-date
information about this guide are always available at www.slingmedia.com. Make sure to check the
website if your answers aren’t found here.
We would love to hear from you. Please send feedback to documentation@slingmedia.com.
Conventions
The guide uses the following conventions:
Table 1: Conventions
When you see... What it means...
Select Help > About
SlingPlayer
Select About SlingPlayer from the
Help menu
Click Change. Click the Change button on
SlingPlayer. All UI elements such
as radio buttons, lists, and buttons
are in bold.
Introduction
4Slingbox Pro User Guide
Package Contents
Make sure you have received the following items with your Slingbox. See “Included Cables” on
page 10.
• Slingbox Pro
• 2 Audio/Video cables
• Ethernet cable
• Coaxial cable
•Quick Setup Guide
• CD-ROM containing SlingPlayer for
Windows 2000 (SP4) and XP computers
•S-Video cable
• IR Control cable
System Requirements Network Requirements
• Windows XP Home/Pro/MCE/2000
(SP4)
• Pentium IV 1GHz
• 256MB RAM
• 100MB Free Hard Disk Space
• Graphics Card (24-bit color)
• Sound Card (16-bit)
• CD-ROM Drive
• Ethernet Network Connectivity (wired,
802.11 a/b/g, or Powerline)
• A router or a combined cable modem/
router.
Search for “recommended routers” in
http://www.slingmedia.com/support/ for a
list of all recommend routers.
• DHCP must be enabled on your router so
Slingbox Pro is recognized during the
software installation.
• A high-speed Internet connection if you
plan to view your Slingbox remotely.
Note
Many advanced features are only supported if you have the latest firmware and
SlingPlayer software. Visit http://www.slingmedia.com/us/support/downloads
for the latest software.
Tip
Slow Internet upstream rates can affect the streaming quality when using Slingbox
Pro remotely. Check with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) if you would like to
upgrade to a speedier service. It is recommend that you have a minimum
upstream bandwidth of 256 Kbps. Higher upstream means better viewing quality.
Important Safety Instructions
Slingbox Pro User Guide 5
Important Safety Instructions
Please read all of these instructions and retain for future reference. Follow all warnings and
instructions.
Do not use Slingbox Pro near water.
Do not place the product near heat sources such as direct sunlight, radiators, heat registers, stoves,
or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
Do not block the ventilation holes on top of the Slingbox. Slingbox Pro requires adequate
ventilation. Do not place Slingbox Pro in a cabinet or built-in installation unless sufficient
ventilation is provided. Do not place anything on top of the Slingbox, including another
Slingbox.
Operate this product from the type of power source indicated on the marking label.
Route power cables so they are not likely to be walked on, rolled over, or pinched by items placed
upon or against them, or otherwise subject to abuse, paying particular attention to cords at plugs,
convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the product.
Never push objects of any kind into this product through openings as they may touch dangerous
voltage points or short-out parts that could result in a fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of
any kind on the product.
Unplug Slingbox Pro before cleaning. Use only a cloth dampened with water to clean the Slingbox.
Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table.
Do not place heavy objects on top of the product.
Outdoor antenna grounding. If an outside
antenna or cable system is connected to the
product, be sure the antenna or cable system is
grounded to provide some protection against
voltage surges and built-up static charges. Article
810 of the National Electrical Code, ANSI/
NFPA 70 1984, provides information with regard
to proper grounding of the mast and supporting
structure, grounding of the lead-in wire to an
antenna discharge unit, size of grounding conductors, location of antenna discharge unit,
connection to grounding electrodes, and requirements for the grounding electrode.
Lightning. For added protection of this product during a lightning storm, or when it is left
unattended and unused for long periods, unplug it from the wall outlet.
Power lines. An outside antenna system should not be located near overhead power lines or other
electric light or power circuits, or where it can fall into such power lines or circuits. When installing
an outside antenna system, extreme care should be taken to keep from touching such power lines
or circuits as contact with them might be fatal.
Introduction
6Slingbox Pro User Guide
Servicing. Do not attempt to service this product yourself, as opening or removing covers may
expose you to dangerous voltage or other hazards. Refer all servicing to qualified service
personnel. Refer to www.slingmedia.com/support for servicing information.
Damage requiring service. Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to
qualified service personnel under the following conditions:
• When the power-supply cord or plug is damaged.
• If liquid has been spilled, or objects have fallen into the product.
• If the product has been exposed to rain or water.
• If the product does not operate normally by following the operating instructions. Adjust only
those controls covered by the operating instructions. An improper adjustment of other
controls may result in damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified technician to
restore the product to its normal operation.
• If the product has been dropped or damaged in any way.
• When the product exhibits a distinct change in performance.
Replacement parts. When replacement parts are required, be sure the service technician has used
replacement parts specified by the manufacturer or parts that have the same characteristics as the
original part. Unauthorized substitution may result in fire, electric shock or other hazards.
Safety check. Upon completion of any service or repairs to this product, ask the service
technician to perform safety checks to determine that the product is in proper operating condition.
Important Safety Instructions
Slingbox Pro User Guide 7
The lightning flash with arrowhead symbol, within an equilateral triangle, is intended to
alert the user to the presence of uninsulated “dangerous voltage” within the product’s
enclosure that may be of sufficient magnitude to constitute a risk of electric shock to
persons.
The exclamation point within an equilateral triangle is intended to alert the user to the
presence of important operating and maintenance (servicing) instructions in the
literature accompanying the product.
WARNING
To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this product to rain or
moisture.
Note to CATV Installer
This reminder is provided to call the CATV system installer’s attention to section
820-40 of the NEC, which provides guidelines for proper grounding and, in
particular, specifies that the cable ground shall be connected to the grounding
system of the building, as close to the point of cable entry as practical.
Introduction
8Slingbox Pro User Guide
About Connections
Slingbox Pro User Guide 9
2: Connecting your Slingbox
About Connections
This section contains the following topics:
• Included Cables on page 10
• Rear Panel Connectors on page 11
Connecting Slingbox is easy, and takes just a few minutes. Refer to the Quick Setup Guide before
reading this chapter. This chapter provides additional information and instructions.
Diagram showing basic connections
You connect your television source (antenna, cable, satellite, DVR) to Slingbox, and then connect
Slingbox to your home network (either wired or wirelessly). From there, you can watch your living
room TV programming from wherever you are by turning any laptop or Internet-connected
computer into a window to your home. It’s that simple. You can also connect other A/V devices to
Slingbox, such as a DVD player, a VCR, or a CD player. See “Connecting Other Audio/Video
Devices” on page 14.
Connecting your Slingbox
10 Slingbox Pro User Guide
Included Cables
You probably won’t need to use all of the cables included with your Slingbox. The way in which you
connect Slingbox depends on the type of entertainment and networking equipment you want to
connect. Here’s a little information on the cables included with Slingbox.
Table 1: Cables provided and their use
Cable or Cable Combination Why do I need it?
S-Video cable with Audio
cables
This combination provides good audio and video quality.
If your cable/satellite box, DVR, or other external A/V device
has an available S-Video output, you should take advantage of
the superior video quality it delivers. Connect the supplied S-
Video cable from the S-Video output on your external device to
S-Video In on Slingbox.
Leave the yellow (composite) video cable unattached. You must
also connect the red and white audio cables to the audio outputs
on your external device and to A/V In on Slingbox.
Coaxial cable
Use this cable to connect your antenna or analog cable TV
source directly to Slingbox.
You may also use this cable if your A/V source device does
not have S-Video or Audio/Video outputs. Connect this
supplied coaxial cable from the output on your A/V device to
Antenna/Cable In on Slingbox.
Note: You cannot use S-Video or A/V Out from Slingbox to
your TV if you use the coaxial cable.
IR Control cable
If you have a cable box, satellite receiver, DVR, or other
external device, Slingbox uses this cable to control these
external devices, just as you do with your remote control.
This cable sends remote control signals from Slingbox to your
cable/satellite box or DVR. It allows you to view menus and
guides from these and other connected devices, as well as use
familiar features like play, pause, fast forward and rewind.
Ethernet cable
The Ethernet cable connects Slingbox to your router. If the
cable is not long enough to reach your router, you can purchase
a longer cable or use optional network bridges. See “Optional
Networking Connections” on page 33 for information about
using wall plug or wireless bridges.
About Connections
Slingbox Pro User Guide 11
Rear Panel Connectors
•Power: Slingbox does not have an on/off switch. Plug it in to power it on. The green Power light
on the front indicates that Slingbox is on.
•IR (infrared): Allows Slingbox to change channels on your cable box or satellite receiver, and use
the menus of the device you connected, including a DVR. The emitter ends of the IR control
cable are placed so they point at the IR sensor on your device.
Power adapter
The power adapter connects your Slingbox to an electrical
outlet to supply power.
Table 1: Cables provided and their use
Cable or Cable Combination Why do I need it?
Connecting your Slingbox
12 Slingbox Pro User Guide
•Network: The most reliable connection to your router is with the supplied Ethernet cable. You
may use alternative connections, such as Powerline wall plug bridges or a wireless bridge. Wall
plugs are more reliable than wireless connections.
•S-Video Out: Optionally connect your Audio/Video source back to your television. Also,
connect the A/V cable to your TV to send the audio and leave the yellow (video) cable
unplugged.
•A/V Out: Optionally connect your Audio/Video source back to your television.
•Antenna/Cable In: Connect the incoming antenna or analog cable TV source directly to
Slingbox. You may also use this connection if your cable box, satellite receiver, or DVR does not
have available S-Video and/or A/V outputs.
•S-Video In: From your A/V source. Also, connect the supplied A/V cable to your A/V source
to send the audio and leave the yellow (video) cable unplugged.
•A/V In: From the Audio/Video outputs on your A/V source.
•Reset: Used only to restore your Slingbox to factory settings. This clears all of your Slingbox
settings. “Restoring Slingbox Pro to Factory Settings” on page 35.
Connecting your Audio/Video Sources to Slingbox
Slingbox Pro User Guide 13
Connecting your Audio/Video Sources to Slingbox
This section contains the following topics:
• Connecting a Cable Box, Satellite Receiver, or a DVR on page 13
• Connecting an Antenna or Analog Cable on page 14
• Connecting Other Audio/Video Devices on page 14
• Connecting Multiple Audio/Video Sources to Slingbox on page 16
Additional information about the steps in the Quick Setup Guide is provided here. Refer to the Quick
Setup Guide before reading this chapter.
If you are setting up your Slingbox with:
• A cable box, satellite receiver, or a DVR (such as a TiVo® or ReplayTV®), see “Connecting a
Cable Box, Satellite Receiver, or a DVR” on page 13.
• Antenna or cable only (no cable box), see “Connecting an Antenna or Analog Cable” on page 14.
• Another Audio/Video device, see “Connecting Other Audio/Video Devices” on page 14.
Connecting a Cable Box, Satellite Receiver, or a DVR
If you have a cable
box, satellite
receiver, or a DVR,
connect this device
to Slingbox, as
shown below.
1. Connect your
cable box,
satellite
receiver,
or
DVR to Sling-
box. Choose
one of the con-
nections below
based on the
available out-
puts on your cable box, satellite receiver or DVR. See “Included Cables” on page 10 for more
information on the included cables. If you have a standalone DVR already connected to a cable
box or satellite receiver, connect the outputs from your DVR to Slingbox inputs.
•S-Video and Audio cables: This combination provides the best video quality. If your cable box,
satellite receiver, or DVR has an available S-Video output, you should take advantage of the
superior quality it delivers. Connect the supplied S-Video cable from the S-Video output on your
cable/satellite box or DVR to S-Video In on Slingbox. You must also connect the red and white
audio cables.
•Audio/Video cable: This cable provides good video quality. Connect one end from the available
outputs on your cable/satellite box or DVR to
A/V In on Slingbox.
Connecting your Slingbox
14 Slingbox Pro User Guide
•Coaxial cable: Only use this cable if your cable/satellite box or DVR does not have S-Video or
Audio/Video outputs. Connect the supplied coaxial cable from the output on your cable/satellite
box or DVR to Antenna/Cable In on Slingbox.
2. You now need to connect the IR control cable. See “Connecting the IR Control Cable” on
page 18.
Connecting an Antenna or Analog Cable
Use this setup if your TV source is antenna or analog cable
only, without a cable box. Connect the incoming antenna or
cable line to Antenna/Cable In on Slingbox. Once
connected, continue to connect Slingbox to the network. See
“Connecting Slingbox to your Home Network” on page 19.
Adding a Splitter
If the incoming antenna or cable line from the wall in your
home is connected directly to your TV, you will need to use a
coaxial splitter (not included) to send your TV source to your
TV and to your Slingbox. See below if you have a cable
modem sharing the cable line.
Using a Cable Modem
If you have a cable modem, you may be able to receive your basic cable channels from the same
coaxial cable that supplies your Internet connection. If so, use a splitter, with one cable connected to
your cable modem and one connected to Slingbox, as shown. Be sure to connect Slingbox to your
router. See “Connecting Slingbox to your Home Network” on page 19
Connecting Other Audio/Video Devices
One additional advantage of Slingbox is the ability to stream
more than just your television programming. Slingbox can
control many DVD players, VCRs, and CD players. Yes, you
can even listen to music from your CD player. You can
additionally connect non controllable devices such as
camcorders too.
1.Connect the suitable cable from your device’s outputs to the
inputs on Slingbox. You need to use one of the supplied
Audio/Video cables if your device uses A/V outputs.
Connecting your Audio/Video Sources to Slingbox
Slingbox Pro User Guide 15
2. Make sure your device is ON when
you want to view it using Slingbox.
SlingRemote displays many DVD,
VCR, and CD player buttons. If
you don’t see the button you want
to use, select the Remote drop-
down menu button at the top of
SlingRemote. Slingbox can
remotely power on/off your
configured devices
3. If you change what you originally
connected to your Slingbox—for
example, adding a new device like a
DVD player—you must apply this
change within SlingPlayer as well.
See “Audio/Video Settings” on
page 31.
4. Continue to connect Slingbox to
the network. See “Connecting Slingbox to your Home Network” on page 19.
Sharing an Audio/Video Source
Complete this step if you have to remove the
cable or cables currently connecting your
cable/satellite box or DVR to your TV to
include Slingbox in your setup. You may need
to do this if your device has only one set of
outputs. This connection passes your television
source through Slingbox and back to your
television.
Connect the same cable type for the output back
to your TV as you used for the input to Slingbox.
For example, if you connected S-Video along with
the red and white audio connectors to Slingbox,
make the same connection to your TV.
Important
Though you can connect many A/V devices to Slingbox, not all can be
controlled. If your device category (for example, a camcorder) is not among
the categories listed during setup, choose Non-controllable device.
Connecting your Slingbox
16 Slingbox Pro User Guide
Connecting Multiple Audio/Video Sources to Slingbox
All three Slingbox A/V inputs are
available for use: Antenna/Cable
In, S-Video In, and A/V In.
However, you can only set up one
input during the initial installation
of SlingPlayer. Once you have
completed the Setup Wizard for
the first time, you can connect
additional A/V devices to the
remaining Slingbox inputs.
If, for example, you connected
your cable box or DVR to
Antenna/Cable In on Slingbox,
you can later connect a DVD player to A/V In and switch between these two inputs while using
SlingPlayer.
Connecting Another A/V Device
1. Connect the additional TV source or other A/V device to the available Slingbox input.
2. Start SlingPlayer.
3. Select Slingbox > Properties.
Important
If you connected a coaxial cable from your device to Slingbox, it will not work.
You need to use a coaxial splitter (not included). See “Using a Cable Modem” on
page 14.
Important
If you plan to connect an A/V source to both A/V In and S-Video In, you will
only receive the audio signal from the source to which the A/V cable is
connected. However, you can use one of these combinations and receive both
audio and video:
• Antenna/Cable In and A/V In, or
• Antenna/Cable In and S-Video In (along with the red and white audio from
the A/V cable).
Important
If you connect an external A/V device, you must also attach the extra emitter
from the IR control cable to the front of the device so it can be controlled.
Connecting your Audio/Video Sources to Slingbox
Slingbox Pro User Guide 17
4. In the Slingbox Configuration tab, click Change within the Audio/Video Setup category.
5. Click Next to go to the Connection to Your Slingbox screen.
6. Select the input to which you connected the new source and then follow the on-screen
instructions.
Switching Between A/V Inputs
While streaming from your Slingbox, select Video Input from Slingbox menu and then choose the
input to which you want to switch. SlingPlayer switches to the input you selected and displays the
appropriate remote control.
Connecting your Slingbox
18 Slingbox Pro User Guide
Connecting the IR Control Cable The IR control cable allows Slingbox to
act as a universal remote, controlling the
device you connect to Slingbox. It works
with your cable/satellite box, DVR, and
many other devices.
Place your Slingbox close enough to your
device so the IR control cable can be
attached to the front of your device.
1.Connect the IR control cable to the IR
connector on Slingbox. Make sure to
firmly insert the cable connector so the
cable’s plastic covering meets the back
of Slingbox. It clicks in when fully
inserted. Check this connection before continuing.
2.Place the emitter ends of the cable on
the top and bottom of the device so they
point at its IR sensor. Make sure they extend out far enough to send a signal to your device. See
“Finding the IR Sensor” on page 18.
3. Continue to connect Slingbox to the network. See “Connecting Slingbox to your Home
Network” on page 19.
Finding the IR Sensor
The infrared sensor is on the front of the device, usually behind a dark, sometimes reddish plastic
window. If you don’t see the sensor, shine a flashlight through the window and look for a small bulb,
similar to the one on the end of the emitters.
• Once you are sure you have placed an emitter correctly, remove the adhesive covering and affix
the emitter so it extends out far enough to send a signal to your device.
Important
When you install SlingPlayer software, the Setup Wizard attempts to
communicate with your device using the IR control cable. Make sure you place
the emitters over the infrared sensor on your device before you install
SlingPlayer. If the Setup Wizard is not controlling your device, you may need to
adjust the position of the emitters. You may want to wait to affix the emitters
until after you install SlingPlayer.
Connecting Slingbox to your Home Network
Slingbox Pro User Guide 19
Connecting Slingbox to your Home Network
Slingbox works with any high-speed Internet
connection or broadband home network. You
must have a router to use Slingbox. Slingbox
comes with an Ethernet cable. If it’s not long
enough to reach your router, you can use a
longer cable, or one of the optional
connections. See “Optional Networking
Connections” on page 33.
What you need to get started:
• A high-speed Internet connection using a
cable or DSL modem if you plan to view
your Slingbox remotely.
• A router, so Slingbox and your computer
can access the Internet separately.
See “Optional Networking Connections” on
page 33 if your Slingbox is not within Ethernet
cable reach of your router.
1. Connect the supplied Ethernet cable to the Network connector on Slingbox.
2. Connect the other end to an available port on your router or a nearby Ethernet jack.
3. You now need to power-up the Slingbox, see “Powering-up your Slingbox” on page 20.
Cable TV/Internet sourc
e
Splitter Modem
Router
Slingbox
Connecting your Slingbox
20 Slingbox Pro User Guide
Powering-up your Slingbox Connect the supplied power adapter to
Slingbox and to an electrical outlet. When
plugged in, the Power light on the front of
Slingbox comes on, and then the lights on
the front of Slingbox will blink a few times
as Slingbox starts up.
The Network light remains on if Slingbox
successfully received an IP address (your
router recognizes Slingbox as a new device
on your network). If both the power and
network lights are on, you are ready to
install the software.
Before you install SlingPlayer,
•Ensure your computer is connected to
the same router as Slingbox. See “Multiple
Routers In Your Home” on page 27 for
more information.
•Ensure your cable box, satellite receiver,
or DVR is ON and set to live television (not recording a program), and no menu is on your TV
screen.
• Check to see if the Power and Network lights are switched on.
You now can install SlingPlayer. See Chapter 3: “Installing SlingPlayer”.
Updating Slingbox Pro
Slingbox Pro User Guide 21
3: Updating Slingbox Pro
New versions of Slingbox firmware are periodically released. These versions could include
enhancements and/or bug-fixes. We constantly strive to improve your viewing experience.
Updating Slingbox Pro
From time to time, there are new firmware updates available for your Slingbox. You will be
automatically prompted. You can also check for updates manually.
Updating Slingbox Firmware Automatically
To update Slingbox firmware automatically:
1. When SlingPlayer informs you that a new version
of firmware is available for your Slingbox, click
Yes.
The Slingbox Setup Wizard starts.
2. Click Next.
3. Click Browse to select an alternate location for
the Firmware file.
4. Select Update the firmware now. Click Next.
The Wizard downloads the updates from the Sling Media site. You can track the progress on this
screen. The Wizard then restarts your Slingbox
5. Click Next. Click Finish.
Updating Slingbox Pro
22 Slingbox Pro User Guide
Updating Slingbox Firmware Manually
If you could not
update your Slingbox
when prompted, you
can check for the
updates manually.
To update Slingbox
firmware manually:
1. Select Slingbox > Properties.
The Slingbox properties window appears.
2. In the Slingbox Configuration tab, click Change in the Update Slingbox Firmware section.
The Slingbox Setup Wizard starts.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions. Refer “Updating Slingbox Firmware Automatically” on
page 21 for more information.
Note
It is recommended to accept default values.
Slingbox Pro User Guide 23
4: Setup and Installation Assistance
This appendix provides additional setup and software installation information not covered in
Chapters 1 and 2.
Network Connections
Follow the instructions in this appendix if the typical setup is not possible in your home, or if you
want to use optional connections that may make setup simple for you. Also, if you have more than
one router in your home, you may need to adjust your network setup to use Slingbox.
SlingPlayer Software Installation
The Setup Wizard and SlingPlayer application automatically discover Slingbox on your home
network. Certain personal firewall security software may block this process or categorize
Slingbox as an “intruding device.” If this occurs, you need to change your security software
settings to allow Slingbox as a device on your network. See page 25 for information about adjusting
your firewall software settings.
This appendix also provides information about resetting your Slingbox to its factory settings.
Setup and Installation Assistance
24 Slingbox Pro User Guide
Troubleshooting Remote Viewing Setup
To view your Slingbox remotely (outside of your home network) you need to open a port on your
router. During the Setup Wizard, if you selected “Fully-Automatic UPnP” mode, the software
attempts to open a port on your router automatically. If you were unable to use Automatic mode or
you selected Manual mode, you must open a port on your home router prior to activating remote
viewing. Read below for troubleshooting tips.
The final step of the Setup Wizard is a
test that verifies remote viewing is
properly configured. If this test fails,
you can:
•Try again using the current
router settings. This is the best
first step to solve the problem.
Occasionally the Setup Wizard does
not receive confirmation from
Slingbox Finder in sufficient time to
complete the test (possibly due to
Internet traffic, local network
congestion, or certain router
makes/models). Before making any
changes, you should Try Again
once.
•Change your router settings.
While configuring your router for port forwarding, it is possible a typo or other minor mistake
was made. Click Change Network/Router Settings to double-check Slingbox settings and confirm
your router is properly configured for port forwarding. See “Optional Networking Connections”
on page 33..
•Disable remote viewing. If you want to enjoy your Slingbox within the home and configure
remote viewing later, simply click Disable Remote Viewing. You can then use your Slingbox with
any locally connected PCs, and change the network settings to enable remote viewing later.
•Continue Anyway. Sometimes it’s not convenient or easy to set up your router for Slingbox
remote viewing and you know the problem isn’t with Slingbox but your network. Fortunately, this
step does NOT have to be completed at this moment and you can continue with the rest of the
Slingbox setup. Later you can come back to the remote viewing activation when you have
resolved your network issues. This is different from the option above where you have to disable
remote viewing on Slingbox to continue.
Note
Remote viewing may fail even if Automatic UPnP was successful during the
Setup Wizard. If the Network light on the front of Slingbox is blinking,
Slingbox does not have a valid IP address from your router. Remote and local
viewing will not work in this case. Refer to the solutions below to fix the
problem.
Troubleshooting Remote Viewing Setup
Slingbox Pro User Guide 25
Resolving Remote Viewing Failure
There are a number of possible reasons why remote viewing fails. The first thing to do is to identify
why remote viewing does not work for you.
Internet or Finder Service Problem
If either your Internet connection or the Slingbox Finder service is down, you will not be able to
watch your Slingbox remotely. You can verify this is the problem if the following error message
displays:
“Unable to connect to the Slingbox Finder. Please check your Internet connection and firewall
settings.”
Solution: Check your Internet connection. Once your Internet connection is active, your Slingbox
should be working once communication is reestablished with the Slingbox Finder service. Click Try
Again when your Internet connection is restored to activate remote viewing.
Firewall Security Software Blocking SlingPlayer Use
Internet security and firewall software, such as Norton Internet Security or ZoneAlarm, keep your
home network safe from viruses or damaging attacks. Slingbox and your PC communicate using a
technology called “discovery,” which means you do not have to figure out how to connect to your
Slingbox when using SlingPlayer.
As a side effect, some security software may designate Slingbox as a “hostile” device on your
network. Additionally, by default, most routers do not block devices from accessing the Internet. This
is typically a user setting. You will not be able to watch your Slingbox remotely if your router blocks it.
If you are running these software programs, your security software may display an alert message while
installing SlingPlayer or using SlingPlayer. This message informs you if a program is attempting to
access the Internet, and asks you to either allow or deny access. You may see an alert appear while
running SlingPlayer or Slingbox Setup Wizard related to personal security or firewall software, which
may look like one of the warnings on the following page.
Setup and Installation Assistance
26 Slingbox Pro User Guide
Solution: If you see such a warning, you need to grant or permit access for your Slingbox to work
properly. If you accidentally block SlingPlayer, consult your firewall documentation or support Web
site to grant access to SlingPlayer.
No Open Port On Your Router
A port must be open on your router to watch your Slingbox remotely. By opening a port on your
router, your router allows access to your Slingbox when you attempt to watch your Slingbox from a
remote computer. If the port is not open, your router does not allow outside access, as shown below.
Troubleshooting Remote Viewing Setup
Slingbox Pro User Guide 27
Solution: If the Setup Wizard did not automatically open a port on your router, go to
www.slingmedia.com/portforward.html to try the Setup Wizard port-forwarding tool. If this does
not provide sufficient help, refer to your router documentation or the support Web site for your
router manufacturer.
Multiple Routers In Your Home
With the growth of wireless networks and combination network devices, some home networks have
become overly complex with the use of multiple routers when just one can do the trick. If you have
multiple routers in your home, the ports must be open along the path. It is possible you have multiple
routers in the home, even if you don’t think you own more than one. How is this possible?
•Some DSL/Cable modems have built-in router functionality. For example, DSL modems made
by 2Wire, and select models by Westell and SpeedStream have built-in router functionality.
•If you have a Voice-over-IP (VoIP) server in your home, it may also act as a router. In this case,
the VoIP server is actually your primary router.
In a multiple router home where Slingbox is connected to a secondary router, as shown below, you
need to open a port on both routers to watch your Slingbox remotely. It is strongly recommended
that you connect your Slingbox to the primary router in your home, as shown.
The easiest and most reliable configuration for viewing remotely.
Solution: Follow these instructions if you connected Slingbox to your secondary router.
Setup and Installation Assistance
28 Slingbox Pro User Guide
1. Complete the standard port forwarding setup for your Slingbox and your secondary router (the
secondary router is the one connected to your Slingbox; the primary router is the one between
your secondary router and the Internet, as shown below).
Troubleshooting Remote Viewing Setup
Slingbox Pro User Guide 29
Your Current Status:
If you properly completed the network steps during the Setup Wizard, port-forwarding is now set up
on your secondary router, as shown above.
Your Desired Status
Open a port on your
primary
router.
Follow the remaining steps below.
2. Important: In addition to configuring port forwarding (in the following steps), it is strongly
recommended that you either:
a. Set a static, or permanent, IP address for your secondary router.
OR
b. Limit the DHCP server range on the primary router so only one IP address is assigned
(recommended for advanced users).
Setup and Installation Assistance
30 Slingbox Pro User Guide
If you do not perform one of these two steps, your secondary router’s IP address may change, for
example, in the event of a power failure. If this occurs, you will have to reconfigure your primary router
again for remote viewing of your Slingbox.
3. Locate the public IP address and the gateway for your secondary router. To do this, follow
these steps:
a. Open a Web browser and type your secondary router’s IP address (preceded by http://) in
the address bar of the browser.
For example, http://192.168.100.1
b. Enter your secondary router’s Username and Password in the login window.
c. Browse the secondary router’s setup screens. You are looking for either “Internet Status” or
“WAN Status” or any page that displays:
• Public IP address
• Gateway address
d. The public IP address and gateway address will look similar to your router’s IP address.
• For example, if your secondary router’s IP address is 192.168.100.1, its public IP address might
look like 192.168.1.2 and its gateway might be 192.168.1.1.
• The first two segments of the numbers will probably be the same, and the second two segments
will probably be different.
•Important: Your secondary router’s gateway is your primary router’s IP address.
4. Now, open a Web browser window, and enter your secondary router’s gateway number into the
address field. For example, http://192.168.1.1. You will see another router setup screen.
5. If the Setup Wizard successfully set up your secondary router, it assigned a port number (the
default is 5001). You may have also assigned ports on your own. Open the same ports you
opened on your secondary router, with one change...
6. Instead of opening these ports to the IP address for your Slingbox, open these ports to your
secondary router’s public IP address.
Troubleshooting Remote Viewing Setup
Slingbox Pro User Guide 31
Example:
• Your Slingbox has IP address 192.168.1.237, and port 5001
• Your secondary router is located at 192.168.1.1
• Your secondary router has a Public IP address of 192.168.10.2, and a gateway of 192.168.10.0
Correctly configured secondary router.
Setup after opening the secondary router’s port.
Setup and Installation Assistance
32 Slingbox Pro User Guide
Your primary router must ALSO have a port forwarding entry, which should look like this.
Setup after opening both router’s ports.
Optional Networking Connections
Slingbox Pro User Guide 33
Optional Networking Connections
If your router is not within cable reach of Slingbox, you can:
• Purchase a longer Ethernet cable.
• Use wall plug bridges such as the Sling Media SlingLink, which use your existing in-home
electrical outlets to connect devices to your network. These wall plug devices—also known as
HomePlug or Powerline bridges—are easy to set up and use with Slingbox, requiring no new
wires. Wall plug bridges provide better performance than wireless networking especially
when using a HomePlug optimized for Slingbox like the SlingLink.
See http://www.slingmedia.com/slinglink for more information about this product.
• Use a wireless bridge to connect your Slingbox to a wireless network. See “Connecting Slingbox
to a Wireless Network” on page 34..
Using Wall Plug Bridges
If you don’t have an Ethernet jack near your TV, an easy option is to use a pair of wall plug bridges,
which use your existing in-home electrical outlets to connect Slingbox to your network. Sling Media
sells a wall plug especially made for connections to Slingbox, see http://www.slingmedia.com/
slinglink for more information. You’ll need two bridges: connect one to your Slingbox and the other
to your router, as shown.
Tip
Go to www.slingmedia.com/support for a list of recommended routers, wall
plug bridges, and wireless bridges. Make sure to follow the installation
instructions that come with the equipment you purchase.
Slingbox connection near your TV source Connection to your router
Setup and Installation Assistance
34 Slingbox Pro User Guide
Connecting Slingbox to a Wireless Network
Slingbox cannot wirelessly connect to
your home network by itself. However,
you can connect Slingbox to an existing
wireless network using an Ethernet-to-
wireless bridge (or a wireless game
adapter) and use your wireless laptop
around the house. You must have a
wireless home network for this setup.
1. Set up your bridge to work with your
existing wireless home network before
you connect Slingbox to your bridge.
(It is recommended that you test the
bridge where you plan to use
Slingbox. Wireless networks vary in
signal strength from location to
location.)
2. Connect an Ethernet cable to the Network connector on Slingbox and to an Ethernet jack on
your wireless bridge.
Make sure to follow the installation instructions that come with the equipment that you purchase.
Important
For optimal performance, it is strongly recommended that you
connect the bridges directly to a wall outlet. Do not connect
them to a power strip or extension cord.
Important
If your router requires MAC address authentication, you may
need to add Slingbox’s MAC address to your router
administration screens. The MAC address is printed on the
bottom of Slingbox.
Restoring Slingbox Pro to Factory Settings
Slingbox Pro User Guide 35
Restoring Slingbox Pro to Factory Settings
Certain situations may require you to restore your Slingbox to factory settings. For example:
• If you replace the router to which you originally connected your Slingbox. In this case, Slingbox
was set up to work with your original router and now needs a new IP address from your new
router.
• If you forgot your password.
• If you move your Slingbox to another home or network.
With your Slingbox powered on, press and hold the Reset button on the back of Slingbox for five
seconds. The lights on the front of Slingbox quickly flash from left to right and then flash slowly.
Slingbox is reset after 30 seconds. Once reset, the Power light stays solid.
Note
If your Slingbox is connected to your router, the Network light
will also go on when it receives an IP address.
If you restore factory settings, all of your Slingbox settings will
be cleared and it will need to be reconfigured.
FCC Statement
Slingbox Pro User Guide 37
5: FCC and Specifications
FCC Statement
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Sling Media, Inc., could void the user’s authority
to operate this equipment.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can
radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions may
cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off
and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures: Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is
connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Note: Slingbox is not a cable-ready device. Full access to all cable channels and features may not be
possible.
Product Specifications
Slingbox Specifications
Table 1: Slingbox Specifications
Product Name Slingbox
Model # V-Modem007
Dimensions 10.25"(w) x 1.25"(h) x 7"(d)
Weight 1.5 lbs
Power Requirements 6V/2.8A
Inputs
Composite video (RCA)
Composite audio (RCA - L/R)
S-video
S-video audio (RCA - L/R)
RF/Coaxial
HD video (RGB)
HD audio (L/R)
Device Control IR emitter
Network RJ-45 Ethernet
Display 5 front panel LEDs: Upstream,
Downstream, Network, Internet, Power
TV Tuner NTSC/PAL/SECAM (built-in)
Modem Specifications
Table 2: Modem Specifications
Downstream Upstream
Frequency Range DOCSIS: 112-858Mhz DOCSIS: 5~42Mhz
Modulation 64/256QAM QPSK, 8/16/32/64/128 QAM
Data Rate1
DOCSIS:
64QAM: 30Mbps
256QAM: 42.8Mbps
QPSK 0.32 ~ 10.24Mbps
8QAM 0.48 ~ 15.36Mbps
16QAM 0.64 ~ 20.48Mbps
32QAM 0.80 ~ 25.60Mbps
64QAM 0.96 ~ 30.72Mbps
128QAM/TCM 30.72Mbps
Bandwidth DOCSIS: 6MHz TDMA: 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200 and 6400 kHz
S-CDMA: 1600, 3200 and 6400 kHz
1 Actual speeds vary, and often less than the maximum possible. Upload and download speeds are affected by several factors
including, but not limited, to: network traffic and services offered by your cable operatior or braodband service provider,
computer equipment, type of server, number of connections to server, and availability of Internet router(s).
FEC RS (128,122) GF128
with Trellis coding Reed Solomon
Signal Level
Receive Power Level:
DOCSIS:
-15 ~ +15dBmV
Transmit Power Level:
TDMA:
+8 ~ +54dBmV(32QAM, 64QAM)
+8 ~ +55dBmV(8QAM, 16QAM)
+8 ~ +58dBmV(QPSK)
S-CDMA: +8 ~ +53dBmV(all modulation)
Signal-to-Noise Ratio
(SNR)
BER <10^-8
DOCSIS:
64QAM: >23.5dB
256QAM: >30dB
Security
DOCSIS Baseline Privacy Plus: 1024-bit RSA and 128-bit Tripple-DES for
BPKM protocol
56-bit DEC for data encryption
X.509 v3 certificates
DOCSIS Compliant to DOCSIS 2.0 and Euro-DOCSIS 2.0
Protocol TCP/IP, UDP, ARP, ICMP, DHCP, SNMP, TFTP, TOD, BOOTP,
SYSLOG
Configuration Ease of configuration and privacy control provided by resident or
downloaded code from Cable Modem Termination System (CMTS)
Bridging
Support for unicast, broadcast, and multicast IP packets
Variable-length packet cable Media Access Control (MAC) transport layer
Mix of contention and reservation-based upstream transmission
Quality of Service Quality of service of MAC layer
Management Operations
SNMPv1/v2/v3)
RFC1157: A Simple Network Management Protocol
RFC1901: Introduction to Community-based SNMPv2
RFC3416: Version 2 of the Protocol Operation for the SNMP
RFC3417: Transport Mapping for the SNMP
RFC2578: Structure of Management Information Version 2
RFC2570: Introduction to Version 3 of the internet-standard Network
Management
RFC3411: An Architecture for Describing SNMP management Frameworks
RFC3412: Message Processing and Dispatching for the SNMP
RFC3413: SNMP Applications
RFC3414: User-based Security Model (USM) for SNMPv3
RFC3415: View-based Access Control Model (VACM) for SNMP RFC2576:
Coexistence between Version 1, Version 2, and Version 3 of the
Internet-standard Network Management Framework
MIBs Support
RFC1493: BRIDGE-MIB
RFC3418: SNMPv2-MIB
RFC2011: IP-MIB
RFC2013: UDP-MIB
RFC2233: IF-MIB
RFC3411: SNMP-FRAMEWORK-MIB
RFC3412: SNMP-MPD-MIB
RFC3413: SNMP-TARGET-MIB SNMP-NOTIFICATION-MIB
RFC3414: SNMP-USER-BASED-SM-MIB
RFC3415: SNMP-VIEW-BASED-ACM-MIB
RFC2576: SNMP-COMMUNITY-MIB
RFC2665: EtherLike-MIB
RFC2669: DOCS-CABLE-DEVICE-MIB
RFC2786: SNMP-USM-DH-OBJECTS-MIB
RFC2851: INET-ADDRESS-MIB
RFC2933: IGMP-STD-MIB
RFC3083: DOCS-BPI-MIB
DRAFT: DOCS-IF-MIB
DRAFT: USB-MIB
DRAFT: DOCS-BPI2-MIB
DRAFT: DOCS-QOS-MIB
Append L/Annex H: DOCS-IF-EXT-MIB
Append L/Annex H: DOCS-CABLE-DEVICE-TRAP-MIB
Power Adapter Specifications
Table 3: Power Adapter Specifications Table
Make Ktec
Model # KSAFE0600350W1US
Input Voltage Range 100VAC to 240VAC
Input Frequency Range 50 Hz to 60 Hz
Input Current 0.6A Max
Output Voltage +6V
Output Regulation 5.7~6.3V
Output Load Range 0 to 3.5A max
FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION INTERFERENCE STATEMENT
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital
device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed
and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio
communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or
television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the
user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
– Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
– Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
– Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the
receiver is connected.
– Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
CAUTION:
Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for
compliance could void the user's authority to operate the equipment.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interference and
(2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
FCC RF Radiation Exposure Statement
This equipment complies with FCC RF radiation exposure limits set forth for an
uncontrolled environment.
This equipment must not be co-located or operating in conjunction with any other antenna
or transmitter.