Slingbox

notthereyet


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 113

Message Posted:
04/02/2009 20:04

Has anybody tried accessing UK tv through the use of slingbox. Now 3g broadband is proving to be reliable cheap and with growing coverage maybe some one has invested in this system

dixie normus


Joined: 22/02/2008
Posts: 820

Message Posted:
04/02/2009 20:26

Hi nott

Tried one last year, unfortunatly download speeds were to low causing the system to freeze while buffering and poor pic quality, get onto one of the techno boys, some companies net speeds are better than others and may well be able to support the system.



D.N

Stewart


Joined: 19/07/2008
Posts: 1107

Message Posted:
04/02/2009 20:40

yes



tried two years ago with my laptop...you need a fairly fast connection speed plus...the wife got annoyed back at home when I turned over to watch footy in NC whilst she was watching corrie in the uk!

notthereyet


Joined: 26/10/2008
Posts: 113

Message Posted:
04/02/2009 21:26

Perhaps the new speeds provided by the 3g mob broadband setup will help the results acheived a year or so back.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
05/02/2009 00:03

Dear Notthereyet re msg 1



Sorry, but this thread topic comes up every two months or so - so I'll be brief and to the point



Won't work as you wish as



1/ Upload sped from UK has to be 2 megs contact to get full screen.. and most ADSL its a sixth of that - so you will be looking at a smallish window and pauses



2/ Download on "TRNC" end would also have to be 2 megs to receive the required throughput for full screen viewing.



I've bought every new version of Slingbox - thinking I could set up a farm of them for folk abroad, but the results at the receiving end ain't good enough to charge folk and for them not to want to LYNCH me ;)





Fine for wireless connectivity on a laptop in another room or occasional use when abroad.. NO WAY a substitute for a BIG sat dish or even watching downoaded stuff from the net for full screen playback





WHEN it works- I'll be offering a service that will cost less than buying a SKY box, an ADSL connection, etc..



The main killer is UP

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
05/02/2009 00:04

(cont) The main killer is lack of UPLOAD speed

Littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
05/02/2009 06:31

would it work for me mark ? here is my latest speed test



[URL= http://www.speedtest.net][IMG] http://www.speedtest.net/result/404656238.png[/IMG][/URL]

Littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
05/02/2009 06:32

http://www.speedtest.net/result/404657032.png

Littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
05/02/2009 06:34

or this one http://www.speedtest.net/result/404656238.png

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
05/02/2009 10:06

re msg 89 Nige



JEEZ, Nige, 5 mps upload ?!! Incredible..



Can you confirm by using THIS test?..tends to give better REALWORLD indication of what you'll experience.





http://www.internetfrog.com/mypc/speedtest/

Littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
05/02/2009 12:08

Mark will do I will do it at a similar time to ensure same conditions apply , trafic etc.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
05/02/2009 12:36

OK, Nige.. I CAN'T believe you get such fast uploads..

Stewart


Joined: 19/07/2008
Posts: 1107

Message Posted:
05/02/2009 13:17

dear mmmmmm interested in your comments re you will offer the service when speeds are quick enough....you will need a computer and sky service at the other end for every slingbox?....you can change chanels with my sling box, but it does mean that the tv at the other end changes programs as well....how is it possible to have 6 laptops all watching different programs at the same time, unless you are only watching programs available over the net..then there will be no need for a sling box....am VERY interested in the answer to this query

paul90


Joined: 07/11/2007
Posts: 350

Message Posted:
05/02/2009 14:22

Mark - are you confusing "upload speed" with "home network speed"?



If you go to: http://www.slingmedia.com/go/faq

it says: To get started you need "Broadband cable or DSL high-speed Internet connection (Minimum Upstream Network Speed of 256 kbps)"



To use Slingcatcher with Slingbox:

http://www.slingmedia.com/go/slingcatcher-tech-specs



you need:

"A television that supports any of the following: 480i (NTSC), 576i (PAL/SECAM), 480p*, 576p*, 720p*, or 1080i* (Note: SlingCatcher supports Standard Definition streaming from any Slingbox regardless of input video format)

Any model of Slingbox

A broadband Internet connection (DSL/Cable modem)

A home network that supports consistent 5 Mbps wired/wireless connection between your PC, router, and SlingCatcher

Currently supported streaming resolutions vary from 320x240 to 640x480, depending on network connections and Slingbox in use."



Any thoughts?

Paul

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
06/02/2009 03:12

Hi Paul re msg 14



No, I'm talking about the capacity of one's internet connection.. which is why I wanted Nige to use the link I posted..



You'll note it says MINIMUM 256 upload.. my UK based 8"8 meg" ASDSL.. ( "true" 5.5 but more often than not 2.4) has a max upload sped of 380kps - so the CY end will only get a windowed picture.. :(



Real world tests show that to get bigger and better quality screen size you need bandwidth that 99% of us don't have :(



If Sling could work like we hope - then sat TV would be "finished".. it can rest easy.. Sling only useful to watch BBC/ ITV in a window - for now..



A VPN to the UK and use of iplayer, etc., or tvcatchup.com more realistic.

Littlenige



Joined: 24/12/2006
Posts: 3594

Message Posted:
06/02/2009 05:31

mark



using frog down 270kbs up 1.74 mbs ?





http://www.speedtest.net/result/405340746.png

gooligan


Joined: 30/01/2007
Posts: 1591

Message Posted:
06/02/2009 09:25

I have just done a speed test using both and had them running at the same time.

Speedtest was 4340 kbps D/L and 345 kbps U/L

Frog 181 kbps D/L and 361 kbps U/L



One of them is way out.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
06/02/2009 10:21

re msg 16/17 Thx Guys..



Gooligan: Could you do it again but ONE at a time. as the process involves uploading and d/loading and if you run 'em both at the same time you aren't showing the potential of your connection.



I'm sorry I didn't make that clear.. try not to have any d/loading/ u/ loading going on when you do the tests..



OK.. so I have a Sling unit on test in Manchester - I'm having it sent where I am to try some tests..



Nige and Gooligan.. when I get it here, will you be Guinea pigs, please?

AndyP



Joined: 18/04/2008
Posts: 517

Message Posted:
06/02/2009 11:14

mmmmmmmmmmm



Some results for you from my 3G connnection



TRNC to Maidenhead http://www.speedtest.net/result/405449989.png

TRNC to London http://www.speedtest.net/result/405450577.png

TRNC to New York http://www.speedtest.net/result/405451010.png



Speed can vary a lot during the day and evening. The other night I managed and download speed of 2.2Mbps and an upload of 1.4Mbps. Since then someone decided to clean my desk and move the modem. Do you think I can find the exact spot and angle I had it before.

Stewart


Joined: 19/07/2008
Posts: 1107

Message Posted:
06/02/2009 12:17

Dear mmmmmmm.....still waiting for an answer to m13?

Cabbie


Joined: 30/01/2009
Posts: 95

Message Posted:
06/02/2009 12:29

always game to be a piggy.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
06/02/2009 12:31

Dear Stewart re 13 / 20



Pls accept my apologies... I missed your msg 13.. :(



at the source end one has to have a dedicated Slingbox for every client to control *THEIR* SKY receiver.. the signal - via the net is encrypted - and only viewable by the client - via one internet connection at any one time - that's what makes it LEGAL..



You'd need SIX Slingboxes and SIX different logins at the remote end to view the different channels..



Because every channel is DEDICATED - not shared - it is essential that the upload ( source end ) is FAST.



Services offering UK TV progs via the net are only legal if viewed from the UK - hence they must only accept UK IP addresses or they get closed down...



SLINGBOXES made a "pipe from the UK to the remote user.. but BOY do you need bandwidth... Hence I'm saying ( for now) VPN's are better - for now.. unless we can demonstrate Slingboxes are the way fwd..





Did that "help" ?! ;)

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
06/02/2009 12:35

Dear Andy re msg 19



Thx for the input.. the speeds seems more realistic, but I'd LOVE to see your results - using this test !



http://www.internetfrog.com/mypc/speedtest/



IF 3G gives reliable throughput .. and Turkcell doesn't "throttle" heavy users - check the small print re "FAIR USAGE POLICY" - 3G could be a good alternative to wired solutions..



In the UK I have yet to see the theoretical speeds of the "3" wireless network translate into reality :( ..

gooligan


Joined: 30/01/2007
Posts: 1591

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 21:05

Done another one

Frog 326 kbps D/L 96.3 U/L

Speed test 1595 kbps D/L 289 U/L

B/B expert 410 Kbps D/L 207 U/L



What it proves I dont know but I will say I play a lot of online poker and never had a problem since switching to 3G,skype,both audio and video is perfect.

Mark I can be a Guinea pig although thanks to Iceman I have a perfectly working 4.2 metre dish and have no real need for slingbox but will help if needed.

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
10/02/2009 21:12

OK, guys.. I have a slingbox on it's way back from where it was on test and I'm going to try it out on a ADSL line and ten a cable connection..



I think Nige, Gooligan, and Andy should go first.. I'll be in contact



Guys pls pm me as I want you to test two UK VPNs please



Mark

gooligan


Joined: 30/01/2007
Posts: 1591

Message Posted:
11/02/2009 10:32

Mark,are you using a UK ip address as the connection to the network therefore 'making' it seem we in Cyprus have a UK ip address?

mmmmmm



Joined: 19/12/2008
Posts: 8398

Message Posted:
11/02/2009 10:47

Hi Gooligan re msg 26



You don't need a UK ip to connect to a Slingbox..



I offer a UK VPN solution that allows folk to use BBC iplayer, tvcatchup.com ( live UK TV) but that is something entirely different.. you MUST have a UK IP to watch those web sites.



A Slingbox is allowing you to view your TV abroad - you control the channel you watch and only you can watch it..

gooligan


Joined: 30/01/2007
Posts: 1591

Message Posted:
11/02/2009 11:01

Sorry ,I meant the VPN.Does this mean my PC connects to your VPN,which uses a UK IP address,'therefore'making it seem I have a UK IP to UK based sites?