How to Control Your DVR Through the Internet: Slingbox

The advent of the DVR (Digital Video Recorder) makes it possible for television viewers to watch their favorite movies and shows on their own terms. DVRs offer recording and playback of your shows at the touch of a button with the ability to schedule recordings of shows across multiple channels, as well as the option of recording new episodes or reruns only. In short, DVRs free people up to watch TV on their own schedule. The only conceivable drawback was that you had to be in front of your DVR to enjoy its benefits; until now that is. The Slingbox is a small device the size of a hardcover book that takes the viewing freedom of the DVR and adds it to your desktop or laptop computer. Selling for around $180, the Slingbox allows you to schedule and view recordings, as well as live television through your internet connected computer.

Setting up a Slingbox is fairly simple. The cables that would normally run from your cable box into your television connect to the line-in of your Slingbox. Slingbox comes with an additional set of video cables that connect to the line-out ports on the unit that feeds directly into your television's video-in port.

Since it operates online, the Slingbox needs a hard-wired internet connection so the next step is to plug the included ethernet cable into the Slingbox and plug the other end into your cable/dsl modem or router. Finally, you need attach two small infrared receivers to the top of the Slingbox and plug it in.

When you download the special Slingbox software to your computer, you will be prompted to enter registration codes specific to your Slingbox unit. You can find these codes right on the Slingbox unit. These codes enable your computer to communicate directly with the unit and your DVR over the internet.

When you open the SlingPlayer you will actually see virtual remote control on your screen that will look a lot like the remote you use on your actual television. From this remote you can change channels, record shows, and watch shows you've taped. Anything you can do with your DVR at home can be done through the SlingPlayer software.

An important thing to keep in mind is that the TV your Slingbox is hooked up to will actually be changing the channels on your DVR (via the infrared sensors you hooked up) so if someone is home while you're doing this, they will be watching whatever you are watching. Also consider that you have to register your specific Slingbox info on each PC you plan on using to watch your DVR online. Remember that the quality of your internet connection will also have an impact on how well your DVR will play through SlingPlayer, so try and utilize a hard-wired internet connection for best results.