Island TV with a sling box question

Rattlesnake Guy · 06-29-2007, 10:33 PM

I hope to use a sling box to get a few more channels on the Island. Believe it or not, this side of the island is too steep to see a satilite. My dial up on the island is dreadful at only 26K. My cellular modem is about 86K according to the sling media test program. This is lower than their recomendation. Does anyone have experience with using a sling box with a cellular modem? Thanks for any feedback on if you think this has a chance of working. We miss watching the sox.

Island Girl · 06-30-2007, 07:13 PM

It typically streams at about 125k give or take a few. The picture is not perfect but I am happy with it.

Come take a look if you want.. I am using Verizon Cell card in my laptop. The slingbox is attached to my Tivo which is attached to my home network and second Tivo.. so I have lots of options!!!!

IG

Rattlesnake Guy · 07-01-2007, 09:37 PM

I played around with some settings on my Verizon card today and got things up to about 150K. I think I will hook up the Slingbox back home and give it a try. Thanks for the feedback on your speed.

NH Native · 07-19-2007, 08:59 PM

I have a slingbox attached to both the home and lake cable feeds, and can watch either on the laptop with a Verizon wireless card. It's not broadcast quality, but I can still watch the Sox when I'm on the road or catch up on the local news.

Islander · 07-19-2007, 10:32 PM

You people on Rattlesnake should have Metrocast wire the island for cable. They did that on Bear and now we have high speed internet, cable tv and phone over cable. I love "On Demand", hundreds of movies whenever you want.

All you need is to give them a list of 10 homes that want cable.

Island Life · 07-19-2007, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Islander

You people on Rattlesnake should have Metrocast wire the island for cable. They did that on Bear and now we have high speed internet, cable tv and phone over cable. I love "On Demand", hundreds of movies whenever you want.

Hundreds of movies?

Why bother being on an island? We have no TV, no movies, no internet. We play cards and board games, sit around camp fires and talk, watch for shooting stars, listen to the Sox on the radio, take night time cruises in the boat, and enjoy from a distance the fireworks the rest of you set off. And the beauty of it is that we do it together as a large, extended family; from the youngest kid to the oldest grandpa (and believe it or not, the kids love hanging out with the older folks). With no modern technology, the kids have come up with ingenious ways to entertain themselves - and us - that they never would do at home. TV would change everything.

That being said, I wouldn't deny anyone's need for internet access if it allows them to work from the island. Since I don't need it, I prefer to be without and just make weekly trips to the library to use their computer.

Islander · 07-19-2007, 11:34 PM

I understand your point.

However our tv came with a device called an on-off switch. It gives us choice.

And by the second day in a row of rain (like today) the "low tech" island families are sending the kids to our house to watch Eight Below and Harry Potter.

Island Life · 07-20-2007, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Islander

And by the second day in a row of rain (like today) the "low tech" island families are sending the kids to our house to watch Eight Below and Harry Potter.

Great, which house are you? I'll send my kids over.

Went to shore on Wednesday to watch a movie, but at the price we paid for tickets, popcorn and drinks, we can't do that everytime it rains!

Yesterday we came home (year-round home) for a few days to get some things done. And look what we're doing. I'm on the internet and the kids have been watching TV. Can't wait to get back to the island.

Old Hubbard Rd · 07-20-2007, 07:11 AM

Can someone tell me what this sling box contraption is??

NH Native · 07-20-2007, 08:16 AM

The SlingBox is basically a device to capture a feed from your cable or satellite service and rebroadcast it to an internet connection. You then call up the connection on your computer and can watch and listen to whatever service it's hooked up to. I got mine at Best Buy, I think they're around $240. It's a one time hit as there is no ongoing subscription fee. It's relatively easy to set up.

I like mine as I have to travel for work quite a bit and it lets me keep in touch with the local news.

You can go directly to their web site here:
http://us.slingmedia.com/page/home

hazelnut · 07-20-2007, 08:27 AM

Next time I see you I'll give you the low-down on slingbox. It is actually prety cool. You can stream your home cable box to your laptop/pc etc. You can actually switch the channel using a virtual remote control. Works real good over faster connection speeds. No monthly service fee either just a one time purchase price.

Bear Islander · 07-20-2007, 02:57 PM

I used Sling Box to watch Patriots games when I was in Chile and Antarctica. I used it in a tent 100 feet from the South Pole.

watrskir · 08-03-2007, 11:16 AM

What is the deal with the verizon wireless card?.I have verizon wireless and a wireless modem on my laptop. Do you use airtime when connected with the card? I understand the slingbox thing but how to I get the picture from the laptyop to TV?

skisox24 · 08-03-2007, 03:10 PM

The Verizon wireless card is similar to your wireless network card for your laptop but it is dedicated solely to connecting to the Verizon network. Unlike your wireless network card that picks up signals that are transmitted by a wireless transmitter or router, the Verizon card gets its signal by using the same wireless microwave antenae system that is common for cell phone use. In fact, the wireless card has a specific telephone number that it dials to connect to the system. The quality and speed of the card depends on your location and the amount of cell traffic.

Yes, Verizon has a number of plans for use of the card. It is expensive. My company pays $60 or $70 a month for unlimited use.

EricP · 08-05-2007, 10:06 PM

Old Hubbard Road, I live on Old Hubbard Road as well, if you'd like to see one in action I'd happy to demo it for you. I love mine, I've had it for ~2 years.

06-29-2007, 10:33 PM	#1
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	Island TV with a sling box question I hope to use a sling box to get a few more channels on the Island. Believe it or not, this side of the island is too steep to see a satilite. My dial up on the island is dreadful at only 26K. My cellular modem is about 86K according to the sling media test program. This is lower than their recomendation. Does anyone have experience with using a sling box with a cellular modem? Thanks for any feedback on if you think this has a chance of working. We miss watching the sox.

06-30-2007, 07:13 PM	#2
Island Girl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Central MA Posts: 2,352 Thanks: 18 Thanked 535 Times in 179 Posts	Watching mine right now as a matter of fact It typically streams at about 125k give or take a few. The picture is not perfect but I am happy with it. Come take a look if you want.. I am using Verizon Cell card in my laptop. The slingbox is attached to my Tivo which is attached to my home network and second Tivo.. so I have lots of options!!!! IG __________________ Island Girl ....... Make Lemonade

07-01-2007, 09:37 PM	#3
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	Thanks I played around with some settings on my Verizon card today and got things up to about 150K. I think I will hook up the Slingbox back home and give it a try. Thanks for the feedback on your speed.

07-20-2007, 07:11 AM	#9
Old Hubbard Rd Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 462 Thanks: 141 Thanked 54 Times in 33 Posts	Sling Box Can someone tell me what this sling box contraption is??

07-20-2007, 08:27 AM	#11
hazelnut Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 1,348 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 508 Thanked 462 Times in 162 Posts	Old Hubbard Next time I see you I'll give you the low-down on slingbox. It is actually prety cool. You can stream your home cable box to your laptop/pc etc. You can actually switch the channel using a virtual remote control. Works real good over faster connection speeds. No monthly service fee either just a one time purchase price.

07-19-2007, 08:59 PM	#4
NH Native Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Torrington, CT / Laconia NH Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I have a slingbox attached to both the home and lake cable feeds, and can watch either on the laptop with a Verizon wireless card. It's not broadcast quality, but I can still watch the Sox when I'm on the road or catch up on the local news.

07-19-2007, 10:32 PM	#5
Islander Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 321 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 3 Posts	You people on Rattlesnake should have Metrocast wire the island for cable. They did that on Bear and now we have high speed internet, cable tv and phone over cable. I love "On Demand", hundreds of movies whenever you want. All you need is to give them a list of 10 homes that want cable.

07-19-2007, 11:34 PM	#7
Islander Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 321 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 3 Posts	I understand your point. However our tv came with a device called an on-off switch. It gives us choice. And by the second day in a row of rain (like today) the "low tech" island families are sending the kids to our house to watch Eight Below and Harry Potter.

07-20-2007, 08:16 AM	#10
NH Native Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Torrington, CT / Laconia NH Posts: 5 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	The SlingBox is basically a device to capture a feed from your cable or satellite service and rebroadcast it to an internet connection. You then call up the connection on your computer and can watch and listen to whatever service it's hooked up to. I got mine at Best Buy, I think they're around $240. It's a one time hit as there is no ongoing subscription fee. It's relatively easy to set up. I like mine as I have to travel for work quite a bit and it lets me keep in touch with the local news. You can go directly to their web site here: http://us.slingmedia.com/page/home

07-20-2007, 02:57 PM	#12
Bear Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bear Island Posts: 1,764 Thanks: 32 Thanked 441 Times in 207 Posts	I used Sling Box to watch Patriots games when I was in Chile and Antarctica. I used it in a tent 100 feet from the South Pole.

08-03-2007, 11:16 AM	#13
watrskir Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 51 Thanks: 39 Thanked 9 Times in 8 Posts	verizon wireless card?? What is the deal with the verizon wireless card?.I have verizon wireless and a wireless modem on my laptop. Do you use airtime when connected with the card? I understand the slingbox thing but how to I get the picture from the laptyop to TV?

08-03-2007, 03:10 PM	#14
skisox24 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 74 Thanks: 9 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts	Verizon Wireless Card The Verizon wireless card is similar to your wireless network card for your laptop but it is dedicated solely to connecting to the Verizon network. Unlike your wireless network card that picks up signals that are transmitted by a wireless transmitter or router, the Verizon card gets its signal by using the same wireless microwave antenae system that is common for cell phone use. In fact, the wireless card has a specific telephone number that it dials to connect to the system. The quality and speed of the card depends on your location and the amount of cell traffic. Yes, Verizon has a number of plans for use of the card. It is expensive. My company pays $60 or $70 a month for unlimited use.

08-05-2007, 10:06 PM	#15
EricP Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 329 Thanks: 28 Thanked 11 Times in 7 Posts	Old Hubbard Road, I live on Old Hubbard Road as well, if you'd like to see one in action I'd happy to demo it for you. I love mine, I've had it for ~2 years.