Best solution for slingbox only?

sspiro · 03-14-2008, 07:02 AM

Presently have an Eclipse AVN5500..

Looking to just add slingbox ability only in my car. I don't want to do anything else. Looking for suggestions on the best, most cost effective slingbox-only solution.

Any good thoughts?

Nola111 · 03-14-2008, 08:09 AM

'06 2.0t owner here too... love the car, HATE the VW service dept!!!

Well unfortunately, I don't know of any other software for Slingbox except Windows software, which would definitely require you to put a pc in your car. I would just take a look at the all in one systems on the store here and see what you can find.

sspiro · 03-14-2008, 08:42 AM

Hate the service too

FusionFanatic · 03-15-2008, 11:56 AM

there is no "slingbox only" solution for anything, nevermind a car... slingplayer is just software, so you need a computer to run it.

if your video head unit has audio/video inputs, then you can use that as your monitor but you will still need a computer to run slingplayer on. the easiest/cheapest solution would be to use a laptop with a composite video output. check out eBay for cheap laptops (you can get laptops with broken screens pretty cheap).

good luck

sspiro · 03-15-2008, 12:17 PM

I guess I should have clarified.. I'm aware a PC is needed..

When I say slingbox only, I mean that is the only thing I would use the PC for.. therefore, I don't need anything high performance or large. It would run slingbox app only..

Greavous · 03-15-2008, 12:29 PM

I dont understand your question. www.slingmedia.com and you can DL various versions of slingplayer. At home you config the box on your network and cable/sat. Here are the system requirements for the latest slingplayer. Not a wimp PC but not a powerhouse. Why limit yourself to only slinging? http://downloads.slingmedia.com/get/KB-005563.html

sspiro · 03-17-2008, 06:58 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Greavous

I dont understand your question. www.slingmedia.com and you can DL various versions of slingplayer. At home you config the box on your network and cable/sat. Here are the system requirements for the latest slingplayer. Not a wimp PC but not a powerhouse. Why limit yourself to only slinging? http://downloads.slingmedia.com/get/KB-005563.html

What is there to not understand?

I don't need the PC to do anything but play slingbox over EVDO service in the car. I have an AV deck with DVD player, MP3 support, navigation, etc. Rather than rely on the PC to control everything, I'd like to keep all of the standard music/audio/video support on the Eclipse deck, and use the PC JUST to watch slingbox, streamed from my DVR in my living room. That's it. Nothing else.

Therefore, my question is: What PC solution would be most cost effective, to run ONE application? I don't want to spend $500 to just watch slingbox on my video input on my deck.

BlazingBird · 04-03-2008, 02:14 PM

How do you guys get slingbox signal into your car? a wireless internet signal or what? Is it fast engouh to send the signal without choppiness? This sounds like a killer idea if its possible. Tell me what I would have to do in order to make this possible. I already have a car pc running. Wireless network at home, but no slingbox...yet. Your responses will be greatly appreciated.Thanx

Wes,

Greavous · 04-03-2008, 07:14 PM

firstly, you will need a slingbox at home which is connected to your cable TV or sat dish, DVR or whatever you want to watch. Mine is an earlier model with two inputs but models may have more now. It plugs into your router and gets an IP address and once you have it configured from home you can access it anywhere in the world where you have access to reasonably fast internet. My folks watched some San Antonio Spurs games while they were on vacation in Tasmanian and reported smooth viewing. I have logged onto mine while across town at the carwash using my cell phone and bluetooth connection. It wasnt perfect but watchable. One morning I was going to miss Friday F1 practice due to being at the office, downloaded the slingplayer and logged on from there. Its slick. www.slingmedia.com for info, you can buy the box at a lot of the major chain stores like circuitcity...

FusionFanatic · 04-03-2008, 07:29 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by BlazingBird

How do you guys get slingbox signal into your car? a wireless internet signal or what? Is it fast engouh to send the signal without choppiness?

yes, you will need a "wireless internet signal". and yes, a [3G or EVDO] wireless internet connection is fast enough.

the slingplayer software will automatically adjust the video quality to suit the network speed. if you're stationary then it will take a few seconds to "optimize", then it will playback smooth video. if you're driving while using it (hopefully the driver is NOT watching it

) then [depending on the network, area/location, and proximity to towers] you may find it constantly "optimizing" which may result in 'choppy' playback.

the slingbox is an awesome device. I have the Slingbox A/V (connects to and controls my digital cable box) I use it all the time with my Treo 700w. I also use it on my eeepc when travelling or staying over at a friend's house. I have it on my carPC but I almost never use it there (I won't watch it while driving, and I'm very rarely just sitting in my car long enough where I would feel the need to watch TV). it is however a very cool feature to show off to your [non-carputer-savy] friends

Greavous · 04-03-2008, 08:08 PM

I agree its kinda worthless in the car but like you said, nice to show off when whoring the setup possibilities. Im heading to Branson MO for a Zcar festival which just so happens to be on the same weekend as the Turkish GP which I have no intension of missing no matter what. Thus installing slingplayer. Since im a noob Im still spending some time working out how to get some of the basic features working.

GizmoQ · 04-03-2008, 10:35 PM

Why don't you just upgrade your cellphone?? I'm sorry, I don't get it. Why spend all the money, time and effort to install a CarPuter just for Slingplayer.

Quote: Originally Posted by sspiro

What is there to not understand?

I don't need the PC to do anything but play slingbox over EVDO service in the car...

I don't want to spend $500 to just watch slingbox on my video input on my deck.

So I take it you think a CarPuter is going to cost you less than $500 - fat chance. I'd go with the $500 option, whatever it is. Here's an idea, several pocket PCs have video out and wifi: add an EVDO router - oops over $500 again. O.K. I got it, pick up a Fujitsu Tablet PC and cigarette lighter adapter off eBay, add EVDO pccard, pay $49/mth for slingbox in your car.
That last suggestion could be well under $500, but $49/mth is steep for just slingbox. Why not skip the EVDO and just park near an open WiFi connection. Personally, I find myself using my Orb more and more on my phone than in my car. I was comparing the phone's screen to my kitchen TV (15") and based on how I usually watch my Orb TV its actually visually bigger on the cellphone in my hand than the TV sitting across the room.

To each his own.

sunray73 · 07-08-2008, 01:56 PM

Yeah I have to agree here... I don't have a carputer or whatever but I do have a couple of LCD's hooked up to a DVD player and a TOMTOM9 for nav. I didn't have the need for a carputer since I have a Nokia N82 which I can hook up slingplayer and out threw the supplied video cables that connect to my DVD Video inputs in my car to push the TV source to my LCD's.