In Need of a Slingbox Alternative

[jpc329]

I just want to preface this by saying I am aware of the Silicon Dust HD Homerun products as well as many Internet/Streaming TV providers the major reason for my request is to avoid the purchase requirement for a subscription to channels already subscribed and not all channels are offered by the above services. That being said here is my issue:

The CEO of our company utilizes Slingbox frequently to watch shows on business trips, on his various mobile devices and on TVs. I work in IT and I've been tasked with coming up with a solution to the issue of the Slingbox service being discontinued later this year. I know it is possible to get the stream to VLC player app from a set-top-box and computer (w/ capture card) using OBS. This will work on all the devices that Slingplayer app works on such as Windows, iPhone, FireTV, Apple TV, etc. The main issue is remote control for the channels, guide, DVR, and the overall set-top-box I will be connecting it to, particularly the mobile/iPhone experience is the issue. Does anyone know a workaround/fix for this issue that could be reliable and easily accessed by our CEO who is not very tech savvy? Just to be clear I am talking about seamless in-app control akin to the current Slingplayer app UI. Does such a solution exist, any assistance would be much appreciated.

 

Thank you all for your help!

[Donut417]

On 2/22/2022 at 4:51 PM, jpc329 said:

I just want to preface this by saying I am aware of the Silicon Dust HD Homerun products as well as many Internet/Streaming TV providers the major reason for my request is to avoid the purchase requirement for a subscription to channels already subscribed and not all channels are offered by the above services. That being said here is my issue:

The CEO of our company utilizes Slingbox frequently to watch shows on business trips, on his various mobile devices and on TVs. I work in IT and I've been tasked with coming up with a solution to the issue of the Slingbox service being discontinued later this year. I know it is possible to get the stream to VLC player app from a set-top-box and computer (w/ capture card) using OBS. This will work on all the devices that Slingplayer app works on such as Windows, iPhone, FireTV, Apple TV, etc. The main issue is remote control for the channels, guide, DVR, and the overall set-top-box I will be connecting it to, particularly the mobile/iPhone experience is the issue. Does anyone know a workaround/fix for this issue that could be reliable and easily accessed by our CEO who is not very tech savvy? Just to be clear I am talking about seamless in-app control akin to the current Slingplayer app UI. Does such a solution exist, any assistance would be much appreciated.

 

Thank you all for your help!

Looking at the Sling TV, I dont think anything like it exists. You dont specify where your located in the world. But solutions like the HD Homerun work well with OTA TV, but when it comes to the cable version of the product a cable card could be needed, especially if your located in the US. That being said, the FCC has allowed cable co's to discontinue cable cards if they wish. 

 

If your using OTA TV a HD Homerun and Plex could be a good solution. If your using a cable/satilite TV service, Id probably consider looking at a Streaming provider. Hulu, Youtube, Sling, etc all offer Live TV options. Also check to see if the current provider has a streaming option. Some providers have started offering that. 

[MrEngineer]

I setup my own Slingbox alternative using two products from Amazon - works great!

 

https://max-soft.com/slingbox-diy.htm

[This_guy1998]

What I use is a Lifetime Plex Pass on my HTPC (which is a Mac Mini), a HDHomeRun, a TV antenna (I currently live in a big metro area so I get like 36 local channels, and a subscription to Sling and have no issues.

 

I'm surprised Slingboxes are/were still supported recently.

 

I suggest buying a HDHomerun and using Plex Pass (this is the simplest solution) or move to a solution like Sling or Direct TV Stream (or whatever it is called now). Certain providers also provide TV on the Go (I know Cox, Spectrum, and Comast do) via their TV app or via signing into the individual networks TV apps.