UkMum

Hi,

I have seen the words "slingbox" and "slingcatcher" written a few times on this forum. Please could someone tell me what they are and if it is worth me getting these things for my upcoming move to Al Ain.

I've had a quick look on ebay and it seems like to be able to use the scary pieces of tech, I need to keep my SKY subscription in the UK. Is this right?

Please help me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Opponent

A slingbox will allow you to view all your Sky channels in Al Ain on your PC.

Have a look at this link, it gives simple instructions of what you need to do.
http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/slingbox.html

The Slingcatcher basically is a partner for your Slingbox. What it does is 'catch' any video you've sent from a Slingbox and play it on a TV. However I believe that the Slingcatcher has been discontinued. You might be able to get it of ebay

Millhouse

both a waste of time in my view. The time difference will annoy you.

better to vpn and iplayer / download.

Opponent

I second that. It is what i currently do anyway. Sorry should have said that in my first post

UkMum

Thanks for your help - what is vpn? The only meaning I know for vpn has nothing to do with technology and more to do with underwear!

hnd

Thought that was vpl not vpn

UkMum

My God, you are right - I am clearly not getting enough sleep!

Purdey

Whilst I also do what EM says I don't think the Slingbox solution is a waste of time and I used mine extensively until the last few months when my UK broadband (upstream speed) deteriorated.
What you do need is a PVR and ideally a Sky+ Box (with subscription) connected to the Slingbox - this will enable you to watch all subscribed channels live but also record and watch those recorded shows whenever you want; you control the PVR/Sky+ box from your computer via the Slingbox.
UK Broadband standard upstream speed is 448kbps and you need all of that so if you have a good UK connection and at least 1MB in UAE (preferably 2MB+) you are good to go.
The SkyPlayer (online) service is very flakey and has continuing problems and I still haven't really figured out how you get it ie is it included in your subscription or do you have to pay extra for it?

csdf

I noticed that you say download rather than stream. So it's not just me that finds that the connection speeds are too slow to stream from iPlayer?

VPN = virtual private network. In simple terms it connects your computer to another computer (e.g. in the UK). This makes it look like your computer is in the UK, so you can access websites that are restricted only to UK computers (e.g. iPlayer).

UkMum

How do you do that?

csdf

I use one of many VPN suppliers: I think it's £5/month. They have software (which I haven't used) that automates the process. I think it's as easy as double-clicking an icon on your desktop.

TGFKASE

Waiting for the Spanish Inquisition on posting a vpn suppliers url in the thread.....

Millhouse

Actually, No. I nearly always stream. In fact, our network normally streams to two PC (and runs the phones) most of the time. We have an 8Mb connection but it was able to do this on the 2Mb line. I only upgraded as the price fell.

I did have some issues at first - the problem is ping times not actual line speed. If you connect via PPTP / LT2 then you will get issues. Try connecting though OpenVPN.

well worth googling OpenVPN - it's not a vpn provider but is a connection protocol.

Millhouse

you buy a vpn service, install the software, switch it on and use the internet as normal.

Bob

google is your friend...no really, it is...and there's probably a hundred threads in various other parts of this forum in the other countries with plenty of ideas, but posting specific supplies in the ME section tends to get those supplies blocked, so people don't post them publicly.