Best Alternatives to Discontinued Slingbox
Slingboxes are simple set-top boxes that let you combine your TV channels, streaming apps, and other streaming devices and make them accessible from any of your devices – even remotely. However, Sling Media is currently shutting down the Slingbox: all devices are discontinued and will be permanently shut down on November 9, 2022 .
Sure, this will give you two more years with your trusty prefix, but you should start looking for an alternative as soon as possible. Sling Media will no longer update Slingbox software, leaving you vulnerable to future security bugs that will never be fixed. As much as you want to keep using the Slingbox, it’s time to move on.
There are several alternatives that can do everything your Slingbox can do, but the correct fit will depend on what features you need.
What to use instead of a slingbox to stream your shows
One of the easiest options for anyone with cable or satellite TV is to use your TV provider’s receivers. Dish Network’s Hopper or Comcast’s X1 (and the Xfinity Stream app) let you watch live or pre-recorded content on the go.
If you’re sticking with your terrestrial antenna TV and internet streaming services (such as Sling TV or YouTube TV) instead of cable or satellite, then an Nvidia Shield or Plex server PC might be your best bet . You can use this setting to watch and record satellite TV remotely, access applications such as Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube TV, and watch any media stored on the hard drive of the Plex server. Setting it up is going to be more difficult than a Slingbox and you have to manipulate a lot of apps, but it’s a great alternative if you have the right hardware.
On the other hand, some have only used their slingboxes for satellite TV and nothing else. If that’s all you need, grab an affordable tuner and DVR along with an HD antenna and you’re good to go. Those looking to spend a little more should try the Amazon Fire TV Recast, which has 500GB of recording space, multiple tuners so you can watch and record different channels at the same time, and also sync with other Fire TV streamers and everything else. applications supported by these devices.
Finally, you can install and log into your various streaming apps on every device you already own and just watch everything this way. Smartphones, smart TVs, streaming devices, game consoles, desktop browsers – whatever you have, your accounts will follow you wherever you log in. Some services may limit the number of devices you stream to, but it requires a minimum of hardware to set up – and that’s what ultimately killed the Slingbox.