How to Set Up a Slingbox

Authored by: Support.com Tech Pro Team

1. Introduction

Slingbox connects to your home network (via Wi-Fi or Ethernet) and sits between your cable or satellite services set-top box and your TV. The TV signal comes from your set-top box and your Slingbox slings your TV programs to any of your devices.

2. What's in the Box

What you need before you start:

• TV
• Set-top box
• Internet connection (wired or wireless)

What's in the box.

• Slingbox 500
• Composite Video Cable
• Component Video Cable
• HDMI Cable
• Stereo Audio Cable
• Ethernet Cable
• AC Adapter
• Slingbox 500 Remote Control
• IR Emitter Cable (optional)

Connect Audio-Video Sources

• Connecting an HD Source
  
• Disconnect the existing HDMI cable from your set-top box and connect it to the HDMI OUT port on your Slingbox.
• Use the provided HDMI cable to connect the HDMI OUT port on your set-top to the HDMI IN port on your Slingbox.
• Using the component video cable (green, blue, red) and stereo audio cable (red, white) provided, connect the COMPONENT OUT and AUDIO OUT ports on your set-top box to the COMPONENT IN and AUDIO IN ports on your Slingbox.
  

• Connecting an HD Source using Component Cable
  
• Disconnect the existing component video (green, blue, red) and stereo audio (red, white) cables from your set-top box and connect them to the COMPONENT OUT and AUDIO OUT ports on your Slingbox.
• Use the provided component video (green, blue, red) and stereo audio (red, white) cables to connect the COMPONENT OUT and AUDIO OUT ports on your set-top box to the COMPONENT IN and AUDIO IN ports on your Slingbox.
  

• Connecting an SD Source (standard definition)
  
• Disconnect the existing composite video (yellow) and stereo audio (red, white) cables from your set-top box and connect them to the COMPOSITE OUT and AUDIO OUT ports on your Slingbox.
• Use the provided composite video (yellow) and stereo audio (red, white) cables to connect the COMPOSITE OUT and AUDIO OUT ports on your set-top box to the COMPOSITE IN and AUDIO IN ports on your Slingbox.
• Use the provided HDMI cable to connect the HDMI OUT port on your Slingbox to an HDMI IN port on your TV.
  

3. Connect Power

Follow these steps to connect your Slingbox 500 to a Power Source:

1. Connect the AC adapter to the Slingbox POWER jack and plug it into the wall power outlet or surge protector.
2. The power LED on the front of the Slingbox will light up and the network and logo LEDs will start blinking.

4. Connect Network

Connect your device to your home network via:

• Wired connection (Ethernet)
• Wireless connection (Wi-Fi)

5. On-Screen Setup

Complete your Slingbox 500 set-up from your TV screen by following these steps:

1. Turn your TV on and switch to the input that you are using with your Slingbox 500. (HDMI, Component, SD)
2. Use the Slingbox 500 remote control and follow the on-screen instructions.
   If you don't see the Slingbox Welcome screen, try changing to a different input on your TV.
3. Select Start.
   

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2. Select how your Slingbox 500 connects to the Internet.
   

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2. If you select Connect via wireless, the Slingbox 500 will scan for available networks, choose your network and type in your wireless password. Proceed to next step if you chose Connect via Ethernet.
   

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2. Select Continue.
3. Your Slingbox 500 will check for updates, select Continue to update.
   

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2. Select Next after your Slingbox 500 has been updated.
3. Select your location and type in your ZIP code.
   

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2. Select Next.
3. Choose the TV provider that you are using and select Next.
   

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2. Select Next after checking your channel line up.
   

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2. Select Next after choosing what kind of video source your Slingbox 500 is connected to.
   

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2. Select Works Fine after testing your remote control.
   

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2. Choose HAVE A SLING ACCOUNT or NEED A SLING ACCOUNT.
   

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2. Select Done.
   

6. Connect Device to Network - Wired

1. Acquire an Ethernet cable.
2. Take one end of the cable and plug it into your router/modem's Ethernet port.
3. Plug the other end of the cable into your device's Ethernet port.

Ethernet Cable

Ethernet Port

7. What's in the Box

What you need before you start:

• TV
• Set-top box

What's in the box.

• Slingbox 350
• Composite Video Cable
• Component Video Cable
• Stereo Audio Cable
• Ethernet Cable
• AC Adapter
• IR Emitter Cable (optional)

Connect Audio-Video Sources

• Connecting an HD Source (TV is connected with an HDMI cable already)
  
• Use the provided component video cable (green, blue, red) and stereo audio (red, white) cables to connect the COMPONENT OUT and AUDIO OUT ports on your set-top box to the COMPONENT IN and AUDIO IN ports on your Slingbox.
  
  
• Connecting an HD Source using Component Cable
  
• Disconnect the existing component video (green, blue, red) and stereo audio (red, white) cables from your set-top box and connect them to the COMPONENT OUT and AUDIO OUT ports on your Slingbox.
• Use the provided component video (green, blue, red) and stereo audio (red, white) cables to connect the COMPONENT OUT and AUDIO OUT ports on your set-top box to the COMPONENT IN and AUDIO IN ports on your Slingbox.
  

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• Connecting an SD Source (standard definition)
  
• Disconnect the existing composite video (yellow) and stereo audio (red, white) cables from your set-top box and connect them to the COMPOSITE OUT and AUDIO OUT ports on your Slingbox.
• Use the provided composite video (yellow) and stereo audio (red, white) cables to connect the COMPOSITE OUT and AUDIO OUT ports on your set-top box to the COMPOSITE IN and AUDIO IN ports on your Slingbox.
  

8. Connect Power

Follow these steps to connect your Slingbox 350 to a Power Source:

1. Connect the AC adapter to the Slingbox POWER jack and plug it into the wall power outlet or surge protector.
2. The power LED on the front of the Slingbox will light up and the network and logo LEDs will start blinking.

9. Connect Device to Network - Wired

1. Acquire an Ethernet cable.
2. Take one end of the cable and plug it into your router/modem's Ethernet port.
3. Plug the other end of the cable into your device's Ethernet port.

Ethernet Cable

Ethernet Port

10. On-Screen Setup

Complete your Slingbox 350 set-up from your TV screen by following these steps:

What you need before you start:

• Computer that is connected to the same network as your Slingbox 350.

Set Up Your Slingbox 350

1. On your computer, open a browser and go to watch.slingbox.com.
2. Click Start.
   

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2. Choose your Location and Language.
3. Create a Sling Account or Log In your Sling Account.
   

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2. Follow the prompts to install the Sling Player Plugin for your browser.
3. Click Next after going back to watch.slingbox.com.
   

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2. Enter your Location and ZIP code. Then click Next.
   

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2. Choose the TV provider you are using then click Next.
   

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2. Click Next after checking your channel lineup.
   

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2. Set up your remote by choosing the manufacturer and model of your set-top box.
   

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2. Test your 'virtual' remote control on the computer. Click Next to continue.
   

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2. Setup is now complete. Click WATCH to view your programs.
   

11. What's in the Box

What you need before you start:

• TV
• Set-top box

What's in the box.

• Slingbox M1 - Slingbox M2
• Power Cable
• Component Video Cable
• Stereo Audio Cable
• IR Emitter Cable (optional)

Connect the audio cables and component video cables

• If you're already using component and audio cables to connect TV to your set-top box
  
• Disconnect the existing component video (green, blue, red) and stereo audio (red, white) cables from your set-top box and connect them to the COMPONENT OUT and AUDIO OUT ports on your Slingbox.
• Use the provided component video (green, blue, red) and stereo audio (red, white) cables to connect the COMPONENT OUT and AUDIO OUT ports on your set-top box to the COMPONENT IN and AUDIO IN ports on your Slingbox.
  

12. Connect Power

Follow these steps to connect your Slingbox M1 - M2 to a Power Source:

1. Connect the Power Cable to the Slingbox POWER jack and plug it into the wall power outlet or surge protector.
2. The power LED on the front of the Slingbox will glow steadily.
3. Wait 2 minutes to allow the box to finish starting up.
   
   

13. Connect Network

Connect your Slingbox M1 - M2 to your home network:

• Wireless connection (Wi-Fi)
• Wired connection (Ethernet)

14. Connect Device to Network - Wired

1. Acquire an Ethernet cable.
2. Take one end of the cable and plug it into your router/modem's Ethernet port.
3. Plug the other end of the cable into your device's Ethernet port.

Ethernet Cable

Ethernet Port

15. On-Screen Setup

Complete your Slingbox M1 or Slingbox M2 set-up from your TV screen by following these steps:

What you need before you start:

• A device that is connected to the same network as your Slingbox M1 or Slingbox M2.

Set Up Your Slingbox

1. On your chosen device, open a browser and go to www.slingbox.com/setup.
2. Click Slingbox M1/M2.
   

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2. Click on the appropriate app store for the device that you're using. Download and install the free version of Slingplayer.
   

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2. Create or Log In you Sling Account.
   

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2. Click Setup from the Slingbox Directory.
3. Choose how you Slingbox connects to your home network.
   

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2. Click Continue.
   

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2. Enter your Network Name and Wi-Fi Password.
   

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2. Once connection is successful, click on Check for Update.
   

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2. If you're using Slingplayer for iPhone or iPad, follow the on-screen instructions on your device then continue with the next step.
3. Choose your network from the list and type your network password.
   

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2. Click Continue.
3. Enter a name for you Slingbox.
   

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2. Enter your Location and ZIP code.
   

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2. Select your TV service provider then select Continue.
   

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2. Select the make and model of your set-top box then select Continue.
   

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2. You should see an on-screen remote then select Continue.
   

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2. Test if video is working correctly then select Continue.
3. Test your on-screen remote then choose Yes, remote works.
   

1. Click Watch TV to view your programs.