A Slingbox is a multimedia streaming device that enables you to transmit the video and audio signal from your cable box and broadcast it over the Internet. This allows you to catch up on your favorite TV shows, even when you are away from home -- provided that you have an Internet connection. You can avoid purchasing a Slingbox device by using various electronics that you may already have in your home. Creating a homemade Slingbox will enable you to stream video content from your cable box over the Internet without having to purchase a dedicated device.
Instructions
1. Insert both the red and white ends of your A/V cable into the corresponding colored "Input" jacks on the side of your hand-held camcorder. Insert the other ends of the cables into the "Output" jacks on the rear of your cable box.
2. Insert one end of the DV cable into the "DV" port on the rear of your camcorder. Plug the other end of the cable into the rear of your Mac computer. Double-click on your Mac computer's web browser and input the web address of the Quicktime Broadcaster download page (see Resources) into the URL entry field at the top of the screen and press the "Enter" key.
3. Click on the "Download Now" tab at the top of the screen to download the Quicktime Broadcaster installation file to your computer's desktop. Double-click on the installation file to install the software. Click the "Restart" button at the center of the screen, if prompted, to complete the installation.
4. Double-click on the Quicktime Broadcaster software's icon to launch the program. Click on the "LAN" tab at the top of the screen and select the "Video" option at the right of the screen. Type "320" in the "Width" dialog box. Type "240" in the "Height" dialog box. Click the "Save" tab at the bottom of the screen to finalize your settings.
5. Click on the "Network" tab at the top of the screen. Click to the right of the "Transmission" option and select "Multicast". Click on the "Generate IP Address" tab. Click on the "File" tab at the top of the screen and select "Save As" to save your streaming settings in an SDP file.
6. Open the SDP file that you created on any Mac or PC with Quicktime to begin watching your favorite television programming, just as you would with a Slingbox.
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