Sling Box Replacement

[neil154]

Sling Box has announced that they are discontinuing all Sling Boxes within 2 years, so I am looking for a replacement. I have FIOS TV and probably would like to keep it. I want a Sling Box replacement that would allow me to watch my FIOS tv channels on my PC. Usually I watch it from home while using my laptop on wifi but sometimes I watch it over the internet when not at home.

Please give me suggestions of alternatives.

 

[hang-the-9]

You can use the available Verizon options to watch TV without Sling. https://www.verizon.com/support/residential/tv/mobile/tv-everywhere

 

[neil154]

I can watch some programs on my laptop while on my local WIFI network but there are some programs (like some sport shows) which are not available to watch even from my WIFI. I guess it must have something to do with DRM.

So I am looking for alternatives that will allow me to watch ALL channels on my local WIFI network.

 

[hang-the-9]

Did you contact Verizon to ask why some programs are blocked? There are some things that may be blocked due to region, like sports. It's usually not DRM but reginal restrictions. Using a VPN may help there, if you are away from your area and get blocked you can use a VPN service to make it seem like you are connecting from your home area.

I don't know of another service that allows setting up a private TV stream from your house out to outside the house. There are products that work on the local WiFi network in a similar way https://www.silicondust.com/

 

[neil154]

Verizon essentially told me they have no idea (even the supervisor did not know). The products from SiliconDust only work from the internet and not from the Verizon cable TV. The one exception to that is the Prime product which was discontinued and is now being brought back for a limited production run. This device requires a cablecard which the FCC has now said that the cable companies no long are required to supply.

So hopefully someone will come out with a new product or a hack for the Sling Box