[commander]

I created a slingbox alternative using just two components available on Amazon for around $250.

All the details can be found here:

Slingbox Alternative/Replacement DIY

 

[slowbiscuit]

Thanks for your work on this, couple of questions - a lot of folks are bagging on the new v4 Broadlink because it uses cloud servers (really dumb for a simple remote IR blaster), and is that why there a 5-7 sec. delay for button presses? That is very excessive when doing 6-8 skips for commercial breaks. Does the older v3 Broadlink with a 3rd party remote app work better?

I think this would be a great solution if the skips could be 1-2 sec at most.

Forgot to add, another option is using kmttg's Tivo remote control feature via remote desktop to any server you have running on your home network. kmttg also has a web server (with remote control feature) which could be port forwarded but this is completely unsecure AFAIK. No need to buy and mess with IR blasting.

 

[JoeM09]

I created a slingbox alternative using just two components available on Amazon for around $250.

All the details can be found here:

Slingbox Alternative/Replacement DIY

Thanks for your work on this, any additional tips for direct streaming out of home to VLC media player clients. I can see the stream locally on my home network but cannot see it outside of my home network. I set up and enabled the port forwarding in my router for all of the ports discovered on a scan of open ports of the encoder (21,23,80,554,1935,8086,8554) from an outside network. I can ping my router from an outside network when ping response is enabled in the router. I also set the router to reserve the ip address of encoder. The network setting for the Encoder RTSP port is set to 8554. I receive this message for all of the ports identified above:

(actual ip address has been disguised)

Connection failed:

VLC could not connect to "123.45.67.890:554".
Your input can't be opened:
VLC is unable to open the MRL 'rtsp://123.45.67.890/0:8554'. Check the log for details.

Thanks in advance for any/all tips.

 

[commander]

Thanks for your work on this, any additional tips for direct streaming out of home to VLC media player clients.

I am using the HLS protocol and I setup a port forward rule in my router to go from port 6000 (internet side) to port 80 (local lan side) of the encoder.

So from in VLC you would use http://123.45.67.890:6000

 

[SingDog]

low volume

I have had that same problem on two different android devices. Both started off okay, but most recently, when I launched in split screen mode with the volume down, the Slingplayer app stopped playing at full volume and I can't figure out a way to restore it to the louder maximum volume without reinstalling the app.

 

[commander]

Thanks for your work on this, couple of questions - a lot of folks are bagging on the new v4 Broadlink because it uses cloud servers (really dumb for a simple remote IR blaster), and is that why there a 5-7 sec. delay for button presses? That is very excessive when doing 6-8 skips for commercial breaks. Does the older v3 Broadlink with a 3rd party remote app work better?

I think this would be a great solution if the skips could be 1-2 sec at most.

Forgot to add, another option is using kmttg's Tivo remote control feature via remote desktop to any server you have running on your home network. kmttg also has a web server (with remote control feature) which could be port forwarded but this is completely unsecure AFAIK. No need to buy and mess with IR blasting.

If you use the "TS" streaming protocol, it has a 1-2 second response

I also updated the article to list other IR blasters that might work better (and can be a backup blaster if Broadlink's cloud shuts down)

 

[hb4488]

Got another email from Slingbox, looks like time is coming to an end for this device

Commander how is your solution working so far? I need to read it up on it.

 

[JoeM09]

Got another email from Slingbox, looks like time is coming to an end for this device

Commander how is your solution working so far? I need to read it up on it.

I have been using the commander's solution since late last year when my Slingbox gave up the ghost. It seems to be the simplest and least costly solution of the ones I came across that works fine for what we are trying to do. I use both IOS Ipad's and Windows PC's running VLC as a client viewer. Seperately, I also use an IPhone running the apps both the "Peanut" or IR blaster for the remote control. At times, I have also experienced excessive button delays with either the Peanut and IR blaster, suspect it is just a condition of the internet traffic. I think I even experienced button delay when using a vpn connection directly to my home router.

The commander has updated the solution (link in post 101) several times with updates. Read entire solution and use his pro tips. I do not see any advantage in using an IR blaster, the IOS app seems to work just as well. Also start out by setting up and testing your client viewer on your local network

Setup steps for IOS users using the Peanut app:
1) Initial setup of the app should be for local control (search network button) , just to capture the local ip address and port number of the Tivo, my port was 31339.
2) Set up a static ip address in your router for your TIVO.
3) Set up port forwarding in router for port identified in step 1. May want to change the port number in the app and redirect it like it is suggested for the encoder.
4) Select the apps “I” button, then manual and enter your ddns address and redirected port number(if used).

 

[JoeM09]

For followers that still have a working Slingbox, may want to explore this solution:
GitHub - GerryDazoo/Slinger: Reuse SlingBox hardware without SlingBox Servers

 

[hb4488]

Thanks Joe, the second option seems appealing. I'm trying to avoid having to buy more equipment to make what i have work. need to read up on both to see how changing channels work b/c having to switch between a browser and VLC is not ideal.

 

[azitnay]

GerryDazoo's code is working well for me with a TiVo Mini and a Slingbox SOLO. I never got the remote working, but I didn't try very hard because the "DVR Commander for TiVo" Android app is a better solution anyway.

If your phone supports split-screen mode (my Pixel 5 does), having VLC in one half and the remote in the other is a workable solution. Using two phones at once (or better yet, a laptop and a phone) is a better solution.

 

[commander]

Keep in mind that the DVR Commander for Tivo app (and maybe even the peanut app) uses a certificate that will expire in a year or so and then the app will stop working.

So just be prepared for that (by having a backup method to control your Tivo).

 

[azitnay]

Damn, that sucks. Your post did inspire me to get the GerryDazoo remote working, so at least I have that.

 

[hb4488]

I've looked at the stuff Gerry made and it works but if your phone does not support dual/split screen changing the channel is just a pain.

Really this would be moot if there was a way to get the tivo app to stream everything with copyright protection.

I created a post but nothing to get around this. It would be a much more viable option but I'm not sure if there is such a work around so far.

Work around option > Streaming this show is...

With Slingbox sun setting soon their servers the ability to stream what i pay for monthly out of the house is getting more difficult. I tried VPN and it made no difference, was hoping the app would think I'm on the local LAN, not sure if it is checking for some wifi flag but it is quite...

www.tivocommunity.com

 

[JoeM09]

One of the discussions on Gerry Dazoo's page is looking into modifying the Desktop app to point to Gerry's server. Hopefully it would include the PIP remote control.
Reuse Slingplayer Desktop after shutdown · Discussion #92 · GerryDazoo/Slinger (github.com)
In case they succeed, and before the servers are shutdown you may want to capture and your account information at:
https://newwatchsecure.slingbox.com/watch/slingAccounts/account_boxes_js
I was able to revive my SB by doing a reset to factory defaults
How to reset your Slingbox

 

[RichrdY]

One of the discussions on Gerry Dazoo's page is looking into modifying the Desktop app to point to Gerry's server. Hopefully it would include the PIP remote control.
Reuse Slingplayer Desktop after shutdown · Discussion #92 · GerryDazoo/Slinger (github.com)
In case they succeed, and before the servers are shutdown you may want to capture and your account information at:
https://newwatchsecure.slingbox.com/watch/slingAccounts/account_boxes_js
I was able to revive my SB by doing a reset to factory defaults
How to reset your Slingbox

I went through the steps described above to use Gerry's program but ended up with a VLC error just trying to run it using the local network (not the internet)

Your input can't be opened:
VLC is unable to open the MRL

A few questions
in the config.ini - should the password be adminPassword or userPassword?
for VLC - should the port be what the slingbox reports (5213) or 8080?
is it possible that a firewall is blocking access?

I have tried all combinations

 

[JoeM09]

Did you review the Readme files on the home page. The readme file has this link to get your account info, with encrypted pw's from Slingbox's servers. May want to keep this info after the server's are shutdown. Slingbox - Country Selector.

 

[JoeM09]

Are you shure you are using the correct local IP address? 1234.ddns.net is a redacted external address I have. Use you local SB local address (192.168.1.61). Except for different Win OS they look identical down to * Debug mode: off line. Use http://192.168.1.61:8080/slingbox in VLC network stream. Below the Debug mode: off line is the log when VLC connects.

My server's console log

Version : 3.08d Running on Windows-10-10.0.22000-SP0 pid= 19028
Using config file config.ini
Connection Manager Running on port 8080 with 10 max streams using URL slingbox.
Streamer Running: 10 config.ini SLINGBOX 8080 8080 8388608
starting up on port 8080 8388608
Checking for slingbox at ('1234.ddns.net', 5201)
('1234.ddns.net', 5201) OK
8080 Using slingbox at ('1234.ddns.net', 5201)
Streamer: 8080 Waiting for first stream, flushing any IR requests that arrive while not connected to slingbox
Reading Custom Remote definition from C:\SlingBox1\TIVORemoteCh.html
* Serving Flask app 'slingbox_server' (lazy loading)
* Environment: production
WARNING: This is a development server. Do not use it in a production deployment.
Use a production WSGI server instead.
* Debug mode: off
11/04/2022, 17:42:13.675 Streaming request from ('192.168.1.1', 63632)

Slinginfo "350/500/M1/M2" 12 30 1234.ddns.net 5201 3072 10
8080 Starting Stream for 192.168.1.1:63632
Connecting... ('1234.ddns.net', 5201) Control
8080 Selecting Video Source 2
Keycodes= [4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 32, 35, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 50, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 74, 75, 76, 77]
VideoParameters: Resolution= 12 FrameRate= 30 VideoBandwidth= 2000 VideoSmoothness= 63 IframeRate= 5 AudioBitRate= 64
Connecting... ('1234.ddns.net', 5201) Stream
8080 Stream started at 11/04/2022, 17:42:17.060 744 0

config file (not part of server console log). Again 1234.ddns.net is my external IP address. Use you local SB local address.

[SLINGBOX]

sbtype="350/500/M1/M2"
;sbtype="Solo/Pro/ProHD"
;sbtype="240"
password= (from link in Readme file)
; uncomment the next lines ipaddress and port with your local network info
; if you don't want the server to automatically find your
; slingbox on the local network. Needed if server and slingbox are
; not on the same LAN segment. Also removes requirement for the netifaces module
;ipaddress=192.168.1.171
;port=5201

ipaddress=1234.ddns.net
port=5201

; Repace with your finderid, If and only if you need remote access and don't
;have a static ip and you plan on using my service to access you server remotely.
; Please read the release notes. Most people don't need this.
;finderid=(from link in Readme file)


;If you've got more than one slingbox set name. THe server will use this when generating
; logs to make it easier to see what's going on.
;name=something

; Following are the default values
; Default resolution when server starts. You can change this and reconnect without having to restart the server
; valid range = 1..15
;Resolution=12

; Valid Values 1, 6, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 depending on resolution
;FrameRate=30

;Min 50 Max 8000
;VideoBandwidth=2000

; Min 0 (auto) max 63
;VideoSmoothness=63

; Send Iframe every n seconds Max 30
;IframeRate=5

; Audio Bit Rate. Valid Options 16, 20, 32, 40, 48, 64, 96 Default 32
;AudioBitRate=32

; Video Source 0, 1, 2, 3 depending on your hardware corrosponds to one of
;Composite, Component, HDMI or Tuner.
;ProHD 0=Tuner, 1=composite 2=svideo 3=component
;Solo, M1 0=composite 1=Svideo 2=component
;500 0=composite, 1=component, 2=HDMI
; If you don't set this the code will use the last configired input
; I recommend setting this value. If not set correctly you'll often only see a black screen.
VideoSource = 2

[SERVER]
; local port number for the server to listen on for connections
port=8080
maxstreams=10
enableremote=yes

[REMOTE]
; see release notes for changing this if your remote doesn't work, But as a start make it
;the same as your configured VideoSource 0-3. See above.
code=2
; path to an external remote control definitions file, if the defaults
; aren't working for you or you want to change the format of the web page.
; use the supplied remote.txt as a starting point.
;include=remote.txt
;include=C:\SlingBox1\Tivo.Bolt.Remote.txt
;include=C:\SlingBox1\Tivo.Premiere.Remote.txt
include=C:\SlingBox1\TIVORemoteCh.html

 

[JoeM09]

Looks like the server will not work with win 7. See Starting slingbox-server.exe on Windows 7 gives missing dll error · Discussion #213 · GerryDazoo/Slinger (github.com)

 

[JoeM09]

Looks like the server will not work with win 7. See Starting slingbox-server.exe on Windows 7 gives missing dll error · Discussion #213 · GerryDazoo/Slinger (github.com)

See Windows 7 issues with slingox_server.exe · Discussion #240 · GerryDazoo/Slinger (github.com) for new information for using on Win 7.