I don't think I've told you about one of my new toys that I bought this summer while I was in Canada. It's changed my life as an expat! It's called a SlingBox and you can find out all about it at SlingMedia
In a nutshell, it's a small box that connects to your TV cable (or directly to a cable modem) back home, and then you install software on your laptop. Then--- voila!! You can watch your home television anywhere in the world where you have good internet access! So look at the photo- this morning I couldn't sleep so I got up at 5ish and watched Letterman! Now clever cookie that I am, last weekend I remembered that I had a really great flat screen monitor in a box somewhere (since getting my laptop I never use the pc). I wondered if I could connect the bigger monitor to my laptop and thus watch TV on a separate screen. Windows has the option to do just that and in a few minutes I had it connected and sitting on my desk. It is amazing.
Now I watch my favourite shows like Oprah, Dr. Phil, and Grey's Anatomy right here in Tirana!
Ok I admit I have to get up Friday mornings at 3 am to watch Grey's, but SO?? I also have some software which can record but I have to figure out how to make it work.
And just a bit more info: your only cost is the initial purchase of the Slingbox (and someone-like my Dad- has to pay for the cable of course). Plus the TV back home doesn't even need to be turned on, but if it is it doesn't matter. I can watch whatever I want, and so can my Dad back in Canada.
So go on--- check it out! You're gonna want one too.......
In a nutshell, it's a small box that connects to your TV cable (or directly to a cable modem) back home, and then you install software on your laptop. Then--- voila!! You can watch your home television anywhere in the world where you have good internet access! So look at the photo- this morning I couldn't sleep so I got up at 5ish and watched Letterman! Now clever cookie that I am, last weekend I remembered that I had a really great flat screen monitor in a box somewhere (since getting my laptop I never use the pc). I wondered if I could connect the bigger monitor to my laptop and thus watch TV on a separate screen. Windows has the option to do just that and in a few minutes I had it connected and sitting on my desk. It is amazing.
Now I watch my favourite shows like Oprah, Dr. Phil, and Grey's Anatomy right here in Tirana!
Ok I admit I have to get up Friday mornings at 3 am to watch Grey's, but SO?? I also have some software which can record but I have to figure out how to make it work.
And just a bit more info: your only cost is the initial purchase of the Slingbox (and someone-like my Dad- has to pay for the cable of course). Plus the TV back home doesn't even need to be turned on, but if it is it doesn't matter. I can watch whatever I want, and so can my Dad back in Canada.
So go on--- check it out! You're gonna want one too.......
17 comments:
Oh I am so so so jealous..Grey's? You lucky woman!
P.S. Thanks for visting my blog...I was thinking nobody could see the wryness in my post and phew! you did...:O)
That sounds like an amazing gadget! Portable David Lettermaqn sounds like a treat to me!
WOW. That's cool. I didn't know about that. Maybe I can get the same thing? I will look into it! Thanks for the tip!
That does sound very interesting kim. Not like I need it here in Canada, although I've been so unpleased with the shows as of late. They are doing re-runs from the 1980's! Like I care to watch that crap! Anyhow, I'm annoyed because I can't find my shows I like anymore. Where did HOUSE go??
I think James can use SKY satelite.
Thanks for visiting my photo blog. :)
I showed this to Donica when you told me about it a few days ago, Kim, and I think she said our connection in Germany costs a certain amount for X amount of space. So when you go over that usage, your bill runs up. Have you had that problem there? Otherwise, it's fantastic. In the meantime, we just download our special episodes from LOST or 24 on iTunes for $1.99 each. Not bad.
Hi There!!
Thanks for dropping in to peek at my Blog and my photos!!
What an awesome tip, I will definately check this out as we do miss the silly stuff on TV at home...
Wow ... clever you, reads delicious :)
Whoa. Now I know what I want for Christmas.
Everyone :)
It is revolutionary for expat life. For us there hasn't been a problem (yet) with bandwith because we have an unlimited account at the moment.
I also love watching the local news where my parents live, knowing they're watching it too. It makes me feel a lot closer. Peter wonders if it makes you more homesick however, but I don't think it does.
Kim
PS I am also a fan of Regis and Kelly, and The View. Oh and Rachael Ray's new program!
you can go to the abc website and watch them from your computer shows like Grey's Anatomy and Ugly Betty
http://dynamic.abc.go.com/streaming/landing
Sounds good anonymous... BUT I went to that site and it will only work if you live in the US.
Really neat! Do you also watch Albanian TV sometimes? How is it?
A friend of mine has this and she really loves it. I havent looked into it for two reasons. One- my famliy memebers back home do not have cable. They all have satellite tv, would it work with a satellite? The other reason is that we have satellite tv. This means I get a ton of American shows (including letterman) and movies in English. The only draw back is that most of the programs are a season behind.
Be on the lookout for a show called Brothers and Sisters. I started watching it in America, when I was home and it was great!
Cyn
That's excellent! I'd heard of it but thought it only worked from the U.S. Must do more research now because yeah, I'd get up at 3 a.m. to watch Grey's Anatomy! :-)
For all those expats out there. If you hook up your Slingbox to a Personal Video Recorder aka PVR (or a TiVo), you can watch the prime time shows you want at a more reasonable time. In fact, the new Slingbox software let's you control what the PVR is recording, so you can even control what the box will record. You have to have either a TiVo or a cable PVR on the TV that the Slingbox is connected to. I travel a lot for work, and this is a great device to have when you're in foreign country. PVRs are huge here in Canada (and I would imagine the US too), and a lot of people are starting to get Slingboxes as well. It has changed the life of all of my expat friends. Now when they come home, they aren't completely out of the loop!!!
Now clever cookie that I am...
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