Slingboxes are simple set-top boxes that let you consolidate your TV channels, streaming apps, and other streaming devices and make them accessible via any device you own—even remotely. However, Sling Media is now pulling the plug on the Slingbox: all devices are discontinued and will permanently shut down on November 9, 2022.
Sure, that gives you two more years with your trusty set-top box, but you should start looking for an alternative ASAP. Sling Media won’t be making any more software updates for the Slingbox, leaving you vulnerable to future security bugs that will never be patched. Tempted as you might be to keep using your Slingbox, it’s time to move on.
There are a handful of alternatives that can do everything your Slingbox can, but the right fit will depend on what sort of features you need.
What to use instead of a Slingbox to stream your shows
One of the easiest options for those with cable or satellite TV is to use your TV provider’s set-top receivers. Dish Network’s Hopper, or Comcast’s X1 (and the Xfinity Stream app) allow you to watch live or prerecorded content on-the-go.
If you’re sticking with your over-the-air antenna TV and internet streaming services (like Sling TV or YouTube TV) instead of cable or satellite, then an Nvidia shield or PC running a Plex server might be the best solution. You can use this setup to watch and record satellite TV remotely, access apps like Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube TV, and watch any media saved to the Plex server’s hard drive. Setting this up will be a more complicated task than a Slingbox, and you’ll have to juggle more apps, but it’s an excellent alternative if you have the right equipment.
On the other hand, some only used their Slingboxes for satellite TV and nothing else. If that’s all you need, grab an affordable tuner and DVR along with your HD antenna and you’ll be set. Those who want to spend a bit more should check out the Amazon Fire TV Recast, which has 500GB of recording space, multiple tuners so you can watch and record different channels at the same time, and can sync up with other Fire TV streamers and all the apps those devices support.
Finally, you can install and sign in to your various streaming apps on every device you already own and just watch everything that way. Smartphones, smart TVs, streaming devices, gaming consoles, desktop browsers—whatever you have, your accounts will follow you wherever you sign in. Some services may restrict how many devices you stream to, but this requires the least hardware to set up—and is what ultimately killed the Slingbox in the first place.