| Two methods to set up a Slingbox with an Apple AirPort Express and connect it to your wireless network
For best performance, your Slingbox requires a physical, wired connection to your router to access your home network. There are some instances where your TV and your computer are in different parts of your house. In these cases, you can set up your network in one of three ways:
- A very long Ethernet cable. This can provide the most reliable high quality connection but it also can provide something to trip over all day and all night.
- A pair of SlingLinks. These can provide high quality connections. For more information about these, see the related article to the right about connecting your Slingbox when it's in a different room than your computer.
- A wireless network. This can work if you plan to stream standard quality video from your Slingbox. It's convenient but it's not recommended if you want to stream high-definition video. Wireless networks can't handle sending and receiving the massive amount of information needed for a high-definition stream. Still, if you decide to go wireless, one popular router option is the Apple AirPort Express.
About the AirPort ExpressMost wireless routers have multiple Ethernet ports that allow you to use Ethernet cables to physically connect to devices on your home network. This is necessary for devices that don't have built-in wireless connectivity, like the Slingbox.
| | AirPort Express -- (Note the single Ethernet port) |
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Unfortunately, the AirPort Express wireless router has only one Ethernet port and it's normally used to connect to your cable or DSL modem. Apple discusses this limitation of the AirPort Express in the article, "AirPort Express Frequently Asked Questions." There's a link to this article at the bottom of this page.
One method to connect:The best way to work around this limitation is to upgrade to a wireless router to one that also has multiple built in Ethernet ports, like the AirPort Extreme or the Linksys WRT54G. One of these ports is used to connect your DSL or cable modem. The rest connect to other Ethernet devices. This can provide a wired Ethernet connection from your cable or DSL modem, through the AirPort Extreme and then to your Slingbox. You can use the wireless feature to connect to other devices.
 | AirPort Extreme -- Front
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| AirPort Extreme -- Back
(Note the multiple Ethernet ports)
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If you buy a new wireless router with multiple Ethernet ports, keeping your AirPort Express could allow you to add wireless network coverage to other parts of your home. You could also use it to add AirTunes or USB printer sharing. Use Apple's AirPort Utility software to set up your AirPort Express to perform these functions.
You could also use the wireless features of the AirPort Extreme and the AirPort Express to connect to your Slingbox. If you chose this option, see the related article on connecting a Slingbox to a wireless network using an Apple AirPort Express and a wireless router. It's listed on the right.
Another method to connect:If this isn't something you would like to do, you can also connect your Slingbox to your existing wireless network by adding a device called a wireless bridge. This will provide a wireless connection from your cable or DSL modem to your Slingbox. As the diagram indicates, a wireless bridge is a device that accepts the wireless signal coming from your AirPort Express. It also provides a physical Ethernet port that you can connect your Slingbox to.
If you want, a second AirPort Express can be configured as the wireless
bridge. Details on how to do that are also in the in the article,
"AirPort Express Frequently Asked Questions." Again, a link to this
article is at the bottom of this page.
| AirPort Express to AirPort Express. The second one is being used as a wireless bridge.
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Be sure to set up the wireless bridge to work with your existing wireless home network before plugging it in to your Slingbox. We recommend that you also test the bridge where you plan to use the Slingbox so that you can verify the wireless signal strength. |
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