• 1(current)
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 28
XBMC Slingbox Client - Development Status
#1
Accessing your Slingbox from XBMC

UPDATE: The Slingbox source code discussed in this thread is now part of XBMC as of June 1, 2011 and all nightly builds compiled after this date should contain the Slingbox functionality talked about here. For more organized information about this new feature please see the wiki article: http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Slingbox_Client or read the summary below if you'd like the nitty gritty info. Smile

The Slingbox patch for XBMC is fully functional and finished, it's simply waiting to be added to the XBMC code base, that means the nightly builds currently do not contain the correct code to access your Slingbox. Instead you need to either compile the code yourself (latest patch code can be found here: 77 (PR) and/or here: http://trac.xbmc.org/ticket/10464) or use one of the precompiled binaries (see post 86 http://forum.xbmc.org/showpost.php?p=722...stcount=86, post 115 http://forum.xbmc.org/showpost.php?p=732...tcount=115, post 134 http://forum.xbmc.org/showpost.php?p=736...tcount=134, and post 198 http://forum.xbmc.org/showpost.php?p=793...tcount=198). Please note that these binaries might not contain the latest and greatest Slingbox patch since some were created before the patch was fully finished, but all should work as far as I'm aware.

For instructions on how to add a Slingbox source to XBMC and configure settings, etc. take a look at post 86 (http://forum.xbmc.org/showpost.php?p=722...stcount=86) and for further instructions on channel settings look at post 101 (http://forum.xbmc.org/showpost.php?p=727...tcount=101) also.

Please note that currently the Slingbox Pro-HD is not supported since all resolutions are "encrypted". All other Slingbox models seem to work fine at resolutions of 320x240 or lower and some Slingbox models will work at any resolution. If you are seeing garbled video and no audio or popping audio, the resolution you specified is "encrypted". I would recommend trying another resolution (specified in your SlingboxSettings.xml file ... see post 86).

If you require assistance or something isn't' working, etc. feel free to post on this thread (for as long as this patch hasn't been added to the XBMC code base ... after that all inquiries should end up in the end user section). If you are seeking help, please include a copy of your SlingboxSettings.xml file (if you created one) and a copy of your xbmc.log file (with debug turned on) (both posted to pastebin.com please to keep things clean here).

Thanks,
Harry



Original First Post:

I'm in the process of coding a slingbox client for XBMC and I just wanted to get a thread started about this in case of future questions, etc. plus I'm very excited to report that I have gotten to a point where I can actually watch my slingbox feed in XBMC. All settings are still hardcoded and I can't change channels yet Oo but I can watch the feed. There's still more work to be done, but it's a great breakthrough.

Btw, for anyone more interested in the nitty gritty, the code currently is based heavily on the implementation of HDHomeRun support, so it basically treats the slingbox as a filesystem and reads a file off it. I'm thinking this will be the best way to implement it until the PVR section get's finalized and then I can possibly create an Add In for that.

Feel free to post questions, suggestions, requests, etc. related to development in this thread.

Thanks,
Harry
Reply
#2
I would love to see HDhomerun working with XBMC Live with DVR support and channel guide as well. I may be getting DISH installed with ther Slingbox Vip 922 DVR soon as well.
Reply
#3
flamez Wrote:I would love to see HDhomerun working with XBMC Live with DVR support and channel guide as well. I may be getting DISH installed with ther Slingbox Vip 922 DVR soon as well.

Hmm, I think that's a different subject Smile

Harry
Reply
#4
I can change channels Cool

There's still lots of cosmetic stuff to do, but the basic functionality of connecting, viewing, and changing channels, is all in place.

Thanks,
Harry
Reply
#5
Congrats!

Keep up the good work.

hudo
Reply
#6
Patch is up on trac: http://trac.xbmc.org/ticket/10464

It connects, streams, and changes channels. I'd welcome any feedback especially if you decide to compile it yourself and check it out.

To connect to the Slingbox with the patch, you have to manually enter the URL (same idea as MythTV). So you'd go to add a source and enter:

Code:
sling://username:password@address:port

Username has to be either "administrator" or "viewer" depending on which account you wanna connect with. Port is optional (it will use the default if none is specified).

All other options are configurable via advancedsettings.xml. I'll put together a wiki article and/or update this thread with details of all the advanced settings configurations when I have a moment. If you don't specify anything in advancedsettings.xml it will simply use default values.

One thing of note, the Slingbox doesn't seem to like it if you reconnect quickly after disconnecting from it. So if you stop the stream, you usually have to wait a good 20 to 30 seconds before trying to reconnect, otherwise it simply doesn't stream any data.

Thanks,
Harry
Reply
#7
Dude!!!

You really work fast!

I don't own a Slingbox but it's always nice to see work that leads to XBMC expanding it's potential user base.

Again, thanks!

hudo
Reply
#8
hudo Wrote:Dude!!!

You really work fast!

I don't own a Slingbox but it's always nice to see work that leads to XBMC expanding it's potential user base.

Again, thanks!

hudo

Thanks. I actually surprised myself with how quickly this came together.

Harry
Reply
#9
Thank you for the patch! Smile Does not look like there is support for Slingbox Pro-HD in there? I'm thinking of buying one of these for iPad in kitchen etc, but this would be great too for bedroom where TV doesn't have MPEG-4 support
Reply
#10
bleze Wrote:Thank you for the patch! Smile Does not look like there is support for Slingbox Pro-HD in there? I'm thinking of buying one of these for iPad in kitchen etc, but this would be great too for bedroom where TV doesn't have MPEG-4 support

To be honest I don't know if it will work with the Pro-HD until someone actually tries it. I'd love it if someone gave me viewer access to theirs so I can do some testing Big Grin. But out of all the models the Pro-HD is the most different, so if it doesn't work with if any of them, chances are that's the one it won't work with.

Harry
Reply
#11
Bummer
Reply
#12
bleze Wrote:Bummer

I wouldn't give up that quickly Smile ... I just need someone to volunteer access to a Pro-HD so we can find out for sure.

Harry
Reply
#13
Dude! You rock!
Allow me to subscribe to this thread and become one of the beta testers Wink
Reply
#14
gadgetman Wrote:Dude! You rock!
Allow me to subscribe to this thread and become one of the beta testers Wink

Can I ask which device you have?

If you feel comfortable patching and compiling feel free to check out the patch that's already up on trac (http://trac.xbmc.org/ticket/10464). I'm rewriting a bunch of code but the basics will stay the same.

Or if you're comfortable with sharing the viewer password for your Slingbox and it's setup for internet access, I can do the testing for you.

Thanks,
Harry
Reply
#15
Well I won't buy one until they make the iPad app and fix the low bitrate problems, so I guess a lot can happen before that Smile
Reply
  • 1(current)
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 28

Logout Mark Read Team Forum Stats Members Help
XBMC Slingbox Client - Development Status3