Streaming on a Budget: Make Your Own Slingbox with an IPTV Encoder

Sling Box was officially discontinued in November 2022. The once-popular device allowed users to stream live TV content from their cable or satellite boxes to other devices. While this may be disappointing news for fans of the product, there are slingshot alternatives for streaming live TV content on a budget. In this article, we’ll explore how to create your own Sling Box-like setup using an IPTV encoder. This can be a cost-effective solution for streaming live TV content to multiple devices in a household. You can set up your own streaming solution with a few simple steps without breaking the bank. So, let’s dive in and learn how to make your own SlingBox with IPTV encoder.

But, first…

What is an IPTV Encoder? 

An IPTV encoder is a simple device that takes signals from various sources – like your cable box, DVD player, or digital camera – and transforms them into digital streams that can be streamed over the internet.

An IPTV encoder is so important when it comes to making your own Slingbox because it enables you to broadcast live TV content over your home network to any device, no matter where you are.

Devices like Slingbox or Boxee rely on IPTV encoders to capture audio and video from your TV, so you can watch it on your computer or mobile device when you’re out and about. The encoder links up with your home’s router and grabs the TV signal from one of the sources we mentioned earlier. Then, it reformats the signal to make it suitable for streaming over the internet. The streaming software takes over from there, broadcasting the signal back over your wireless network to your device so you can watch your shows from wherever you are.

Of course, if you’re looking for a top-notch IPTV encoder, you’ll want one that goes beyond just the basic DMR function.

How To Make Your Own Slingbox With IPTV Encoder? 

If you’ve ever tried to set up a home entertainment system or DIY streaming devices, you know how complex it can be. And if you’ve dealt with an IPTV system, you’re probably no stranger to the headaches of trying to harmonize everything. It can be a real pain, especially if you’ve never dealt with an IPTV setup before – it’s hard to know what each port does and how to get them to all play nicely together.

If you’re unfamiliar with IPTV, it’s short for “internet protocol television.” Instead of needing a separate cable or satellite box for each TV in your house, an IPTV system lets you watch live broadcast TV through your internet connection with the help of an encoder (also known as a “set-top-box”). This little device encodes the internet streams and sends them to your network using your existing router.

It’s way simpler than running a bunch of cables from each TV into a separate device – which is how people used to do it. With IPTV, you save space, reduce extra components, and streamline the setup process.

 

Step By Step Process To Make Your Slingbox With IPTV Encoder

Below is a step-by-step process to build your own live TV streaming slingbox. 

Step 1: Choose an IPTV Encoder

While there are several IPTV encoders in the market, we recommend URAY HDMI Streaming Encoder. Sure, it’s a pretty basic encoder for HD streaming, but it gets the job done. Plus, it has different versions to suit every budget. For instance, if you want to save some cash, you can use the 1-port wired version. OR if you want the full features, then the 2-port Wifi version would be the best. 

Note: If you go with any 1-port IPTV encoder, you will need an HDMI Splitter to connect your TV and encoder to the video source. 

Note 2: All of these encoders have a default IP address of 192.168.1.168 (with port 80)

 

Step 2: Find Out Your Home IP Address

Each device online has a unique IP Address. You need your home’s IP address to configure the IPTV encoder, so you need to know these numbers. Go to whatismyip.com and note down the IP Address displayed there. It will be something like: 30.176.24.10

Note: Usually, this address stays the same but can change when you restart your modem.

 

Step 3: Set Up Port Forwarding on the Router

The next step is to set up a port forwarding rule on your router (modem). Port forwarding directs your router to send all the incoming traffic (for instance, from your smartphone) to the IPTV encoder without any problem. Go to your router’s settings and find the port forwarding option. Once you are on port forwarding, set up a rule that directs all connection requests on port 10000 to your internal network address of 192.168.1.168 (port 80/554). 

Why port 10000? Well, the reason is simple. Most ISPs block port 80 as the input port to block users from setting up their servers. But port 10000 is mostly available. 

Pro Tip: If you’re having trouble with port forwarding, you can use third-party addons/software like PureVPN’s Port Forwarding Addon.

 

Step 4: Configure Router Settings 

Now it’s time to lock down your network and keep it secure. You don’t want unwanted visitors accessing your network and messing with your streaming setup. One option is to enable firewall protection, blocking any unauthorized incoming traffic. You can also set up parental controls to restrict access to certain websites or content. These measures ensure that only those you want to access your network can give you peace of mind and keep your streaming setup safe and secure.

 

Step 5: Download VLC to Watch your Streams

The popular VLC app is a great choice if you want to watch your streams. No matter what device you use – Windows, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire Stick, etc., you can find a version of the VLC player app in the respective app store. Once installed, select “Open Network Stream” within the VLC app and enter the unique video streaming URL for your home’s encoder to view your stream. Easy-peasy!

 

Step 6: Remotely Control your Slingbox

You can easily control your newly-created slingbox with a remote IR Controller or Blaster. Broadlink’s RM4 Mini IR Universal is a great example. You just need to install the Broadlnk app on your smartphone and configure it to your video source’s make and model. This will let the device know what IR codes to send to your Slingbox. 

After that, place the tiny Broadlink device in front of your setup and tap on the desired buttons in the app. THis will allow the Broadlink device to transmit the IR code you want to send to the video source for various remote functions. 

Pro tip: Use TS encoding format instead of HLS for super-fast response to your commands. 

Very Important Note: If you ever reset your router and your home’s IP address changes, you’ll need to update it accordingly.

 

Benefits of Using Uray IPTV Encoder for Making Your Slingshot Alternative

The URAY IPTV encoder is a solid choice for creating a Slingbox replacement system. Here’s why:

1. Firstly, the URAY encoder acts as a dedicated “streaming server” that does all the heavy lifting for you. It converts incoming HDMI signals into one or more streaming formats and sends the video data to your local or remote viewing video player app (such as VLC). The best part is that it does all of this without requiring a bulky PC or a bunch of separate components and without generating much heat.
2. Secondly, the URAY encoder supports H.265 encoding, which can provide the same video quality as H.264, but uses only HALF the bitrate/bandwidth. This means you’ll save on bandwidth while still enjoying excellent video quality.
3. Thirdly, the URAY encoder provides FOUR simultaneous video stream outputs. You can set up separate streams with different bitrates and resolutions for viewing the stream using various connection speeds. This helps ensure that everyone can enjoy the stream, regardless of their connection speed.
4. Fourthly, there are no monthly fees to use the URAY encoder – you own it outright. This is a significant benefit over some other streaming devices that require ongoing fees to access the content.
5. Finally, the URAY encoder does not rely on any third-party service or company to function, so you can rest easy knowing that it won’t suddenly stop working like some other devices have recently. In short, the URAY IPTV encoder is an excellent choice for those looking to create their own Slingbox alternative without breaking the bank or relying on external services.

 

Final Thoughts

Making your own DIY Slingbox with an IPTV encoder is an excellent way to enjoy streaming content while saving money. You can even access content that might not be available where you live, making it a great option for frequent travelers. Although the setup process may require some time and basic networking knowledge, it is not difficult.

So, why not give it a try today? With just a few minutes of effort, you can create your streaming powerhouse and access all your favorite content from anywhere in the world.