At last! Many months after initially setting up my Slingbox, I have found the answer to a problem that has bedeviled me. The local remote control – including mute, volume level and channels always overrode my choices when viewing TV over the internet. Everyday at 7 p.m. sharp, as I tried to watch the day’s business in review on the PBS Newshour, someone (who shall remain nameless) invariably switched to “Jeopardy” on ABC.
Solution to remote control conflict between local TV and remote Slingbox viewing: Set up 2 cable boxes – at or near one TV. First, connect the coax from the wall to a two-way splitter. Then connect two coax cables on each of the splitter’s connectors. To the first of these coax cables, connect the first cable box. Then connect the first cable box to the TV as though it were the only cable box – and as though there were no Slingbox involved.
Then, connect the second coax cable hanging off the splitter to a second cable box – and connect the Slingbox to that one. Voila! The Slingbox now has its own cable box – and no more fighting over the remote control.
The only trick is to make sure the second cable box is situated in a way that the remote control’s infrared cannot hit it — or one remote control will be controlling both cable boxes.
One further caveat: This specific setup assumes the modem and router are elsewhere, there is a wireless network setup in the house, and the Slingbox is connected to the network using a powerline adapter (Slingbox’s or another manufacturer’s). Otherwise, if your internet router is on the same wall plate, you would presumably need a three-way splitter. One of these days I’ll post pictures or drawings of the setup, if anyone should request this.
Happy independent viewing!
