When I change channels on my Slingbox, they also change at home. Why?

Watching your TV with your Slingbox is just like watching your TV at home ... in more ways than one!

How does my Slingbox control my programs remotely?

At home, you use your remote to control your TV. When you're away from home, watching/controlling your TV with your Slingbox, your Slingbox does something very similar.

When you're watching your TV remotely, you control your TV by clicking buttons on the onscreen remote. Those commands travel through the Internet to your Slingbox at home. Your Slingbox then sends the commands with its "IR Blaster," the little device that looks like a small light bulb, sitting in front of the little remote control window on your set-top box, DVR, or whatever:

The IR Blaster imitates the signals your actual remote control sends. So as far as your TV is concerned ... it's the same as being at home and using your actual remote control!

So changing channels remotely is the same as changing them when I'm in front of my TV?

Yes. You're "sharing" the TV with those at home, so you'll need to cooperate with them over what to watch!

Are there any alternatives?

Consider these options if your setup allows:

• Connect your Slingbox to a set-top box in another room. If you can, connect your Slingbox to a TV source you use less often. That way, you'll be less likely to interfere with those who are watching the main TV setup.
• Use the coaxial tuner, if your Slingbox has one, as an additional remote viewing option. First, hook up your Slingbox as you normally would, using the component, S-Video, or composite inputs, depending on your Slingbox and your setup. Second, if you are using a cable set-top box, and your Slingbox is a "Classic," model, a Slingbox PRO, or a Slingbox PRO-HD, you can additionally use a "video splitter" to connect your cable set-top box to the Slingbox cable (coaxial) input. When you want to watch remotely, try using the main Slingbox input (composite, S-Video, or component). But someone else is already watching the TV ... use the Video Input setting within SlingPlayer to switch to Coax. You'll probably only be able to watch basic cable (channels 2-99) but you won't interfere with the folks at home.

How can folks at home tell if you're connected to your Slingbox?

By looking at the red light in the center of the Slingbox front (not the two lights on the right side). If the center red light is glowing, it means that you are connected to your Slingbox.