Sling Media Support - Documentation about your SlingCatcher

SlingCatcher Technical Archive

Working with viewing formats
Videos and movies are created and shown in differing screen formats, such as wide screen, letterbox, pillarbox, and others. You can adjust SlingPlayer to display the format that suits your needs best.

SlingLink troubleshooting when home automation devices are present
Having trouble with SlingLink units? Check to see if there are any home automation devices in the house.

Are you unable to log in to Sling Account using SlingPlayer 2.0.x?
If you are getting strange errors when you try to log in to your Sling Account via SP 2.0.x, here is one potential solution.

How to create a Sling Account and Slingbox password for guests
Would you like to create an additional Sling Account and Slingbox password for your family members and/or friends? This article shows you how!

A Detailed Introduction To SlingProjector
Check out this video to learn about how to get the most out of SlingProjector.

A non-technical explanation of DHCP
This article explains DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) in simple language.

Cable and Connector Glossary
Confused by all of the ports and cables on the back of your TV, Slingbox, or SlingCatcher? Here's an illustrated glossary.

Can I use an IR Extender to extend the range of the remote control for a SlingCatcher? Can I use one with a Slingbox?
IR Extenders are used to extend the range of handheld remote controls. This article explains which Sling Media hardware can be used with them.

File Playback and Conversion FAQ For SlingCatcher
This article explains what files and formats are playable by SlingCatcher’s "My Media" application. It also provides guidelines on how to create or convert files that will play on SlingCatcher.

When I connect my set-top box to my TV with HDMI connections, I can't stream video at all using any version of SlingPlayer. Why?
If you have video equipment that connects to your TV using an HDMI cable and then try to stream, you may get extremely poor or no video using Watch on Slingbox.com, SlingPlayer for Windows or SlingPlayer for Mac. Here's the reason and a way to fix it.

Set Up Video: Configuring your SlingCatcher
Learn how to configure your new SlingCatcher in this second part of the SlingCatcher Setup video.

Set Up Video: SlingCatcher Hook Up
The first part of the SlingCatcher Setup video where we see what comes in the box with the SlingCatcher and hook it up to our TV.

What's a router?
It's a question you shouldn't feel embarrassed to ask! Many folks with home networks aren't sure, either.

A slow Internet connection at home can affect picture quality when using Internet Viewing
You need high-speed Internet (broadband) service at home in order to get quality video when viewing over the Internet. Upload speed is especially important.

SlingCatcher: Basic Troubleshooting
Here are some of the most common symptoms and solutions for SlingCatcher troubles.

Solving problems with Internet Viewing when using SlingCatcher or SlingPlayer
If you can connect to your Slingbox with SlingPlayer for Windows or Mac OS, but not with SlingPlayer on your mobile devices or SlingCatcher, here's something to try.

I used to be able to control my TV with SlingPlayer or Watch on Slingbox.com. Now it doesn't work. What's wrong?
Here are some things to check if this happens to you!

When I watch using Watch on Slingbox.com or SlingPlayer, the colors are all wrong. Sometimes, the picture is mostly green. What should I do?
Here's what you need to do to fix this. It's very simple.

Your Slingbox works fine until you turn on your TV. Then suddenly, there's no video in SlingPlayer.
You've got your Slingbox hooked up to your set-top box and everything else is connected. All is well until you turn on your TV and SlingPlayer then stops showing video for no apparent reason.

What's an Ethernet bridge?
Want to know what a bridge is?

What is the difference between a public and private IP address?
Public and private IP (Internet Protocol) addresses ... sometimes called "external" and "internal" IP addresses ... both exist for the same reason: to provide unique identification to every device on a network.

Some help fixing problems when your SlingCatcher screen is black
Usually this is because your SlingCatcher is set to a resolution that your TV doesn't support. Here's some help.

Configuring a Logitech Harmony remote for SlingCatcher
Got a Logitech Harmony remote control? Here's how you can set it up to work with your SlingCatcher.

I'm getting a "SlingCatcher is unable to connect to your home network" error
Having problems connecting to your home network when you're setting up your SlingCatcher?

What's my Sling Account for?
Sling Accounts are an easy way to have your Slingbox info travel with you.

Technical specs for SlingCatcher, SlingProjector, and SlingSync/My Media
Here are tech specs for the SlingCatcher, SlingProjector, and SlingSync/My Media products.

Did you get an "Unable to display dialog" error when installing SlingCatcher Desktop software?
If you got an "Unable to display dialog" error when installing SlingCatcher Desktop software, here's what you can do to fix things.

Did you get an "Ordinal 248" error when installing SlingCatcher Desktop software?
If you got an "Ordinal 248" error when installing SlingCatcher Desktop software, here's what you can do to fix things.

Can I stream HD from my Slingbox PRO-HD to my SlingCatcher?
Yes, you can stream higher definition video from your PRO-HD to a SlingCatcher. While it's not true HD, it's higher quality than standard definition.

How do I manually change the Slingbox video resolution in the SlingCatcher interface?
Instructions for manually adjusting the resolution of video streaming from your Slingbox to your SlingCatcher.

How do I install software updates for the SlingCatcher?
When I use SlingCatcher, there’s a message on my TV screen that says that there is new software available. What is this and how do I install it?

Disconnecting a USB storage device from SlingCatcher
You don't need to "eject" a USB storage device before disconnecting it from SlingCatcher.

Here are all of the commands for SlingCatcher's remote control
SlingCatcher's remote control has a number of "hidden" commands. Here are all of them and how to use them.

How do I disconnect a Slingbox using SlingCatcher?
There are two ways to disconnect from the Slingbox you are watching with the SlingCatcher SlingPlayer software.

After updating SlingCatcher Desktop, SlingProjector Performance and Options settings are improperly set
I just updated SlingCatcher Desktop, and now the Performance and Options settings within SlingProjector are wrong. What can I do?

All my 16:9 content from DVB-T channels show up as 4:3 on my TV when watched through the SlingCatcher
The SlingCatcher can get the aspect ratio wrong when watching some content coming from the built-in DVB-T tuner in the Slingbox PRO sold in Europe. Here are some fixes.

How to connect SlingCatcher to a NAS device or shared PC/Mac folder
Want to connect a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device or a PC/Mac shared folder to your SlingCatcher? Here's how.

I have a file that won't play on SlingCatcher with My Media software. What can I do?
Here are some suggestions for dealing with files that won't play using SlingCatcher's My Media software.

How SlingSync encodes files (for advanced users)
If you want to know what goes on "under the hood" when SlingSync encodes files, here you go. If this is all gibberish to you, that's okay ... this is for advanced users.

Will the SlingCatcher remote control act as a universal remote?
This article explains how to program SlingCatcher's remote so that it can control your other devices.

Troubleshooting problems with USB drives connected to SlingCatcher
Here are some helpful tips on how to get a difficult USB drive to work as an external drive on your SlingCatcher.

Is your PC powerful enough for SlingProjector?
The first thing to check: whether your computer has what SlingProjector needs.

My computer freezes when I use SlingProjector
If SlingProjector causes your computer to become unresponsive, look here for some help.

I added a Slingbox to my SlingAccount, but I don't see it in SlingCatcher
if you set up a new Slingbox and added it to your Sling Account, it will not automatically show up in the Slingbox listing in SlingCatcher. Here is some more info on how to fix the problem.

My Media files don't seem to have any audio
Here are some reasons why you may not hear what your files are playing.

SlingCatcher's remote is incorrect in SlingPlayer. Is there anything I can do?
You've connected your SlingCatcher to your Slingbox and gone though the Setup Assistant. After all that, the wrong remote appears in SlingPlayer. Why does this happen?

My SlingCatcher won't stream at speeds above 200-300 Kbps. It's also slow to respond to remote control commands. What can I do about this?
Unless you've updated the SlingCatcher Software ("firmware"), some network software may interfere with the SlingCatcher's ability to stream video at high speed. We've seen this problem when a computer on your home network has "Network Magic" or "Linksys EasyLink Advisor" (LELA) software installed.

Programming the Sling Media remote control colored buttons
Here are nstructions for how to use and program the colored buttons on your SlingCatcher remote control.

Setting up your SlingCatcher using a static IP address
When you set up SlingCatcher for the first time, you must use DHCP. After your SlingCatcher is set up, you can change its settings to use a static IP address. Here's how to do this.

Resetting your SlingCatcher
If other troubleshooting methods don't work, you may need to reset your SlingCatcher. Here's how.

Slingbox firmware must be up-to-date to work with SlingCatcher
For best results with your SlingCatcher, keep your Slingbox firmware up-to-date. Here's why.

SlingCatcher error codes
Are you getting an error when using SlingCatcher?

SlingCatcher Desktop installation error: "A problem occurred during hardware installation..."
I tried to install SlingCatcher Desktop, and I got the error, "A problem occurred during hardware installation...." What do I do?

SlingCatcher is taking FOREVER to scan my USB hard drive
Here are some reasons why this may be happening and how to work around the problem in the future.

SlingCatcher freezes after streaming video from a Slingbox for a long time
We are aware of an issue with the SlingCatcher freezing after streaming video for a long time. Here are some details.

SlingCatcher Remote Explained
Here is a tour of the SlingCatcher remote control.

SlingCatcher: Video quality from my Slingbox is poor or audio/video sync is off
This article explains what may cause poor video quality or problems with the audio and video not syncing correctly.

Having performance problems with SlingProjector?
SlingProjector performance not up to par? Here's some help.

SlingProjector background application doesn't shut down with Windows Vista
I'm using SlingProjector with Windows Vista, and the background application won't shut down after I exit SlingProjector. What do I do?

SlingProjector projection region is always 640x480
When I use SlingProjector, the projection region is always 640x480. What do I do?

SlingProjector can lose the video selection window
Using SlingProjector to project video from a web browser other than Windows Internet Explorer 7 can cause the SlingProjector selection window to disappear when the video is finished playing.

What do I do if the SlingCatcher firmware update fails?
Having problems updating SlingCatcher firmware? Here are some steps to take.

What’s going on when I change video zoom modes?
Here is what the video zoom modes mean in SlingCatcher.

What do the lights on the front of the SlingCatcher mean?
Here's what the lights on the front of your SlingCatcher are telling you.

Uninstalling SlingProjector using the "SlingCatcher Desktop" entry
If you want to uninstall SlingProjector, you should look in the Windows Add or Remove Programs control panel. There, you'll see an entry for "SlingCatcher Desktop."

All about your Sling Account
Here's the basic information about what your Sling Account can do for you.

Want to add a new Slingbox to your Sling Account?
Here's how. It's quick and easy.

Yes, you can change the password for your Sling Account
Changing your Sling Account password is simple. There are just a few simple steps.

Want to change some information in your Sling Account? Here's all you need to do.
Yes, you can change your contact information, your email address and your marketing preferences in just a few quick steps.

Download the SlingCatcher User Guide
Product specifications and safety guidelines for the SlingCatcher.

A non-technical explanation of resolution
This article explains what resolution is using non-technical terms.

Internet Viewing Picture Quality: Some common reasons for poor picture quality
Sometimes when you're watching your TV with your Slingbox, you wish that the picture quality could be better. What to do?

Which SlingPlayer software works with my Slingbox?
Confused about which versions of the SlingPlayer software work with your Slingbox? Here's a helpful guide to compatibility.

What's a network?
Let's talk about networks. You might be asking yourself, "How do I know if I have a network in my home?" Good question!

What's port forwarding/port mapping?
How does SlingPlayer connect with your Slingbox when you're out and about and you want to watch your TV? It uses a technique called port forwarding.

What's a Slingbox ID? (Also known as "Finder ID" or "Slingbox Finder ID")
Here's what the Slingbox ID is, and how you can find yours.