i didn't write down his name, but that's what i was thinking (which is why i posted it here - i'll take the collective advice of this group over a t.s. rep any day!) my first box arrived and wasn't connecting (turned out to be a bad box), but while diagnosing he asked about the connection and i told him i was using a 50' cable. he said that will be a problem as the slingbox works "differently" than other types of network devices and 50' is too long and the signal degradation will be too much. furthermore, he said using anything other than the included ethernet cable is dicey.

that was then. replacement box came yesterday, hooked up immediately, works beautifully (with 50' run!), remote access is a dream! running beta player with new firmware and today was my first day of slinging (blew away everyone in my office!)

thanks for all of the responses!