Watch Your Television From Anywhere

I knew this day would come eventually. Somebody finally came out with a box that allows you to watch your television from literally anywhere, as long as you have a high-speed Internet connection.

Sling Media, Inc. a digital lifestyle electronics company, has made this possible with its latest innovation called the Slingbox Personal Broadcaster. As long as you have a PC that runs on Windows XP (unfortunately not available on any other software platform yet), it gives you access anytime, anywhere, to your own living room television.

The Slingbox works by redirecting or “placeshifting” a single live television stream from a cable box, satellite receiver, or personal video recorder (PVR), such as a TiVo, to your Internet-connected PC located anywhere you are through your home network router. It physically fits right into your existing television and network infrastructure in four easy-to-follow steps. Once everything is plugged in, it’s controlled with SlingPlayer.

SlingPlayer encompasses several features: SlingStream, SlingRemote and SlingBar. SlingStream is a streaming technology designed to optimize playback by monitoring your connection speed and adjusts the video compression to match the available network bandwidth. SlingRemote is a virtual remote control that displays the buttons found on the remote control of the source connected to your Slingbox. If a PVR is connected, you can use it to play your recorded programs and control just about everything, even schedule programs to record. The SlingBar provides a convenient way to watch television while simultaneously using your computer for other functions.

The Slingbox is definitely a groundbreaking piece of equipment that will change the way you watch television. It’s perfect for any TV or sports junkie and anyone who travels a lot. Some drawbacks are that there is no wireless support, and it monopolizes the device that’s attached, it may not have necessary infrared codes to fully operate your cable box and the fact that it only works with Windows XP so far.

In the near future, the SlingPlayer software will be available for Macintosh, select PDAs and smart phones. Take control of your TV and get a Slingbox of your own for $249.99 at CompUSA or www.compusa.com.