Appliance ''Placeshifts'' the Living Room TV

Sling Media yesterday announced the US availability of the much-anticipated Slingbox. Transforming Windows XP based PCs and laptops into personal on-the-go digital TVs, the Slingbox allows individuals anywhere-anytime access to their own living room television experience with no additional monthly service fees. In a concept quite similar to Sony's LocationFree TV which enables you to watch your home TV in almost real time from anywhere via the internet, the Slingbox is an appliance which when used in conjunction with broadband turns any Internet-connected laptop or desktop PC into a personal TV, enabling consumers to watch their cable, satellite, or personal video recorder (PVR) programming from wherever they are in the world. If the Slingbox is coupled with a broadband Internet connection, the viewer's live TV stream can be "placeshifted" via the Internet to a PC located anywhere in the world.

"The Slingbox clearly defines a new era for television viewing," said Blake Krikorian, Sling Media co-founder and CEO. "Our goal is to enhance the TV-viewing experience by allowing people easy access to their living room television content, no matter their location: around the house or around the world."

Krikorian's view is shared by others in the consumer electronics market as well. "The advent of technologies like the Slingbox that enable consumers to view TV programs where and when they want will change the landscape of television viewing and the consumer electronics marketplace," said Consumer Electronics Association President and CEO Gary Shapiro.

The Slingbox retails for $249.99 and requires no new or ongoing subscription fees. Available in stores today, the Slingbox is sold nationwide at consumer electronics retailers Best Buy and CompUSA, as well as online at BestBuy.com and CompUSA.com.

How the Slingbox Works

The Slingbox fits neatly into a consumer's existing TV and network infrastructure. All that is required is a video source providing TV-based entertainment -- either cable, satellite TV, or a PVR -- and a home router. A broadband network connection is required only if you want to use the Slingbox to view your video source from outside your home.

In just four simple steps, the Slingbox is ready for use.

1. Connect the TV source to the Slingbox.

2. Connect the Slingbox to your home network router.

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