Slingbox
The Slingbox is a set top box to the location independent television (place - shift).
For this purpose, the Slingbox provides the possibility of a television signal by means of Internet Protocol in Local Area Network or the Internet to transmit and reproduce, and vice versa, the signal source, such as a digital receiver to control (for example, change the TV channel ).
The idea of location independent television (place - shift) is an extension of the time-shifted television (time -shift, such as the TiVo ).
The Slingbox was the first box with this functionality, and in the U.S. is the most widely used. In Europe, the Slingbox is currently sold only in the UK, Austria, Germany and Scandinavia.
Benefits and importance
In the first six months of sales 100,000 Sling boxes were sold.
The Slingbox has won in November 2006, the Disruptive Communications Technology Award in the Financial Times in London.
From a consumer perspective, the Slingbox is especially useful in combination with the pay TV. During checkout, television is paid for viewing the programs, due to technical limitations, this is usually only possible in a fixed location, the location of the digital receiver. The Slingbox and similar devices allow you to look at these items in other locations.
From the perspective of media companies face a number of legal issues, since broadcast rights are usually acquired for a well-defined territory. When streaming over the Internet, this area can no longer be limited but technically. On the other hand, this technology allows a closer link to the Internet, what some media companies are very interested.
Technology
As inputs for the auto switch are S-Video, Composite Video ( RCA) Coaxial antenna available as an input signal, for example, DVB -T, the signal from one digital receiver by a cable connection, a connection for satellite TV or a DVD player possible.
The switching of the signal generator is done via infrared on the principle of universal remote control, with this, however, the receiver must be selected from a list. If the own device in this list, only the possibility of the IR codes manually enter remains ..
The uplink is via a broadband Internet connection. For the television signal is encoded using Windows Media Video. Adapting the data rate to the available bandwidth is performed using a proprietary method.
Can be played back on the signal on a PC or mobile phone. The player exists for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X, and Windows Mobile, Blackberry and Symbian phones. Sling Media offers in Apple's App Store a portable version of the player for the iPhone. Finally, a version with the Android operating system version was published.
Meanwhile, the Slingbox is also available in an HDTV version.
Manufacturer
The manufacturer is the Sling Media, the American cable television provider Liberty Media and the satellite TV operator EchoStar Communications are involved with $ 46.6 million. Other investors include Allen & Company, DCM - Doll Capital Management, Goldman Sachs & Co, Hearst and Moebius venture capital.
Similar products
A similar function offers the Sony LFPK1 LocationFree Player, which is sold in July 2006 in the German speaking countries ( Austria ).
Similarly, Pearl offered the 7Links Internet & Network TV box for IPTV personnel with similar scope.
Another place -shifting -receiver comes from HAVA.