Slingbox Getting Ready to Roll

Michael Harris

July 1, 2005

1 Min Read
Slingbox Getting Ready to Roll

A positive review from Wall Street Journal personal technology columnist is the dream of any start-up pushing a new electronics gadget. Sling Media's (http://www.slingmedia.com) dream came true yesterday when Mossberg offered a thumbs-up for its forthcoming Slingbox. Priced at $250, the Slingbox "personal broadcaster' allows users to remotely access live or PVR recorded programming from their TV anywhere in the world. In a nutshell, the Slingbox sits between sits between a cable or satellite set-top and the TV, and plugs into a broadband home network, retransmitting the content over IP so it is remotely accessible. With Slingbox PC software and a broadband link, users can access their TV content anywhere, using the program guide or on-screen menus to navigate. For example, stuck in an airport waiting for your flight? Tune into that baseball game you're missing back home on your laptop with a Wi-Fi link. I originally saw the Slingbox back in January at CES and was favorably impressed. Of course, this is yet another innovative 'over-the-top' product that leverages cable programming and the broadband IP pipe that will spook MSOs. Initially, MSOs were terrified of PVRs, but ultimately embraced them to their benefit. This technology, if bundled with digital cable and high-speed data service, could be a powerful consumer offering. MSOs need to get their arms around the programming rights issues and figure out how to offer it directly to subscribers. Mossberg's Slingbox review is available online at http://online.wsj.com/article_email/0,,SB112008096040573302-IFjeoNjlaN4oZ2rbXmIbK6Am4,00.html

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