Sling Media Inc, a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation, showcased and announced the availability of its range of video placeshifting products - Slingbox 120, Slingbox PRO-HD and SlingPlayer? in Pune on August 23. The Slingbox?, an Emmy winner, has changed and enhanced the way consumers watch television. It is an electronic device that allows consumers to completely control and placeshift their TV channels from the cable/satellite receiver, digital video recorder (DVR), Blu Ray/DVD Player, video camera and so on to remote devices such as mobile phones, PCs, laptops or tablets via a broadband internet connection.

This device will also be particularly valuable to consumers who spend a great deal of time away from home. They can use placeshifting technology to watch their favourite sporting event or shows while sitting at work, in a cafe, or in a hotel room on the other side of the globe. They can also placeshift within their homes to catch a movie from the living room in the kitchen or the patio. Placeshifting technology eliminates the need for a second cable or satellite TV subscription in a second home.

Raman Venkatachar, General Manager, India Operations, Sling Media, said, "With an increasing number of DTH service providers offering digital TV and HD quality pictures, the market for new products like the Slingbox has opened up. With a Slingbox, consumers will always have access to and full control of their television whether they are in another room, on the road or in another state or country. Consumers are adapting rapidly to these new trends, and in coming days this will completely change their TV viewing habits. We are pleased to introduce this product in Pune which has a vibrant upwardly mobile population."

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 DVR - and a home router. A broadband network or a 3G connection is required if the Slingbox is used to view the video source from outside the customer's home. The manufacturer's retail price (MRP) for the basic version of Slingbox known as Slingbox 120 that streams standard-definition (SD) content is Rs 7,999. The MRP for the Slingbox PRO-HD is Rs 14,999 for a high-definition viewing experience. In addition, Sling Media is also offering SlingLink, which simplifies the home internet network connection and provides fast, smooth video playback at an MRP of Rs 4,999.

On Macs and PCs, SlingPlayer can be enjoyed via a web browser and is free of charge. Consumers can watch their television content on their smartphones/tablets by downloading SlingPlayer Mobile software, giving them complete control over their living room television. This is priced in various mobile application markets at the equivalent of USD 29.99. The Sling Media line of products is distributed direct to consumers in over 5,000 retail stores in 20 countries, and to several television service providers in North America, Europe and Asia. EchoStar Corporation provides set-top box equipment, digital broadcast operations and satellite services.