Slingbox brings home television to a world stage

A set-top box that allows users to watch home television anywhere in the world is coming to the UK.

The Sling Media Slingbox is a small box that sits on top of a television set. It connects to a user's home network as well as to the television aerial and to any Freeview, Sky or cable box.

In addition to streaming the television footage over the home network so that it's possible to watch programmes anywhere in the house, users can also access the device from any internet-connected PC in the world.

That means that as long as there is an internet connection present, it's possible to watch television playing at home from elsewhere in the world.

The software also works on handheld computers and smartphones. It can be connected to a PVR, so in addition to recording programmes while you are away, you can watch them as well.

There are no subscription fees. The device costs $250 in the USA (about £130), but a British price has not yet been announced. Slingbox is available exclusively from PC World stores and online in the next few weeks.

This is much cheaper than Sony's equivalent - LocationFree TV, which also launches later this month, but will cost £350.

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