Perhaps you've heard of time-shifting, which is the practice of recording your television programming to be watched at a time of your choosing, rather than at the actual time of broadcast. Time-shifting can be accomplished with a digital video recorder, a VCR, or a DVD recorder. Slingbox takes the vernacular a step further, utilizing what it calls "place-shifting," i.e. allowing a Slingbox user to watch programming from a different location, rather than from directly in front of the TV. Slingbox sends your television's signal to where you tell it to go, streaming via your home network if you're watching at a computer hooked up at home, or via the internet if you're elsewhere. A user controls the Slingbox with the SlingRemote, part of the SlingPlayer software suite used to access and watch the programming.

How SlingPlayer works

The Slingbox is the hardware that actually sends your programming to your PC. The SlingPlayer is the proprietary software suite that allows you to view your programming and to control the Slingbox from afar. The SlingPlayer is comprised of several features, including:

1. SlingRemote: Considered a virtual remote control, the SlingRemote allows you to control your Slingbox -- as well as everything plugged into your Slingbox, such as your cable or your DVR -- from your PC. Sling Media provides many different skins for the SlingRemote, so you can use a remote that has exactly the same look and functionality as the one that controls your TiVo or cable. Except this one doesn't get lost in the couch. The SlingRemote controls these third party pieces of hardware via an IR (infrared) emitter that is attached to the unit and connected to your Slingbox.
2. SlingStream: This is the company's proprietary software geared towards improving the quality of video playback.
3. Slingbox Directory: The directory shows you all of the Slingboxes that are available for your viewing, allowing you to connect to the box of your choice. Each Slingbox is identified by its Finder ID, and a user can add or remove various Slingboxes from their Directory.
4. Favorites Bar: Like bookmarks, for channels. Pick your favorites, and you'll have a one-click option to tune straightaway to your channels of choice.
5. Viewing Modes: The SlingPlayer allows a user to watch TV programming in three different modes: as a resizable window, full-screen mode, or SlingBar, which allows a user to dock the SlingPlayer on the right or the left of the desktop, making it possible for multitaskers to watch Desperate Housewives while they pay bills, surf the web, or do something else with their computer.