SlingCatcher: The time (and place) machine for content

SlingCatcher is a set-top box that not only delivers broadcast TV, Internet-based content and personal media to the TV, but also pulls content stored or broadcast from multiple sources and places, unifying it for easy navigation and playback. Demonstrated last week at the Consumer Electronics Show, it is nothing less than a time machine for content

The highly anticipated SlingCatcher was demonstrated publicly for the first time last week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The SlingCatcher is a set-top box that seamlessly delivers broadcast TV, Internet-based content and personal media to the TV.

It acts as a repository for content and is able to pull from multiple sources and places, putting the content in one place for easy navigation and playback. In that sense,it is almost like a time machine for content, but equally a “place machine””, allowing content to be viewed “”where”” the consumer is, rather than “”when””.

“”We have been spending a lot of time perfecting new technology that is vital to the SlingCatcher’s user experience but sometimes these things take longer than expected,”” said Blake Krikorian, co-founder, chairman and CEO of Sling Media.

SlingCatcher is bundled with three built-in applications: SlingPlayer for TV, SlingSync and SlingProjector, that combine to create a unified media platform capable of pulling content from disparate places and consolidating them onto a single TV screen, giving the customer more complete control of their personal media.

SlingPlayer for TV delivers one of the most requested Slingbox customer features: the ability to “”sling”” programming to another TV in the home or to a TV in a remote location without a PC by connecting to and streaming from the Slingbox on a LAN or WAN. In addition, when combined with the forthcoming Slingbox PRO-HD, SlingCatcher will give customers the ability to stream in HD from one TV to another.

SlingProjector enables consumers to project to the TV Internet and PC-based digital audio/video content‚Äîwhether downloaded movies, TV shows, home movies, photo slideshows or YouTube videos‚Äîfrom a PC to TV-screen for a “”lean back”” viewing experience. SlingProjector supports most video streaming web sites, media players and Internet video players.

Finally, SlingSync gives customers the ability to sync files over their network connection and store them on a third-party USB flash drive or other portable hard drive attached to the SlingCatcher, giving them the ability to use the SlingCatcher to replay their favorite content on demand and manage content from a PC via the SlingCatcher user interface.

The SlingCatcher includes both standard definition and high definition AV outputs to connect to a TV including HDMI, component, S-Video and composite video, as well as analog and digital audio.

As far as network connectivitygoes, the SlingCatcher features a standard Ethernet jack to connect to the home network either directly or via SlingLink powerline Ethernet adapters. In addition, Sling Media will sell a wireless USB adapter called SlingLink Wireless for $50, which can also be used to create the network connection. SlingCatcher will be available in the USA in second quarter for a retail price of $250.

For more information on Sling Media or the Slingbox, visit www.slingmedia.com.

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