SlingBox Launches In India

California based Sling Media, Inc. which was founded in 2005 by Indians Bhupen Shah and Raghu Tarra, has finally launched its revolutionary time and place shifting device Slingbox in India.

Slingbox is a set top box like device that when plugged in and configured, lets you watch live TV across various devices and while traveling, so you dont have to miss the match or your favourite soaps. This method of accessing TV content is termed 'place-shifting'.

All you need is a broadband connection, a laptop or desktop and a home router. When a user signs up to the online service, they will be shown an on-screen remote control for changing channels and can also set up recordings so they can watch the show later. Watch the Slingbox tour to learn more.

Slingbox will be retailed at large format retailers such as Tata-owned Croma, Reliance Digital, and Flipkart.com and the service is available in Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad and NCR.

Bhupen Shah, Founder and CTO, Sling Media Inc, said in a statement, "We are very happy and excited to have brought our breakthrough products to the consumer electronics marketplace in India. Now anyone with a broadband Internet connection can enjoy viewing their television on a laptop, smartphone or tablet device."

Pricing

Slingbox is priced at Rs 7,999 for the basic version (Slingbox 120), while the Slingbox PRO-HD (with high definition) is priced at Rs 14,999. Another product SlingLink, which can be used to boost video playback is priced at Rs 4,999.

The Slingbox technology and device have been highly recommended in developed markets such as USA especially after the introduction of an iPad app that turns the tablet into a portable TV. Other companies that offer such services include Orb and Sage TV.

"With a huge mobile and TV subscriber base, we see India as an attractive market for us," said Raghu Tarra, Managing Director of Sling Media Inc. Slingbox's premium mobile application SlingPlayer Mobile is available for download on app marketplaces at  a not-so-affordable price of $29.99 (INR pricing not available). PCWorld has a review of the app.

Sling Media was acquired by Colorado based television technology provider Echo Star in October 2007. It has had an R&D centre in Bangalore since 2005. It now plans to further expand its operations to the cities of Ahmedabad, Pune and Chennai.