Placeshifting is a term you don’t hear all that often as it is a technology that still hasn’t hit mass-market penetration. With a recent announcement that Dish Network will be integrating it into their new HD DVRs, it should be something you hear a lot more about in the months to come.
In short, placeshifting is the act of literally shifting the location of where you watch your media from one place to another. This is most commonly used with television broadcasts, but you can do it with a number of different devices such as DVRs, VCRa, CDs and more.
The most common name in the placeshifting marketplace is Sling Media which makes a ling of products called “Slingbox“. By plugging your satellite or cable receiver into their piece of hardware, connecting your box via Ethernet cable to your router, and then finally a piece of software on your laptop or selected mobile devices, you are able to watch the TV in your home anywhere you have an Internet connection. Whatever appears on your TV at home will appear on your mobile device/laptop, and will also have full control over the television to change channels, and even control the DVR if that is connected.
While there has been some question as to if this is legal, thus far it has been found to be okay so long as you only use it for your personal use, and it is your own TV programming you’re watching.
The device really couldn’t be simpler to set up, and if you are someone who travels extensively for business, you couldn’t find an easier way to keep up with your favorite shows while away from home.
If you would like to make a comment, please fill out the form below.
Save this page
Stir it up on Mix
Add to Reddit
Stumble page