Ever thought of keeping a watch on your home while you are traveling or away abroad on a business trip? Or watching your favorite cricket match in a country where cricket is not available on any channel?
Many people have this need where they have their old parents in their home country and they are travelling frequently. Or to keep an eye on the home alone child while you are away.

There is a need but how do you do it? Is there any solution which can easily help you track your home anytime and anywhere?

Yes, there is and is called Placeshifting technology. It is a concept in which you can view live or recorded media on a remote device.

It is a pretty known service in developed countries and is now making its debut in India. Sling, a service which can help you watch the CCTV camera coverage on your mobile/laptop/iPad anytime via internet is one of them.
The service does not stop at the CCTV coverage, it can also help you watch your favorite TV channel if you connect your set top box with the SlingBox.

How does it work?

You need to buy a SlingBox (a hardware) and install it at your home. It is capable of connecting with various other devices like CCTV camera and TV Set Top Box.
Once you set up the box, you will be required to create an account on Sling.
Now, whenever you want to watch the CCTV footage of your home or the installation place, you simply need to log-in to your account on Sling and select the device that you want to see.

In case you are watching your TV via Set top box, a virtual remote control is shown on your mobile/laptop/tablet screen to change the TV channels.

Cost?

As far as cost is concerned, you need to buy the following products to get started:

1. SlingBox - Cost in India varies from $160 (INR 8000) to $300 (INR 15000). Required to connect your CCTV, TV set top box or computer with Sling.
   
   
2. SlingPlayer - A software to be installed on your mobile/laptop/Tablet to use Sling. The price is around $30 (INR 1500). Required.
   
   
3. Internet Data plan on Mobile/Laptop/Tablet: You will have to buy the internet data plan from your mobile service provide if you plan to use it outside home where no Wi-Fi is available. It is reccommended to go for a 3G plan to get a smooth ride. Using it on 2G is just a waste as it would not be able to stream TV or CCTV content as per your satisfaction.
   The cost will depend on your data plan and usage.
   
   
4. Internet at home: It is required by SlingBox to communicate and stream your home device data on mobile, laptop or tablet. You would need to bear the internet charges at home too.

FAQ

• Where in the world can we access it?
  Once you have set up the SlingBox at your home, you can virtually access it anywhere in the world. The only cost you will bear is the internet data usage on your device (mobile, laptop or tablet).
  
  
• Watch Indian Channels in USA with Indian Cost?
  Yes you can do it :). Buy a TV set up box with a connection in India. Connect it with SlingBox and see your favorite channels in USA over internet on your laptop at Indian prices!! Offcourse, No need to buy a dish TV in USA.
  
  But, do remember to buy an unlimited internet broadband conenction while you are in USA (or any other country) to avoid any unexpected charges.
  
  I know that this is a situation faced by many Indian techies who travel to USA and other countries for small durations (like 3 months) and do NOT have TV connections. They definitely miss the cricket matches over there.
  Now, if you have this technology, you can never miss a match while you are abroad.
  
  
• Run different TV channel on laptop and home TV while connected through set top box and SlingBox?
  Hmm... Interesting. So, you want to hack the restriction of running only one channel at a time with 1 set top box imposed by most set top box providers in India? The sad news is that it is NOT allowed.
  
  What this means is that if the TV is ON at home and you are trying to watch it on your laptop (away or at home in another room), it will only run one channel on both i.e. TV and your laptop.
  
  
• Watch TV even if TV is OFF at home?
  Yes, you can watch TV even if the TV is switched OFF at home. The only requirement is that Slingbox and TV set top box should be switched ON and connected to home internet.
  
  
• Sling Vs Mobile TV on 3G network?
  Well, if you are thinking that mobile TV on 3G techonolgy offered by many service providers is a cheap option than Sling, then you may be right if you only want it to access it within India or your home country. As soon as you move out of the country, this mobile TV would not be accessible.
  On the other hand, you can access Sling's services anywhere with an internet access.
  
  Also, in case of Mobile TV, you may have to purchase a TV channel pack from service provider whereas in case of Sling, the TV channel package that you have already bought for your home TV is sufficient.
  
  

I found this technology pretty interesting and useful. It is unbelievable that how fast the world is contracting in terms of communication. You are always connected with your family and friends no matter where you are in this world!

So, Stay Connected.