For some time now, it has been possible to watch TV on a computer: just plug a TV tuner into a USB port, tune in to digital (Freeview) channels and away you go.

In fact, Windows Media Center Edition does this by default, and even lets your PC record programmes, so what’s so special about Sling Media’s Slingbox?

Well, rather than transforming a computer into a TV, the Slingbox connects to your satellite, cable or PVR receiver, and allows you to watch and control them from any computer with a broadband connection.

Getting the Slingbox up and running was fairly straightforward. On the back of the device are S-video and audio inputs to which you run cables from the corresponding outputs of your Sky, cable or PVR receiver. All the cables are supplied.

If you haven’t got Sky, cable or a PVR, the Slingbox has an integrated digital TV tuner, so you can access Freeview by plugging in an aerial.

So that your device can be controlled remotely, a pair of infrared sensors need to fit around the front, in line with your preferred device’s IR sensor. Finally, a network cable needs to run from the Slingbox into a free Ethernet port of your router.

Unfortunately, the Slingbox isn’t a wireless device and will need to be permanently connected to the router.

Next in the installation process is for your Slingbox to be detected on your home network. Thankfully, the Slingbox uses UPnP (universal plug and play), which means your computer should recognise it automatically.

However, we first had to disable our computer’s software firewall for detection to happen. Naturally, we ensured our router’s firewall was activated later on. While not 100 per cent trouble-free, setup was far better than our experience with Sony’s similar product – LocationFree.

Lastly, install the SlingPlayer software on the computer you wish to stream to. Here, a set-up wizard will ask you to enter your unique username and password, and ask what device you have connected so it can install the matching remote control.

We hooked up our Sky+ box and in return got an identical, albeit virtual, Sky+ remote control on our desktop. Then it’s a case of hitting the connect button to watch whatever is being broadcast into your home. In two words: very clever.

Picture quality depends on how fast your internet upstream is at home and the internet speed of the computer you’re using. Sling Media recommends a minimum upstream of at least 256Kbit/s, which will display a window about half the size of a 17in monitor.

The overall image is very blocky, which is intensified up close. However, step back a few feet and picture quality improves. Audio is very clear and always keeps up with the moving image.

One of the best things is being able to control your Slingbox just like you would your TV at home. For instance, we could access our Sky planner, watch recorded shows, set programmes to record and pause live TV – and all this from anywhere with a broadband connection.

Yes, picture quality may be some way off perfect, but there’s no denying how impressive this technology is. The only downside is that two people can’t watch different things simultaneously.

So if you’re away and want to watch the footie, and the kids want to watch Nickelodeon, you’ll have to pull rank.

For a £180 one-off fee, Slingbox offers excellent value for money, especially considering how much Sony is charging for its LocationFree player and registration.