Yet another solution

You may have read about Slingbox and wondered what it is and more important will it allow you to watch UK TV here in Spain.

Slingbox is a device that costs from about £70 upwards. What it does is transmit a media signal over the Internet. You set up the Slingbox in the UK and connect it to a router. At this end you install the SlingPlayer software on your computer and configure it to the box in the UK. You can then watch the media that is being transmitted on your computer or connect your computer to a TV and watch it on that.

The software at your end controls the Slingbox in the UK allowing you to change channels etc. With the more expensive pro model you can connect to several devices e.g. a DVD as well as a free to air and Sky box. So, not only can you watch TV, you can watch your DVD and you can record programmes as well.

There can a bit of setting up to do to get the router connected to the Slingbox in the UK and of course you need a broadband connection at both ends. The quality of the picture will then be largely determined by the upstream speed of the router in the UK. It will therefore work best if the person in the UK has a high speed cable connection. You'd also need to consider the placement of the components as you would with the Telefónica set up.

With broadband via a phone line, most users say it is a bit like watching a DVD on a computer i.e. not exactly high definition. It can take a little while for the channels to settle down and you do get the occasional freeze but you'll get what you pay for.

The other downside is that the person in the UK will be using the upstream bandwidth on their broadband connection to supply your TV picture. It's good for those who have a holiday home here in Spain and don't mind paying for a broadband connection at both ends.