The Slingbox Pro is the latest and most powerful addition to the Sling Media range, part a line of hardware that allows you to stream video and audio to compatible devices. Since the box encodes the data to send across a local network that needs to be connected to the Internet, you're not restricted in the distance at which you can view content. It could be simply from a PC in another room, right up to a mobile phone or other connected equipment half-way around the world.

You're provided with everything you need in the box, which includes an HD Connect & Scart to RCA adaptor, composite audio and video and S-video cables. You can connect to one High Definition device and up to three standard definition devices using the range of connectivity options on the back, although it's worth noting that the box only streams video data up to a maximum 640 x 480 resolution.

Once this is all hooked up you need to attach an IR cable to reflect control signals to the IR port on the source device. You're supplied with one of these in the box, but considering the adaptability of the Slingbox to manage multiple devices we think this method could be refined a little, or to at least provide you with multiple IR blasters. As it is, most people will find they have to move the cable to the desired source device in order to shift control from their mobile device or computer.

Finally you'll need to connect your Slingbox to the local network. Unfortunately there's no support for wireless here, which, considering the advances in wireless media streaming over the last year, is a real shame. As it is you'll either have to string a network cable across or use a powerline solution such as Devolo's Homeplug to make things easier. Once everything is wired up, you'll need to download the latest version of SlingPlayer from the Sling Media site. This software will help you connect the Slingbox to your network and view and manage content.

We found the setup process fairly straightforward, although some equipment, particularly older routers or those incompatible with uPnP (universal Plug and Play) may have to manually forward some ports to successfully create a connection. Once it's up and running, though, streaming quality to a local network is superb, in no small part down to the increase in the old 2Mbps bandwidth limit to a more forgiving 5Mbps.

If you're looking to stream more remotely than this you'll find quality can vary drastically according to the stability and speed of the network your video device is connected to. If you're lucky enough to benefit from a suitable connection, both the quality of the media and the degree of control available (thanks to the on-screen software remote control, which uses the IR blaster you connected to your source device to change channels and access menus), makes for an impressive experience.

Despite what is overall a pretty successful experiment with digitising and streaming media, we're torn in our overall opinion of the Slingbox. The lack of wireless is a pain, as is its dependence on the quality of the connection and nature of the receiving A/V device when streaming remotely, although this is no fault of the box itself.

Later this year Sling Media plans to release the SlingCatcher, a hardware device that can port media back to a television so you won't need a computer or handheld to view it. This should increase the flexibility of the package and we'd be keen to see how it performs.

If you're looking to stream a home A/V device to another computer in the home, elsewhere in the world or to a portable handheld device, and are confident that the relevant connections can handle the process, you'll be impressed by the flexibility and control the Slingbox Pro offers. The new version is certainly the best yet, but bearing in mind the potential potholes involved we're keen to see what other upcoming services can compete.