Back at the CES show in January, Sling Media announced they would be releasing a device called "SlingCatcher," which is designed to connect Slingbox to a remote TV set instead of a laptop or smartphone. If you haven't read about SlingCatcher yet, then check it out here.

Since then, Sling Media has been pretty tight lipped about Catcher, but more information is becoming available... if you know where to look.

The FCC recently gave approval for Sling Media’s new "SC100-100 SlingCatcher". Although the photos were kept private in the FCC documents, we can still glean some information from the other documents publicly provided.

The product description says: “The EUT is a breakthrough consumer electronics device that takes multimedia content either from a USB storage device or through the Ethernet port which gives a video/audio output to the TV. The EUT can be controlled using the included infrared remote control.”

This tells us a few cool things. One, is that you should be able to take content from your USB storage device and output it to your TV. This could be very handy! I can think of several uses for a USB connection, like being able to take ripped movies on the go while travelling.

But, what I would use it for is to send photos and movies to grandparents and others who aren't the savvyst computer users, which would be simpler than teaching them how to use a PC. You hook up a SlingCatcher at Grandma’s house, put your home videos and photos on a USB drive, and then let her watch them. Once a month or so, you send her a new USB drive, have her plug it in, and mail you back the old one. Repeat. Reuse.

Doing this, she could have new photos and videos every month and all she has to do is turn on the TV and tune to the SlingCatcher channel.

The FCC report also confirms the connections originally shown at the beginning of the year. No change as it was originally shown.

1) Component video cable connecting to the television.

2) RCA Video/ Audio cable ports connecting to the television.

3) HDMI cable connecting to the television.

4) S-Video cable connecting to the television.

5) Digital audio cable connecting to Sound System or Television.

6) Ethernet cable connecting to computer or Lan

7) Two (2) USB ports.

8) Will come with a remote control.

The documents also say the photos provided to the FCC are to remain confidential until the official product announcement scheduled for October 2007.

So maybe we will get the SlingCatcher before Christmas.

The FCC approved two models of SlingCatcher: the SC100-100 and the SC100-140. The two models are identical in construction. The only difference is the packaging and user manual for the SC100-100 will contain English documentation for USA, while the packaging and user manual for the SC100-140 will also come in French.