Sling Media is announcing the next generation of its SlingPlayer software to go along with the next generation of Slingboxes the company is showing off this week at CES. If you're not familiar with the Slingbox, it's a contraption that you plug into your TiVo, DVD player, TV, or other video source that lets you stream live video over the internet and effectively watch live TV from any PC, Mac, or mobile device running the SlingPlayer software.

SlingPlayer 2.0 includes a couple of nifty updates including a 60 minute buffer that lets you pause, fast forward, and rewind videos instantly, without having to send a signal over the internet telling your PVR to pause first (which can take a few seconds). You also get a new electronic program guide based on your local TV lineup, which makes it easier to flip channels from your PC. And Sling Media has also added the Clip+Sling feature, which will let users save clips from TV shows and movies and share them with friends.

SlingPlayer 2.0 is a free upgrade for current and new Slingbox customers and should be available sometime in the next few months.. There's no word on when we'll see Mac or mobile clients of SlingPlayer 2.0.