ZeeVee Launches ZvBox, New Consumer Electronics Product for Broadcasting Any Internet TV or Computer Content to All HDTVs in Your Home

Post by **Shane** » Thu May 01, 2008 6:35 am

Startup company ZeeVee Inc. announced today the launch of ZvBox(TM), a new consumer electronics product for watching any Internet TV, online video, or computer content on HDTVs at home. Available for preorder online <a href="http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/cgi-bin/ntlinktrack.cgi?http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0018L7NUA?tag=hdtvforum0c-20">exclusively at Amazon.com</a>, ZvBox will redefine television as we know it.

Until today, the explosion of Internet TV and movie downloads has been confined to the computer's small screen. Alternative solutions have failed to solve this problem, with drawbacks including limited content, added subscription fees, the need for a box at each TV, and the inability to show everything a computer can do with high-quality video and audio. ZeeVee's new ZvBox is the first device that allows consumers to...

[url=http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/news/2008/05/zeevee_launches_zvbox_new_consumer_electronics_product_for_broadcasting_any_internet_tv_or_computer_content_to_all_hdtvs_in_your_home.php]Read Bulletin[/url]

stevekaden · Post by **stevekaden** » Thu May 01, 2008 10:54 am

I was ready to tag this as yet another basis for a penny stock scam....but it actually is rather unique and if it works, very effective. I am intrigued that it can ride on the to-be increasing quality available over the internet.

My key question though, is can this work if you have cable decoder or sat decoder boxes?

I did a tiny bit of searching and found this: "all signals are received from the TV's QAM-capable internal tuner" so I have to assume, that if you are cable or satellite based, you will have to use an OTA cable source if present - or (maybe bad news) add it to your existing system. Maybe signal multiplexors can be used to insert/remove the signal.

Edit: Pending response from VeeDee support on hook up technique. Their web site, support areas are still under contruction.

hendrikus · Post by **hendrikus** » Fri May 02, 2008 10:32 am

"And since ZvBox provides a duplication of what you see on your monitor, anything you can do on your computer you can now do on your HDTVs."

The story is a little thin on technical data. It appears that the ZvBox has VGA input only. Can it accept VGA at 1920x1080 or more? What is the resolution and frame rate of the output signal? I don't have a blu-ray disc player in my computer (yet), but can ZvBox convert full 1920x1080p and multi-channel audio contents of blu-ray discs? Again, to what resolution?

stevekaden · Post by **stevekaden** » Fri May 02, 2008 11:18 am

It appears to take whatever the video card can spit out - but I'd be suspect if that was over 1920x1080p - since the TV would not be able to receive it over a Tuner input. No mention that this can take input from a local drive that I remember - but if the key is what is coming out of the video card it should work.

hendrikus · Post by **hendrikus** » Fri May 02, 2008 12:03 pm

Another topic that isn't covered much is DRM. How does this box deal with HDCP material? Is it possible to record the ZvBox QAM output signal on a pc using a QAM tuner card? That would seem to circumvent HDCP. Assuming that the VGA monitor output of the pc connected to the VGA in of the ZvBox doesn't support HDCP.

stevekaden · Post by **stevekaden** » Fri May 02, 2008 1:48 pm

Is there DRM between an air broadcast and a QAM input? If not, I doubt there is any issue. After all this is meant to be an Internet bridge to QAM. There has not been DRM over Component video, or over OTA broadcast (??), this seems very much the same.

I suppose if there is a port DVI on the video card, and if it output on the DVI's digital lines - if I was a Studio I might be concerned. Not that the image over VGA is that much worse - but it is analog.

I suppose we'll know a lot more when they finish their web site.

jordanm · Post by **jordanm** » Sat May 03, 2008 9:35 am

Meanwhile, for almost same functionality, I am using a HTPC @ 1650x1080 connected out DVI with an HDMI dongle and cable on my 1080p 60" plasma. It looks good and the wireless keyboard/mouse work OK 10 ft away when I want it like that.

stevekaden · Post by **stevekaden** » Sat May 03, 2008 11:10 am

jordanm - you have done the first generation of HTPC. And in a limited perspective you have an inexpensive and effective system. The only thing you did not mention is the audio link.

I am not a ZeeVee sales rep, but I find this very interesting and just went through the entirety of their web site, and the Amazon page. Short on direct technical detail, but there are enough hints for me to safely make these observations.

1. The system is VGA compatible ONLY. They specifically say you need to convert DVI or Mini-DVI to VGA.

2. The system appears (from their video images) to have the OTA antenna feed go to the ZeeVee box first, then to the rest of the house. BUT, there is only one RF connector on the box so I am assuming there is a T connector, and the box could be placed anywhere in the cable sytem.

3. They show a DVD being played, and since it is VGA which is Analog (think component video), then even if there was a Blu-ray DVD, if it comes out the VGA port it will not have and DRM issues and should work with the ZeeVee.

4. The system has the range limitation of the cable backbone and 150 feet (claimed - we all know how THAT goes!) for the wireless keyboard and remote.

5. It can use up to 8 remotes or keyboards total.

6. The base price is $499 and includes one remote (I think I saw $129 no price on keyboards). Adding to 8 total would be rather expensive - but as cost effective as you might value it. I think this is cheaper that most distribution systems - and probably the easiest to handle (I have no experience there).

My opinion is that if you had a single HTPC - TV system, you are fine. But if you have multiple TVs and have the dollars, it would be very effective. I personally liked that I could watch in one room. Pause, go up to the bedroom and finish something as I go to sleep. Not to mention having the full power of a single (think Home Server) PC available throughout the house. You know, for all those moments you just have to know the history of that actor or director from IMDB.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Sat May 03, 2008 1:47 pm

jordanm wrote:I am using a HTPC @ 1650x1080 connected out DVI with an HDMI dongle and cable on my 1080p 60" plasma.

Why not 1920X1080 instead so you get 1:1 pixel mapping?

jordanm · Post by **jordanm** » Sun May 04, 2008 4:22 pm

My HTPC is part of a network of 5 PCs in the house (one in each of three bedrooms, the HTPC and kitchen PC which doubles as our kitchen cable TV). My Pioneer Elite TV is connected to the network via ethernet, for photos, music, AVI, WMV and other play. Hooking up the HTPC gave me direct DVD play (besides the DVD player), and internet.

And Richard, it is hooked up 1650x1050 because that is what the 22" monitor sees, and the TV sees what it sees. Weird things happen if I try dual mode.