ZeeVee Introduces ZvBox 170

New product radically simplifies distribution of digital signage and HD video; closed caption capability for entire ZvBox product line also announced


LAS VEGAS and Littleton, MA, Feb. 23, 2010 - Today, at Digital Signage Expo in Las Vegas, ZeeVee introduced a low-cost, simple-to-deploy system for distributing HD video and digital signage. The new ZvBox®170 joins the company's flagship ZvPro® 250 and ZvBox 150 products, creating a complete good-better-best product and pricing assortment. ZeeVee products use HD encoding and RF modulation to distribute a video source as an HDTV channel over coax cabling to unlimited displays. The technology has gained rapid acceptance in both the residential and commercial markets since ZeeVee shipped its first product in 2008. With the introduction of the ZvBox 170, the company has delivered on customers' requests for a next-generation product. "Our ZvBox 150 and ZvPro 250 products have been tremendously successful in their respective residential and commercial markets," said ZeeVee Co-founder and CEO Vic Odryna. "Our customers told us they wanted another option: a product built more like our ZvPro 250, at a cost more like our ZvBox 150, and they wanted to be able to deploy it in minutes. In short we listened, and delivered." The ZvBox 170 is a rack-mount, fan-cooled HD encoder/RF modulator that distributes VGA and component video sources as an HDTV cable channel over existing coax to standard HDTVs. Setup has been simplified through the use of newly-developed front-panel controls - no PC is required. The Zv channel is simply tuned in using the digital cable tuner in the HDTV, and there is no limit to the number of HDTVs that can receive the signal from a single ZvBox 170. The ZvBox 170 is ideal for distributing digital signage: a single digital signage player connected to a ZvBox 170 can serve an unlimited number of displays, greatly reducing the cost of deployment. Also targeted are applications that have some local HD content that needs to be distributed to HDTVs. Examples are bars and restaurants that show HD content on multiple displays; public venues like stadiums and airports; hotels that have personalized guest services or local marketing needs; or high-end homes where owners would like to access all their HD video sources like HD DVRs or Blu-ray players from any room. The ZvBox 170 will be sold to value-added resellers (VARs) and integrators through authorized distributors. ZeeVee has partnered with JB&A Distribution and AMT, Inc. in the USA and Canada, and Duosan Innovative Solutions in Mexico to serve the commercial markets. Capitol Sales, AVAD and Positive Marketing (Canada) serve the connected-home and light-commercial markets. ZeeVee has also released the new ZvCC™ adapter, which allows closed captions to be included in the Zv channel broadcast. This feature is especially useful where crowd noise is a factor, or in applications where the displays are muted. The ZvCC, a compact module that resembles a VGA connector, can be added to any of ZeeVee's current ZvBoxes (including those already in the field). Pricing and Availability The ZvBox 170 and ZvCC are both available immediately. Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the ZvBox 170 is $1499 and the ZvCC has an MSRP of $149. About ZeeVee ZeeVee, Inc. uses broadcast and cable technologies to develop products for distribution of Digital Signage and HD Video sources, at game-changing cost points. The ZvPro® and ZvBox® product lines of HD encoding and modulation gear serve the digital signage, private cable operator, and high end residential markets. ZeeVee's free Zinc™ software manages and delivers unlimited internet video on demand in a format perfect for HDTVs, while ZvRemote™ and ZvKeyboard™ help play that content from the couch. For more information, visit www.ZeeVee.com and www.zinc.tv.