ZeeVee
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ZeeVee adds remote management to ZvBox line, QAM 64 broadcasting and more
ZeeVee as a whole has transformed mightily as a company since we saw 'em debut back in May of 2008, now catering its hardware business towards enterprise customers and the occasional high-end home owner. That said, there's still reason to pay attention, particularly if you're an existing owner of a ZvBox. The company recently made known that a trio of gratis updates were being made available, the first of which added remote management capabilities to the entire line. Essentially, this upgrade allows multiple ZvBoxes to be simultaneously connected to a single computer at the ZvBox deployment site, and then access is granted to said computer via the web. In turn, an administrator can completely control distribution and the like, adding a bit of Sling flair to the whole ordeal. In lesser news, all ZvBoxes can now also broadcast using QAM 64 (in addition to the traditional QAM 256 method), and the ZvPro 250 can now deliver a single video stream with split-audio, which could be helpful in serving up multilingual streams. Or, you know, a censored version of that R-rated movie for your kid's room.
ZeeVee releases Zinc TV browser for Macs
ZeeVee has announced a Mac version of its Zinc video browser. Aimed ata TV-compatible interface to any streaming website Zinc should run on any Intel Mac running OS X 10.5. Specifically pointing out boxee, Zinc says users can create access to new sites just by adding an rss feed to their favorites tab. Give it a shot and let us know if its as easy as they make it sound, Mac owners.Speaking of remote-focused interfaces for streaming sites, ZeeVee has announced a Mac version of its Zinc video browser. Aimed at the suddenly crowded field of giving a TV-compatible interface to any streaming website Zinc should run on any Intel Mac running OS X 10.5. Specifically pointing out boxee, Zinc says users can create access to new sites just by adding an rss feed to their favorites tab. Give it a shot and let us know if its as easy as they make it sound, Mac owners.
ZeeVee Zinc TV viewer hands-on and impressions
ZeeVee just let loose its Zinc internet TV viewer, and we couldn't help but give it an install on our Windows XP-based machine. While it can be said that this is a competitor to Hulu, it actually provides access to Hulu material. In that sense, maybe it's infringing more on boxee's territory. Underneath, it really relies on access to public video RSS feeds, so obviously the options are pretty limitless. If you're interested in seeing just how quickly you should download / avoid this new piece of software, follow us past the break for a few impressions.
ZeeVee releases retooled Zinc internet video browser
It's been a few months now since ZeeVee showed its soft(ware) side by announcing the free public beta of Zviewer, and now we're pleased to announce that it's back with a new name, a new face and a slightly revised agenda. Rechristened Zinc, this latest version is -- for all intents and purposes -- a competitor of boxee. Once installed on a PC (a Mac version should surface by April), users can easily navigate to tons of internet-based TV content from the likes of CBS, ABC, etc. Also of note, this version bakes in access to your Netflix Watch Instantly queue, providing access to 15,000 feature length movies and tens of thousands of TV shows. For now, ZeeVee's committed to keeping the application free, and it believes its superior UI will win folks over. The full release is waiting just past the break, and those interested in giving it a go should find a live download waiting right here.Psst... you can check out our hands-on and review over at Engadget HD.
ZeeVee ships the $2,500 ZvPro 250
It seems like ages ago that we first heard about ZeeVee's range-topping ZvPro streamer for sending HD content hither and yon on across existing coax lines at up to 1080i resolution, but really it's only been a few months. The linked press release puts a commercial signage angle on this rack-mountable box, but with the RS-232 control, Toslink input and assignable pairing of the audio and video inputs, we're thinking this would fit pretty nicely in the home, thank you very much. Unfortunately, the $2,500 price that's "disruptive" for the commercial market is just "discouraging" for home users. Trickle down can't come soon enough.
Hands-on with ZeeVee's ZvPro and ZvBoxPLUS
True to its word, ZeeVee introduced us to the ZvPro, and we got a chance to put our hands on the range-topper model with Toslink-input, up to 1080i-encoding, RS-232 controllable streamer aimed at the high end customer who needs to send PC-sourced content around their coax cables. Also getting shown off was the prosumer-oriented ZvBoxPLUS, which has a little more uncertain future regarding how it will be marketed. You'll give up the RS-232 and assignable pairing for the audio/video inputs, but that Toslink customers have been wanting remains. %Gallery-41395%
Latest CE Pro Magazine reveals the ZeeVee ZvPro
Well looky here, the wonders that is print media isn't useless just yet -- thanks to very long lead times and an ambitious postal worker, the latest edition of CE Pro Magazine reveals the evidently soon to be announced ZvPro. The ad doesn't offer up enough details for us, but it does look like some of our biggest gripes about the original ZeVee Box are addressed. For example, now we have component and Toslink input as well as RS-232 control and an IR port -- no indication if that is an input or an output. The rack mountable device is obviously geared towards the prosumer so it isn't too much of a stretch to assume this little baby will demand a premium price -- if we were the betting type, we'd have our money on over $800. But even at that price, we're sure this box will find at least a few homes as there are plenty of people trying to figure out how to send HD over the existing coax in their home without mounting a STB on the wall below the HDTV.[Thanks, Utah]
ZeeVee technical support: now open at really weird hours
For anyone's who has tried to connect ZeeVee's ZvBox, we commend you if you've managed to avoid calling technical support at least once. Although we're (mostly) kidding there, there's no denying that the aforesaid unit is one of the more complicated devices to install and get running. Thankfully, ZeeVee has inked a contract with Inforonics to provide extended hours of tech support, meaning that you really can get your install issues dealt with at 3:17AM. As always, YMMV when calling in at such bizarre hours, but at least you'll have a warm body to talk with even if the troubleshooting is a bust, right?
ZeeVee introduces the free public beta of Zviewer
If you've been looking for a simple way to access your favorite Internet content on your HTPC, the Zviewer might just be the software you're looking for. The Zviewer offers the same experience that we enjoyed when we reviewed the ZvBox, but without the $500 price -- of course for it to be useful you're going to want to have a PC connected to your HDTV and a remote of some kind. We assume that ZeeVee will also offer its remote separately with the RF receiver, but considering just the remote is listed on the site for $129, we're not sure it's worth the price. Overall we like the way the Zviewer brings together all of our Internet content in an easy to use interface that is referred to as a "lean-back" experience, but there's no doubt it's still in beta. And oh, by the way, although it is based on Mozilla, it is PC only. But any way you shake it, for the price its worth your time to download it and check it out.**Update** ZeeVee dropped us a note to let us know that the public release was delayed, so we'll let you know when as soon as we do.
How do you feel about ZeeVee'x ZvBox?
This week's How Would You Change over on Engadget Classic contains a product that's quite relevant to us: ZeeVee's ZvBox. You already read our take on this little localcaster, and now it's your turn to rant. Head on over and drop your comments along with the rest.
How would you change ZeeVee's ZvBox?
ZeeVee's ZvBox had a lot of potential on paper -- after all, who wouldn't be enthused about the possibility of bringing internet TV / DVDs / Blu-rays (via your PC's optical drive) and all sorts of other multimedia to the TV via the coaxial wiring already in your home? Unfortunately, the box was hamstrung by two major issues: a lofty price tag ($499) and less-than-elegant installation. Still, the unit seemed to work well enough in our testing once we got everything up and running, but we never really found a way to justify the cost. Are any of you early adopters feeling the same way? Disagree vehemently? What could ZeeVee do (or have done) in order to make the ZvBox a more compelling purchase? We know you've got it in you, so let it all out in comments below.
Engadget HD reviews ZeeVee's ZvBox
If you've been looking for a way to stream any HD web content -- we do mean any: Hulu, mkv, Amazon -- to any HDTV in the house, without running any new wires, dealing with the woes of WiFi, or even needing yet another box hanging off your shiny new HDTV; you should head on over to Engadget HD and read all about ZeeVee's ZvBox. We take the $500 box and put it through the paces to see if broadcasting your own QAM HD channel is worth the price.
ZeeVee ZvBox review
There aren't many things we love more than when a new gadget comes along that is nothing like anything we've ever seen, so when we first heard about a box that streams HD around the house on the existing coax that is in just about every abode in America, we got pretty excited. Lucky for us, we were able to pull a ZeeVee ZvBox in for review, and after a few setbacks during setup, we were left playing with something pretty unique. The problem of course is that unique isn't really a compliment, but it can be if it just happens to be the solution you're looking for. So if you've been scouting a way to get web content on your HDTV without running any wires and without being forced to deal with a STB or the headaches that come with a wireless device, click on through to see what all the fuss is about. %Gallery-28977%
ZeeVee CEDIA 2008 booth tour
Well, would you look at that. The little Massachusetts startup that got all of our hopes up with a localcasting ZvBox showed up at this year's CEDIA, and while it didn't bring much to the show (after all, it only has one product), there seemed to be a good bit of buzz around the floor. We're still giving ours a thorough run-through, but if you're anxious to see what ZeeVee was doing in Denver, check out the gallery below.%Gallery-31304%
Engadget HD goes hands-on with ZeeVee's ZvBox
Well, would you look what just arrived at Engadget HD's headquarters? Yep, that's ZeeVee's localcasting ZvBox, and it has been carefully photographed as it danced right out of its packaging. Head on over to take a look at the gallery -- a full review will be following shortly.
Hands-on and unboxing: ZeeVee's ZvBox
It has been a few months since a little Massachusetts-based startup caught our eyes with the ZvBox, and while ZeeVee's localcaster has been spotted a time or two in the run-up to its official release, we finally managed to secure a retail version of our own. We'll be testing this thing out here shortly, but we wanted to give you a closer look at what to expect should you decide to plunk down $499 for one of your own. We have to say, the packaging here is quite nice, and the box itself seems sexy enough considering how little you're likely to see it. Enough chatter, give the gallery below a look to see what we mean. %Gallery-28977%
ZeeVee's localcasting ZvBox gets hands-on treatment
Not that you haven't seen ZeeVee's ZvBox in the flesh before, but Dave Zatz got some hands-on time with the finalized unit. According to him, the box showed an impressive build quality though it ran "quite hot" -- likely a result of foregoing a built-in fan for a giant heatsink. He also noted that image quality was "good," though he did mention that he longed to see the ability to "selectively isolate a video window and present that content fullscreen." Anywho, feel free to read up on his initial impressions and peep the hands-on pics in the read link below.
ZeeVee's ZvBox spotted, demonstrated on video
As the release date for ZeeVee's ZvBox draws near (we're hearing July 31st), the company is out and about in an attempt to drum up demand as the run-up to its launch progresses. During CONNECTIONS 2008, ZeeVee was in attendance with a ZvBox on display, and aside from snapping a few telling photographs, the folks over at eHomeUpgrade were also able to capture a couple videos to give you an early feel of its capabilities (and limitations). We don't have to tell you where the goods are, but if you're new here, that read link down there is a good place to start.[Via SlashGear]
ZeeVee's ZvBox streams your PC to your HDTV over coax
Startup ZeeVee isn't out to flood the market with yet another ho hum media streamer, it's out to change the way you look at 'em. The June-bound ZvBox ($499) plugs into one's computer (VGA) and sends on-screen content to every TV in the house over existing coaxial cabling. Put simply, the unit enables users to view any kind of internet media right on their television with no subscription fees or wireless dropouts. Aside from bringing internet video over, users can also access any other computer application (web browser, built-in DVD player, etc.) right from their set. In order to handle said tasks, the box comes bundled with a wireless ZvRemote / Zviewer, but those comfortable with managing their own desktop won't be bothered with any fancy interfaces. Suffice to say, those looking to easily pipe their Media PC recordings to the family TV will certainly find reason to take notice. Head on the past the break for a few more details. %Gallery-21839%
