Frequently Asked Questions

The simple rule is that the amplifier must not be located between ZvBox and the channel filter. Keep that in mind when following the setup diagrams in the Get Going Guide. You can have the amplifier "downstream" on other branches of your coax, but there needs to be a clear path from ZvBox to where the channel filter is installed. In this way, the Zv channel is not blocked by the amplifier but rather is "bounced" off the channel filter through all of the branches of coax, including ones with an amplifier.

If you also have cable TV service, the odds are overwhelming that the cable modem is connected to the rest of the cabling, since cable companies normally use one network of wires for cable, Internet, and phone service (if applicable).

You can perform a test by connecting a cable-ready HDTV to the cable line that feeds your modem. If you see cable channels displayed, that line is connected to the rest of your TV cabling. Or, you can physically trace the cable from the modem back to where it joins the main cable line in the house. Then follow the main cable line to see if it branches off to supply your TVs. If it does, you’re all set.

The ZvBox was unable to set your computer's output resolution to an HDTV resolution, so it defaulted to an 800 x 600 resolution instead, which only partially fills the HDTV screen. For more information on the causes of this situation, and possible solutions, please see the following FAQs:

During the last part of setup, at the HDTV, I saw a screen that said, "ZvBox Manager software was unable to change your screen resolution to deliver an HD resolution picture to your HDTV." and the picture from the ZvBox is smaller than my TV screen. Why is that?"

During setup, while adjusting the size of the picture on my HDTV, I got a screen that said "Error setting resolution. ZvBox Settings encountered an error attempting to optimize the picture for your television." What happened?

The ZvBox was unable to set your computer’s output resolution to 1280 x 720 (an HDTV resolution) so it defaulted to an 800 x 600 resolution instead, which only partially fills the HDTV screen.
You can confirm the cause by watching your computer screen for a popup window as ZvCasting begins:

1. Click on the Zv icon in your systray at the bottom right of the screen.
2. If there’s a checkmark next to the “ZvCasting PC to TV” selection, click the selection to end the ZvCast.
3. Begin the ZvCast by clicking on the “ZvCasting PC to TV” selection, and watch for a pop up that says:

   Computer ZvCast activated
   Resolution: 800x600
   Non-optimal resolution. Click here to go to www.zeevee.com/support

A common fix, as noted on-screen, is to update the video card’s driver (check the video card manufacturer’s web site for driver update downloads).

There is also a known problem with Intel video cards on Windows that prevents ZvBox from setting an HD resolution; options are to use the 800 x 600 resolution, or replace the video card.

The problem is that the video card or driver in your computer doesn’t support the resolution necessary to exactly fill the HDTV screen. In that case, ZvBox sets the video card to a common 800 x 600 resolution, and the resulting picture only partially fills the HDTV screen.

As noted on-screen, a common fix is to update the video card’s driver (check the video card manufacturer’s web site for driver update downloads). After the update, click on the Zv icon in the systray, then Launch ZvSettings>Adjust picture size. That will let you optimize the picture size.

If a driver update doesn’t solve the problem, the options are to use the 800 x 600 resolution, use the unadjusted 1280 x 720 resolution (which will likely result in a picture slightly too large for your HDTV screen), or replace the video card.

To use the 1280 x 720 resolution, do the following: Click on the Zv icon in the systray, then Launch ZvSettings>Adjust picture size. Click “Next” (once only) the second screen in the wizard should state “the original display defaults have been restored”, then cancel out of the wizard.

ZvBox will work with this 1280 x 720 resolution setting, but the picture may be slightly too large for the TV. If the MS Windows Start Bar is slightly cropped off by the TV, try raising the Start Bar by clicking and dragging upward on its upper edge.

There is a two-step process for optimizing the broadcast of your computer’s video output to your HDTVs:

1. ZvBox first adjusts the computer’s resolution to 1280 x 720, which is an HDTV resolution.
2. ZvBox then allows you to modify that resolution, making the picture slightly smaller if needed so that the picture properly fills the TV screen.

The second step is necessary because most TVs actually crop off a little of a 1280 x 720 picture at the edges. By reducing the size of the picture, it’s possible to fit it all on the TV screen. For that reason, ZvBox may end up broadcasting a picture with an unusual resolution like 1272 x 716 once you’re done optimizing the picture.

For all this to work properly, your computer’s video card must be capable of two things:

1. It must allow 1280 x 720 output at the outset of the optimization process.
2. It must allow modification of that setting to slightly reduce the size of the picture if necessary.

If the video card or driver won’t allow 1280 x 720 output, ZvBox will set it to a common 800 x 600 resolution, resulting in a picture smaller than the HDTV screen. Updating the video card’s driver may allow 1280 x 720 operation; another option is to replace the video card.

Some video cards may allow 1280 x 720 output (with or without updating the driver), but won’t allow that output to be modified to fit the picture to your TV; in that case ZvBox will again set the output to a common 800 x 600 resolution, resulting in a picture smaller than the HDTV screen. It’s possible to set ZvBox so it uses the 1280 x 720 resolution instead, but the picture may be slightly too large for the TV. In that case, if the MS Windows Start Bar is slightly cropped off by the TV, try raising the Start Bar by clicking and dragging upward on its upper edge.

The most likely cause: You opened an application and began playback at the computer, and then moved to the HDTV to watch. MS Windows doesn’t allow audio to be routed to two devices at once, or to be switched from one to another in real time. If you close the application and re-open it from the HDTV, you’ll have audio at the TV (but not at the computer). This is simply a function of Windows.

Televisions employ a system called "Overscanning", which means they crop off some information at the edges of the picture. It’s a practice carried over (needlessly it seems) from the old days, when analog TV sets sometimes distorted the outermost edges of the picture.
 
In order to fit your entire computer display onto the HDTV (with nothing important cropped off, like the Start button or Taskbar!), we employ something we call Overscan Compensation. With your help, we find the maximum area that your HDTV will display, and then adjust your computer's resolution to match.  Since different TVs behave differently, set this adjustment using the HDTV that crops off the most picture information. If you can see the whole desktop on that HDTV, your other sets will display the entire desktop too.

That brief lag (called “latency”) is due to the time required to capture the cursor movement on the computer screen, convert it in real time to an HDTV channel, and then receive and display it on the HDTV. We’re still working to reduce latency further so future software upgrades will improve your system’s performance.

A tip: try using the arrow keys and the “OK” button on the remote to navigate; many sites and applications respond to these commands, and it makes the experience that much easier and more fun. Others (like MediaCenter) also work with our multi-media transport keys (play/pause/skip/etc.) which are easier to use than a touchpad.

Another tip: since your computer sees the ZvRemote as just another USB-connected mouse, the mouse adjustment wizard on your computer will also control the settings for ZvRemote. Try playing with the mouse settings (e.g., pointer speed, touchpad sensitivity, etc.) of this tool to improve performance. It can be found in your computer's Control Panel folder.

The output of the computer’s video card can’t be set to a resolution that will allow ZvBox to localcast the computer’s output. A common fix is to update the video card’s driver (check the video card manufacturer’s web site for driver update downloads). There is also a known problem with Intel video cards on Windows XP (Vista is fine) that prevents ZvBox from setting the necessary resolution; there is no current fix for the Intel problem other than replacing the video card, but we have found a work-around and hope to provide that soon. See below for more details:

There is a two-step process for optimizing the broadcast of your computer’s video output to your HDTVs:
1. ZvBox first changes the computer’s resolution to 1280 x 720, which is an HDTV resolution.
2. ZvBox then allows you to modify that resolution, making the picture slightly smaller if needed so that the picture properly fills the TV screen.

The second step is necessary because most TVs actually crop off a little of a 1280 x 720 picture at the edges. By reducing the size of the picture, it’s possible to fit it all on the TV screen. For that reason, ZvBox may end up broadcasting a picture with an unusual resolution like 1272 x 716 once you’re done optimizing the picture.

For all this to work properly, your computer’s video card must be capable of two things:
1. It must allow 1280 x 720 output at the outset of the optimization process.
2. It must allow modification of that setting to slightly reduce the size of the picture if necessary.

If the card won’t allow 1280 x 720 output even after updating the driver, it will be necessary to replace the video card for ZvBox to work. Sometimes a video card may allow 1280 x 720 output (with or without updating the driver), but it won’t allow that output to be modified; in that case ZvBox will work, but the picture may be slightly too large for the TV. If the MS Windows Start Bar is slightly cropped off by the TV, try raising the Start Bar by clicking and dragging upward on its upper edge.

On some TV remote controls, instead of a dot or dash button you’ll find a button marked “sub” or “sub channel” which creates a dot or dash on-screen when it’s pressed. If there’s no dot, dash, or sub channel button on the remote, it’s possible that the TV does not have an HDTV tuner built in.

To check, look at the TV’s tuner specifications (in the manual or on the manufacturer’s web site) to see if it lists “QAM” or “Clear QAM” under tuner type. If so, it has the necessary HDTV tuner. Can’t find the specs? If you’re a cable TV subscriber, try connecting your home’s coaxial cabling directly to the TV’s antenna/cable input. Then, have the TV perform a channel scan for cable channels (click here for help). If the TV recognizes “digital” cable channels (you’ll see the word “digital” on-screen as it scans), it has the required HDTV tuner.

If the TV doesn’t have an HDTV tuner, it will not work with ZvBox unless you add an external HDTV tuner box-- there are several on the market.

You’ll find the Zv channel using the tuner in your HDTV. On many HDTVs you can access the tuner input by pressing the “Input” or “TV/Video” button on the HDTV’s remote control until the tuner input is selected. On some HDTVs, simply pressing the channel-up or channel-down buttons on the HDTV remote will select the tuner input. Then, simply enter your Zv channel number.

Note that in order to access the content that your ZvBox delivers, you must make sure that your HDTV is directly connected to your home’s coaxial cabling, bypassing your set-top box. The HDTV will also need to be set to receive Digital Cable programming instead of Over the Air programming on the antenna input. This is usually set in the menus of the HDTV.

With some HDTVs, you need to run a “channel scan” before they can find the Zv channel. A tutorial on channel scanning is available on our online Support page. Once the scan is complete, you simply tune to the channel that the Zv Setup software told you to use – it’s that simple!

First, make sure all the connected TVs are HDTVs with digital-cable compatible tuners. Zv is designed to work with that type of tuner, and won’t work with older analog TVs.

Second, some HDTVs must first “scan” the channel lineup to find new channels (like the one Zv has created) before they can memorize them and tune them in. Make sure you’ve run your HDTV’s “channel scan” feature (usually found in the “Set Up” or “Installation” section of the HDTV’s menu), so it’s able to tune in the Zv channel. For help performing a channel scan on your HDTV, see the video tutorial on our online [support] page

If neither of the first two suggestions solves the problem, it may be that the Zv channel power is too low at some of your HDTVs for them to receive it. That may occur when the ZvBox is connected to a coax cable network with too many splitters connected to it. In that case, the solution is to run a coaxial cable (type RG6) from your ZvBox back to the “root” of the cable system. That’s the point where the cable wire coming from the telephone pole in front of your house meets the first splitter in the cabling system. It’s just like wiring another room for cable TV.

Zv delivers to your HDTV whatever your computer monitor is showing, up to and including high definition video and Dolby Digital sound. It could be that the content that you are watching is not being delivered to your PC in Hi Def.  Low resolution YouTube content will be faithfully transmitted to your TV… it just won’t look very good because it’s low resolution!
 
Also, streaming content that is available in HD requires a fast broadband connection.  Your internet service may not provide the speed necessary for you to take advantage of streaming HD-quality video.

It is unlikely that the ZvBox is causing issues with your cable line up, but the channel filter that was installed may block a channel you normally receive. Try removing the filter and see if the channel returns. If it does, contact support to obtain a different channel filter that will allow you to use ZvBox and see all your cable favorites.

The ZvBox should not affect the operation of your cable TV or any other existing services on your cable.
 
However, if during installation of Zv you added splitters to the cable TV network in your home, you may have introduced some signal degradation to the cable services in your house.
 
If you are having problems with your other services, especially if you recently installed a ZvBox, we suggest that you remove the ZvBox to see if the problem persists.  If it does, try removing any splitters that you added.  If the problem still persists, you will want to call your cable TV provider for service.  When they arrive, it would be best not to have ZvBox connected to the cable. The additional channel Zv generates may confuse the technician, and keep him from finding the “real” problem.

The safest way to configure your HDTV is to do a full scan. But to shorten it, you can try putting in just the main channel number (i.e., 125); other options are to try adding .1 to the main channel number (125.1) or adding.99 (125.99). Many HDTVs can directly tune to the Zv channel this way, which saves over 30 minutes of setup time on most models.

ZvBox connects to your laptop’s external video port, so the computer “sees” ZvBox as an external monitor. The laptop can then send its video output to the screen on the laptop, to the external monitor (ZvBox), via the external video port, or to both.

If you set the laptop to send the video only to the external video port, the video at your TV should look fine. If you choose to send video to both the computer screen and the external video port, use your computer’s display settings to make the external monitor (ZvBox) the primary display, and the laptop screen the secondary display. Consult your laptop owner’s manual for help adjusting this setting.

In all likelihood your computer is trying to boot from ZvBox. That happens because some computers try to boot from a USB drive if one is present, and ZvBox “looks” like a USB drive to the computer. This problem isn’t specific to ZvBox-- it would occur if any USB drive were connected to the computer at startup. Here’s a fix:

* Start the computer, and early in the startup process use the indicated function key (F1, F2, etc.) to enter the “Setup” menu.
* Go to the “Boot” section of the Setup menu (note: if there’s no boot section in the Setup menu, open the “Advanced” section of the Setup menu).
* Find the “Boot Device Priority” section.
* Change the setup so the Hard Disk Drive is the first priority device in the sequence, for example:

1) HDD
2) Floppy Drive
3) CD ROM
4) Network booting

This will cause the computer to try to boot from the Hard Disk Drive first, and not from ZvBox.

Zv software has made this adjustment to your desktop to make sure that the entire image is properly displayed on your HDTV.  This is known as Overscan Compensation.

Note: To adjust the picture size to better fit your TV, go to ZvBox Manager and select “Launch ZvBox Settings.” Then select “Adjust Picture Size.”

Laptops can be finicky about sending anything out of their VGA (video output) connectors, where ZvBox connects to the computer. Consult your laptop user manual to see if anything special needs to be done to enable that capability.

Microsoft offers Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL) certification for drivers, effectively giving the driver a seal of approval. If a driver is not WHQL certified, you will see a warning message about it. Some hardware manufacturers choose not to have their drivers WHQL certified, or the drivers can be brand new and not yet certified. It does not mean that the driver is bad, just that Microsoft has not officially certified it. It’s safe to click the “continue” button to install the Zv driver.

Yes, it’s normal, though it doesn’t waste a lot of energy. ZvBox only uses 12 watts of power, which is far less than a computer or a TV. It feels hot because it’s designed to dissipate heat through its metal outer shell, without the use of a fan (since fans can be noisy and unreliable). In fact, its normal operating temperature is well below UL standards. Should it get too warm for some reason (things stacked on top of it, etc.) it has an automatic shut off. It’s OK to leave ZvBox on constantly, so it’s ready when you are.

There are some variables that affect the range: where the ZvReceiver (which receives the commands from ZvRemote) is placed, the kind of walls and floors you have (stone and metal tend to reduce the range), and whether anything is stacked around the ZvReceiver. In general you should get whole-house coverage.

ZvRemote automatically adjusts its power so that it works reliably. In order to maximize the battery life, the remote will send the least amount of power that it can while still working. However, if you are out of range and the power was already automatically adjusted to maximum and the transmission is still failing, ZvRemote will blink the top LED an amber color. You can try to move the ZvReceiver to a better location or adjust the antenna for better operation.

If that doesn’t work, you can try purchasing a USB extender, which is essentially an extension cord that runs from your computer’s USB port to your peripheral device - in this case, the ZvReceiver. This allows you to move the ZvReceiver closer to your HDTV.

ZvBox connects directly to the video and USB ports of your computer, and transforms everything you can see and do on that computer into a private, in-home HDTV channel. The ZvBox adds your new HDTV channel to your Cable TV lineup, and sends this channel to every HDTV in your home using your existing coax cabling.

ZvCast software uses MPEG2 compression and Dolby Digital processing to turn the video and audio of your computer into an actual digital cable HDTV channel in real time. That channel is “localcast” over the home’s coaxial cable wiring, and can be tuned in by any HDTV with a digital-cable compatible tuner, also known as a QAM tuner (they’re quite common).

The Zv channel is a true HDTV channel, so it’s got the same “reach” as any other HDTV channel. If your current system has six TVs that receive HDTV channels, ZvBox will serve those same six TVs. In systems with many TVs and great lengths of cabling to traverse, a “line amplifier” is often used to strengthen the signal, and the Zv channel will work in that set-up as well, but must be properly installed.

The Zv system includes the ZvRemote, which uses powerful 2.4Ghz radio communications to “talk” to a receiver located at the computer. The ZvRemote’s Radio Frequency (RF) technology operates through floors and walls, so you can use it in any room in your house. It contains a touchpad mouse that allows you to easily drive most applications, and gives you access to an on-screen keyboard for entering web addresses, etc.

An optional ZvKeyboard uses the same wireless RF technology as the remote and will be available soon for users who want to do more extensive text input such as general web browsing and email.

No. ZvBox takes advantage of the standard USB class drivers that are already in Windows XP and Vista. ZvBox presents as a USB composite device that uses the following three Windows USB class drivers:
1. USB Mass Storage (disk.sys)
2. USB audio (usbaudio.sys)
3. USB CDC (usbser.sys)

All three of these drivers are distributed by Microsoft as part of Windows XP and Vista.

ZvBox connects to your computer via a VGA cable at the monitor output, and a USB cable. The signal from ZvBox is sent over your existing in-home coaxial cable TV wiring. All you have to do is connect your coax wiring to your HDTV’s antenna input, and you can tune in Zv. Click here to see (PDF) diagrams of typical computer and HDTV connections.

Yes. To connect ZvBox to a computer that has a DVI connector, simply use a DVI-to-VGA adapter. Many video cards/computers with DVI outputs come with the DVI-to-VGA adapter included. For more information on connecting ZvBox to a variety of computer video outputs, click here.

During installation a channel filter is installed on your main coaxial cabling. It prevents certain channels from entering your home, creating an “empty” channel in your lineup that ZvBox can use to broadcast your Zv channel. In rare cases the channel filter will block a channel you normally receive; if that’s the case, we’ll happily substitute a different channel filter at no charge, just visit our online Support to ask for one.

Basic computer requirements are:

• A PC running Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Vista
• 2 free USB 1.0 or 2.0 high speed or full speed ports

If your computer meets those basic requirements, and it’s capable of delivering good performance with online video, it should work fine with ZvBox.

Although ZvBox is designed to work with both Apple computers and PC’s, we haven’t yet completed our testing with Apple products. Click here if you’d like to be notified when ZvBox is ready to work with Apple computers.

No, you don’t need to add new room-to-room cabling – that’s the beauty of the Zv solution. Your in-home coaxial cabling is capable of carrying hundreds of channels simultaneously, so ZvBox uses that existing coaxial cabling to localcast your own private HDTV channel to each of your HDTV’s. Just connect your HDTV’s to your existing coaxial cabling and you’re ready to go.

You own the cable TV wiring that’s in your house. The cable company gets angry when people pirate their service, i.e., split cables and “share” service with their neighbor. The ZvBox lets you get more out of the cable you have paid for.

No. ZvBox can usually be connected anywhere you have a coaxial cable connection. If a coax cable outlet is already in use, i.e. connected to a cable modem or a cable box, you can simply install a “splitter” (two are provided) to create a new connection point.

In cases where a home has complex wiring and many cable connections, there may be large ‘losses’ between any one point in your wiring and another. In those rare cases, the ZvBox may not be able to reach every HDTV in the house. This can be corrected by connecting the ZvBox closer to the ‘root’ of your coaxial cabling (the point where it enters your home).

You just need an HDTV with a digital-cable compatible tuner. For help figuring out if your HDTV has a digital-cable compatible tuner, click here. A little history:

• Early HDTVs did not have digital tuners, and so were advertised as “HD Ready”- to use Zv with these sets, you will need to purchase an external tuner.
• Next-generation HDTV’s included tuners that could receive digital over-the-air broadcasts via a standard called ATSC.
• Shortly after that, HDTV tuners were upgraded to receive digital cable channels as well, using a standard called QAM.

We know of no HDTV sold in the US today that does not contain both an ATSC and QAM tuner, even though the QAM (or Digital Cable) capability is sometimes not marketed. In fact, most of the HDTVs in service today are compatible with ZvBox.

If your EDTV (Enhanced Definition TV) has a digital-cable compatible tuner, it will work with Zv. If it does not, you could buy an external digital-cable compatible tuner and connect it to your EDTV to receive the Zv channel.

ZvBox can be connected at any coaxial cable outlet in your home, including cable outlets where a TV and/or cable box is already connected. Simply run an RG6 coaxial cable from ZvBox to the nearest available cable outlet.

Or, if it’s easier, you could run a coaxial cable from ZvBox to the “root” of your cable wiring (that’s where the incoming coaxial cabling from the pole outside your house meets the first splitter in the network).

Yes, in most cases. Satellite installations are more complex than Cable TV installations, and have changed significantly over the past few years. Usually, a satellite system lets you receive local HDTV broadcasts using an over-the-air antenna. ZvBox is installed in these systems in the same way that you’d install an antenna. Follow the instructions specific to your system, or contact your installer. Note that we don’t yet offer installation and troubleshooting support for ZvBox when connecting to a satellite system.

ZvBox requires no additional set-top boxes, new subscriptions, recurring charges, or DVR-like programming.

Just keep using it to watch what your cable company has selected for you. Nothing changes unless you decide you don’t need it anymore.

No. ZvBox is currently designed to operate only when connected to a computer, such as a PC or in the future, a Mac. However, you can use Zv to access your computer’s DVD player, allowing you to start watching a DVD on the HDTV in the family room, and finish watching on the HDTV in the bedroom.

You can purchase an external HDTV tuner to do so, but you might be disappointed with the results. Traditional TVs don’t have the resolution to display your computer desktop, or any of the great applications or content that you have. The picture will display, but it will likely be very blurry.

The federal government is giving $40 rebates for a limited time for HDTV converter boxes- this may be a relatively painless way to try using your NTSC TV with ZvBox.

Everything you can see at your computer you can now see at your HDTV. Whether it’s a feature film, a TV episode you missed, a short piece like a news segment or a YouTube clip, or a game you couldn’t catch, you can see anything you want on the big screen. That’s the Zv experience.

If you can install new software on your PC or hook up a new component to your TV, then you have what it takes to add Zv to your lineup. And once Zv is installed, the fun really begins.
You turn on your HDTV, tune in your Zv channel, and pick anything you like from your computer or the Internet using our simple ZvRemote. If you can surf the Internet, you can use Zv. You get access to anything online and any application on your computer, including your browser and email, all from your sofa.

There’s a tremendous amount of quality programming available on the Internet. For example, all of the major TV networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX have sites where you can watch past and current episodes any time you like. There are also new sites like Hulu.com, Veoh.com, and Joost.com that feature thousands of TV shows, movies, and video clips. And if you’re a Netflix subscriber you can access their movie streaming service for no additional charge. Keep in mind these are just a few examples of the kinds of things you’ll find online; the Internet really is the ultimate video on demand service. More great content is being added every day!

Yes. Four excellent examples: ABC.com offers several seasons of Lost and other shows in high definition (for free), FOX.com now streams many of their shows in high definition, CBS.com and Hulu.com have entire HD galleries devoted to high definition programming, and Music.Pluggedin.com features music videos in high def. There are many more options, and the Zv system delivers them in the same amazing HD quality as your computer.

The ZvCast software turns the computer’s great HD video output into an actual HDTV channel, so it offers incredible performance, including Dolby Digital sound.

Just like when you are watching a traditional broadcast channel like CBS or NBC, your Zv channel will localcast the same thing (whatever is on your computer’s screen) to all the HDTVs tuned in. But unlike traditional TV, Zv is a "super channel" of all content available on the Internet or on your computer. You could, however, watch your Zv channel on one HDTV, while someone else watches cable TV, views a DVD, or plays a game on any of your other TVs at the same time.

You could, but we don’t recommend it. As computer video travels through the ZvBox and your HDTV, it’s delayed somewhat. It’s literally imperceptible when watching videos, but when gaming, the delay means your commands won’t synch up perfectly with the action.

There are some variables that affect the range: where the ZvReceiver (which receives the commands from the ZvRemote) is placed, the kind of walls and floors you have (stone and metal tend to reduce the range), and whether anything is stacked around the ZvReceiver. In general you should get whole-house coverage.

The ZvRemote automatically adjusts its power so that it works reliably. In order to maximize the battery life, the remote will send the least amount of power that it can while still working. However, if you are out of range and the power was already automatically adjusted to maximum and the transmission is still failing, the remote will blink the top LED an amber color. You can try to move the ZvReceiver to a better location or adjust the antenna for better operation.

If that doesn’t work, you can try purchasing a USB extender, which is essentially an extension cord that runs from your PC’s USB port to your peripheral device - in this case, the ZvReceiver. This allows you to move the receiver closer to your HDTV.

No, there are no subscription fees, set-top box rental fees, monthly charges, or pay-per-view surcharges. If you can already see it on your computer, it’s now on your HDTVs.

No. Zv simply displays whatever your computer is doing. If you can’t do it with your computer, you can’t see it on Zv.

Our Privacy policy describes exactly what we do and do not collect. In general, we are anonymously aggregating usage information about our products to help us improve them. We do not share your information with anyone outside our company.

No. During setup of the Zv system you’ll install a channel filter on your main cable line, which, when properly installed, will prevent the Zv channel from leaving your home.

No. By default, Zv is configured to automatically stop ZvCasting your computer’s desktop to your HDTVs any time you’re working at the computer (unless of course you WANT folks to see what you are doing: slideshows, music DJ, etc., in which case you can change the setting).

Cable broadcast standards vary from region to region. The initial version of ZvBox is designed to conform to North American standards, and will operate in the US, Canada, and Mexico. We are evaluating which regions we will support next.

Zv means there’s no longer a difference between “Internet video content” and “TV content.” It’s all video, and increasingly HD, so why should certain content be exiled to the computer?
With Zv, you no longer need to hunch over your computer to see Internet video. You can sink into your couch and take in the big picture with friends and family. Other Internet TV services lock you into their restrictive content and limited reach. With Zv, there are no limits. If it’s on the Internet, it’s on Zv.

No, unlike other offerings, the ZvBox requires no set-top boxes to clutter the living room. One sleek device attached to the computer serves all the HDTVs in your home. Moreover, the ZvBox is the only computer-to-TV device that doesn’t require bandwidth-hungry screen-scraping software, which ruins video performance.

Apple, Microsoft, VUDU and others have deals with certain content providers to let you select from a restricted menu of movies, shows and snippets, often with additional subscription fees. These are but a fraction of what’s out there, and the content universe is growing every day. Zv breaks down the barriers, allowing you to deliver anything you can already do on your computer to every HDTV in your home, all without additional subscription fees.

Yes, this is a known limitation that will be addressed in a future release.

This is likely to be an issue with older video drivers. Many older drivers claimed to support OpenGL but at the older rev did not work correctly. Upgrade your video driver to the latest rev if it is older than 6 months. To find out how to understand your current rev. and update the driver see: www.zeevee.com/video-driver

We have heard from some users that Yahoo and AOL have been dropping the registration email messages into their spam folder. This is not happening for every user and we are trying to understand why this is occurring. In the interim, if you have another account please use that for signing up for Zviewer Beta.

To be certain you have the latest drivers, you should start at the Support section of your computer manufacturer's website, such as Dell.

If you can't download the latest driver that way, then you need to determine what the manufacturer is for your video card.

To determine the manufacturer of your graphics card

You can use the dxdiag program to determine your computer's hardware, operating system, and graphics card:

1. Go to Start > Run.
2. Type dxdiag in the field labeled "Open:".
3. Click the OK button.
4. Click Yes in the dialog box that comes up.
5. Click the Display tab, and you'll find the manufacturer of your graphics card listed under the "Device" section.
6. Check the version number and date of your Driver

If your driver is more than a year old we strongly recommend upgrading to the latest version.

Links to driver download for some of the most popular manufacturers

Here are links to the driver download pages for several popular graphics card manufacturers:

• Nvidia -
  http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp
• AMD (formerly ATI) -
  http://ati.amd.com/support/driver.html
• Intel - http://support.intel.com/support/graphics

Videos that have been added within the last 7 days are show as being new.

As often as the host site’s listings are updated. Each time you select a show, Zviewer checks the site where the show originates, to see if any new episodes are available.

The remote icon signifies that select and ZvRemote and Media Center remote control functions (e.g. Play, Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind etc.) will work with the indicated site or show. One unique function available on ZvRemote is the “full Screen” command. Visit http://www.zeevee.com/support/documentation to learn more about using ZvRemote.

Not currently.

The “New” tab shows media added via My Zv subscriptions, or downloaded into the Local Content tab, within the last 7 days.

When you subscribe to a show, any time the site that hosts the show has a new episode available, Zviewer automatically adds the episode to My Zv. That means you’ll never miss your favorite shows, and there’s always something to watch.

When you click on a show to see available episodes, a window appears at the top of the screen, and it has subscription information in it. Clicking anywhere in that window will allow you to subscribe to that show. If you want to unsubscribe, open My Zv, click on the subscribed show, and you’ll see the unsubscribe option at the bottom of the window.

It’s easy- open the Settings Tab, click on Applications, then on Add Application. Browse the files on your computer, find the application that you want to add, select it, and click “OK”. If you want to delete an application, open Settings, then Applications, and click on the application you’d like to delete.

My Zv is organized automatically based on the order in which items are added to it, and on the content type. Currently there is no way for you to organize the content yourself.

Not currently.

We have a special Zviewer forum at http://www.zeevee.com/forum/zviewer. Use it to tell us and others how you’re using Zviewer, to give us your feedback, and to suggest features for future releases.

Though Zviewer has a Firefox browser in its Web section, it’s separate from the Firefox browser on your computer. They behave like completely separate programs, so adjustments in one do not affect the other.

If you let your cursor hover over a show tile, a static progress bar (always showing 50% progress) will be overlaid on the tile to indicate that you’ve watched some or all of the show.

It’s possible to sort some collections of shows by name or by date, but that’s possible only if more than 70% of the items in the feed contain those pieces of information.

For this release, if there are viewing selections you’d prefer to keep private, simply create a separate Microsoft Windows user login on the computer, and run Zviewer from that login. Since the My Zv, and Recently Watched caching information is unique to each Windows login, when other users of the computer use their logins, they won’t see your “version” of Zviewer.

The remote icon signifies that select ZvRemote and Media Center remote control functions (e.g. Play, Pause, etc.) will work with the indicated site or show. We only include the icon for those sites where we’ve been able to confirm that the remote controls are effective.

You’ll be automatically prompted to install new software as it becomes available. There is also a manual update control in the Settings section of Zviewer.

Yes, for the time being, as we build our beta community. The Beta will be for a limited time and participants, so if you want to get your friends in invite them early on.

Yes. We only ask that you fill out a registration form for each user.

There is a very simple video on YouTube that does a very nice job explaining RSS:
RSS in Plain English

The "Local Content" tab holds links to videos on your computer. To add videos in "Local Content", open the "Settings" tab, click on "Media Folders", then on" Add Folder". Browse the folders on your computer, find the one that holds videos you want to add, and select it. If you want to delete a folder, open "Settings", click on "Media Folders", click on the link of the folder you’d like to delete, and you’ll see the delete option.

Tivo and other DVR's can only record one channel at a time, and have limited storage capacity. Zviewer can access the vast storage of video on the internet. Shows such as evening news that occur on many channels at the same time, are all made available for online viewing. Therefore you can watch them at your leisure and gain the advantage of multiple perspectives. The internet is the ultimate digital video recorder.

That's a great question!!! There are several approaches. Placing a computer next to the HDTV is simple approach, but rather clunky. Other companies make receiver and transmitter sets that require additional cabling, and additional clutter at the TV. The best and cleanest approach is to add a ZvBox next to your computer and use ZvCast to bring the internet to your HDTV.