Frequently Asked Questions - How Zv Works

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.