Stand Alone ZvBox

I have noticed this theme in a few of the posts, and from your responses I think you are VASTLY underestimating the market for such a box. There is currently NO option to upgrade our trusty old RF modulators to the digital/HD realm short of about $25,000- worth of investment on semi-pro broadcast equipment. Ideally component in, stereo or optical audio in and 3 digit channel selector for broadcast channel (most users will know how to scan for empty channels). For home theater enthusiasts it's obvious, bring your DVD player in as a HD channel. For computer it's simple, VGA to component and stereo mini to two RCA adapters.
My personal situation is I have just installed an elaborate new DirecTV system into an English pub that gets quite a large clientele to watch soccer matches, some live some tape delayed by us. I still have to maintain our old video system and modulators for the Setanta matches that are broadcast live (@ 4;30 AM Pacific time) and record and distribute them. My main problem though, is that currently if there is a match that I can record on one of our DirecTV DVR's, there is no easy way for me to deliver that match to our dozen HD screens throughout the bar in sync with the DVR. The only way right now is to take the composite video and audio and run it through an old RF modulator and run poor quality standard definition to all the screens, including our 120" projector screen (looks horrible!) for it to be in sync. The bar has just spent $25,000- on this all HD upgrade. My only other option is to purchase a couple of component and audio distribution amps (2- 1 x 16 for 2 recorded matches), and run 2 sets of component and audio to each of the dozen screens (about 1500' of RG-6 cabling). This is about $2,500- in materials alone. I would LOVE to just use 2 ZyBoxes!
I have vigorously researched for a month now, and have encountered MANY threads on many different forums expressing my same dilemma. That is in fact where I found the link to your product. My only problem with it in it's current state (besides me being a Mac user!) is now I would have to dedicate a FAST computer (which will be a PAIN to get the various employees to figure out how to use) and purchase a graphics capture card capable of handling HD. This puts it considerably more expensive than the cabling option purely for the overhead and inconvenience of the computers and capture cards. It's like I would have to get HD video editing bays for each feed.

Aside from getting lost on my own situation, my research has found a huge void and great demand for a stand alone version of your product. I have heard rumors that DirecTV is working on a central hub type system to get away from the receiver at every box that would be able to stream content from one DVR to all screens, but even the rumor says late 2009 or 2010, meaning 2012 in reality! After all, they would have to fill the same void, an ATSC or 8VSB or clear QAM (not their flavor) or DVB-S modulator. Plus, being who they are they have to worry about content protection (maybe 2015?).
Anyway, I've gone on my rant long enough. I wish there was a way to use your product right now, English and Scottish soccer leagues are just starting a new season, and World Cup has already started qualifiers. I could dedicate an old laptop temporarily, just to program and set-up, and I guess the USB audio??? If you have any thoughts that might be able to make this work for me I would much rather use your product than make a spaghetti bowl out of our attic.

Steve Seyssel