May 1st, 2008
Stream PC content to every HDTV in the house via coaxial cable
In a similar vein to yesterday’s post about wireless HDTVs, today’s news arrives with a media streamer by ZeeVee that plugs into one’s computer and sends on-screen content to every TV in the house over existing coaxial cable.
In effect, the unit, called the ZvBox, enables users to view any media from the Internet (streaming video, for example) right on their TV with no subscription fees or wireless dropouts. Users can also access any other computer application (Web browser, DVD software, and so forth) right from their set.
If you’re wondering how it’s all done, the ZvBox ports your computer desktop to every HDTV in your house by creating its own RF channel that can be picked up by the tuner in your TV. The rundown, courtesy Engadget:
- PC’s content piped through VGA, which is then sent through coaxial cabling to every TV in your home
- VGA pass-through ensures your PC monitor continues to operate normally
- Audio (including Dolby Digital 5.1) is inputted via USB
- No equipment is needed at the TV end for reception; all signals are received from the TV’s internal tuner
- Users can opt to view their unadulterated desktop
- Otherwise, the Zviewer lays out customizable launch icons to take you directly to Netflix, Hulu, ABC.com, YouTube, MOJO, KoldCast or any other destination you choose
- Users have total control of their PC from their television; watching back PVR recordings, playing DVDs, viewing photos, etc. is all possible
- ZvBox possesses no fan, thus there’s no noise
- ZvRemote controls volume / channels, has built-in touchpad for interfacing with PC
- Optional ZvKeyboard coming this summer (no price disclosed)
If you’re the kind of person that wants nothing to do with the church-and-state divide between your living room TV and the Web, this might be the device for you. The ZvBox is limited only by the amount of content accessible via the Web, your computer’s DVD player and your PC-based OTA TV tuner.
The box comes bundled with a wireless remote, and should see retail action in June for $499 (pre-orders only available at Amazon).
Andrew J. Nusca is an associate editor for ZDNet and SmartPlanet.
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