ZeeVee announced today shipment of the ZvBox 170 – its low-cost,
simple-to-deploy system for distributing HD video and digital signage
announced last month. Orders since the ZvBox 170 was announced have
exceeded its aggressive initial forecast. ZeeVee has been able to meet
the early demand by ramping up production in its locally-based
manufacturing facility.
The ZvBox 170 is a rack-mount, fan-cooled HD encoder/RF
modulator that distributes VGA and component video sources as an HDTV
cable channel over existing coax to standard HDTVs. Setup has been
simplified through the use of newly-developed front-panel controls – no
PC is required. The Zv channel is simply tuned in using the digital
cable tuner in the HDTV, and there is no limit to the number of HDTVs
that can receive the signal from a single ZvBox 170.
The ZvBox 170 is ideal for distributing digital signage: a
single digital signage player connected to a ZvBox 170 can serve an
unlimited number of displays, greatly reducing the cost of deployment.
Also targeted are applications that have some local HD content that
needs to be distributed to HDTVs. Examples are bars and restaurants that
show HD content on multiple displays; public venues like stadiums and
airports; hotels that have personalized guest services or local
marketing needs; or high-end homes where owners would like to access all
their HD video sources like HD DVRs, media servers, or Blu-ray players
from any room.
The ZvBox 170 will be sold to value-added resellers (VARs) and
integrators through authorized distributors. ZeeVee has partnered with
JB&A Distribution and AMT, Inc. in the USA and Canada, and Duosan
Innovative Solutions in Mexico to serve the commercial markets. Capitol
Sales, AVAD and Positive Marketing (Canada) serve the connected-home and
light-commercial markets.
"The ZvBox 170 offers a unique multi-room HD video
distribution solution for our clients," said Scott Bond, principal at
Positive Marketing. "ZeeVee uses existing coax cabling, so the ZvBox is
perfect for retrofit applications, and with new construction still slow,
retrofit jobs are critical for our clients."
"AVAD is proud to offer custom integrators yet another
high-quality vendor through our partnership with ZeeVee," adds Jim
Annes, vice president and general manager for AVAD. "The ZvBox 170 will
enable integrators to simultaneously deliver HD video to unlimited
displays in residential or commercial settings using coax cables. In
most cases, this eliminates the need to re-wire a project and opens the
door for future retrofit opportunities."
