Major brands have come up with lousy digital media streamers in the past, but a fearless startup claims to have cracked the "streaming code".
A few months ago, Gefen and Pulse-LINK announced a pretty cool HDMI-over-Coax extender for media transfer between one home stereo system and multiple HDTVs, that should go on sale right about now. For those who are tired of lousy wireless digital streaming performance between computers and HDTVs, however, startup company ZeeVee has now announced the launch of ZvBox. The ZvBox streams content between one computer and multiple HDTVs by simply connecting to the monitor output of the computer and turning it into a new high-definition TV channel called Zv, which is then broadcast across the existing cable wiring to all HDTVs in the home.
 ZvBox represents a new product category for consumer electronics called "localcasting", a breakthrough method for broadcasting anything a computer can do using the home's existing cable wiring and the TV tuners already embedded in HDTVs. The ZvBox lets you watch anything available online or on your computer, broadcasts the same HD resolution that is displayed by your computer, uses existing cable wiring to reach all the HDTVs in your house with just one box, and there should be no wireless interference or performance issues involved.
ZeeVee's main selling point, however, is that the ZvBox requires no change in consumer behavior. Because ZvBox localcasts its signal to an open TV channel, you only need to turn to that channel to watch Zv - just like any other TV channel. And ZvCast is claimed to deliver crisp screen resolution in order to use computer applications from the HDTV, including e-mail, web browsing, photos, music, home movies, and of course the computer's own drives.
To enhance the Zv viewing experience, ZeeVee has also created a new remote control, called ZvRemote. ZvRemote controls your media playback and has an integrated touchpad which controls the computer's mouse and desktop interface from across the house - up to 150 feet away. A ZvKeyboard is also available.
The ZeeVee ZvBox is being offered as a bundle including the ZvRemote and Zviewer and is now available for pre-order exclusively at Amazon for $500. ZvBox is scheduled to be released on June 30, 2008.
Click here to visit our resource center for digital media streamers.
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