Comments on: Hands On With ZvBox

By: Dave Zatz

Dave Zatz — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:51:19 +0000

I have a ZvBox here! In fact, I’ll try to get some unboxing photos up today or tomorrow. I haven’t actually hooked it up yet though – been pretty busy/preoccupied with other things. (like work!)

Here’s the unboxing photos:
http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2008-08/zvbox-unboxing/

By: Damian P

Damian P — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 11:40:42 +0000

Dave – did you finally get a ZvBox to play with? Curious to hear your thoughts, do you still agree with what you posted previously “At $500, I’d rather buy a small, dedicated computer to watch Netflix, Hulu, etc on my television.”

Thanks

By: Dave Zatz

Dave Zatz — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:47:36 +0000

Thanks, Brian. I did get a voicemail from your agency but was traveling cross country when it came in last week. Email is best, can you feed them my address? Thanks! davezatz@yahoo.com

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:21:23 +0000

BTW, the Review units have gone out. Dave, our PR firm has been trying to contact you to know where to send yours. Please let us know and I will send you your very own ZvBox for evaluation.

By: Brian

Brian — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 16:05:24 +0000

Hi guys. This is Brian from ZeeVee. A few answers:

* Just like any other channel you watch on TV (CBS, ABC), Zv is a channel that all can watch at the same time from different HDTVs in the home. The value is no clutter in the living room and one box (at the computer) driving multiple HDTVs. Yes, if you are happy with a direct PC-to-TV connection you probably would not get ZvBox (but I think you might want to buy just the ZvRemote, which would be a better experience than having a computer on your lap).
* Web surfing LOOKS GREAT with ZvBox. Is is very possible now (finally). ZvRemote touchpad helps you get around and there is an on-screen keyboard to enter URLs, etc.
* The current chip platform will support up to 1080i in an upcoming software release. Currently our HDTV channel localcasts in 720P. There really is no noticable loss in resolution from Internet TV sites that play HD content like Hulu and ABC.com.
* Real-time video games are not recommended, since there is a slight delay, but many online, strategic, quizz, children’s games work fine.
* Also, remember that if you were to buy a STB-device (AppleTV, Roku/Netflix, etc.) you will be limited as to what content you can watch. ZvBox gives you everything (including iTunes and Netflix, Unbox, local media, computer’s DVD players, browsing, email, etc.) so it really is a “super box” that combines all these other devices. Gentlemen, it is time to get rid of all that clutter in your living room and get the one device you need- ZvBox.

By: spencer

spencer — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 23:09:17 +0000

I forgot to ask are you able to use vista tablet controls to control the screen such as using the remote mouse for handwriting or the vista tablet keyboard for text entry?

Thanks

and thanks for the quick reply to my earlier questions

By: Dave Zatz

Dave Zatz — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:51:33 +0000

@spencer I didn’t try games and I didn’t see the keyboard.

@Damian I expect you’ll see formal reviews right around launch or shortly thereafter.

One thing I forgot to mention, and I’m not sure how many people this would be an issue for but the ZvBox is VGA pass-thru only – no DVI. On my Vista Media Center I have both DVI and VGA out – wonder if I’d have enough horsepower to simultaneously go digital to my LCD and VGA to a ZvBox.

By: Damian P

Damian P — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:50:51 +0000

Dave – thanks for the response. I got a little excited when I finally saw someone that had posted a review, but understandably so you just didn’t have that much time with it. I am just surprised that with only a week to go until shipment, the folks at ZeeVee have not made this product more available to people like you to review. For the price they are asking that is quite steep for someone to go out and purchase as a leap of faith (I have preordered and canceled my order of the ZvBox at least twice now on Amazon!!!!). In my discussions back and forth with the folks at ZeeVee they seem to think you would not had to sit up close to your tv to web browse, but as you said, I find that hard to believe. Given the price of their product and the hurting economy, ZeeVee should be going out of their way to get this product in the public’s hands to prove it is worth the price. I am going to “re” cancel my “re” preorder for the 3rd time, just don’t get a comfortable feeling quite yet that so few people have gotten their hands on t his product with only a week left until release…