At a (work) event in NYC last week, I managed to sneak in a few minutes with the ZvBox. The device essentially broadcasts all PC output over existing coaxial cable to a television in your home. Unlike a typical media extender or something like the D-Link PC-on-TV device, the ZvBox sits at the computer and supports multiple televisions - which they’re hoping helps consumers justify the steep $500 price tag. (ZvBox can currently be pre-ordered via Amazon, with shipments expected to begin in the next week or so.)

The box itself is solidly constructed and looks sharp, though it runs quite hot - the result of forgoing a fan and using the case as a giant heatsink. The typical current usage scenario is controlling a web browser or media player, as you would from a computer, using the 2-way remote with integrated touchpad - to playback Hulu, YouTube, downloaded shows, etc. Select web video content will ultimately be presented directly within their interface and played at full screen - in many cases indexing shows via RSS. Quality looks good (as good as the source, anyway) with the ZvBox supporting up to 1080i and 5.1 audio - essentially streaming nearly anything the PC can throw at it. One feature I’d like to see them integrate into their software/experience, and something that the forthcoming SlingCatcher offers, is the ability to selectively isolate a video window and present that content fullscreen - assuming of course that the box or PC can do a better job scaling than Flash.

As more primary STBs and network-connected televisions offer the ability to access Internet video (YouTube on TiVo, Veoh on Verizon) and/or act as media extenders (HP MediaSmart HDTVs), the desire for stand-alone devices such as these may dwindle… In fact, the Yankee Group predicts the demise of the DMA product category.

Once the DTVPal was released a few weeks ago, I went ahead and requested two government-issued $40 “coupons” - which are more akin to plastic gift or credit cards. While we’ve still got several months until the digital television transition, there’s a finite amount of vouchers so I’m staking my claim now. Actually, it’s a claim by proxy - being the guy who manages my mom’s technology. Her kitchen doesn’t have a cable outlet and she enjoys her existing (NTSC-tuning) television - so for about $20 (minus $40 coupon card), it makes sense to just pick up a digital to analog OTA converter (CECB).

The question is: Which one? The top criteria should be ATSC reception and picture quality. Unfortunately, there aren’t many comprehensive model comparisons… and while reception is key, pq is less important on this small set and from her viewing distance. In fact, I suspect she mostly listens to TV while preoccupied with other tasks. While I like the form factor of the DTVPal and the polished UI (for a low-end device), I’m leaning towards the Zenith DTT900/901 or the RCA DTA800 because the included remote will also power the television on/off. Anyone picked these up?

As you can see from the pic above, the first two episodes of DirecTV’s Burn Notice broadcast have been accompanied by both horizontal and vertical black bars. And Jack R. of Michigan is wondering what’s up with USA Network or his HR20-700. Other USA Network shows, such as Law & Order, at least give the appearance of high definition content by filling the screen and displaying the USA-HD bug in the lower right (versus just the “USA” logo above). Unfortunately, I can’t verify having already removed my Comcast-provided episodes from the bedroom TiVo. I do recall the content filling the entire screen, though both episodes appeared somewhat dark and grainy - not sure if that’s a stylistic choice (like the uneccessary video pauses) or a side effect of stretching SD content. What are you seeing?

The eagerly anticipated (by some) Motorola and Cisco SDV tuning adapters have just been blessed by CableLabs. Originally promised in Q2, there’s still no telling when you’ll actually be able to pick one up and at what cost:

Tuning adapters are expected to become available to consumers sometime in the third or fourth quarter of this year. Cisco and Motorola, which were not immediately available for comment Friday morning, have not disclosed unit pricing for the new device. A Time Warner Cable spokesman noted in an email this morning that “it is a little too early” to say how the MSO plans to distribute tuning adapters.

A stop-gap solution is better than none and an SDV adapter will allow TiVo customers access to switched programming (see photo). However, I seriously doubt the large number of existing CableCARD-capable HDTVs will receive firmware updates required to support the SDV appendage. Yet another early adopter penality…

I’ve been talking about this for quite awhile, and it’s finally time to get going. The Battle Royale will be a comparison of various set-top boxes (pictured above), with an emphasis on the movie rental experience. Each (weekly?) Battle Royale blog entry will focus on one specific topic (remotes, content selection, etc) and the devices will ranked from best to worst - there’ll be NO ties. Participants include:

• TiVo HD
• Xbox 360
• Vudu
• Apple TV
• Roku Netflix

Let’s get ready to rumble…

Want the EchoStar/DISH Network DTVPal digital-to-analog converter before it’s released? Well, I’ve been cleared to give away my review unit. For more info on the DTVPal, watch as I try to set it up prior to receiving my morning caffeine or check out reviews at SatelliteGuys and CNET.

The rules:

• Leave an intelligent comment on any May, 2008 ZNF post. It could be something you’ve already written or something you write now (archives are found here).
• Leave a comment on this post linking the May post or comment you chimed in on.
• Only one entrance per person permitted.
• In a couple days, a winner will be randomly selected.
• Entrants must be located in one of the lower 48 United States only, please.

A periodic roundup of relevant news… from our other blogs:

• Hauppauge HD-PVR Unboxing & First Look: Brent Evans Geek Tonic
• Canadian Movie Download Services Compared: The Daleisphere
• H.264 Decoders That Work: Brent Evans Geek Tonic
• Latest Sign of the Bandwidth Apocalypse: Connected Home 2 Go
• 3G iPhone Coming to Canada: The Daleisphere
• Starz Align(s) for MPEG-4 and SDV: Connected Home 2 Go

On the way to dinner with TiVoShanan last night, I swung by my former office for a few minutes and received a sneak peak of the upcoming EchoStar/DISH Network DTVPal. It won’t be the first digital-to-analog converter, nor will it likely be the last when it launches mid-month. And as you can see from one of the pics below, DTVPal’s footprint has been substantially reduced since the product originally debuted as the ‘TR-40′ at CES. I’ve already met my weekly rant quota, so I’ll spare you my thoughts on the digital transition spectrum auction.

UPDATE - DISH sent me a unit, so I’ve shot some initial unboxing and setup videos:

• Unboxing
• Setup, Part 1
• Setup, Part 2
• Setup, Part 3
• Setup, Part 4