Frequently Asked Questions

The ZvBox modulators are standalone modulators each with their own power and installed individually. The ZvBox 170, ZvBox 180 and ZvPro 280 also support VGA, in addition to component input. Configuration for the ZvBox line of products is typically done using the ZvConfig application via a USB connection to a Windows PC.

The HDbridge line is a product designed for medium to large head end installations like multi-dwelling units, hotels and other hospitality environments. There are 3 different modules that allow you to mix and match the resolution that you need. All are installed into a rack chassis. The chassis can support up to eight modules at a time and comes complete with power, and optionally, channel combiner and launch amp.

Configuration of the HDbridge line is done via web browser.

Learn more about how the products compare on the Help Me Choose page.

If you are feeding the audio directly from the source into the audio system and not through the ZvBox it will arrive to the speakers before the video arrives to the HDTV.  This is because the Video is being encoded into a digital signal, and modulated by the ZvBox and then demodulated at the HDTV.  Each of these steps adds a bit a latency that is not added to the audio because it is traveling a shorter path.

There are a couple of ways to work around this issue.  First, you can use an audio delay device that allows you to add some delay to the audio stream before it reaches the sound system.  The Hall Research AD-340 is one other customers have used for this purpose, though we have not tested it directly.

The other work around is to feed the audio to the ZvBox.  Then take the audio pass through from an HDTV into your audio system.  The audio will have the same amount of delay since it has gone through the encoding and decoding process just as the video did.  If the HDTVs are not close enough to the head end, you can use an external tuner like the Centronics ZAT-502HD or Channel Master CM-7001 at the head end.  Feed the coax into it, just as you do the HDTV, but take the audio out into the distributed audio system.

If you feed the audio directly from the source into the audio system and not through the ZvBox it will arrive to the speakers before the video arrives to the TV.  The Video is being encoded into a digital signal, and modulated by the ZvBox and then demodulated at the TV.  Each of these steps adds a bit a latency that is not added to the audio because it is traveling a shorter path.

There are a couple of ways to work around this issue.  First, you can use an audio delay device that allows you to add some delay to the audio stream before it reaches the sound system.  The Hall Research AD-340 is one other customers have used for this purpose, though we have not tested it directly.

The other work around is to feed the audio to the ZvBox.  Then take the audio pass through from an HDTV into your audio system.  The audio will have the same amount of delay since it has gone through the encoding and decoding process just as the video did.  If the HDTVs are not close enough to the head end, you can use an external tuner like the Centronics ZAT-502HD or Channel Master CM-7001 at the head end.  Feed the coax into it, just as you do the HDTV, but take the audio out into the distributed audio system.

Image break up can be caused by a number of issues. To check the most common causes:

• Verify there is no interference on the RF channel you assigned. The ZvBox and HDBridge modules need a full open RF channel. To test, try switching to a different RF channel.
  • Some analog modulators may spill over to adjacent channels and cause interference.
  • Some cable companies sometimes have extra signals where there should be none.
• You may be experiencing an RF power balance issue, verify that the RF power of the modulator is balanced with signals from other modulators and from the cable company.
• Your HDTV may not be able to play the high data rate that the HDbridge module produces during fast action. As a test, lower the data rate via the web interface or ZvConfig.

No picture showing up at the TV can be caused by different issues. To check the most common causes:

• Verify the HDTV has a QAM (digital cable) tuner.
• Verify that you have performed a full channel scan on the HDTV with “cable mode” selected.
• Verify that the modulator is not conflicting with any other channel by connecting the unit directly to the HDTV.

This idle screen is broadcast when the ZvBox/HDb module does not detect any video input from the source. You should:

• Verify the source is on and producing a video signal.
• If using component, verify that the cable is connected to the source and modulator correctly. Especially that the green connector is in the green port, blue connector in the blue port, and red connector in the red port.
• If using VGA, verify the PC has not gone into sleep mode and that the resolution is a supported resolution (typically 1280x720).

The error '1080 or 720 video resolution is not supported' is displayed on the screen when the video source resolution exceeds the capability of your ZvBox or HDbridge module.

To correct it, change the video resolution at the source and the unit will automatically start broadcasting in the new resolution.

Yes, but you’ll want to verify that the signals coming from the ZvBox and the output of the HDbridge chassis match the output of the analog modulator. It is important that all signal levels are balanced when you combine them. The ZvBox will typically need amplification before combining with analog modulators but the HDbridge may not.

It is technically possible to have your ZvChannel on the same coax as your over-the-air (OTA) channels. Just make sure the channel assigned to the ZvBox or HDb is unoccupied. We recommend using channel 126 or higher, which is outside the OTA broadcast range.

The bigger issue is how your HDTV tuner lets you access both the Zv channel and the OTA channels. Some HDTVs will store both OTA and cable (QAM) channels in one big integrated channel lineup- you click up or down on the remote, and it allows you to scroll right through them all. On other sets, you have to first tell the HDTV (using several menu commands) whether you want to watch OTA or cable channels, and then you can scroll only through the selected type making switching back and forth less convenient.

Both the ZvBox and HDBridge units are RF modulators, except they are digital and HD so provide much better video quality than older analog modulators. Because they are modulators, they are set up much the same way as those old analog modulators:

1. Connect an AV source to ZvBox/HDb module.
2. Connect ZvBox/HDb module to the coax cabling in the building.
3. Find an empty RF channel you can use for broadcast.
4. Set the ZvBox/HDb module to broadcast on the selected channel.
5. Tune in the channel on the HDTVs.

Those are the basics, so if you installed analog RF modulators years ago, you already know most of what you need to know to work with our products.

We could easily put an HDMI connector on ZvBoxes, but HDMI standards wouldn’t let it pass copy-protected content. That means it wouldn’t work with most programming from cable boxes, satellite boxes, or Blu-ray players. Here’s why….

The vast majority of content that comes over an HDMI connector is copy-protected using HDCP, or HD Copy Protection. Part of the HDMI standard is to make sure that each device in the chain of reproduction maintains HDCP; a special ‘digital handshake’ over the HDMI cable is used to establish an encrypted link. Since ZvBoxes broadcast an HDTV channel over a coax cable to an unknown number of displays, no “handshake” takes place.

In short, the HDMI connection will only work for non-HDCP content. All other HDCP content (from set top boxes, Blu-ray, etc) will go ‘dark’ without the handshake, rendering the connection almost useless.

Component video connectors are another story. For quite some time there has been a fear that component HD outputs are going away altogether. The media companies were arguing that unencrypted outputs make content theft too easy, and they wanted them shut off - especially for ‘best of the best’ content. But in May 2010 the FCC made a very important ruling that assures the longevity of Component HD output. They ruled that the media companies can shut off the Component outputs for *first run movies that have not yet been released to DVD and are within 90 days of the theatrical release*. All other content (ESPN, HBO except for pre-DVD, Discovery, etc.) will *continue to be available on component outputs*. This is a major win for consumers, and the HD video distribution industry.

One can make the final argument that says a digital connection will always be a better signal than an analog connection. Technically that’s true, but the difference is practically unnoticeable. Why are most computer monitors still connected to VGA (analog) connections? Because it’s the most popular connection in the world, and it looks just fine! A pure digital connection might be a little cheaper, but it won’t work with many sources. Component is the most commonly available form of HD in the industry!

The bottom line: If you want to distribute premium HD video content to a lot of displays, the component connector is the way to go.

No. In a recent ruling, the FCC said they can shut off HD over component video on set top boxes only for ‘early release’ video-on-demand movies that are still in theaters, or haven’t yet been released on disc. All other TV shows and movies remain available in HD over component! You can read a summary of the ruling (and get to the FCC press release) here.

Because it's there!

HD video distribution solutions typically require new cabling for each display. This means that even though the cost of HDTV’s is plummeting, full-scale deployment is often labor intensive and costly.

In contrast, distributing HD over coaxial cabling often allows the use of existing cabling. ZeeVee products can broadcast up to 135 channels simultaneously over one coax cable, substantially reducing labor costs and deployment times. This is accomplished using RF modulation of the source – a technique that’s been around for some time, but has now made the leap to HD.

For a full explanation of RF Modulator Basics, typical applications and killer apps, download our white paper Why Send HD Over Coax? Because it's there!

Verify that you have “UPnP User Interface” installed. Follow the directions below to verify and/or install “UPnP User Interface” by following the following directions.

1. Open “Control Panel”.
2. Open “Add or Remove Programs”.
3. Click on “Add/Remove Windows Components” on the left hand side.
4. Scroll down to “Network Services” and highlight by a single click.
5. Click on the “Details” button below the list of components.
6. If “UPnP User interface” does not have a checkmark in the box beside it, click on the box to select it.
7. Windows XP will now install the required software.
8. Once the install has completed close out of the “Windows Component Wizard” and the “Control Panel”.

If these steps do not resolve the issue, please review the UPnP Trouble Shooting Manual.

Configuration and firmware updates are done via a web interface, the WebManager. Connect the LAN port directly to a PC using a standard Ethernet cable. In a few minutes, your PC will recognize the device and will list it by serial number in 'network places' (from the start menu) on Windows XP or 'network' on Windows 7. Double click the icon and the web interface will open up in your browser.

Note: Windows XP users must have UPnP installed on their computer, for information on how to install UPnP click here.

The broadcast channel can also be set via a front-panel button, see the HDbridge Module Get Going Guide for more information on using this option.

When the unit is installed on a DHCP-enabled network it will request a DHCP assigned address. The local DHCP server will administer the address to the modulator.

If there is no DHCP address on the network, the modulator will pick a “link-local” IP address.

Yes. Existing modules will be supported, and will continue to be available until further notice.

It’s easy to do, using ZvConfig software you can download it here. For a quick and easy introduction, see a short video here.

The easiest way is to download from our website here

The ZvBox is broadcasting in “compatibility mode”. That means it’s receiving a picture resolution from your VGA source that doesn’t match a standard 1280 x 720 or 1920 x 1080 HDTV picture resolution.

When that happens, the ZvBox fits the incoming picture inside either a 1280 x 720 window, or a 1920 x 1080 window, each with black bars around the outside. It uses the smallest HDTV-sized window that will fit the image, so the image takes up as much of the screen as possible. See the diagram for an example:

ZvBox then broadcasts the 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720 window, with the image contained within, which is “compatible” with HDTVs. To resolve the issue, set your VGA source to output 1280 x 720 resolution, and see this question for how to fine-tune the picture size if needed.

Your HDTV is the culprit here. Most HDTVs don’t show a full 1280 x 720 or 1920 x 1080 picture. Instead they mask off the picture’s edges to keep you from seeing the area beyond. The amount of picture masked off (the spec is called “overscan”) can range from 0-15%, meaning your 1920 x 1080 HDTV could be delivering a picture as small as 1632 x 918! To compensate, you can set your VGA source to a slightly lower “underscan” resolution that ZvBox will recognize. That will allow your TV to show a screen-filling picture, without masking off anything important like the start bar. Click here for more information about how underscan works and here for a step by step guide on setting underscan resolutions.

An off-center VGA image typically means the ZvBox did not calibrate correctly when it first connected to the VGA source.

To quickly recalibrate the video first, make sure the VGA source is delivering a light-colored picture; ZvBox uses the difference in contrast between the picture and non-picture area to calibrate positioning of the image on-screen. Then, in ZvConfig go to the system tab and click the "calibrate VGA" button. Note that this command optimizes a ZvBox for a given VGA resolution, so unless you change your VGA resolution, you can calibrate once and forget it.

The Zv150 has been discontinued, replaced by the ZvBox 160 but warranty support is still available. For general troubleshooting information please see the ZvBox FAQs.

The Zv100 has been discontinued for some time and all units are out of warranty.  Support is very limited and no firmware updates will be forthcoming for this product line.