Roadmap to a Real* Gateway
*Real ATSC gateways must support the following:
- Both ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0
- DRM on the gateway and all clients
- Offline DRM on the gateway. The current security spec does not allow offline DRM on connected clients. This may change in the future.
With that definition out of the way, let’s see where we stand with ZapperBox. Since day one, we have maintained that all ZapperBox devices will be software upgradable to become real gateways. And, that ZapperBox will protect your investment during the transition from ATSC 1.0 to ATSC 3.0. We have accomplished the following in two years:
- ATSC 1.0 + ATSC 3.0 tuner
- DRM
- DVR
- TechHive Editor’s Choice Award for the best OTA DVR.
Next month we will start releasing gateway support for all ZapperBox models with software version 3.0. Our gateway transition roadmap follows:
- v3.0 will be a multi-room DVR.
- Model m2 will reduce the price of a single tuner gateway to $179*.
- Model m3 will launch a gateway client for $119*.
- v3.x will support multi-room “Live TV” for models m1, m2 and m3.
- v3.y will allow multi-room devices to control each other.
v3.y is significant. It implies that models m1 or m2 will not need to have an attached TV or a remote control. They will become real gateways that can be placed in a closet and controlled remotely. That’s the definition of a real gateway. Of course, we will also add support for encrypted channels on remote devices.
Version 4.0 - ZapperBox apps: The next significant step will be the creation of the first streaming app for a non-ZapperBox device. Since the current ZapperBox app runs on Android, the first logical target may be the new Google TV Streamer 4K. However, it may make more sense to start with the Roku TV OS – time will tell. We hope that you will select a ZapperBox m1 or m2 as your ATSC gateway and allow us to protect your investment during this transition from ATSC 1.0 to ATSC 3.0.
Disclaimer: all version numbers here are speculative. No dates or version numbers are guaranteed unless we publish them on our release notes page here.
*Pre-order prices. After launch the m2 will be priced at $199.95 and the m3 will be $129.95.
