Updated on Dec 3, 2025
Introduction
We launched the ZapperBox M1 in July 2022. In August 2023, we added support for DVR, and in October 2023, for DRM. In November 2024, we added support for multi-room DVR. We continue to enhance the multi-room and DVR capabilities of our products.
Why is this important?
As long-time antenna users know, the antenna cannot always be located near the TV. Multi-room DVR lets you locate your main ZapperBox where you have the best antenna signal and watch TV from another room.
What is unique about the ZapperBox approach?
When we started designing ZapperBox, we built in support for IP controls and distributed tuners. This means that multiple ZapperBox devices can use each other's storage and tuners over the home network.
Quad tuner
We started taking pre-orders for our quad-tuner model in August 2025 and plan to ship it in early 2026. However, using our distributed architecture, you can have as many tuners as you want, and each device gives you an extra HDMI output to take advantage of 4K, HDR, and Dolby Atmos. We do not transcode the video or audio when we transport content over the home network. This means that you see the original and highest quality video without any down resolution or transcoding of video or Dolby audio to PCM stereo. You can design your own home-DVR system with as many tuners as you want.
DVR client box or smart TV app?
While smart TV apps are great, they have some disadvantages. Hardly any TVs support Dolby AC-4 today, which is one of the main advantages of NEXTGEN TV. As a start, we have launched the Zapper Mini tuner-free DVR extender for rooms without an antenna feed. The Zapper Mini uses a decoder that supports Dolby AC-4, 4K, HDR, and DRM. It also allows for storage via a microSD card and USB port. The storage will be used eventually to circumvent the main disadvantage of transcoding -- poorer video quality. Using local buffering, Zapper Mini boxes will be able to play back video at their original broadcast quality without transcoding. While this feature will not be in the first software release, we have made provisions to add it with a future software update. While the single tuner and Zapper Mini models are physically smaller than the ZapperBox M1 dual-tuner, all three models support Bluetooth so that we can add Bluetooth remote controls in the future.
What about DRM and Live TV?
With our v3.4 software release that came out in November 2025, Live TV and encrypted channels are supported on all devices in the home.
What about away-from-home viewing?
This is doable. We plan to work with A3SA to propose mechanisms that will enable this while preventing unauthorized use of media.
ATSC 1.0 or NEXTGEN TV?
ZapperBox devices support both ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0. The transition to NEXTGEN TV is picking up speed. Our position is that DVR and gateway devices have a long life, and consumers will choose to protect their investment. With ZapperBox you can enjoy all the ATSC 1.0 content and be future proofed as the industry transitions to NEXTGEN TV and finally sunsets ATSC 1.0.