Frequently Asked Questions
We get new questions about ZapperBox all the time, and we will post our answers here as we have them. If you have a question about ZapperBox, please write to us here.
Yes, we ship within 48 hours. You can see videos from our test markets on our YouTube channel at this link.
Yes. The ZapperBox M1 has one USB 3.0 port, one USB 2.0 port and one SD-Micro slot. The micro-SD slot can accept a memory card up to 256GB. You can see a 360-degree view of the ZapperBox at this link. Scroll down to the second panel.
Full DVR to be released in April 2023 will work with the USB 3.0 HDD or the micro-SD card. Both are not needed. If the USB 3.0 HDD is connected it will be used instead of the micro-SD card.
The USB 2.0 port will support disk copying in case you want to make a backup of all you recordings. See the release notes and FAQ #11 for more details.
Currently, the ZapperBox does not support streaming to remote devices. We plan to add this functionality and enable it via software update once it has been developed.
You do not need to buy a new TV. However, regular HD TVs typically support a resolution of 1920x1080. A 4K TV supports a resolution that is 4 times higher or 3840x2160. 4K TVs are also referred to as UHD, or Ultra High Definition TVs. A new feature called HDR (High Dynamic Range) for rich colors is supported in most new 4K TVs. Technically, it is possible for regular HD TVs to also support HDR, but that is unlikely.ATSC 3.0 has three main advantages: 4K, HDR and Dolby® AC-4. If you have an HDR capable TV you can enjoy HDR colors. If your TV does not support HDR, you can still enjoy Dolby® AC-4 features. The ZapperBox M1 will support HDR10 and HLG formats for HDR. It will not support Dolby Vision or SL-HDR.
The main reason for connecting the ZapperBox M1 to the Internet is to allow for software updates. It can also be used to watch YouTube content.
If the box is not connected to the Internet, it will still work but will not be able to download software updates. ATSC 3.0 specifications will continue to evolve for several years and it is highly recommended to keep the box connected to the Internet.
At this time, we do not recommend buying the ZapperBox if you do not have Internet access.
Look out for some really interesting features that will be added via software updates.
The dual-tuner version of ZapperBox has the following advantages:
1. While one tuner is being used to watch TV, the other tuner is used in the background to keep updating guide data being received over the air on other frequencies. This way, whenever you press the guide button, you see the most current guide data.
2. Once we update the box with DVR capabilities the second tuner can be used to record a program that is not currently being watched.
We expect to start shipping quad tuner receivers by June 2023. The quad tuner units will be priced at $329 each.
DVR, including 14-day guide data, will be priced at $30/year for up to two units at the same address. Extended guide data will require an Internet connection.
Devices under the same account, same physical address and same IP address will be considered to be at the same address. Subscription fees for additional devices beyond two units will be priced at $15/year.
Broadcasters may decide to copy protect ATSC 3.0 broadcasts, as specified by the ATSC, in the future. Our goal is to allow all M1 units to be upgradeable to support copy protected broadcasts. At this time we believe that we will be able to upgrade all shipped units by offering swap-out replacement units. A round-trip shipping charge will apply. We are still researching and implementing this feature upgrade and will provide additional details soon.
We had offered 3 years of free DVR subscription, valued at $60, to customers who purchased or ordered their devices before July 5, 2022. This credit will appear in your 'My Account' soon. The three year period will start when we make DVR software available via auto update, not when you actually start using it. The $60 value of the 3-year subscription may not be used for guide data or any other subscriptions we may offer in the future.
February 2023:
1. Pause Live TV
April 2023
1. DVR with 14-day guide data
2. Support for copy-protected content
2Q 2023
1. MMT
2. Support for A/344 broadcast apps
When you press the red power button on the remote control, the ZapperBox does not really turn off. It goes into standby (red light). During this time the HDMI output is turned off but all other internal functions keep working. In standby mode, a single-tuner box does channel scans to update guide data. A dual-tuner box is continuously using the second tuner to do channel scans whether it is on or in standby. Therefore, it is more important to put a single tuner box in standby and not so much a dual-tuner box. Putting a box in standby does not save any power.
The ZapperBox remote control uses NEC IR wave forms. Here are the hex codes for each key:
On/Off: 45
Mute: 80
DVR: D2
Live TV: 5D
Record: 95
BA: D0
Guide: 19
Info: 99
Up: CA
Left: 99
OK: CE
Right: C1
Down: D2
Zap: 42
Menu: 41
1: 43
2: 03
3: 44
4: 46
5: 07
6: 47
7: 55
8: 17
9: 56
Decimal: C3
0: 1B
Back: 11
All ATSC 3.0 broadcasts in the US carry Dolby AC-4 audio. The ZapperBox M1 can:
1. Transcode AC-4 to Dolby Digital Plus or MAT when connected to newer AV receivers and Dolby Digital when connected to legacy AV receivers.
2. Decode any Dolby encoding to PCM stereo in Downmix Mode and send it over HDMI.
3. Passthrough AC-4 audio over HDMI if the connected device is capable of decoding AC-4 audio.
Please see this one-minute video on our YouTube channel for a quick review of how to program the LEARNING KEYS.
No. At this time we do not recommend using the ZapperBox without an Internet connection. Also see FAQ #5.
Yes. ATSC 1.0 will be around for a while and we have paid a lot of attention to supporting it as well as ATSC 3.0. All tuners used in ZapperBox support ATSC 1.0 and ATSC 3.0.
In order to find out if your address can get NextGen TV signals go to https://www.antennaweb.org/. Enter your address in the search box and select the correct answer to the check box (Antenna will be installed 30' or more above ground level). When you get the result listing, there is a check box that let’s you pick only NextGen TV stations. Check this. See if any NextGen TV stations show up and how far they are from you.