Release Notes

Release Notes

Last updated on Mar 26, 2024 at 5pm CT.

The current app version is v2.4.1 and OS version is 230925. If you are already using the latest OS, an app update will take only a minute to install. A full OS update will take about 5-7 minutes to download and install. Please see a video of the OS update process at this link.

OS and app versions are listed on the About->Device Info Screen.

Process to Enable Content Security (decryption) on pre-v2.2 Devices:

   1. Download the latest updates OS version and app versions. Note that it may take two updates for both.
   2. Enable remote access (use Setting->Remote Access->Enabled).
   3. Send an email to csu@zapperbox.com and include your Device ID. Do not email support for this.
        The Device ID can be found in the “About->Device Info” screen and looks like “acdb-da5f-a950”.
   4. We will send an email back when we have enabled content security on your box.
        You can use the device info screen to confirm that it is enabled.
   5. Disable remote access.
   6. If some channels are still not decrypting email us at support.

Current Advisories:

DVR:
   * DVR requires minimum 128GB of added storage (sold separately).
   * First time DVR use will force a reformat of the storage device. DVR will not work without a reformat.
   * Enhanced DVR features require a subscription for 14-day guide data. See FAQ #8.
   * HDDs require external power. SSDs, Flash drives and microSD cards do not. See FAQ #22.
   * Use of the 60-minute pause buffer is not recommended with microSD cards and Flash drives. It is okay to use with SSDs and HDDs.
      See Blog posts about this topic.
   * DVR for broadband channels will be supported in a future release.

Content Security Beta (aka DRM/encrypted channels):
   * An Internet connection is required for the current version of content security software.
   * Content security without an Internet connection (unconnected mode) will be supported in a future release.
   * Recording and playback of secure content, will be supported starting in v2.5.
   * Content security can be enabled on older (pre v2.2) devices via software update.

Coming Soon

v2.4.2 DVR List Minor Update (March 29)

  • Fix a minor issue that causes empty recording lists to not display.

OS 240326 required to enable DVR with content security (aka DRM/encryption) - April 1-3

  • This update is required to use v2.5. It does not provide any other new features.

v2.5 DVR with Content Security (aka DRM/encryption)- April 8-10

  • Recording and playback for encrypted channels.
  • Display incoming HDR format in info bar.

v2.6 More DVR features - May/June

  • To be announced.

v2.x Content Security without Internet - release date coming

  • Support encrypted channels without an Internet connection.

v3.0 Multi-room DVR / Whole Home Gateway / Quad Tuner - Summer 2024.

  • This update will convert all ZapperBox DVRs into multi-room gateways via software update.
  • Two dual tuner devices in the same home will act like a quad-tuner device. Three, like a six-tuner, etc.
  • The first release will only support playback of unencrypted recorded programs on multiple ZapperBox devices connected over Wi-Fi or Ethernet in the same home.
  • Future releases will add support for watching live TV and encrypted content on connected devices within the same home.

Roadmap

* NEXTGEN TV logo certification
* MMT
* A/344 "Broadcast Apps" (BA key on the remote)
* IP controls and SDK for smart home integration
* Streaming apps for smart TVs

Revision History

v2.4.1 Broadband Channels Minor Update (March 26-27)

  • Fixes an issue that causes encrypted channels to not work over certain type of Internet connections.

v2.4 Broadband Channels (March 18-20)

  • Guide data for broadband channels is broadcast OTA but these channels stream over broadband (Internet). This is one of the most cool features of NEXTGEN TV and allows the number of NEXTGEN channels to far exceed what ATSC 1.0 has to offer, regardless of spectrum availability. Some broadcasters have hinted that we may see 4K content over broadband channels.
  • Recording and pause/play for BB channels will be supported in a future release.
  • Add channel icons in grid guide and info bar. Channel icons require a guide data subscription.
  • Add Season number, episode number and episode title in program information. Season/episode information requires a guide data subscription.

v2.3 Cover Art (Jan 22-23)

  • Cover Art requires a guide data subscription.
  • Enable Cover art (posters) in the DVR library.
  • Add an option to the Theme Options menu to either enable cover art or use the existing list format.

v2.2.3 ATSC 3.0 Captions (Dec 19-20)

  • Enable captions for ATSC 3.0 channels.
  • Enable H.264 channels for ATSC 1.0. These were disabled in v2.2.
  • Fix "License not Found" error in v2.2.2 caused if system clock is set incorrectly.

v2.2.2 Captions & Subtitles, Easy Channel Entry (Dec 12-14)

  • With this release secure (encrypted) channels work in all US markets.
  • Enable caption settings for ATSC 1.0
  • Easy channel entry feature for elderly and sight impaired persons.
  • Highlight secure (encrypted) channels in bold and italics on channel scan page.

v2.2.1 Update for unresponsive app issue (Nov 7-9)

  • This update resolves an unresponsive app issue reported by a few users with the v2.2 release.

v2.2 Support for Secure Content (aka DRM/Encrypted Channels) (Oct 18-20)

  • Support content security (aka DRM/encrypted channels) - see instructions above on how to get it enabled. It is not automatic.
  • Recording buffer; start recording early, record for extra time
  • Jump by day or page within grid guide
  • Enable current recording to be stopped by pressing Record button again.
  • Repeat manual recordings
  • Series recordings for shows in OTA guide data but not in 14-day extended guide data.
  • Allow disabling the pause buffer for inexpensive Flash memory that does not use SLC Flash.

OS 230925 required for Secure Content (aka DRM/Encrypted Channels) (Oct 2-4, 2023)

  • Another OS update required for secure content support.

v2.1.2 DVR beta minor fix (Sep 22, 2023)

  • Increased maximum programs that can be recorded over a 2 week period.

OS 230821 required for Secure Content (aka DRM/Encrypted Channels) (Sep 18-20, 2023)

  • This OS update is required to support secure content with future app updates.
  • Remove black status bar visible during YouTube videos. 

v2.1.1 DVR beta minor fix (Sep 5-7, 2023)

  • This release fixes an issue in v2.1 that causes some recordings to not be listed for a few minutes after another recording is deleted.

v2.1 DVR Beta (Aug 28-30, 2023)

  • Manual recordings without a subscription
  • Group recordings by title, not chronologically.

v2.0 DVR Beta (Aug 2-4, 2023)

  • DVR, Live TV and Record buttons have been enabled on the remote control.
  • Scheduled recordings
  • Recurring recordings
  • Conflict management
  • Record from search menu
  • List of recordings for playback
  • Delete and undelete recordings
  • Show free and used storage space
  • List historical logs of all recordings

v1.4.1 (June 26, 2023) & v1.4 (June 21-23, 2023)

  • v1.4.1 fixes an issue that sometimes prevents guide data from being downloaded immediately after a software update.
  • Sign ups for 14-day guide data and DVR subscriptions enabled in the Main Menu and on the ZapperBox website.
  • 14-day guide data and DVR subscription added to the first time setup process.

v1.3 (Released June 7, 2023, available only to pre-order customers)

  • Add 14-day guide data for early customers who pre-paid before July 5, 2022.
  • A slightly larger video window in the grid guide.

v1.2.2 + OS 230322 (Released May 16-18, 2023)

  • Add support to format USB Flash drives and hard disk drives. 
  • Display OS version and device ID on channel scan page.
  • Display ATSC 3.0 blue arcs on channel scan page if an ATSC 3.0 signal is detected even if no tables are received.
  • Do not display Sig/SNR values on channel scan page for RF bands with no signal.
  • Display a graphic for audio only channels during playback.

v1.2 + OS 230322, released April 18, 2023

  • Play/Pause/FF/REW for ATSC 3.0 channels. Known Issue: v1.2 – did not support ATSC 3.0 captions. This was fixed in v2.2.3.
  • Support to format microSD cards. Your ZapperBox must be power cycled after a microSD card is inserted. This limitation will be removed in v1.2.1.
  • The Hide/Show option under Quick Menu allows all channels on the current RF to be hidden or displayed.
  • The antenna setup screen now shows the channel number and station call letters in addition to the RF channel number.

v1.1.2 + OS 230322, released March 28, 2023

  • This OS release fixes an issue first seen in Buffalo, NY.

v1.1.2 + OS 230217, released March 6, 2023

  • This release fixes a bug in v1.1.1 that was causing the first-time-setup to hang when checking for a software update.

v1.1.1 + OS 230217, released Feb 20, 2023

  • Play/Pause/FF/REW for ATSC 1.0 channels.

v1.0.3 + OS 230117, released Jan 24, 2023

  • Fix for incomplete channel scan in Baltimore , Seattle and Phoenix markets 
  • Minor UI improvements and changes to device info screen.

v1.0.2, released Dec 7, 2022

  • Search results are now grouped into "Now" and "Later" programs.
  • Multi-PLP support has been improved

OS v1205, released Dec 7, 2022

  • Several fixes

OS v0920, released Oct 20, 2022

  • Fix for ATSC 3.0 lip-sync
  • Fix for occasional ATSC 1.0 slow motion video

v0.12.1, released Oct 18, 2022

  • Redesigned channel scan page to show more details about all RF channels without scrolling.
  • Expand 4K resolution display in the info banner, to show frame rates as 4K30 and 4K60.
  • Ability to upgrade OS image.

v0.11.5, released Oct 10, 2022

  • Minor improvement in ATSC 1.0 channel detection during channel scan.

v0.11.3, released Sep 19, 2022

  • Fixed known issue #5 (Added support for “Upload Diagnostics”).
  • The info banner now shows content resolution (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 4K).
  • Added guide data search to Main Menu
  • Added YouTube to Main Menu

v0.10.1, released on Aug 23, 2022

  • Several fixes

v0.9, released on August 8, 2022

  • UI themes have been introduced. You can select different UI color themes now.
  • The grid guide shows a vertical “time line” to indicate the current time.
  • Captions now display within the scaled video window in the Grid Guide.
  • The UI display a spinner during channel change transitions.

v0.8.1, released July 26, 2022

  • Remote access is now under user control.
  • Channel scan has be sped up considerably.
  • The antenna setup menu displays signal strength and signal-to-noise ratio values even without a signal lock.

v0.7, released July 18, 2022

  • Some improvements to known issue #1 (UI responsiveness during poor signal conditions).

v0.6, released July 1, 2022

  • First customer release version

ZapperBox, Inc., 1776 22nd Street, Suite 200, West Des Moines, Iowa, 50266, USA Tel: 866-932-1956