- BitRouter has launched a field trial of its ZapperBox NextGen TV gateway to gain A3SA certification for whole-home protection.
- The upgraded software lets users securely stream protected NextGen TV content to all TVs on the same home network.
- ZapperBox gateways start at $199 and are available to buy on Amazon.
BitRouter has begun a field trial for enhanced software powering its ZapperBox NextGen TV gateway as it seeks certification for whole-home content protection from the ATSC 3.0 Security Authority (A3SA), The Desk has learned.
The new implementation allows ZapperBox gateway and client receivers to stream protected NextGen TV content throughout the home over a local network. BitRouter says the implementation is designed to meet A3SA’s gateway profile device standards, ensuring compliance with industry security and content protection requirements, which will allow its users to watch encrypted broadcast channels on any ZapperBox device in their home.
“Our field trial with select users seeks to validate that this technology is ready for the market,” Gopal Miglani, the founder and President of BitRouter, said in a statement. “Working with A3SA, we’ve developed gateway technology that delivers the whole-home viewing experience consumers expect while supporting the protection requirements of the broadcast industry.”
BitRouter said their field trial of the whole-home solution will demonstrate the viability of secure distribution of encrypted NextGen TV channels in a way that allows users to access the channels they want while simultaneously ensuring that broadcast signals are not subject to hijacking or piracy.
BitRouter’s ZapperBox lineup includes three gateway models equipped with one, two or four ATSC 3.0 tuners, priced at $199, $275 and $349 respectively. The company also offers the Zapper Mini, a tuner-free client device priced at $139, which allows viewers to watch live TV and recordings over Wi-Fi or Ethernet from a ZapperBox gateway. The Mini is designed for rooms without an antenna connection, though a main ZapperBox device is still required on the same home network.
All ZapperBox gateways require a subscription to a 14-day guide data service, which costs $30 per year. The latest software update enables every TV in the home to access secure content via the local network, delivering functionality on par with ATSC 1.0 gateway systems.
All ZapperBox products, including the Zapper Mini, are currently available for purchase on the ZapperBox website and Amazon.
