Elgato's EyeTv Hybrid

[Dont Hurt Me]

http://www.elgato,com (http://www.elgato.com)This week Elgato will be shipping this little new device that will let any Mac with USB2.0 watch TV:) Looks like its will cost $149.00 which seems a little steep but the thing I love is how little and simple it is and is USB powered. No cords but your cable,no power supplys and it works with Apples remote. Its worth a look if you want to watch TV on your Mac and dont plan on doing any fancy editing. Here is what it looks like.

[crazzyeddie]

I'm very pleased at how much ElGato has done for the Mac in terms of TV. However, I'm still waiting for a product that integrates the CableCard technology. Otherwise the device is basically useless after the upcoming HDTV switch.

[Dont Hurt Me]

I'm very pleased at how much ElGato has done for the Mac in terms of TV. However, I'm still waiting for a product that integrates the CableCard technology. Otherwise the device is basically useless after the upcoming HDTV switch.No its not if you have a fast enough machine it can do HDTV from what I saw at the site. Plus a lot of folks just want to be able to watch TV on their Mac.

[~Shard~]

Wow, that does look pretty slick. A little pricey perhaps, but still very cool! I am impressed with everything Elagato has done for TV on the Mac, and hopefully they will continue to develop innovative solutions, especially as the HDTV revolution proceeds full steam ahead. :cool:

[Dont Hurt Me]

I cant seem to edit my original screw up used a comma, here it is againhttp://www.elgato.comIm very interested in getting one of these with my next Mac. I wont give up my TV

[Super Macho Man]

No its not if you have a fast enough machine it can do HDTV from what I saw at the site. Plus a lot of folks just want to be able to watch TV on their Mac.
It can only do unencrypted HDTV, not premium channels like HBO HD, ESPNHD etc. CableCard would turn it into a full fledged cable box which would be gnarly.

[GFLPraxis]

This has already been posted a couple times.

Anyway, I'm buying a new MacBook very soon and I'm trying to decide whether to get an EyeTV 250 or EyeTV Hybrid...think a MacBook will be able to record in highest quality?

[tipdrill407]

I doubt we'll see anything with CableCard soon. The cable companies and broadcasters would like do anything to stop it. They're too afraid we're going to record everything and start distributing it over the internet.

[Bibulous]

This is nice, too bad it will not work with older powerbooks via an USB 2.0 PC cards, being bus powered and all :(

[BornAgainMac]

Notice in the picture that you don't see the TV cable hooked up. I think it would be an "Eye Sore" rather than "Eye TV". Just a plain USB cable going to a separate box isn't as bad because you can hide it behind the monitor or something.

[grahamtearne]

Notice in the picture that you don't see the TV cable hooked up. I think it would be an "Eye Sore" rather than "Eye TV". Just a plain USB cable going to a separate box isn't as bad because you can hide it behind the monitor or something.

It comes with a usb extension cable so this could also be hidden behind a monitor.

[GFLPraxis]

Question for videophiles...

I was told (emails with customer service) that due to software encoding there will be zero latency playing games with this. However, if I try to record gameplay, there will be some latency while I play as it records and encodes and saves it to the hard drive.

Could I use one of these:
http://www.hometech.com/video/cv-hs2.jpg
to hook it up to my TV and my EyeTV Hybrid (on a MacBook) at the same time, so I see it with zero latency running on the TV and can play it that way, while it records on the MacBook? Or will the quality loss be visible?

Otherwise, how about this?
http://images.monoprice.com/productlargeimages/11241.jpg
I'd rather use the first because my TV lacks S-video input so I'd have to get another converter to put in between, but I want to make sure I don't have quality loss from the RF splitter.

I'll be using the EyeTV to record gameplay footage.

[SamMiller0]

I don't see why you could not split the signal using an RF splitter to record on your macbook, and actually play on your TV.

[Attonine]

I've been thinking about getting one of these as a cheap and easy way to connect an Apple Cinema Display to a games console - with the added advantage that I can run my satelite reciever through it too and use my 17" MBP to record.

Checking around various forums it seems the stock solution for this problem (connecting consoles or satelite recievers to an ACD) is from Gefen and costs several hundred dollars, so the ElGato solution is preferable.

However, I noticed from the ElGato website that the 250 has a games consol mode which leaves me wanting to try them out before I buy.

If anyone has any experience or opinions with these devices please post them.

[GFLPraxis]

I've been thinking about getting one of these as a cheap and easy way to connect an Apple Cinema Display to a games console - with the added advantage that I can run my satelite reciever through it too and use my 17" MBP to record.

Checking around various forums it seems the stock solution for this problem (connecting consoles or satelite recievers to an ACD) is from Gefen and costs several hundred dollars, so the ElGato solution is preferable.

However, I noticed from the ElGato website that the 250 has a games consol mode which leaves me wanting to try them out before I buy.

If anyone has any experience or opinions with these devices please post them.

The 250's Game mode simply turns off hardware encoding so the computer does the work, and that way there is no latency because encoding is handled in the computer and displayed as it is done, instead of being done in the 250 and THEN being sent to the Mac.

The Hybrid HAS no hardware encoding. It's like it is always in game mode. No latency. Just as good for games.

I asked the company this :)

[grizzlybrice]

Does anyone out there even have a Hybrid and have done gaming on it?
I want to know from someone first hand if it is truely solid in it's gaming no-latency.

I want to get one so I dont have to cart around my 20" flat Samsung from home to school and just have to take the dongle.

B

[Mydriasis]

I don't know if you have DVB-T in the US, but here in Germany we have digital television that can be picked up with dongels like this...

They usually come with a tv-tuner, recorder and remote controll. Anywhere from €59-€200.

I don't have one, yet, but I see people in our university library and on campus all the time with them.
:D

[weckart]

That's the Miglia Micro/Mini USB dongle - sold in Applestores in Europe. Many Windows-based USB dongles work with Elgato's software since they are basically using the same chip. I use the
Freecom version (http://www.morgancomputers.com/shop/detail.asp?ProductID=3087&CategoryID=201&SubCategoryID=214) which works perfectly well with my PB.

The thing to bear in mind with these USB bus powered devices is that they take a heavy toll on the GPU and send your laptop's temperature soaring. Not sure how it would perform on the latest MBPs with their random shutdown tendencies.

[GFLPraxis]

Think they'd perform well on a 2 GHz Core Duo MacBook

[emotion]

That's the Miglia Micro/Mini USB dongle - sold in Applestores in Europe. Many Windows-based USB dongles work with Elgato's software since they are basically using the same chip. I use the
Freecom version (http://www.morgancomputers.com/shop/detail.asp?ProductID=3087&CategoryID=201&SubCategoryID=214) which works perfectly well with my PB.

Dumb question but I'd have to buy an Elgato hardware product too to get the software right?

[Half Glass]

I don't know if you have DVB-T in the US, but here in Germany we have digital television that can be picked up with dongels like this...

We don't have any DVB-T in the US. And no satellite provider's signal is currently receiveable directly on CPU hardware.

M$ announced they were working on this with DirecTv (http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/jan06/01-05WMDIRECTVPR.mspx)but who knows where it will go.

[R.Youden]

I have just ordered one of these things. It was a but of an impulse buy as Apple UK have a discount running until tomorrow so I took the leap.

I am returning to University so I cant really afford Sky+ which I have at the moment so I am going to use this for my own Freeview+ with a Mac Mini connected to my TV which will be 10 times better than the "iTV" which I just really can't see the point of!

Anyway it should be arriving later this week along with my 500GB HD so if anyone wants any reviews let me know and I will do some tests in-between moving house.

[weckart]

Dumb question but I'd have to buy an Elgato hardware product too to get the software right?


No. It is also sold separately. Can also be bought as a download direct from Elgato's website.

This stick http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000F8RPQE.02._SCMZZZZZZZ_V55323041_.jpg from Hauppage (http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000F8RPQE/kaufenundbe00-21/ref=nosim) looks suspiciously like the Elgato http://store.apple.com/Catalog/uk/Images/TJ827_screen5.jpg sold in the UK.

[Over Achiever]

Here's what I found on the website ... looks like it does include the software. (North America version)

http://www.elgato.com/images/eyetvhybrid/na/infobox_na.gif

[Madmic23]

I have the EyeTV USB Wonder 2.0, and gaming works fine with that. It doesn't have a hardware encoder either. The picture looks WAY better when you hook it up with S-Video though. Composite just looks fuzzy on a high resolution LCD.

[yoak]

I just ordered one, as a special offer ended today at the Norwegian Apple store. Have to wait for my new iMac to arrive though. Doubt my ibook can handel it.
We´ll se.
I don´t have a game console so I can´t try it out for you unfortunatly

[Project]

Just ordered mine. Decided to go with it and not Sky+, seeing as I will only have Sky til im back at Uni a year from now. The fact this thing is analogue as well as digital means I can record from Sky as well as Freeview (or any other video source).

[IscariotJ]

I just ordered one, as a special offer ended today at the Norwegian Apple store. Have to wait for my new iMac to arrive though. Doubt my ibook can handel it.
We´ll se.
I don´t have a game console so I can´t try it out for you unfortunatly

My iBook handles it fine. The only issue I have with it, is that the screen saver kicks in. I ended up using a hot corner to disable it. Other then that, works fine. Recording stuff is a doddle.

I'm tempted to run it with my MacBook, though, as it integrates nicely with FrontRow.

[yoak]

My iBook handles it fine. The only issue I have with it, is that the screen saver kicks in. I ended up using a hot corner to disable it. Other then that, works fine. Recording stuff is a doddle.

I'm tempted to run it with my MacBook, though, as it integrates nicely with FrontRow.

That´s good news as I won´t get my iMac for a while. Hate to haave to wait to play with with my toys;)

[Project]

Wooo it arrived! Less than 24 hours after I ordered it online at the Apple Store. Certainly beats my 1 month wait for the MacBook.

Im surprised I picked up 15 channels or so with the little aerial that comes supplied. The one everybody denounces lol. The quality was surprisingly sharp. But I am rescanning now with the roof aerial. does anybody know if the Front Row thing supports aliases? I plan to store TV on an external hard drive and not my MacBook

[yoak]

Wooo it arrived! Less than 24 hours after I ordered it online at the Apple Store. Certainly beats my 1 month wait for the MacBook.

Im surprised I picked up 15 channels or so with the little aerial that comes supplied. The one everybody denounces lol. The quality was surprisingly sharp. But I am rescanning now with the roof aerial. does anybody know if the Front Row thing supports aliases? I plan to store TV on an external hard drive and not my MacBook

That was quick, I´m still waiting. Not surprising as I live in Norway though:rolleyes:
Amazed that you got 15 channels using the small antenna

[Project]

OK, this thing is great.

I have set up a number of scheduled recordings, that export to iTunes as soon as theyve done. They are then accessible via FrontRow, or can easily be synced to iPod. And because they are in iTunes they are then obviously discoverable via Bonjour, so all computers (windows or Mac) on the network can access those shows. *cough* iTV *cough* will be able to access them too, when it is released. Apple should bundle this thing IN iTV.

Its just so nicely thought out. Very very impressed.

[Dont Hurt Me]

OK, this thing is great.

I have set up a number of scheduled recordings, that export to iTunes as soon as theyve done. They are then accessible via FrontRow, or can easily be synced to iPod.

Its just so nicely thought out. Very very impressed.Cool this is my next purchase for lil Mini. Have you hooked it up to cable yet?

[Project]

Cool this is my next purchase for lil Mini. Have you hooked it up to cable yet?

No, I dont have cable/Sky Digital yet, just Freeview (a free digital service in the UK... about 30-40 channels) I've ordered it though but the engineers wont be installing it til October 3rd.

[Rickay726]

do i need a cable box?

[Freg3000]

Where is this thing on the Apple Store online? I can't find it anywhere....

[Project]

Mac Accessories > Video

[Freg3000]

Mac Accessories > Video
Not in the US store...there are only 10 items in that section.


??? :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

[nagromme]

Amazon has it for US$146, shipped free. I'm going for it!

[mmc291]

Is it true that the hdtv antenna is built into the usb dongle?

[Dont Hurt Me]

Someone with one of these things need to sit down and give the rumors crowd a complete review from A-Z.:) Heres to hoping.

[mkjj]

Bought one for my Dad, he used a mains aerial and it works great! he lives in a great Freeview area also and got tons of channels.

[Over Achiever]

Amazon has it for US$146, shipped free. I'm going for it!
That's not the North America version tho' =(

[kmichelsen]

I got my Hybrid today.
It looks just like the pictures and includes 1) the USB stick 2) a USB extension about 6 in long 3) Breakout cable with inputs of s-video, composite video and a 1/8 in line in. 4) adaptor for LR rca to 1/8 jack 5) setup cd with assorted pamphlets/ quickstart guide. I was expecting a small antenna but that didnt make t into the box.

The setup is relatively simple and no problems with titantv so far. The auto tune is normal speed and you can check a box to do a more thorough scan incase it misses a weak channel. You can also manually add channels and change the names.

For its limited resolution, sd looks decent on my 13" macbook but what i bought it for was the HD. I dont know if comcast sends out unencrypted HD like Cox does back home or if my university blocks it but i was unable to find any HD on the cable. It also may be the eyetv as there are only 3 settings for the type of input: Analog antenna(NTSC), Analog Cable (NTSC), and Digital Antenna (ATSC). I dont have a proper antenna right now so I am using an FM antenna pulled out of my reciever. For the most part the antenna works well. I can watch NBC and FOX mostly without interruption as the NBC tower is only 3.5 miles away according to Antennaweb.org but CBS and ABC are a little broken up yet only about 10 miles away. I am hoping that this will all be cleared up once I get a propper antenna. I read a post somewhere on a forum that he couldn't recieve the digital channels because they were "Encrypted" I also ran into the problem and wrote a ticket to customer service at Elgato but then i realised that it was because i didn't have a strong enough signal. Once i got the makeshift antenna positioned just right, the HD looks great on my 1280 x 800 screen and sounds as good as i could ask for on my bookshelf speakers.

The computer that i am using is a 13" Macbook with 2 Ghz and 1 Gb of ram. When i am watching HD in 1080i the processors are running at about 60% and the ram only has 10 mb free. Supprisingly the stats dont change much when i am recording. I recorded an hour long show on NBC and it took up about 6.03 Gb recorded to a .eyetv format. I tried to export it with an H.264 codec to reduce the file size to an estimated 3.3 Gb. After about 20 mins, I canceled the operation because i wanted to go back to watching HD and it didnt even seem to make a dent unless the progress bar was not working. While it was encoding, the processors were running at full force. This operation is probably best left to running overnight.

For my situation, this is as good as i could ask for but the ideal setup would be a large imac or mac pro with a 23" screen or larger for the full 1080i HD experience. It's only money.

I tried to write a very detailed experience with the eyetv Hybrid but if theres anything that i missed feel free to ask on this forum

[grizzlybrice]

Elgato sings praises about the zero latency with this for when you play a game system through it?
Have you a system to try running through it? I know a few of us would like to know your results. Lag or no lag? With their other systems they claim zero-latency because it lets the computer do the processing rather than the device itself, but people claim that the lag still exists.

Cheers!
gB

[twoodcc]

i have one also. i'm happy with it so far, except for the exporting.

i've recorded some HD content, but what's the best way to export them? without taking 5 days?

i have an intel imac 17" 1.83 ghz with 1.5 GB of RAM.*

[stix666]

Just got one.
V happy except for one thing.
Viewing in full screen, the apple remote "up/down" controls the volume but the "left/right" toggles between what is being broadcast live and scrubbing through the buffer.

Is there any way to use the apple remote with fullscreen so that it toggles through the channels??

[vlawillie]

For those wondering about gaming, I am wondering the same thing - I will recieve my hybrid in the next week and I will be sure to post a review about latency/video quality... here's hoping it will be good enough for soul calibur!
Any requests? I will hook up my gamecube and try both s-video and rca.
Check Back

[Dagless]

Not as nice as Elgato EyeTV for DTT they released in the UK. I swear it's the PowerBooks little brother. Beautiful little thing.
I rather like Elgato. I was eligable to a free version 2 upgrade of their TV software and I remember thinking "Version 1 was top" then being blown away by 2. An even more so with the new on-screen menu! top guys.

[bommai]

I got my Hybrid today.
It looks just like the pictures and includes 1) the USB stick 2) a USB extension about 6 in long 3) Breakout cable with inputs of s-video, composite video and a 1/8 in line in. 4) adaptor for LR rca to 1/8 jack 5) setup cd with assorted pamphlets/ quickstart guide. I was expecting a small antenna but that didnt make t into the box.

The setup is relatively simple and no problems with titantv so far. The auto tune is normal speed and you can check a box to do a more thorough scan incase it misses a weak channel. You can also manually add channels and change the names.

For its limited resolution, sd looks decent on my 13" macbook but what i bought it for was the HD. I dont know if comcast sends out unencrypted HD like Cox does back home or if my university blocks it but i was unable to find any HD on the cable. It also may be the eyetv as there are only 3 settings for the type of input: Analog antenna(NTSC), Analog Cable (NTSC), and Digital Antenna (ATSC). I dont have a proper antenna right now so I am using an FM antenna pulled out of my reciever. For the most part the antenna works well. I can watch NBC and FOX mostly without interruption as the NBC

Even if comcast sends your locals unencrypted, the eyeTV hybrid won't be able to get it since it does not have a QAM tuner. QAM is used by cable not ATSC. ATSC is only for OTA. eyeTV 500 had a QAM tuner, but they got rid of it in the hybrid !

[yoak]

Just hooked mine up to my brand new 2 foot iMac:D .
I used my sd cable and was a bit dissapointed with the picture quality. Guess the screen is too good. W´ll get digital next year here, so should be ok then. The software is great though

[virus1]

haha.. your 2 foot imac eh?

[Project]

I ran my PS2 through the thing and got motion sickness playing a game. Very disorientating. Dont know if it was flicker or the frame rate etc as im not an expert on these things. I took it out after a couple of minutes

[JTStarkiller]

Hi. I'm sorry, after reading the posts, I'm still a little confused. I'm looking to replace my VCR, as it's old and sucks. I just wanna make sure I get all the right equipment.

What I have: regular old 20" TV, my G5, two coaxial cables.

First off, what is the difference between the Hybrid and the 250? I see that the 250 comes with some kind of remote, which might be nice, but I'm still having trouble figuring out what else I would get with that one.

I was also reading on the first page about the HDTV antenna (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006FXR9/ref=pd_rvi_gw_1/002-2060217-6393633?ie=UTF8) that someone mentioned. Is this really all I need to receive HD programming on my Mac? It'd be nice to see 24 and Lost in widescreen on my widescreen monitor.

Lastly, is their some sort of splitter that goes into the cable outlet on my wall to have one cable go into the EyeTV and one into my TV, that way I don't have to switch every time?

Thanks for your help.

[bommai]

Hi. I'm sorry, after reading the posts, I'm still a little confused. I'm looking to replace my VCR, as it's old and sucks. I just wanna make sure I get all the right equipment.

What I have: regular old 20" TV, my G5, two coaxial cables.

First off, what is the difference between the Hybrid and the 250? I see that the 250 comes with some kind of remote, which might be nice, but I'm still having trouble figuring out what else I would get with that one.

I was also reading on the first page about the HDTV antenna (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006FXR9/ref=pd_rvi_gw_1/002-2060217-6393633?ie=UTF8) that someone mentioned. Is this really all I need to receive HD programming on my Mac? It'd be nice to see 24 and Lost in widescreen on my widescreen monitor.

Lastly, is their some sort of splitter that goes into the cable outlet on my wall to have one cable go into the EyeTV and one into my TV, that way I don't have to switch every time?

Thanks for your help.

Is the 20" TV the only TV you have? What size monitor do you have connected to the G5? Dell Widescreen monitors with DVI can be had for $395 for a 20".

Depending on where you live you will or will not be able to get OTA HDTV. OTA stands for Over-The-Air. I live near Kansas City and am able to get about 8 HDTV stations through my eyeTV Hybrid.

Go to http://www.antennaweb.org and put your address and zipcode and it will show you all the TV stations that are near your area and how far they are and what direction you need to point your antenna.

I am currently using a cheap $8 walmart antenna to get all my channels. Contrary to advertisements, there is no such thing called an HDTV antenna. The manufacturers are just getting on the HDTV bandwagon. OTA HDTV uses the same frequency range (channels) as analog TV. An antenna is used to grab the signal of the air. So, if is built well with particular geometric characteristics, it will pull-in certain frequencies very well and that is all that is need for the eyeTV Hybrid or any other HDTV tuner including those built-into HDTVs.

With eyeTV Hybrid, I am now able to schedule HDTV programming to be recorded into my hard drive in advance. Using http://www.titantv.com and a free account, I can even schedule my programs remotely since eyeTV software logs into my titantv.com account and checks any remote schedules that I might have made.

So, if you have only a 20" TV, I suggest you just use your computer monitor as your HDTV along with an eyeTV Hybrid. If you live in a small town and there are no HDTV transmissions near your area, then you are out of luck!!

[JTStarkiller]

Right, I was going to use my Apple monitor as my TV. It's also 20", but an LCD widescreen monitor, the previous model.

I really appreciate the help with the HD stuff, but I am more interested in the differences between the Hybrid and the 250. Just wanna make sure before I spend the extra $50.

Thanks a bunch.

[Motley]

Right, I was going to use my Apple monitor as my TV. It's also 20", but an LCD widescreen monitor, the previous model.

I really appreciate the help with the HD stuff, but I am more interested in the differences between the Hybrid and the 250. Just wanna make sure before I spend the extra $50.

Thanks a bunch.

For the differences elgato's website has a comparison chart. The main differences:
-the 250 does not do any high-def, the hybrid can recieve over the air HD signals
-the 250 has a hardware encoder where the hybrid does not, it uses your computer to do the encoding (important depending on the speed of your comp).

Comparison chart (http://www.elgato.com/matrix/index.php)

[JTStarkiller]

Perfect. I was looking all over the site for a chart like that. Thanks.

[bommai]

For the differences elgato's website has a comparison chart. The main differences:
-the 250 does not do any high-def, the hybrid can recieve over the air HD signals
-the 250 has a hardware encoder where the hybrid does not, it uses your computer to do the encoding (important depending on the speed of your comp).

Comparison chart (http://www.elgato.com/matrix/index.php)

Again, it all depends on whether you are located near HDTV signals or not. If you are, you will love the HD quality. Also, recording HD takes no processing power at all since there is no encoding done. The hardware encoding is relevant only for analog signals. I am assuming a G5 would suffice. I use a dual processor G4 machine and I have not used it to encode analog yet. I am staying 100% digital right now since all local channels have an analog and a digital feed here.

[Milanista]

Anyone try this on a MBP with an Xbox360? Any lag?

[vlawillie]

Everyone can check out my (brief) review on the Digital Video board http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=242437

I am very happy with the hybrid, and a definite advantage over the 250 is hdtv which is incredible! Mine pulls in 20 channels with a cheapo antenna from my radio :eek:

It does not matter what system you hook up to this, there is no lag through RCA, s-video cable, or coax, which are your options. Every system outputs the same video so there will be no lag with your 360 milanista.

[oliath]

Hi
I recently purchased this device (Hybrid) to use on my imac G5 20" with my xbox360 and have to say that unfortunately there is a bit of lag.

Its not huge... and you can put up with it, but its possibly enough to make online gaming frustrating.

I wired my tv into the xbox AT THE SAME TIME and the imac display was a teeny bit behind... not much... but enough to make things like aiming and jumping at the right moment awquard which is very dissapointing as this is the only reason i purchased this product.

Now i am not 100 percent sure that the problem does not lie with my machine or my setup.
I have emailed elgato support and am waiting for a response.
Ill keep you posted on what they say and IF this device can be made to work.

To summarise... it DOES work with the xbox 360, and it DOES offer widescreen. The image is nice... a bit soft if you turn on de-interlacing (its a UK version).
The lag is enough to make rappid accuracy an issue in online games (tested on Ghost Recon AW and Halo2) as you tend to 'over steer'

By this i mean that if you are aiming to the left, and then stop when your crosshair is over an enemy, in reality (due to the small delay) you will actually aim past them and miss....

Like i said.. you can learn to compensate, but for a little bit more cash than this costs you could also just get yourself a 19 / 20 " LCD with no latency whatsoever.


EDIT:
--------

Ok so i heard back from Elgato:

Thank you for contacting Elgato Systems.

EyeTV Hybrid has a latency of a few milliseconds - effectively zero, when compared to encoding products with a latency of over a second.

No uncompressed video product has zero milliseconds of latency. It's not possible - preparing the video takes a bit of time.

Therefore, EyeTV Hybrid would be the best solution for playing game consoles on your Mac. Other products would not have better performance.

If you took "zero latency" literally, and want to return the product, then let me know. I'm sorry about any confusion.


Riiiiiiight..

So basically im an idiot for assuming that they were telling the truth when they said it had zero latency.
My advice is if you want it for gaming... stay away.

Good news is that i got a full cash refund for it.

[Jopling]

Thats very dissapointing. I was hoping to hook my Wii up to my Mac Pro and 23 inch cinema display

[demallien]

Elgato sings praises about the zero latency with this for when you play a game system through it?
Have you a system to try running through it? I know a few of us would like to know your results. Lag or no lag? With their other systems they claim zero-latency because it lets the computer do the processing rather than the device itself, but people claim that the lag still exists.

Cheers!
gB

I use the EyeTV EZ (analog), which does pretty much the same thing (encoding done by the Mac). I have my PS2 permanently hooked up. There is no latency (at least none that I have been able to detect), and I've used it on snowboarding games, combat games and 1st person shooters... If that's what you want to do with your EyeTV, I can give it a big thumbs up

[simie]

The latest update allows Pinnacle users to operate their equipment, I have my PCTV Hybrid Pro Stick plugged in.

[Aperture]

Not to revive a semi-old thread, but I have a question.

I may be getting an Xbox 360 and an EyeTV Hybrid.
I'm not a hardcore gamer by any means, so will I be disappointed by the performance? I have an iMac G5, 1.8Ghz, 1Gb RAM, 17'' model.
Like I said, I probably won't notice the small details but will it be greatly affected by the lag / image quality?

I've seen screenshots of people using a game cube with it, but does anyone have any screenshots of the Xbox connected over the Hybrid (or like products)

Thank You!

Kevin

[vlawillie]

I have also been thinking of buying a 360 and have thought of a solution that you 360 guys might be interested in - microsoft has a first party vga cable that does high def on crt or lcd computer monitors. I was interested in getting it to HD since it is capable and CRT's are dirt cheap on craig's list as a reaction to lcd's being the only thing anyone wants nowadays.

And if you have it, most lcd's have a vga port anyway.

Seems like a cheap solution.

[Aperture]

Thanks for the answer! I wonder if there is some type of converter I can use like to convert the VGA > Firewire or something, so I can use it on my iMac. Then I can just use some app to show the Xbox feed in full-screen.

Can you please post a link the the adapter?

Thanks Again!

Edit: Think I could use this (http://www.svideo.com/adavgaff.html) Female/Female VGA Connecter so I could get a CRT/LCD and take the vga cable that is connected to the back of it, put the connecter on the end and plug the 360 into the other side of the connecter.

[vlawillie]

search xbox vga on any gamestore website such as gamestop.com

i'm not sure about vga to firewire...let me know if you find a way. this is I think what makes the eyetv hybrid unique, because it is the only way to connect games through usb or firewire. good luck

[Racktacular]

Can someone help me out here, I'm confused.

This EyeTv Hybrid thing allows you to watch TV on the Mac. I get that, but how?

Do you have to connect it to your tv first and then watch it later on the mac?

Does the EyeTV Hybrid allow you to watch LIVE TV on the mac without having it connected to any tv?

I'm just confused as to exactly how it works and what it does.

TIA!

Rack

[zwida]

This EyeTv Hybrid thing allows you to watch TV on the Mac. I get that, but how?

Plugs right into your USB port. You attached cable (or an antenna) directly to the little guy, launch the software that comes with it, and start watching TV.

Do you have to connect it to your tv first and then watch it later on the mac?

Nope, just connect it to some signal source, and you're good to go.

Does the EyeTV Hybrid allow you to watch LIVE TV on the mac without having it connected to any tv?

Exactly. And it may be geeky, but it's pretty awesome.

[Racktacular]

I see, but you can't watch live TV wirelessly then. Right?

[bigjimbob]

Can somebody with an Intel Mac give us a comprehensive runthough of how well gaming works??

It makes sense a g5 might lag a bit - but elgato seem to be talking up the gaming feature, Hows it work with Mac Pro or c2d macbook???

[isight]

Ok Guys,

I have read all the posts. I am little bit confused. Please, let me know if it works?

I have HDTV connection in my home. I have another connection in my office room and my cable company said will give me another HDTV box. Can i use
EYE TV Hybrid and get the HDTV channels?

I have 17" intel core2 duo mac, 2 ghz processor.

I get 20 Channels now on my HDTV through my cable company.

Please, let me know.

[jsw]

Ok Guys,

I have read all the posts. I am little bit confused. Please, let me know if it works?

I have HDTV connection in my home. I have another connection in my office room and my cable company said will give me another HDTV box. Can i use
EYE TV Hybrid and get the HDTV channels?

I have 17" intel core2 duo mac, 2 ghz processor.

I get 20 Channels now on my HDTV through my cable company.

Please, let me know.No, the Hybrid will only receive over-the-air HD signals. Technically, your cable company could stream those to you over the cable, but it's very, very unlikely that they do. However, the odds are good that you live in an area with plenty of HD reception, and all you need is a cheap external antenna to hook to the Hybrid to get it.

On the other hand... download iRecord (http://www.ammesset.com/software/irecord/index.html), connect your Mac to your HD cable box with a Firewire cable, and you can record anything currently showing on the cable box with your Mac. Not bad for free.

[Shakespear]

O.k, so i'm looking into getting a macbook pro 15" 2.13 ghz model for christmas (good present eh?). I, like many, and still alittle confused about how this works...i think i have a general idea so i'll run it buy you...
(P.s i live in canada if that makes a difference)
I have digital cable as well

So my tell is set up right now as the cable going from the wall, to the cable box, into my tv.
O.k so i buy this connector right and put it into one of the usb slots, i take a coloxial(sp?) cable from my cable out "out" to the usb connector. This would allow me to watch tv on my laptop? I hear since i'm living in canada, i woudn't get the same menu i do on digital cable, or i guess the 'guide' its called? it doesn't relaly matter too much cause actually, i don't even want to watch tv, i'm more interested in recording a show if i'm out...so would this work than?

Just another question too....if i hook this up to my cable box, can i watch one show on my tv, while another records onto the macbook?

Replies appreciated in Advance :)

[jsw]

A few answers:

First, the Hybrid only receives HD content over the air, so, unless you're going to hook up an antenna to it, you won't get HD (unless you're one of the very, very few people whose cable companies stream HD over the cable (as opposed to providing it via the cable box). Just something to keep in mind. There are cheaper non-HD options. Also, it takes a ton of CPU to watch/record... something like Elgato's EyeTV 250 does its own hardware encoding and is better if you won't be recording HD content.

Second, if you split the cable and run one to your Hybrid and one to your cable box, you can indeed record any of the analog (but not digital) channels while you watch anything else on your cable box. If you want to record digital programming (not high-def - you can only record HD over the air), you'll need to connect the provided dongle to the Hybrid and use RCA cables to provide audio (left/right) and video (composite or S-video), and you can only record what you're watching.

EyeTV, which comes with the Hybrid, is very nice, allows scheduling, etc.

I highly recommend, for recording, that you look into iRecord (http://www.ammesset.com/software/irecord/), which will let you connect a Firewire cable between your cable box and Mac and record anything on the cable box, even, if you have it, HD content. It's all free. The caveat is that you can't watch on your Mac as you record, but you could certainly watch on your TV, and you can schedule recordings for later.

[isight]

JSW.

Thanks for the reply.

All i want to do is watch TV on Imac. I have a digital cable box. Can i connect to this digital box through Hybrid and watch TV on my Imac. I have no problem changing channels from cable box.

I am not really worried about recording TV. OTA channels it does not really matter to me.

Is Eyetv Hybrid still the best option or any other products available just to watch TV through my cable box.

i have 20" IMAC 2 GHZ intel core duo processor.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

[bommai]

JSW.

Thanks for the reply.

All i want to do is watch TV on Imac. I have a digital cable box. Can i connect to this digital box through Hybrid and watch TV on my Imac. I have no problem changing channels from cable box.

I am not really worried about recording TV. OTA channels it does not really matter to me.

Is Eyetv Hybrid still the best option or any other products available just to watch TV through my cable box.

i have 20" IMAC 2 GHZ intel core duo processor.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

Actually, there is a better way. If you a digital cable box, your cable company has to give you a firewire port on it. It was a mandate from FCC. If it does not have it, ask for one.

Once you get that box, just connect that firewire port to your iMac's fireport using a firewire cable. After that there are a couple of virtual DVHS software available on the Mac that will make the cable box think that your mac is actually a DVHS recorder. Now, you will not only be able to watch the TV on the iMac, you should be able to record it to your mac too.

eyeTV Hybrid is primarily meant for people that get their TV through over the air antenna. For me, it is perfect.

[isight]

Thanks Bommai. Will try this first and then look for going to HYBRID. I need to find out the DVHS software now :confused:

Thanks for the tip again

[bommai]

Thanks Bommai. Will try this first and then look for going to HYBRID. I need to find out the DVHS software now :confused:

Thanks for the tip again

You are welcome. Just one more tip. The primary purpose of the eyeTV hybrid is to tune to analog and digital radio wave signals. Once tuned, it is able to extract the MPEG transport streams (in case of digital) and send it unaltered through the USB port to the hard drive (using the eyeTV software).

However, since you already have a cable box which tunes and decodes the cable signal, you don't need an eyeTV Hybrid if you can somehow get this decoded signal directly into your computer. The firewire port comes in handy for this.

I have not used this solution myself, since I don't subscribe to cable but I have heard of this working for others. You should google this topic or even visit http://www.avsforum.com and do a forum search.

[isight]

Bommai,

I tried with the firewire. It allows me only to record but does not allow to watch live. Is there anyway, i can watch TV live without recording?


Thanks
isight.

[reppans]

In case anyone's interested, here's a screen grab off a MBP 15" with Elgato's Hybrid using free over-the-air HDTV..... and from a show worth the 6gig/hour of recording space ;).

WARNING 1mb pix.
CLICKY (http://onfinite.com/libraries/1060085/384.jpg)

BTW, although I haven't tested these functions yet, I understand that you can get cable (and HD cable?) through the Hybrid as long as it first passes through the cable box/decoder. The Hybrid/Apple then basically just becomes a TV/VCR between the cable box and regular TV. It's also supposed be able to handle zero-delay video gaming systems as well :cool:.

[ratz]

Not in the US store...there are only 10 items in that section.


??? :confused: :confused: :confused: :confused:

Do a search for Eye TV Hybrid at the Apple Store and it will find it.:)

[ratz]

No its not if you have a fast enough machine it can do HDTV from what I saw at the site. Plus a lot of folks just want to be able to watch TV on their Mac.

It can only do over the air HD not from a cable box. What it is talking about when it mentions the speed of a machine is Analog because Analog isn't already encoded so the computer has to do it. HD is already encoded so it actually takes less CPU to do HD.

[ratz]

Where is this thing on the Apple Store online? I can't find it anywhere....

Do a search on the Apple Store and it will come up.:)

[jcsmithmachine]

HAs anyone found a guide or anything for hooking a cable box up to the IMAC?? I have found several articales, but i still havent seen anyone just come out and say "this is how you do it". is there software that i can run the firewire from my cable box to my imac, run it, and bam, watch tv??

[Aperture]

HAs anyone found a guide or anything for hooking a cable box up to the IMAC?? I have found several articales, but i still havent seen anyone just come out and say "this is how you do it". is there software that i can run the firewire from my cable box to my imac, run it, and bam, watch tv??

Use a Coaxial Cable Splitter (http://image.bizrate.com/resize?sq=160&uid=466713269&mid=141149) (Try RadioShack) and then run one of the split cables to your TV and the other to your computer. You will need an Eyetv Device (or the like) to view the feed on your iMac.

Kevin

[jcsmithmachine]

Thanks for the fast response!! what i want to to do is hook my cable box up to my IMac. I have seen the fire wire posts, and my box does have the fire wire port. what i want is what kind of software is everyone using to actually watch tv using this approach (firewire to Imac). Will EyeTV work, or what is everyone else using??

[Aperture]

Thanks for the fast response!! what i want to to do is hook my cable box up to my IMac. I have seen the fire wire posts, and my box does have the fire wire port. what i want is what kind of software is everyone using to actually watch tv using this approach (firewire to Imac). Will EyeTV work, or what is everyone else using??

I'm not sure you can do what you're asking over FireWire unless you're sure the Cable Box is outputting the signal over FireWire, which is somewhat rare. Also, be careful as a ton of boxes have those ports disabled even though they do have them available. What do you mean "What is everyone else using?", just about everyone here is using a TV Tuner, hence the thread title.

Kevin

[jcsmithmachine]

Well, i guess posts 79 and 81 really through me off. they talk about the whol mac and firewire bit.....thats what got me going.....if anyone has anymore infor like this please post away......

[Mike Schwend]

[QUOTE=Racktacular;3089774]Can someone help me out here, I'm confused.

This EyeTv Hybrid thing allows you to watch TV on the Mac. I get that, but how?

Do you have to connect it to your tv first and then watch it later on the mac?

Hook the TV antenna to the EyeTV Hybrid; The 'Hybrid comes with a USB extender cable; use this to hook the 'Hybrid to a USB-2 port on your Mac. Install the software (It is now up to version 2.3.3), and use away! It is a very elegant unit!


Does the EyeTV Hybrid allow you to watch LIVE TV on the mac without having it connected to any tv?

Yes, the Mac is, in effect, your TV. The Mac must be ON, and you will have to run the EyeTV software to tune, watch, record, etc. the digital and analog OTA (Over The Air) broadcast television programming.



I'm just confused as to exactly how it works and what it does.

The above should allow enough info for this, I hope.

I have one issue with mine: If I open the EyeTV application after waking the iMac from SLEEP MODE, it is sometimes hard to get the thing to RUN, if I load the EyeTV application; The application is running properly, but the 'Hybrid appears that it is not properly "polled" by the USB port. (The message in the EyeTV program's window is "Failed to initialize.") It sometimes will operate as desired if I simply restart the EteTV program. -Other times, (after several failed tries) I must unplug, then reconnect the USB cable that runs between the 'Hybrid and the iMac. This always results in a proper startup and operation.

-Any ideas??? I emailed Elgato; They said that they WOULD LIKE TO REPLACE the unit, and that they needed our name, mailing address, etc., as well as our telephone number. I replied with all of this, but no more word. (This was more than a week ago, that I have heard from them.:mad: -I shall re-email!)

My system is as follows:
24 inch iMac core 2 Intel
1 meg of RAM
OSX 10.4.8
EyeTV Hybrid, with EyeTV software version 2.3.3

I mention that I am running the 24" iMac, as there have been some scattered reports of less than ideal operation with PARALLELS and BOOT CAMP, running Windows XP.

Thanks!!! -Mike-

----------

Update: I JUST received this email, just after I posted this info:

We will ship out an advanced replacement unit to you. Inside of this box will be a return shipping label to get the defective product back to us.

Your RMA for this exchange is: EX070nnnnnn

Let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.
Shaun Charity
Elgato Systems

[brando06]

So i am just about to buy an eyetv hybrid, when i saw that i can record onto my macbook via my shaw cable box already. So i have a Shaw Digital Cable box, but i looked on the back and there is no firewire port, but there is a USB port. Will i be able to do anything with that?? And also if this will work does anyone have a virtual DVHS freeware program that they could suggest?? Please let me know as i am just about ready to send my money off to get the eyetv.

[Motley]

So i am just about to buy an eyetv hybrid, when i saw that i can record onto my macbook via my shaw cable box already. So i have a Shaw Digital Cable box, but i looked on the back and there is no firewire port, but there is a USB port. Will i be able to do anything with that?? And also if this will work does anyone have a virtual DVHS freeware program that they could suggest?? Please let me know as i am just about ready to send my money off to get the eyetv.

Do you need the box (such as a digital cable box) or can you get cable using just the coax line? If you can get cable without the box the hybrid will be fine.

If you need to use a cable box you'll probably have to shell out money for something like this and an IR blaster (http://www.vidcan.com/Software/iEyeCaptain.html).

[bommai]

Do you need the box (such as a digital cable box) or can you get cable using just the coax line? If you can get cable without the box the hybrid will be fine.

If you need to use a cable box you'll probably have to shell out money for something like this and an IR blaster (http://www.vidcan.com/Software/iEyeCaptain.html).

One note of caution. If you are interested in digital signals (SD or HD) through cable, eyeTV hybrid will not work since it does not have QAM tuner. It only has ATSC tuner. ATSC is for antenna only (over the air). Elgato's previous product eyeTV 500 had both ATSC and QAM tuners. If you try to get that somewhere, that will work better for you for unencrypted digital channels.

eyeTV hybrid will do analog channels fine, but analog is so yesterday in my opinion.

I am enjoying eyeTV Hybrid for OTA HDTV.

For cable box, you need to get one with a firewire port and then you don't need eyeTV hybrid at all. The virtual DVHS program on the Mac can record off of the cable box using the firewire port.

[tehybrid]

i recently bought an eyetv hybrid and i can confirm there isnt any lag. I play my Wii all the time with it and there is yet to be a lag. It works great with my DirecTV too, except i have to change the channel with the DirecTV remote, besides that i love it and the remote and software are great.


Kevin

[brando06]

Well that didn't exactly answer my question. I want to know if i can use the USB port on the back of my Shaw Motorola Digital Cable box for anything?? Or would buying the Eyetv Hybrid be a better idea??

[ftaok]

First, the Hybrid only receives HD content over the air, so, unless you're going to hook up an antenna to it, you won't get HD (unless you're one of the very, very few people whose cable companies stream HD over the cable (as opposed to providing it via the cable box). Just something to keep in mind. There are cheaper non-HD options. Also, it takes a ton of CPU to watch/record... something like Elgato's EyeTV 250 does its own hardware encoding and is better if you won't be recording HD content.


jsw,

In my experience (and various activity in various internet forums), getting HD over cable without the box is very common. In fact, I receive 8 HD channels over my cable system with only a Basic-Extended subscription. No cable box in my house at all.

Typically, cable companies will broadcast the local HD channels unencrypted. You won't get stuff like ESPN-HD, Discovery-HD, etc, but you will get your local ABC, Fox, NBC, etc. Like I said, in my area, we have 8 HD channels (7 locals plus UniversalHD).

As for the EyeTV Hybrid, it's true that you can get HD via an antenna. However, it will not receive HD through a cable connection, even if the cable company provides unencrypted HD. This is because the Hybrid only has an ATSC tuner for digital. To get the HD channels from cable, you need a QAM tuner.

The EyeTV 500 had both the ATSC and QAM tuners. The Hybrid has NTSC (for analog) and ATSC.

ft

[Motley]

Well that didn't exactly answer my question. I want to know if i can use the USB port on the back of my Shaw Motorola Digital Cable box for anything?? Or would buying the Eyetv Hybrid be a better idea??

I've not heard of people being able to use usb ports on cable boxes to get video out. So unless anyone knows different or you find something doing some searches I don't think the usb port helps you.

You can use the hybrid, but the issue is controlling channels. Without an IR blaster and additional software you won't be able to use the hybrid to change channels on the box (so you're limited in recording capabilities).

[brando06]

I have a Dishnetwork box as well. So i'm hoping i can use that!!

[bommai]

I have a Dishnetwork box as well. So i'm hoping i can use that!!

That will NOT work. eyeTV Hybrid is a tuner. It will tune radio waves coming in. Dish Network box is already a tuner. Getting an eyeTV Hybrid has no use. eyeTV Hybrid is only for a coax cable going to an over-the-air antenna to receive broadcast television.

If you have dish network, just get their DVR. If you live in a bigger city that has OTA HD stations (I live in Kansas City and get 8 HD stations OTA), all you need is an internal or external antenna to connect to the eyeTV hybrid.

Here is my summary.

For HD and digital content,

Encrypted cable - get a cable box from your cable company or use Tivo Series 3 with cable card, or a now-discontinued Sony DHG-HDD DVR with cable card. You can also use the soon to be released Vista based DVRs.

non-encrypted cable - eyeTV 500 (discontinued). It has a QAM tuner.

OTA HD - eyeTV hybrid or eyeTV 500.

Dish network, DirecTV - use your content provider cable box.

[brando06]

What is the coax spot on the back for?? Can i not plug my cable from the wall into that?? I watched the video on the Elgato website and that is what it says. My shaw cable can get directly hooked into it, i thought?? I guess i am wrong.

[Aperture]

9/10 times the USB/Firewire ports are disabled. They're only there so they could be activated later on with a firmware update if desired.

[Aperture]

What is the coax spot on the back for?? Can i not plug my cable from the wall into that?? I watched the video on the Elgato website and that is what it says. My shaw cable can get directly hooked into it, i thought?? I guess i am wrong.

I wouldn't listen to the guy above. EyeTV Hybrid can be used with just coaxial connections, not only over the air. As long as you don't have an encyrpted cable stream, you should be able to plug it straight into the Hybrid and receive basic programming.

[bommai]

I wouldn't listen to the guy above. EyeTV Hybrid can be used with just coaxial connections, not only over the air. As long as you don't have an encyrpted cable stream, you should be able to plug it straight into the Hybrid and receive basic programming.

I specifically said that for HD programming, OTA is the only source for eyeTV Hybrid. If you want analog programming, the OTA hybrid's NTSC tuner might work. However, I don't know why you would want to do that since you could probably get a cheaper analog tuner. eyeTV hybrid's compelling feature is HD. Why pay $150 for it if you are going to use it for just good old analog. Also, analog means that software encoder will be in use and that will eat up a lot of CPU. Digital has no processor penalty. The digital stream gets saved to the file directly.

[ftaok]

What is the coax spot on the back for?? Can i not plug my cable from the wall into that?? I watched the video on the Elgato website and that is what it says. My shaw cable can get directly hooked into it, i thought?? I guess i am wrong.

bonmai is correct on this. with the Hybrid and your set-up (Dish Network and Shaw Cable) you really can only do SD-analog.

The Shaw Cable coax feed could plug right into the Hybrid's coax input. You'll get channels 2-125 as long as they are not premium channels.

With the Dish, I believe that the Hybrid comes with a breakout cable that gives you a S-Video input (and maybe RCA composite inputs). This will also be limited to SD-analog.

With the Hybrid, there is only software encoding, so you results will depend on the speed of your Mac.

ft

[Rammer89]

I just bought this yesterday and I can't get it to work! I am using a powermac g5 and I downloaded the software, which works. But when I try to auto-tune nothing happens. I am currently splitting the cable and one goes to the tv and one to my room to my computer. I'm also using the front usb port on the powermac. I have tried to auto-tune with antenna, cable and digital and still nothing. I also tried installing it on my powerbook g4 and it didn't work there either. I plugged the cable into another tv and it worked fine so i know it's not the cable. Can someone please help?! thank you!

[ftaok]

I just bought this yesterday and I can't get it to work! I am using a powermac g5 and I downloaded the software, which works. But when I try to auto-tune nothing happens. I am currently splitting the cable and one goes to the tv and one to my room to my computer. I'm also using the front usb port on the powermac. I have tried to auto-tune with antenna, cable and digital and still nothing. I also tried installing it on my powerbook g4 and it didn't work there either. I plugged the cable into another tv and it worked fine so i know it's not the cable. Can someone please help?! thank you!
OK,

First of all, you bought a EyeTV Hybrid, right? OK, now, when you say cable, you mean a coax connection from the wall that supplies you cable TV, right?

If both of my assumptions are correct, you could expect to get the following.

Standard Def Analog from the cable connection.
Standard Def Analog from the antenna.
High Def Digital from the antenna.

Don't expect High Def Digital from the cable connection.

I don't have any EyeTV product, so my advice is pretty generic. Make sure that the software has the correct setting depending on the input. The cable connection should be using the NTSC tuner and the antenna should be using ATSC or NTSC.

Also, maybe you live in an area where OTA signals are weak. Try repositioning the antenna. Better yet, if you have an amplified indoor antenna, maybe try that.

Good luck

[Rammer89]

OK,

First of all, you bought a EyeTV Hybrid, right? OK, now, when you say cable, you mean a coax connection from the wall that supplies you cable TV, right?

If both of my assumptions are correct, you could expect to get the following.

Standard Def Analog from the cable connection.
Standard Def Analog from the antenna.
High Def Digital from the antenna.

Don't expect High Def Digital from the cable connection.

I don't have any EyeTV product, so my advice is pretty generic. Make sure that the software has the correct setting depending on the input. The cable connection should be using the NTSC tuner and the antenna should be using ATSC or NTSC.

Also, maybe you live in an area where OTA signals are weak. Try repositioning the antenna. Better yet, if you have an amplified indoor antenna, maybe try that.

Good luck


yeah I have a coax cable that comes from the wall, it's not digital. It's just weird that nothing comes up when I auto tune with this. I have no idea how to make channels show up when I auto tune, that's what I need help with. Thank you though.

[ftaok]

yeah I have a coax cable that comes from the wall, it's not digital. It's just weird that nothing comes up when I auto tune with this. I have no idea how to make channels show up when I auto tune, that's what I need help with. Thank you though.

Here's what I get with my QAM capable TV and Comcast at my house.

I get all of the regular Analog channels between 2-125. Lots of channels are skipped since Comcast doesn't have anything in that particular channel. So I end up with about 70 analog channels.

I also get a boat load of digital channels that come in when I auto-tune my TV. However, most of them are black and have nothing showing. This is because it's encrypted (and without an active Cable Card, you get nothing). Out of the ~100 (100 is a guess) digital channels that come in through auto-tune, I only get about 50 or so that show anything. And out of that 50, only 8 are HD, the rest are just simulcast SD digital channels (i.e. CSPAN, MSNBC, History, etc.) and music choice channels. The digital channels have a format such as 90.1 or 111.3, etc.

So I would suggest going through each of the digital channels that show up in your list to find ones that have something beign broadcast.

One other thing, with QAM, the cable companies don't typically encrypt the OnDemand stuff. So when one of your neighbors orders an OnDemand movie/show, you can tune in. It's just that you never know what exactly will be showing at any time.

[brando06]

Here's what I get with my QAM capable TV and Comcast at my house.

I get all of the regular Analog channels between 2-125. Lots of channels are skipped since Comcast doesn't have anything in that particular channel. So I end up with about 70 analog channels.

I also get a boat load of digital channels that come in when I auto-tune my TV. However, most of them are black and have nothing showing. This is because it's encrypted (and without an active Cable Card, you get nothing). Out of the ~100 (100 is a guess) digital channels that come in through auto-tune, I only get about 50 or so that show anything. And out of that 50, only 8 are HD, the rest are just simulcast SD digital channels (i.e. CSPAN, MSNBC, History, etc.) and music choice channels. The digital channels have a format such as 90.1 or 111.3, etc.

So I would suggest going through each of the digital channels that show up in your list to find ones that have something beign broadcast.

One other thing, with QAM, the cable companies don't typically encrypt the OnDemand stuff. So when one of your neighbors orders an OnDemand movie/show, you can tune in. It's just that you never know what exactly will be showing at any time.


What is QAM??

[ftaok]

What is QAM??

QAM is the type of tuner used by many (if not most) cable companies in the US for digital channels. So if you want to tune into a digital channel you need a QAM tuner. However, it's not that easy. Most digital channels are encrypted and you would need to pay the cable company for a digital tier subscription and they'd rent you a CableCard or Digital Box.

However, if you're just interested in the local HD channels, all you need is Basic (or Extended) cable service and a QAM tuner in your TV (or PVR device). Not all cable companies leave their local HD channels unencrypted, so you need to do some research for your specific area.

ft

[brando06]

QAM is the type of tuner used by many (if not most) cable companies in the US for digital channels. So if you want to tune into a digital channel you need a QAM tuner. However, it's not that easy. Most digital channels are encrypted and you would need to pay the cable company for a digital tier subscription and they'd rent you a CableCard or Digital Box.

However, if you're just interested in the local HD channels, all you need is Basic (or Extended) cable service and a QAM tuner in your TV (or PVR device). Not all cable companies leave their local HD channels unencrypted, so you need to do some research for your specific area.

ft

Ok i am in Vancouver Canada. How would i find out if they use QAM tuners in my TV or Digital Cable Box??

[ftaok]

Ok i am in Vancouver Canada. How would i find out if they use QAM tuners in my TV or Digital Cable Box??

You might want to try avsforum.com for information. Here's a THREAD (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=590048&highlight=vancouver), although it's not that informative.

I don't know what the laws state for cable companies in Canada. In the US, the FCC makes it so that the cable companies have to push the HD locals without encryption, although there's evidence that not all cable companies do that and the FCC doesn't seem to want to enforce their own rules. I have no idea what the Canadian equivalent to the FCC is.

ft

[rogertb]

Sorry if this is a little off-topic but I used the programme record button in eyetv's programme list but it started recording ten or so minutes before the programme actually started and stopped (therfore) before the prog. came to an end .... it makes me very wary of using it. I'm pretty sure the programme transmitted at the correct time and that my Mac's clock is correct ... anyone any ideas please ? Best Roger

[bommai]

Sorry if this is a little off-topic but I used the programme record button in eyetv's programme list but it started recording ten or so minutes before the programme actually started and stopped (therfore) before the prog. came to an end .... it makes me very wary of using it. I'm pretty sure the programme transmitted at the correct time and that my Mac's clock is correct ... anyone any ideas please ? Best Roger

Do you mean you clicked on the little circle next to the program info in the program guide to setup the recording. This circle would have become red. I use that all the time and have never had problems.

[Dorr185]

I sorry, as I already know this is going to sound ignorant. Please forgive me as I am only moderately computer savy and completely new to Apple, and yes, I did read everything here, which was a combination of confusing and extremely helpful.

I am going to buy a MacBook Pro that I want to serve the media center of my living room. To that effect, I am buying......... Firewave Surround Sound (http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/firewave/), Logitech Speakers (http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Logitech-Z-5500-5-1-Digital-Speaker-System-970115-0403/sem/rpsm/oid/115310/catOid/-13011/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do), and A 30 inch monitor (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=222-0863). I will also being getting the wireless keyboard and mouse so I use the laptop in clam mode.

Now, I want to be able to watch and record TV from the monitor. So I assume I will have to run it through the computer which will output to the monitor. I have digital cable and a DVR box from comcast that has two firewire ports on the back of it. Will I be able to hook the DVR box to the computer without any additional equipment or will I need an EyeTV to make this work?

I'm not worried about splitting between the monitor and my TV because if I come up with a suitable way to view television out of the monitor the TV will probably go in the bedroom.

[Dorr185]

Nevermind that last post, I think I've figured out my best solution.

I could just leave my current TV and Cable box settings alone, buy an EyeTv 250, connect the EyeTV to my MacBook, and connect my cable box to the EyeTv via two audio cords and an S-video cord?

Right???????

I'm so totally going to have to pay some to set this up. :(

[Tipton]

If I connect the Hybrid to a digital cable set top box, do I still have the full functionality of the EyeTV 2.4 software as I would have with a direct cable connection without the setup box, such as scheduling programs to record?

Also, if I connect to a digital cable set top box, would it be better to connect it to the Hybrid through the coaxial cable or through the composite and audio ports, or better to connect it directly to the computer through firewire without going through the Hybrid?

Last, for ease of use, would it be better to skip the cable set top box and connect the cable directly to the Hybrid? What am I giving up by doing this?

[Multimedia]

If I connect the Hybrid to a digital cable set top box, do I still have the full functionality of the EyeTV 2.4 software as I would have with a direct cable connection without the setup box, such as scheduling programs to record?

Also, if I connect to a digital cable set top box, would it be better to connect it to the Hybrid through the coaxial cable or through the composite and audio ports, or better to connect it directly to the computer through firewire without going through the Hybrid?

Last, for ease of use, would it be better to skip the cable set top box and connect the cable directly to the Hybrid? What am I giving up by doing this?Everything. You cannot do any of the above. Hybrid is for OFF AIR recordings not from cable nor satellite boxes. OFF AIR has HDTV. OFF AIR is SUPERIOR to anything coming from cable and satellite.

[Tipton]

Everything. You cannot do any of the above. Hybrid is for OFF AIR recordings not from cable nor satellite boxes. OFF AIR has HDTV. OFF AIR is SUPERIOR to anything coming from cable and satellite.

Except that the programs that I watch are not broadcast over the air, only on cable. In any case, I thought you could connect a basic analog cable to the Hybrid and get the full functionality of the software for watching tv on your computer and for scheduling the recording of programs. What would be a better alternative than the Hybrid for doing this?

[ftaok]

Except that the programs that I watch are not broadcast over the air, only on cable. In any case, I thought you could connect a basic analog cable to the Hybrid and get the full functionality of the software for watching tv on your computer and for scheduling the recording of programs. What would be a better alternative than the Hybrid for doing this?

Here is what I think I know about the Hybrid. Keep in mind that I do not own one.

If you connect the Hybrid to the cable TV feed straight from the wall, you will be able to record any analog channel that is not filtered. Typically, this will include stuff like ESPN, MTV, TNT, Spike, etc.

If you want to connect your Digital STB, you could do it via composite/s-video (using the EyeTV breakout cable) or with coax (I would assume that you'd have to tune the Hybrid to Channel 3 or 4). With this set-up, you'd be able to record digital-SD channels (typically channels above 100 on the box).

For HD channels, you're out of luck with the Hybrid and the cable feed. You'll need to connect an OTA antenna for HD.

Now, all is not lost if you want HD. If your STB is a HD-STB, and it's Firewire port is active, you might be able to use Virtual D-VHS to record the HD streams. There's an extensive post on this topic at avsforum.com. With this set-up, you won't be using EyeTV at all.

ft

[kitki83]

wow That sucks, I wanted to do is use my second monitor as replacement of my CRT tv and work as a second monitor. I guess this product is not for what I want to use it, although good if I do not have cable. Is there a forum that may give me information about my cables boxes (1HDR and 2 generic no HDR) and offers tips on how to use them to you advantage or feature the common user wont know?

[Tipton]

Assuming that you want to use cable, here are four options.
1. Connect the cable directly to the Hybrid without going through a set-top box--you'll get all of the analog cable stations. The advantage is that you can schedule unattended recordings using the TitanTV program guide. This is a decent replacement for an analog TV. The disadvantage is the picture quality is not great, and analog broadcast may end in 2009.

2. Connect the cable to a set-top box first, then from that to the Hybrid--you'll get all of the SD digital cable stations. The advantage is that you'll get a great digital picture, plus a few extra digital channels not carried in analog. The disadvantage is that the Hybrid needs to be tuned to channel 3, therefore to record something, you need to physically change the station on the set-top box to the channel of the program before it comes on.

3. Get the Miglia TVMini HD+ (or any adapter that has QAM tuning) instead of the Hybrid, and connect the cable directly to that without going through the set-top box. The advantage of that is that you'll get all of the unencrypted digital channels including the HD channels, and you can schedule unattended recordings using TitanTV. The disadvantage is that the number of unencrypted channels may be limited and it's difficult to find out what they are until you actually connect it up. Furthermore, the channel selection varies from city to city even within the same company, the unencrypted channels for Comcast in Atlanta will be different from Comcast in Chicago.

4. Connect the cable to your set-top box first, then directly to your computer with a firewire cable without using the Hybrid. The advantage is that you'll get all of the unencrypted digital channels as in 3 above. The disadvantage is that you'll need to use some non-standard methods to get the picture running on your screen, such as described in this article below;
Cable TV + Mac + Firewire == HD-PVR (http://project-tigershark.com/people/rob/blog/2007/01/14/cable-tv-mac-firewire-hd-pvr/)

[Khryz]

Sorry to bump this thread again - but I've been here searching for hours on a way for me to capture video.

I have a Macbook 2.16 Gz 1GM RAM C2D bought this past July. I want to use a capture device to record some television shows as well as capture video from a PS2, a PS3, and an Xbox 360. Lastly let me tell you I am not technologically-savvy beyond the average consumer.

My first problem is I don't know the difference between Analog and Digital TV. How do I know which one I have? Here at my college dorms we connect our TV's from a cable that we connect to the wall. Back at my house, however, we have iO Digital Cable. I'm guessing iO uses Digital TV from the box, but what about my school?

After I figure that out, I understand I have the option of the Elgato Hybrid, or a product from the Miglia product line. The Elgato products seem to be more expensive but I'm assuming you get what you pay for? The Miglia TV Tuners are from about $40 to $60, while Elgato's are almost 3x as well.

I thought the EyeTV Hybrid would be my choice but after reading through these posts in this thread I'm more confused -- again.

I would really appreciate some help and sorry again for the bump.

[Dont Hurt Me]

Well its taken awhile but today I received my new TV Hybrid and all i can say is COOL! My iMac is complete now that it has TV in. Well done Elgato. This thing was simply built to work with Mac.:)

[jaw04005]

My first problem is I don't know the difference between Analog and Digital TV. How do I know which one I have? Here at my college dorms we connect our TV's from a cable that we connect to the wall. Back at my house, however, we have iO Digital Cable. I'm guessing iO uses Digital TV from the box, but what about my school?

Your college uses analog cable. The first thing you need to do is find out is if your college's cable is directly from a service provider (Comcast, etc) or filtered through your school.

When visiting friends who live outside of campus, do they have the same cable (channel-wise) as you on campus?

If so, El Gato's Hybrid will be what you want. As you can select your local cable service from an online programming service provider and automatically record shows similar to TiVo.

If the on-campus cable is different, the Hybrid will still work but you will have to manually enter (or force reassign) each channel—which is time consuming.