Eyetv Hybrid (gaming) review

[vlawillie]

The purpose I had for my eyetv hybrid was to play gamecube on my powerbook. I can fairly confidently tell everyone that it works great with s-video. RCA video will be less quality so definitely stick to s-video. There is little to no lag, I dont notice it even in reflex games like soul calibur 2 or sports games. The quality is good, and there is tweaking available in the preferences for those of us who like optimizing everything. It will look as good on your mac as on any lcd tv I think (I may be wrong, I haven't tested this theory).

The HDTV capabilities are friggin amazing. I have never had access to HDTV before and this is awesome because I live in the middle of Boston with 20 over the air hdtv channels available. BTW, I am using my fm radio's antenna to pull in all these channels (wow!!).

I am doing all this on a Powerbook G4 1.5 ghz, 512 Ram, 128 mb ATI 9700

I am really happy with my purchase!

[Dont Hurt Me]

I have to ask how much better is hdtv vs say a dvd movie?

[vlawillie]

I have to ask how much better is hdtv vs say a dvd movie?


Incomparable. HDTV has up to 3x or something the resolution of dvd's. Even watching a nature clip in HDTV is stunning, let alone a tv show in 720p or 1080p.

Hope that helps

[grizzlybrice]

Awesome to hear that there isn't any noticeable lag.
Can you post any screenshots of some games playing? I'm just curious :D

gB

[vlawillie]

I can't figure out how to post screen shots, but I have them and they look pretty good. Let me know a way.

[ukroell]

Hi from Germany. First: Sorry for my bad english. ;)

Second: Thank you for your review, I'm searching something so long.
I'll put also my GameCube on the EyeTV Hybrid, and soon the Wii.

And yes, I'm also interessted in pictures.
Use ImageShack (http://img47.imageshack.us/) to upload the photos. You can directly put code to the forum.
Or use this great Widget (http://reg.imageshack.us/content.php?page=widget).

[Super Macho Man]

I have to ask how much better is hdtv vs say a dvd movie?
If you like your DVDs, don't get HDTV because DVDs will look like crap after you see HDTV.

[vlawillie]

Here is a screen shot, more to follow.

http://img169.imageshack.us/img169/1023/gamecube1ik6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Eidorian]

Did you have to set it to game mode to get it to run games w/o delay? I had the eyeTV EZ but there was a noticeable delay when gaming. Maybe I was missing something.

[ukroell]

Thank you for the picture (and the following). ;)
Is it possible to take the picture fullscreen?

[iKwick7]

You can play games in a window, right? I would love to get one of these and hook up a dreamcast (something not hooked up to my tv) and play in a little window on my 24" iMac. :)

[vlawillie]

Yes you can play games in a window,

That is actually full screen, the bar is just the way capture shows the full screen shot,

No there is no game setting, just no delay in general, at least not one that I can notice. I guess it could be different for other people.

[Eidorian]

Yes you can play games in a window,

That is actually full screen, the bar is just the way capture shows the full screen shot,

No there is no game setting, just no delay in general, at least not one that I can notice. I guess it could be different for other people.Try playing a Mega Man X game or a twitch fest fighter. :rolleyes:

[uspcommuter]

ooooo finally a screenshot...got any more good pics or even a video (I Know its wishful thinking)? I am thinking about getting an Eyetv hybrid as well to replace my tv...how does analog look on it? Thanks.

[vlawillie]

I've tried twitch-test fighters (soul calibur2, viewtiful joe) and it holds up rather nicely I think. Sorry, i dont think I can manage a video. it works!


http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/5163/gc4za0.th.jpg (http://img244.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gc4za0.jpg)

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/2307/gc7ul1.th.jpg (http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gc7ul1.jpg)

http://img133.imageshack.us/img133/4006/gc6au2.th.jpg (http://img133.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gc6au2.jpg)

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/8752/gc2if8.th.jpg (http://img90.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gc2if8.jpg)

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/2069/gc3mq2.th.jpg (http://img226.imageshack.us/my.php?image=gc3mq2.jpg)

[Milanista]

Does it allow widescreen for games? or HD?

Secondly, how does the sound connect? just the regular red/white cables?

[SpankyPenzaanz]

nice review - I have been looking at this so I can connect my xbox and future x360 to my ne 24"mac

[vlawillie]

unfortunately no high def for games (that would be sweet!!!)

You can play them in widescreen if you set them to widescreen.

yeah, sound is just red/white rca cables

[ToddW]

i'm definatley going to have to order one of these little guys soon. who has the best deal.

[oliath]

I would wait.

I got one to play my xbox360 and it DOES have latency.
Not much... but enough to make online gameplay frustrating... in causing you to over aim and miss targets etc...

Am waiting to hear from Elgato on a solution or fix otherwise this is going back to the store as gaming is what i purchased it for.