Many ways actually.. USB.. Firewire.. HDMI-CEC.. But fundamentally, these devices should come with their own integrated tuners. Sure it's more difficult than these external IR hacks, but it's the only way to do a proper multi-tuner DVR.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
Elgato's EyeTV HD Brings High-Definition TV to Mac, Streams to iPhone and iPad
- Thread starter MacRumors
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
Many ways actually.. USB.. Firewire.. HDMI-CEC.. But fundamentally, these devices should come with their own integrated tuners. Sure it's more difficult than these external IR hacks, but it's the only way to do a proper multi-tuner DVR.
I'm just going to stick with my HDHomeRun -- it's only good for watching ATSC/QAM broadcasts of the networks (Fox, ABC, etc.), but the only connection it requires to my Mac Pro is an Ethernet cable and it doesn't require me to have to do anything funky with my cable box, which is connected to my home theatre via HDMI. Some cable boxes may even disable component output if HDMI is in use -- better check before you buy one of these new EyeTV boxes.
Actually, it's the other way around. HDMI is tougher to send long distances because there are no radically thick cables and the system isn't designed for long distances. You can use good RG6 cable and send component a couple hundred feet with no loss (even farther with RG11). HDMI generally requires a powered repeater within 50', or a switch to ethernet, also incurring extra cost, not to mention most people aren't even going to know about such add-on things.
Unfortunately, component is only "as good" if the machines do a good job of A/D and then D/A conversion. HDMI is a safer bet for picture quality. Component is safer for distance and consistency, since HDMI constantly has handshake issues.
I am an owner of an eyetv hybrid. Elgato has has extreme difficulties keeping their link to the TV guide up and running correctly, with it being out for over a week on more than one occasion. The eyetv hybrid also has issues waking my mac mini from sleep to process recording events.
The recordings on the hybrid, when recorded, are quite nice. I have used it for both cable and for over the air digital tv. Very nice. The only limit to OTA is the OTA signal itself. Note that the hybrid is using a digital signal. With this new device, you are not using a digital source, so inherently, you are going from a digital source to an analog (component video) back to digital.
I just wish Elgato would get their act together and work out the kinks. If the TV Guide were working 100% of the time and it would wake from sleep reliably all of the time, I would rate the hybrid 5 of 5. Right now, with the issues, I rate it as barely usable and would not consider buying another of their products.
bummer.
The recordings on the hybrid, when recorded, are quite nice. I have used it for both cable and for over the air digital tv. Very nice. The only limit to OTA is the OTA signal itself. Note that the hybrid is using a digital signal. With this new device, you are not using a digital source, so inherently, you are going from a digital source to an analog (component video) back to digital.
I just wish Elgato would get their act together and work out the kinks. If the TV Guide were working 100% of the time and it would wake from sleep reliably all of the time, I would rate the hybrid 5 of 5. Right now, with the issues, I rate it as barely usable and would not consider buying another of their products.
bummer.
I have a 125 foot HDMI cable runnning in my walls and I have no issues with it. You might be right but I have not had any problem, bought the cable from monoprice.
I tihnk most people think that the latest technology is always the best which isn't always the case. You cable box might look better hooked up with component instead of HDMI, the only way to find out is to test it. HDMI just makes things a lot easier.
Oh yeah, forgot about HDCP. I know component is good quality, but five cables is quite much. But I know, there ain't much choice.
ALL of the custom installers I know prefer component and will install that unless specifically requested to run HDMI. So I agree, although I've managed to get 3 of my devices working over HDMI.
I did not realize Monoprice ever sold HDMI longer than 100', they don't seem to right now. Your equipment must put out a pretty high-powered signal, sure you don't have an extender in there? Monoprice even states that DirecTV equipment probably won't work with their longer cables, for example.
I thought the box encoded the video, so it could compress it into 480 Mbps (which USB 2 can't actually handle, though). It seems the reason is HDCP, anyway. Of course FW 800 would be better. And why not Gigabit Ethernet, anyone?
the only thing I can't figure out is why there is no optical unlike the Huappage (spelled wrong).
I understand the lack of HDMI for HDCP reasons, but not including optical makes this worthless....why record in 720 or 1080 when it's stereo
I understand the lack of HDMI for HDCP reasons, but not including optical makes this worthless....why record in 720 or 1080 when it's stereo
B
Black Macbook
Guest
Why no HDMI input?
My cable box has an HDMI out and digital cable is where it's at, not a bunch of ancient analog inputs.
My cable box has an HDMI out and digital cable is where it's at, not a bunch of ancient analog inputs.
Yikes, I've had no problems except for the occasional crappy DTV signal using my Hauppauge and Windows Media Center. The Guide is free too.
Software?
I tried the eyeTV years ago and returned it because while the hardware seemed fine, the software was horrid. Has eyeTV's software improved at all in the past couple years?
I tried the eyeTV years ago and returned it because while the hardware seemed fine, the software was horrid. Has eyeTV's software improved at all in the past couple years?
Does nobody on this thread want to comment that the ability to record in h.264 is amazing? I've been screwing around with converting from my hybrid for years now and basically am fed up with it. Now they come out with the solution hardly anyone cares? Am I the only one waiting hours to watch a show that now will convert on the fly?
So here's my real questions:
a) Can I stream live video to my AppleTV?
b) Will they also come out with a tuner that will do h.264 conversion on the fly?
c) What kind of settings are there for this conversion? There are many variables to this encoding technology with a broad spectrum of performance, both in quality and playback requirements.
d) Did nobody notice the 2.26 Ghz Core 2 requirement. Should raise some eyebrows for the Mac Mini / Macbook users out there at the least. Hmmm, latest Macbook update; conicidence? And how much does your fan run with this beast?
It will be interesting when someone gets their hands on one of these and runs it through it's paces.
So here's my real questions:
a) Can I stream live video to my AppleTV?
b) Will they also come out with a tuner that will do h.264 conversion on the fly?
c) What kind of settings are there for this conversion? There are many variables to this encoding technology with a broad spectrum of performance, both in quality and playback requirements.
d) Did nobody notice the 2.26 Ghz Core 2 requirement. Should raise some eyebrows for the Mac Mini / Macbook users out there at the least. Hmmm, latest Macbook update; conicidence? And how much does your fan run with this beast?
It will be interesting when someone gets their hands on one of these and runs it through it's paces.
Don't forget the FCC just voted to allow the blocking of non-copy protected outputs on set-top boxes. This will allow them to block any movie from going out on the component outputs (which is what this uses).
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100507/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_fcc_movie_recordings
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100507/ap_on_hi_te/us_tec_fcc_movie_recordings
I tried the eyeTV years ago and returned it because while the hardware seemed fine, the software was horrid. Has eyeTV's software improved at all in the past couple years?
Its not as nice as a tivo style interface for entering your recording schedules, but its not too bad... I've seen worse in other products.
When they went to their 3.x version there were significant improvements in usability.
Yah man, what are you smoking? Not only is the title of this story misleading, but you're 100% wrong. I've been watching HDTV using my HomeRun HD and Elgato Hybrid for three years now. What they now have is a more seamless way to get HD CABLE channels, which aren't QAM but instead encrypted, onto the Mac. Since OS X doesn't support protected paths, CableCard devices aren't available for us, so this is the next best solution. Perrumpo, know your facts before you comment.
-Brian
I could be wrong, but I think most people are only interested in watching TV the one time, not archiving HD copies of it. So most don't even have a DVR, and those that do are more concerned with basic timeshifting. And I don't know what sales of all the PC DVRs, like Elgato's products, have been over the years, but I think they are well below the number of Tivo and integrated cable/sat DVRs in use today, which number far into the millions.
To be fair, that is any movie released on cable/sat PPV before DVD, which is becoming a new option for new releases. It is not refering to HBO, FMC, etc. playing catalog films, and it was never even an option to get new films in your home this early before at all.
My comcast cable box itself does not have an HDMI connection only has s video, composite, and component. HD signal is connected cool to my tv over component. So must be good enough for comcast.
I'm pretty pleased to see El Gato finally release something like this. I still have the very first El Gato USB TV tuner and use that to watch and record analog channels 1-99 on my iMac. I do have HD cable, including an HD DVR in my living room, but this has been a nice compliment to that for recording stuff I don't want to clutter the limited space on the HD DVR with and for watching sporting events on my iMac while I work.
I also use the firewire SDK, a firewire cable, and VLC to watch and record HD channels that are in the clear (about 8 channels, including all the broadcast networks) on my iMac.
I'm pretty happy with this setup but this new Eye TV HD would essentially remove any limitations. I could watch and record ANY channel I currently pay my cable company for on my iMac. And edit and archive as well. Quite tempting but I'm still concerned about this "analog loophole" that could be closed off rendering this device useless. The paid TV Guide subscription is lame as well.
Will wait for reviews but even if this ends up not being for me I do think it's a step in the right direction for El Gato.
-PN
I also use the firewire SDK, a firewire cable, and VLC to watch and record HD channels that are in the clear (about 8 channels, including all the broadcast networks) on my iMac.
I'm pretty happy with this setup but this new Eye TV HD would essentially remove any limitations. I could watch and record ANY channel I currently pay my cable company for on my iMac. And edit and archive as well. Quite tempting but I'm still concerned about this "analog loophole" that could be closed off rendering this device useless. The paid TV Guide subscription is lame as well.
Will wait for reviews but even if this ends up not being for me I do think it's a step in the right direction for El Gato.
-PN