How to convert .eyetv files without EyeTV software?

[davidg4781]

I've been cleaning out my Mac (amazing how many useless files I have!) and came across a few .eyetv files from years ago when I had an EyeTV.

Does anyone know of anyway to convert these without Paying for the software? I'm not looking for anything illegal, but will Handbrake or something convert these?

EyeTV is $80 and the only hardware that Elgato sells that has it bundled is the eyetv HD for $200.

I guess I can always buy it, export, then resell it, but I'm looking for something a little easier.

 

[DavidDoyle]

This page has the answer....

http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1231396

Just tested here and works fine.

 

[davidg4781]

Really?! Show Package Contents and it's in there as an .mpg!?

I even called up Elgato and they didn't tell me about this.

I'm watching one video I pulled out and there's black bars on the side (Old G.I. Joe VHS tape. I can't remember if these were there previously. Do any of the files in the .eyetv wrapper like crop it when played or is this how that video is, if that makes any sense.

Also what's the best format to convert these .mpgs to? Should I just keep them as they are until I need them later on?

 

[Dave Braine]

Show Package Contents and it's in there as an .mpg!?

Well, well, never knew that. Thanks.

 

[ratsg]

The answer has already been posted concerning the mpeg storage file format, so I am just providing backup at this point.

I have an Apple Mac Mini that I use as a DVR, along with the EyeTV setup.

I pull the mpeg files directly from the box, and watch them using either VLC or MPlayer on my Solaris based Desktop.

 

[AZhappyjack]

The answer has already been posted concerning the mpeg storage file format, so I am just providing backup at this point.

I have an Apple Mac Mini that I use as a DVR, along with the EyeTV setup.

I pull the mpeg files directly from the box, and watch them using either VLC or MPlayer on my Solaris based Desktop.

I’d like to hear more about this setup. Are you able to auto-record? What all is involved?

 

[ratsg]

I’d like to hear more about this setup. Are you able to auto-record? What all is involved?

I had to go back and look at my actual order forms.

In November 2008, I purchased a "EyeTV 250 Plus 2008" thru Amazon.com. This came with the EyeTV software that I still have, and they still allow me to continue to update automagically, plus the USB tuner hardware. This sat back in my computer room plugged into my G5 PowerMac for some time.

In October 2010, I purchased a Mac Mini server for a purpose I won't go into here. It did not meet that need, so it promptly moved to my living room, along with the EyeTV hardware/software package and plugged into my flat screen TV, serving as my DVR. It runs 24*7 and has since October 2010, almost nonstop.

That Mac Mini is still there to this day serving as a DVR. To answer your question, yes, it does auto record, along with a host of other functions. Aside from shipping with Mac OS X server 10.6, the hardware is in no way a server. The original 2.5" consumer HDD died probably around the one year point. I (should) have had Apple replace them as I purchased Apple Care, but I didn't. What I did do is get a Firewire 2 enclosure and some 3.5" Seagate drives then reloaded Mac OS X server 10.6 back up on that.

I move files around usually via NFS mounts. Sometimes I also move files around via ssh/scp/sftp.

I spend most of my time in Solaris, and I think that I stated earlier that I watch shows I have recorded either via VLC or MPlayer.

I have also jailbroken both my iPad and my Iphone. I don't do/use any custom themes, which seems to be the only real reason to jailbreak, but it is very nice to get to the core Mac OS X on my i-devices. It makes it very nice to be able to move/copy files around directly from my EyeTV box to the sub-directory I want stuff in on my iPad for remote viewing.

Hope that helps some.

Let me know if I can explain more.

 

[davidg4781]

Ok, hopefully this is the last question.

What's the best file format to keep it stored? The original .mpg from the .eyetv wrapper is 5.26 GB. I had previously used iDVD to transfer this to DVD so I have a .dv version that's 22.83 GB.

After using HandBrake to convert it to AppleTV 3 I have a version that's 1.18 GB in iTunes and 1.27 GB on the Desktop (HandBrake left it on the Desktop, I dragged it to iTunes).

I'm pretty sure the .dv was created from the original .mpg version so I can probably delete that. I honestly can't remember why I did the conversion.

I wouldn't mind just keeping the .m4v version in iTunes but it's obviously missing something to be that much smaller in size. I'd hate to need to burn this to a DVD or edit in iMovie in the future and not have the best source material.

Any suggestions??

 

[ratsg]

Ok, hopefully this is the last question.

What's the best file format to keep it stored? The original .mpg from the .eyetv wrapper is 5.26 GB. I had previously used iDVD to transfer this to DVD so I have a .dv version that's 22.83 GB.

STUFF DELETED HERE

Any suggestions??

You may have other circumstances or issues not listed here, but in short, I'm going to reply with a question.

Do you ever foresee yourself using the EyeTV software again in the future? If yes, leave it alone.

If not, all you need is the mpeg file.

 

[davidg4781]

You may have other circumstances or issues not listed here, but in short, I'm going to reply with a question.

Do you ever foresee yourself using the EyeTV software again in the future? If yes, leave it alone.

If not, all you need is the mpeg file.

I do not need EyeTV software ever again. The thing is the mpg file won't import to iTunes. So I'd have to keep that one (the original) and the one in iTunes. I was trying to cut it back but don't want to lose an original.