Which EyeTv Tuner?

[sammyman]

I am looking for an EyeTv Tuner for my Mac Mini. Which of these is the best?

http://www.amazon.com/Elgato-100204..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1TBRJM7A54F0WBBJFT8G

OR

http://www.amazon.com/EyeTV-Hybrid-...0013PKBAU/ref=pd_ts_e_5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

 

[MasterNile]

if you're going to be using it for a mac mini you may want to get an EyeTV 250+ as that would offload the work from the processor to the EyeTV hardware and it's not much more than the expensive hybrid you were looking at.

 

[arkitect]

Another vote for the EyeTV 250+

It works very well for me — also offers a choice of connections.

 

[cube]

Find a used EyeTV 200. It also has hardware MPEG-4 compression, which the 250 does not.

 

[Killyp]

Although there's still no way of automatically exporting things into iTunes, you've got to tell it to do it.

 

[arkitect]

Although there's still no way of automatically exporting things into iTunes, you've got to tell it to do it.

I use the Wi-Fi Access option and it exports all recordings automatically to iTunes for me. No prompting needed.

Also allows me to watch my recordings on my iPhone.

 

[Phatpat]

Just in case you're a frugal person like me...I use an eyeTV hybrid with my 1.66 Core Duo Mac Mini, and it works just fine. You can get them factory refurbished for $68 from OWC http://eshop.macsales.com/item/ElGato/10020415R/

With regard to your initial question, the latter link looks like it's the newer version, which includes QAM support (free channels over cable) as well as EyeTV 3. I have the older version.

 

[mdgolom]

if you're going to be using it for a mac mini you may want to get an EyeTV 250+ as that would offload the work from the processor to the EyeTV hardware and it's not much more than the expensive hybrid you were looking at.

I agree with the EyeTV 250+. I have both, but only use the 250+.

 

[sammyman]

So will the video quality be better on the 250+, or will it just be a little faster? I do like the cheaper price, and the smaller footprint of the hybrid, but maybe the 250+ is worth the extra $$.

 

[Chris Rogers]

I'm in the market for one of these, how many shows can you record simultaneously?
What's the big difference between the hybrid and the 250? I'd use it with an iMac and MacBook.

Just in case you're a frugal person like me...I use an eyeTV hybrid with my 1.66 Core Duo Mac Mini, and it works just fine. You can get them factory refurbished for $68 from OWC http://eshop.macsales.com/item/ElGato/10020415R/

With regard to your initial question, the latter link looks like it's the newer version, which includes QAM support (free channels over cable) as well as EyeTV 3. I have the older version.

I'm a frugal person like you
MUCH appreciated - How about a cheaper apple TV?

 

[themoonisdown09]

So will the video quality be better on the 250+, or will it just be a little faster? I do like the cheaper price, and the smaller footprint of the hybrid, but maybe the 250+ is worth the extra $$.

I don't think the video quality is any different, it just does all the processing on the device and not your Mac Mini.