The advantage here is that when you’re recording or viewing something off of either analog TV or the analog inputs all the encoding happens outside of your computer, so all the computer has to do is decode and display the video.
#Eyetv hybrid plus
The biggest difference between the cheaper EyeTV Hybrid and the EyeTV 250 Plus is that the 250 has an external MPEG-2 (Video)/MPEG-1 (Audio) encoder (The Hybrid model relies on your CPU to convert the signal into digital format). For my purposes I was most interested in the QAM capability since I am a cable subscriber. It also has an adapter that can accept Composite and S-Video inputs along with analog stereo audio. The EyeTV 250 Plus is an external USB based tuner that supports NTSC (Analog Cable and Satellite), ATSC (Digital Satellite) and QAM (Digital Cable). After reviewing all my options, I decided on the EyeTV 250 Plus. They have three models right now (The EyeTV Hybrid, EyeTV 250 Plus, and the HDHomeRun).
#Eyetv hybrid for mac
So I started looking at TV tuners and finally decided on Elgato’s EyeTV 250 Plus.Įlgato makes TV tuners, acccessories, and software for Mac and is pretty much regarded as the best company for Mac TV accessories. The problem was that the nicest screen (my 24-inch LCD monitor for my Mac Mini) lacks a tuner so it couldn’t act as a TV. We have one TV upstairs (which has all the good stuff attached to it) and then one downstairs that is just plugged into standard cable (2-72).
#Eyetv hybrid update
Last but not least, current users of the EyeTV 3 software should look for the EyeTV 3.1 update with the new features to arrive later this month.Our house has always been a two tv house – that’s it. You can also drop by the company's booth to take a peek. As you might expect from a new product, it can only be purchased on the Elgato store for now, but it will be appearing in Apple Stores and other retail stores soon. The 2009 EyeTV Hybrid is only available in the U.S. Rounding out the set of new features is support for Parental Controls in EyeTV 3.1, which can be set to block certain American, Canadian, or European content ratings.
The device itself has gotten a bit of a redesign, and now includes an Xceive 5000 tuner chip and an LGDT 3305 demodulator (if either of those mean anything to you). The ability of the EyeTV Hybrid to receive and record FM is another nifty addition. Along with the guide, the new EyeTV 3.1 software now lets users record seasons of shows using the Smart Series Guide feature. After the year is up, the guide information will cost $20, which isn't too steep. One year of free service is included for new users of the EyeTV 3 software, but the company has thoughtfully included a free year for existing EyeTV 3 users as well. One of the biggest new features is that the device now supports the TV Guide electronic programming guide. The 2008 version of the EyeTV Hybrid made the most recent Staff Gift Guide, and things are only getting better in 2009. The EyeTV application has also gotten an update to version 3.1 as part of the Hybrid update. Elgato's tuner stick, the EyeTV Hybrid, has gotten an update for 2009 and comes with a raft of new features, including FM radio capabilities, a new program guide, and series recording functionality. The folks from Elgato apparently have a better booth position at this year's Macworld Expo, and one of the items that will be on display is the company's latest TV tuner.