Elgato EyeTV HD Quality? Screen captures included

[Phantom Gremlin]

As far as I can see, the main difference is that the EyeTV software supports the EyeTV HD's IR blaster, allowing you to change channels from within EyeTV. It doesn't support the Hauppauge HD PVR's IR blaster for some reason, so if you want to change channels from EyeTV you'd need a separate IR solution like IRTrans or ZephIR. If you just want to capture already-recorded stuff then that won't matter and otherwise the EyeTV software seems to support the HD PVR well.

Thanks for that detailed information. I will probably go the HD PVR route.

BTW, there is other Mac software to control the HD PVR. I will try that as well. I think the guy works for Hauppauge and wrote that software before EyeTV supported the device.

 

[Rich Gibson]

I'm very dissatisfied with my TV HD. I could never get the IR blaster to work. Getting support from them is a nightmare; they make you go through registration and trouble from submission like this was some multi-million dollar application. Then they never get back. While I can't know for sure it sure seems as if they intend to discourage providing support. In the world of form and content they seem to be obsessed with procedures instead of producing a solid stable product.

Half the time I get no image despite not changing any settings. I have to re-start it, reboot the computer and re-seat the wires. I really would like to get the IR output working since I've converted my iPad to a master controller. If any electronics company wanted a great opportunity to take over this market it's wide open as far as I'm concerned.

Rich

 

[MyMac8MyPC]

EyeTV 3.5.1 Update available...

 

[NewYork11]

This is undoubtedly a problem/limitation with the hardware. I just bought an EyeTV HD box myself and noticed the output didn't look right. I also have the Blackmagic Intensity Pro card which is far more difficult to use, and was hoping that this box would finally give me a more convenient solution to save HD stuff I cannot get over clear QAM.

Attached are screen shots showing the difference between the output of the two units connected to the same source. I also tried connecting the EyeTV HD directly to the source with a short high-quality cable. The output was identical to the prior attempt.

This first image is from the EyeTV HD:


This second image is from the Blackmagic Intensity Pro PCI Card:

 

[Phantom Gremlin]

Attached are screen shots showing the difference between the output of the two units connected to the same source.

Next you need to purchase the Hauppauge HD PVR, so you can compare that unit for us as well!

I assume that the 2nd image is from the Blackmagic card. Yes, it's better. But the 1st image isn't horrible.

Rather than comparing static images, I'd be more concerned about how well any of these products deal with motion. E.g. digitize an F1 race and see which one does it better.

 

[NewYork11]

Next you need to purchase the Hauppauge HD PVR, so you can compare that unit for us as well!

I assume that the 2nd image is from the Blackmagic card. Yes, it's better. But the 1st image isn't horrible.

Rather than comparing static images, I'd be more concerned about how well any of these products deal with motion. E.g. digitize an F1 race and see which one does it better.

[I edited the post to indicate which image was which. Somehow I thought the file names would have shown up and those make it clear.]

It looks the same in motion. That is, it's not like an artifact that goes away frame to frame, like interlacing. I first noticed it while watching the video I was capturing. It didn't seem as sharp as I'm used to HD being, so I compared it in motion. The still frame comparison is a perfect representation of the sharpness issue. I don't expect that the EyeTV HD unit is any worse as far as high-speed motion goes.

 

[peterjcat]

Please, please, please can everybody who's experiencing quality problems contact Elgato support with screenshots. I've tried two units now and they both exhibit the same issues. Elgato think it's just because I live outside North America, it would be great to get some more evidence and hope that there's something they can do on the firmware side to improve things.

I've found that the end credits of a movie are a good way to demonstrate the issue(s)...