Home media setup with Apple TV, EyeTV and LCD monitor with TV-tuner

[Tommie Montana]

Hello all,

I'm looking for your opinion on the set-up I would like to use when I move to my new apartment. I want to view live TV over antenna and stream recorded TV.

I have already an iMac with Plex server, and would like to buy a secondary screen (preferably with TV-tuner, Samsung Syncmaster seems to do the trick) or just a cheap tv. I was also looking at the EyeTV Hybrid to receive and record public channels here in Belgium over antenna, but it may not be necessary if the monitor already has a TV-tuner. The Apple TV (with Plex installed) seems like a good option to stream films and series I already have on the iMac or external hard drive.

I seem to have 2 options right now, depending on the compatibility of all this stuff.

If I go with the iMac, add a LCD-screen with TV-tuner and connect that with an Apple TV, I suppose I won't need an EyeTV. Unless I really need their software for recording? The screen would need to be connected to the iMac for recording at least, but I don't think that's an issue (I would use it as a secondary screen in one room, and as a tv in another room so portability is important).

The other option is the iMac, a normal LCD-screen (about €100 cheaper than with TV-tuner), connect with Apple TV and buy the EyeTV to view and record via the iMac. This is only an option if I can just hook up the EyeTV to a LCD-monitor, in case I want to see live tv in my bedroom (without the iMac connected).

Does anyone have a similar set-up or remarks about this? I suppose the best way is to just buy all of them, but of course that's not the cheapest option. If there are better options, please let me know.

 

[From A Buick 8]

To be able to record the "live" TV on your imac for later playback you will need something like the EyeTV to capture the Live TV on the iMac. The tuner in the monitor will not get the signal to your iMac for recording. (reading your post i am not clear if you understand that part)

If you want access to the content on your iMac from the TV in your bedroom then the ATV is a good choice. Just make sure the TV or monitor you buy for the bedroom has HDMI

 

[Tommie Montana]

Ah, I can't believe I forgot about that in my enthusiasm . The first option is out then, because I definitely will need something to record. Unless I use the VCR I don't use anymore. A separate Hard Disk Recorder seems a bit too much for what I need, especially if I can just hook up an EyeTV to record.

I suppose I will also still need the TV-tuner in the LCD screen to be able to watch TV when the screen is not connected to the iMac. So, I think my questions have already been solved.

iMac - External HD - EyeTV - Apple TV - LCD/TV

That should work nicely with the Elgato software and Plex.

Thanks for your input. PS: I had the cd with From a Buick 6 in my car this morning, a nice coincidence .

If anyone should think of a cheaper or simpler solution, don't hesitate to mention it. It will be 2-3 months before I move so I have some time to think about this.

 

[Phillie14586]

Like stated the TV will not output the video stream so you can't record from that. the eyetv is used by a lot of people and so is the HDHomerun. Either one will get the signal and allow you to record. the eyeTV does come with software where the HDHomerun does not but the HDHomerun does have a two tuner model which I don't think the eyeTV does. To record on the HDHomerun you can use EyeTV 3, SageTV or Myth.

Now to get that to your TV you do have several options. One is to get the ATV but you are tied to what Stevie wants you to get so you are stuck with 720p and only formats that are compatible with iTunes and what ever channels like Netflix he decides to put money up for to include. Now since you have Plex already you can go directly from the computer to the TV via HDMI and have the whole internet and just about any format video source at your disposal. Use HDMI-Cat5e/6 extender if needing to go a significant distance. Down sides of this setup - remote operation. With a STB it is in the room with you and probably comes with a remote. If you have an iOS device there are plenty of apps that will allow you remote control of the computer. This is the route I plan on going after I see what goodies I get for Christmas. I think my biggest issue is going to be operating Plex on the TV while my wife is surfing on the computer.

 

[Tommie Montana]

About Plex: I stumbled upon their forums earlier today, and it seems they have it working on the new Apple TV after it is jailbroken. I'm not sure if debating this is legal here, but it is definitely the way I will set it up.

I want to avoid cables all around the place, so the extender you mentioned is not for me. I want to use the LCD/TV as a secondary monitor and as a TV on different locations.

I'll check HDHomerun and those other software options. Thanks for the tips!

 

[EvilC5]

i think i understand where you are going....

if you have the eyetv to capture your live tv to watch later, if you get another tv that has built in DLNA or have a ps3 or something else that can act as a DLNA client, you can stream from the eyeconnect dlna server in the native eye tv format vs waiting the time to export and convert to apple tv format....which takes a while (at least for my hd content).

this was something i stumbled upon when i got my new samsung tv, I was able to watch the native eye tv shows without transcoding them. also worked for the MKV files without the use of plex or anything else...

 

[Tommie Montana]

i think i understand where you are going....

if you have the eyetv to capture your live tv to watch later, if you get another tv that has built in DLNA or have a ps3 or something else that can act as a DLNA client, you can stream from the eyeconnect dlna server in the native eye tv format vs waiting the time to export and convert to apple tv format....which takes a while (at least for my hd content).

this was something i stumbled upon when i got my new samsung tv, I was able to watch the native eye tv shows without transcoding them. also worked for the MKV files without the use of plex or anything else...

So if I buy one of these: http://reviews.cnet.com/network-sto...505-3382_7-34192049.html?tag=also#reviewPage1
I should be able to stream live and recorded TV if it's connected to a normal monitor? I'm planning on buying a new 2TB HDD so that might be an option. I wouldn't need the Apple TV and the monitor would be a bit cheaper since it doesn't need a tv-tuner.

I checked HDHomerun, and it's the same price as the EyeTV, but that already has the software so I'll go the Elgato way for sure.


EDIT: that WD Mybook link can't be connected to a screen, but this can: http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-media-receivers/sony-smp-n100/4505-6739_7-34420052.html#reviewPage1
I'll need to look into this, but it seems like a good alternative.

 

[EvilC5]

I dont know of a way to stream live tv, but if you figure it out, i would love to hear it. I stream in "near real time". i can capture a 30 min show with eyetv, and can play it via dlna to my tv after its finished.

i would say for cost savings, if you are adding a 2nd tv and want essentially the ability to receive content from your HTPC, a DLNA enabled tv with maybe some other features like netflix/hulu would probably be the route I would take.

but if your budget is ~200 dollars, i dont think thats possible yet as the smallest tv i recall seeing with that feature set is a 32...

 

[Tommie Montana]

I don't know about my budget, but it certainly won't cover a tv with DLNA. With the EyeTV, Apple TV and the monitor/tv I'd like to remain below 500 euros.

Looking at those DLNA devices: I'm not sure if it's what I prefer. I know that Plex handles almost all my files well, and I noticed there is talk about streaming EyeTV via Airplay when that get's sorted out (at the moment unsupported): http://forums.elgato.com/viewtopic.php?f=130&t=9302&p=44397
VLC is apparently already able to stream EyeTV content to another Mac so I see this happening in the future.

 

[dgalvan123]

The latest EyeTV app for iOS now allows streaming of recorded shows AND live tv content from your EyeTV program on your computer to your iOS device.

It also allows airplaying of that streamed content/live tv from your iOS device to your ATV2G.

Tuner --> Mac --> iOS device --> Apple TV 2G --> TV

I've tried it a couple times and it works. . . kinda. I find it's sort of buggy, in that when I'm airplaying live tv to my ATV2G using either my iphone 4 or my ipad2, I can't use the pause or rewind buttons. Without those, I don't get the true time-shifting DVR experience on my tv. This seems to be the case for recorded content too: I can airplay the show to my ATV2G and it plays fine on my TV, but I can't pause or rewind.

IE: the current setup using eyetv and ATV2G has a pretty low Wife Acceptance Factor.